possible crownverse spoiler. sketching out future plot

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"...what did you say?"

"it's hypothetical." hashirama shrugged, plopping down on a chair she made weeks ago when they first gazed upon their village from the cliff. "i mean, if i were to lose my mokuton..."

"is it a possibility?" madara asked sharply. "permanently?"

she stared at him, then she nodded briefly.

he narrowed his eyes. "...why didn't you mention this before?"

"i... didn't know such thing would happen," she muttered, keeping her words vague enough. "it may happen when i'm old and frail. but after that... incident, i keep thinking it can come sooner."

"we'll look for ways to stall it," he said, crossing his arms. "our security protocols aren't relying heavily on you. konoha will be fine."

she was grateful he didn't further pushed about the incident, although the air changed slightly around him. he was still upset about it.

he still thought it's his failure.

"madara, no..." hashirama fidgeted in her seat. "i... well, when you asked for my hand you said... you said you only wanted the strongest woman."

madara was silent.

"if i were to lose my mokuton, i won't be the strongest anymore." her head was downcast. "then any shinobi who can mold chakra would be stronger than me."

"...oi."

"i... i read the uchiha marriage custom. so if you... if you wish to take-"

"hashirama."

"-i'd understand that, madara, so if you-"

"hashirama!"

she jolted, her lips were trembling. now madara was visibly angry.

"why are you saying this?" he asked, nearly exasperated.

"i just want you to know i'll support you whatever decision you choose," hashirama said, nearly raising her voice, "because i'm your wife."

"and i'm your husband!" he shouted, his chest rising and falling. "i'm disappointed at how lowly you think of me. sage's sake, that's just a custom, not a strict guide!"

"but still-"

"still what?"

"do you..." her voice faltered. hashirama took a deep breath. "would you still stay with me... even after i no longer become the strongest?"

hashirama knew so well, how much he hated weakness. she had mulled over this idea since she realized her payment might come sooner than expected. especially when she might also lost her ability to bear lives.

madara sighed. "i know your weaknesses, hashirama. i've seen you in various state of vulnerabilities-when you're writhing in pain from your monthly bleeding, when you broke down during a crisis, when you're asleep so peacefully beside your old nemesis..." he scoffed. "after few years of marriage, i thought you'd have understand me better than that."

she had nothing to say, still wondering where she went wrong.

"you bare them all to me, someone who spent years trying to kill you. other shinobi hide their vulnerabilities-but not you. that's what makes you the strongest."

she tried to say something, but only a high pitched sob came out from her throat.

"hokage or not... goddess or not... you're the wife i chose," he continued, gazing at the horizon. "had you refused my hand, i'd have to spend the rest of my life alone, and noticeably less happier than i am now."

"...i've said something bad, huh?"

madara faced her. "your concern is understandable. if you'e worried about... that matter," he paused, "then i'm the one who should've apologized-"

the rest of his words were drowned as she ran to his embrace, sobbing on his shoulder.

at least, when her world was grey and bleak, hashirama still had madara by her side.