Rebirth was strange, Naruto mused, especially considering he wasn't Hashirama.
The old sage had told him that Ashura had been reborn as Hashirama, but with the revelation of his past he knew that he'd never been Hashirama. Ashura? Maybe. But Hashirama wasn't a memory. He wasn't so adamant to find Sasuke just because he was his friend - there was someone else. Another Uchiha was dark hair and a foul attitude that he'd once knew, but not as Hashirama.
Hashirama stood next to him, but Madara's eyes weren't on him. Naruto caught his eye and they both knew.
Tobirama seemed to be the only one who understood what was happening, sending glances to the pink-haired medical-nin a few feet from him who also seemed to slowly be piecing together what was happening.
The war continued on regardless.
After Obito and Madara and Zetsu and Kaguya, Naruto knew Sasuke would be the next problem, the next big enemy, when he saw the look in his eye, but he wasn't the main concern.
Hashirama knelt next to the dying Madara and Naruto practically sprinted over to them, managing, in all his war hero status and tiredness, to trip over dirt and face-plant next to Madara.
"You clumsy idiot," Madara said exasperatedly, lightly shoving the downed Naruto's shoulder.
"My knight in bloody armour," Naruto quipped back, wiping over Madara's pant leg to show him the blood that stained his hand as he moved away.
Hashirama stepped back, but only Tobirama and Sakura caught the way Madara and Naruto squeezed each other's hands as Madara slowly died.
"I can't believe I almost forgot you," Madara grumbled bitterly.
Naruto grinned weakly.
"I'd say I missed you, but you're still a little bitch."
Hashirama snorted in surprise, making Madara glare at him, but his attention was quickly brought back to Naruto and he propped himself up on his elbows. Naruto places one hand on Madara's cheek and Sakura was so sure they were going to kiss that she almost dropped Kakashi (who she was supporting in his chakra exhausted state) when Naruto pinched his cheek.
Madara reached up with strength borne of petty revenge and pinched back, leading to a tired pinch war that Naruto was steadily winning.
Tobirama muttered numbers under his breath to tally the victor, but paused when he started glowing. Chunks of all the Hokage began breaking off and Naruto was called over to his father to say goodbye.
Naruto missed Madara's death, but Hashirama heard their last words.
"Happy birthday, idiot."
"See you on the other side, bloody knight."