The world was alight with life.

A new village had been formed, one that was born from the new alliance of the Uchiha and Senju Clans. They called it Konohagakure.

Naruto smiled warmly at the sights of the village. It wasn't much yet, but the people were genuine as they expressed joyful emotions and kindness, and that was enough after the times of strife they'd followed.

Uchiha Madara caught Naruto's eye.

He was listening to Senju Hashirama, the first leader of this new village and Senju clan head, talk animatedly.

Naruto walked up to the pair and called for the Uchiha's attention, making both veteran shinobi turn their heads to face the blonde.

Naruto smiled cheekily as they introduced themselves to one another.

Madara inquired about the sudden appearance of Naruto.

"Heck if I know. I guess you just looked like a chill person to talk to."

Hashirama nodded, leaving to tell his younger brother that, indeed, he was right that Madara was actually capable of attracting friends.

Naruto grabbed Madara's arm and he yelled as Naruto was engulfed in golden flames and swiftly left the ground, pulling Madara up with him. Madara clung tightly to the blonde, not entirely trusting himself to catch himself if he were to fall. Naruto laughed giddily and held Madara closer.

Naruto watched with blank eyes as the blade went cleanly through Madara's chest, but refused to look away. He watched from the shadows as Hashirama carried Madara's corpse back to the village, but made no move to stop him.

Madara would be back.

He always came back.

As foretold, the power of Madara's eyes brought him back to life.

Madara went into hiding and Naruto became completely passive to the world as he watched Madara age. It started with a few white hairs and an inability to fight as well as he used to, which soon developed into a critical state wherein Madara was grasping to life by attaching himself to the old husk of the most powerful creature ever seen in the Five Great Nations.

It was around the time that Madara was almost dead that Naruto found a young boy, Uchiha Obito, in a near death state, the entire right side of his body crushed by boulders and everything else covered by several feet of stone.

Madara took in the boy and corrupted him.

Naruto frowned at the act, knowing full well that intervention would change too much for him to predict the likely future occurrences, making the future tactically more of a failure.

Madara did eventually die again when he disconnected himself from the ancient husk.

But he knew that Madara would be back. He always came back.

And he did.

This time, Naruto was fighting on the opposing side of the war and it only pained him more when it was clear that Madara had no recollection of them. That was the point - Naruto came in and out of his life to scope him out, not to make a lasting impression.

It was the most brutal emotional battle they had ever faced. Bloodshed, tears, injustice. Super healing, super strength, beasts older than Naruto, and the leaders of the world.

Naruto looked on as Hashirama claimed goodbye to Madara, this time for actuality.

Madara turned his head towards Naruto and gave a broken smile as he mouthed the words, only for Naruto to know:

"Thank you, Naruto."

Naruto placed his only arm against the side of Madara's grave, his little secret away from his allies, a smile with long-dried tear tracks stretching his cheeks painfully.

"Good night, Madara."

He never came back.