Day 5
Bringing peace to this putrid world...
Such was the purpose he had cherished since his earliest childhood. Despite an upbringing marked by brutality, Madara aspired to only one reality: peace.
Certainly, he had relished the taste of battle and blood through the ruthless lessons imparted to him, but his ambition far exceeded the impulses of his instincts. That's why this phrase persisted relentlessly in the recesses of his mind.
Since his awakening, his mind had incessantly revisited the notion of peace, inexorably linked to Sakura and his own fervent desire to cleanse this world. Never would he have envisioned crossing paths with a soul sharing his ideal, aside from Hashirama Senju.
Inevitably, the brunet immersed himself in the memories of his past, an era tainted by conflicts and death. Madara was born during the Muromachi era, a period designated as the age of provincial wars. It was an extended and bloody era, where ninja clans incessantly waged battles, plunging nations into perpetual conflicts. Each sought to expand its territory and assert dominance over the others.
Over the decades, two clans stood out for their unwavering power: the Senju clan and the Uchiha clan. Their reputations were firmly established, characterized by equivalent strength and unparalleled tenacity on the battlefield. Nations in search of conflict never failed to solicit their services. So much so that each confrontation invariably boiled down to an unrelenting duel between the Uchiha and the Senju. This perpetual rivalry only deepened the visceral aversion that bound them to each other.
It was in this environment saturated with hatred and conflict that Madara entered the world. His childhood was unfortunately unconventional. While other children indulged in innocent games such as hide-and-seek, he had to learn the subtle art of camouflage for deadly purposes. He knew nothing of the joys of growing up surrounded by the innocence and love of a family. On the contrary, his education immersed him in the pain and suffering born from hatred. His life amounted to an unyielding sequence: wake up, train, kill, silently weep, sleep, and repeat.
The conflicts of extreme violence contributed to a ninja's average lifespan barely exceeding 30 years. An average in perpetual decline, as among the fallen ninjas, many were children. Thus, faced with the incessant loss of their loved ones, an infinite cycle of vengeance was born, leading the shinobi to conceal their surnames for fear of reprisals.
Madara recalled the time when he met Hashirama, a young man driven by the same desire to restore peace to this corrupted world. Despite their childhood friendship, the two boys grew up to become rival leaders of their respective clans. Inevitably, their paths led them to become enemies.
It was also at that time that Madara and his brother discovered the secrets of the Sharingan, becoming the first to awaken the formidable Mangekyō Sharingan. Unfortunately, the use of this pupil eventually rendered its possessor blind. Through the incessant conflicts, Madara's vision deteriorated inexorably until his brother, faced with a mortal wound, bequeathed him his own eyes. Thanks to this sacrifice, Madara obtained the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, allowing him to continue the fight without suffering ocular degradation.
Yet, even after decades of conflicts marked by escalating violence, evolving into carnage, most clans under the banner of the Uchiha and Senju decided to form the first lasting truce among the peoples.
Madara, however, remained the sole opponent of this quest for peace. He clashed with his own clan, seeking to convince them to persist in the fight, considering any attempt at reconciliation as hypocrisy. Eventually, compelled by circumstances, he formed a permanent alliance with the Senju clan.
Shortly thereafter, a pact was sealed with the Daimyō of the Land of Fire, giving birth to Konoha No Sato. This innovative gesture triggered a series of unprecedented events, inspiring others to follow suit, thus shaping the five great ninja nations and their villages.
When the alliance treaty was proposed, Madara categorically refused, standing in opposition to his entire clan. The treaty's clause was unacceptable to him, placing the Uchiha clan in a subordinate position to the Senju clan. For the brunet, it was a matter of pride as much as preservation, and there was no way his people would occupy such a position.
As an enlightened visionary, Madara predicted that despite the existence of this truce, ancestral hatred would persist and resurface one day.
Thus, faced with this supposed peace, negotiated more than acquired, he couldn't help but ponder a crucial question: For how long?
To him, this peace was deceptive, destined to fail, for how could it endure when the inhabitants harbored mutual hatred?
Madara thus embarked on the first step to establish his authentic vision of peace in this tainted world. Yet, despite his efforts, he experienced failure, leaving behind a weakened stature, now dependent on an enigmatic woman who nevertheless shared the same fervent desire for peace.
"This corrupted world," murmured Madara, initially skeptical of Sakura's sincerity. However, the gaze of the young woman left no room for doubt: her desire to pacify this world was genuine. She had undoubtedly endured similar trials to his own to nurture such a deep aspiration.
With this thought in mind, Madara watched Sakura meditate outside on this sun-drenched day. He followed her gaze until she began her medical routine. With every move, she demonstrated remarkable meticulousness and professionalism, forcing Madara to acknowledge her excellence in everything she undertook. Each day, the pain faded a little more, and impatience grew in him at the prospect of regaining the use of his legs.
"Haruno-san," called out Madara in a voice as deep as the depths of darkness, while she channeled her green chakra.
"Yes, Uchiha-san?" responded Sakura, lifting her eyes slightly, plunging into the dark abyss of Madara's gaze.
"What have you been through to fuel this ardent desire for peace?" Madara questioned, his jet-black gaze intensely scrutinizing Sakura's.
The young woman didn't respond immediately, taken aback by the depth of the inquiry. In Madara's eyes, she detected both hesitation and a glimmer of hope, a combination as bewildering as it was unexpected. Sakura hurriedly crafted a lie, dismissing the idea of revealing the entirety of her existence, opting instead to sketch the picture of a potential life in the Muromachi era.
"The war...," Sakura began, returning to her medical duties. "My life has been dictated by it. Hiding, escaping incessant conflicts to preserve territories, disguising myself as a man to avoid becoming prey to invaders. Learning to become a weapon to defend my own, while those dear to me succumbed to trivialities!"
The last part of her tirade was spoken with a fervor tinged with rage, and Madara could discern the glint of tears forming at the corners of her emerald eyes. With a quick gesture, she brushed away those nascent tears before continuing:
"Humanity, by its nature, is marked by horror, greed, selfishness, guided by its own interests without considering the consequences of its actions. Some simply aspire to tranquility, indifferent to the fate of others... That's how I forged my strength, refusing to let anyone dictate my actions," declared Sakura with a firmness punctuating her final surgical checks. "I will set you upright as before; let me know of any pain."
"What does peace mean to you?" Madara inquired, deeply intrigued as he leaned forward. The pain persisted in his abdomen, but it was becoming more bearable. "It's no longer a piercing pain; it's now constant when you adjust me," he specified to the young woman.
"Endure that for a minute while I fix the situation... And I must admit, Uchiha-san, that your question is not simple," Sakura said as her hand regained its green hue.
"Then express it in your own words. I truly want to hear your perspective on the matter," insisted Madara.
"To live in symbiosis with one's neighbor, devoid of jealousy or envy in the face of others' success. To be able to help others without expecting any reward. A world where individuals progress hand in hand rather than apart. A world where the quest for power over others no longer governs society," Sakura stated with a glimmer of hope, letting her imagination run wild for it to become a reality.
"Unfortunately, Haruno-san, such a world remains a chimera," Madara dissipated, filled with disillusion. He, too, had nourished that vision, but bitter experience had demonstrated its impossibility.
"I know, humanity is too obtuse to grasp it... are you okay?"
"Bearable," replied Uchiha, dwelling on the benefits this woman bestowed upon him. "In my opinion, this world is condemned, not deserving to persist," he affirmed with conviction.
"That's a somewhat radical perspective, Uchiha-san. Not everyone is corrupt," pleaded Sakura while shifting Madara onto the bed.
In a way, she shared his view. Two years of travels through her time had shaped her and revealed the true nature of humanity. Certainly, many deserved their fate for their actions and being, but generalizing to the entire population seemed exaggerated.
"Man never learns better than through pain," the Uchiha uttered with a deep voice, his gaze lost in the horizon.
Sakura, removing the blankets that enveloped her patient, responded with sincerity, "I'm afraid I can only agree with your statement, Uchiha-san." She began moving Madara outside, where the sunlight danced. "A bit of light can only do you good, especially with your pale complexion."
A simple "Hn" was Madara's only response, but he allowed himself to be moved, expressing mild reluctance. The day unfolded in all its splendor, and staying indoors would have been a mistake. He was carefully placed on a wicker lounge chair, equipped with a soft cushion.
"You're well settled, Uchiha-san," Sakura inquired, scrutinizing any signs of pain or discomfort on his face. She knew that despite all precautions, the slightest adjustment in position carried a risk, however minimal, of compromising her work.
"Yes, the view is magnificent," Madara replied. Sakura took a seat beside him on a chair, unfolding a book with a green cover that she held in one hand.
Who would have suspected that the formidable Madara Uchiha could find pleasure in contemplating a place? As the hours passed, Sakura discovered a man who turned out to be the antithesis of the image she had formed. She had imagined him as a cold, calculating being, driven by madness, animated solely by the desire to see the world plunge into chaos. However, she was beginning to realize that one could truly know someone only by spending time with them. Despite some characteristics matching the description given to her, Madara Uchiha proved to be much more complex. A thoughtful individual, capable of appreciating the simple pleasures of life.
"I agree with you, it's truly soothing," Sakura confirmed, crossing her legs while resuming her reading.
Minutes stretched as the sun began its slow ascent towards its zenith. Occasionally, a fleeting cloud dimmed the sun's brilliance before continuing its journey across the sky.
Despite recent losses, an unfamiliar tranquility seized Madara, an unexpected serenity. Was it the place that exerted this calming influence? Or perhaps the reassuring presence of this stranger who watched over him? Maybe it was simply the fact that the shinobi world believed him to be dead?
"How can I contribute to your quest for peace?" Madara inquired after a while, his gaze still fixed on the valley. Down below, villagers worked in symbiosis in the rice fields, around twenty souls coordinating their efforts.
"You are Uchiha Madara," she affirmed simply but with unwavering resolution. Sakura knew that this name alone commanded respect and fear, thus opening many doors to realize her peace projects in the world. She was determined to exploit the prestigious aura that Uchiha offered to achieve her goals.
"I am but a shadow of myself," he despaired, "and remember, I am believed to be dead."
"For now... but don't forget who you are," Sakura reassured him with unwavering conviction.
"What would you do?" Madara asked curiously. "What would be your plan to establish peace?"
Sakura interrupted her thoughts, having pondered extensively on the question. Because, as Rikudô Sennin had taught her, peace could be achieved in various ways.
"I would act with intelligence," Sakura began, turning her gaze to the sky while carefully choosing her words. "The world is governed by money and power, so I would first need to acquire enough financial resources and influence to rally certain people to my cause."
"Wouldn't you become what you hate by doing so?"
"We were taught to accomplish difficult tasks, Uchiha-san. If I have to corrupt a few individuals and shed some blood to achieve my goals, I will do so without hesitation," declared Sakura with unwavering determination.
She was no longer the same as two years ago; unfortunately, Sakura had come to understand that the world was corrupt and depraved. To succeed, she had to engage in this twisted game to hope to impose her vision. Yes, the young woman was aware that to achieve the desired result, she sometimes had to get her hands dirty and act in ways that some would deem immoral. She took a deep breath before continuing:
"Once this scheme is in place, I will take advantage of people's distress."
"Distress?" Madara exclaimed at the term.
"The world is ravaged by war, and the cycle of hatred has persisted since ancient times. When a person is overwhelmed by fear, loss, and suffering, what can they do to avoid further sinking? They cry for help. And what happens when someone extends a helping hand? They take it... Those individuals to whom you offer assistance will all have one thing in common: they will be victims of war. They will come together, set aside their past quarrels, as they form a new home that they will cherish and protect."
"How will that contribute to establishing peace worldwide?" Madara wondered.
"Until it reaches a size sufficient to inspire fear in the five great nations. While they get entangled in decades of fratricidal conflicts, we will strengthen ourselves until the five great countries are but a shadow compared to our ascent," explained Sakura with unwavering determination. It seemed she had carefully thought about how to establish peace. She aspired to a world for those who deserved it. Her master, as Hokage, had instilled in her that sacrifices were necessary for the greater good. Selfish individuals, obsessed with power and war, had no place in this world of peace. So, if their death was inevitable, she would let them succumb. Sakura was ready for that. For the greater good.
"Unfortunately, the great nations will not allow you to become a threat. You would be the target of assassinations; shinobi would be sent to sow chaos among your people. The best way to destroy a country is to ravage it from within first. Your vision of peace is not feasible, Haruno-san," declared Madara, perceiving flaws in the young woman's plan.
Sakura turned her gaze to Uchiha, and an enigmatic smile appeared on her lips.
"That's where you come in, Uchiha-san."
"What do you mean?" he questioned.
"I know that your desire for peace is sincere, Uchiha-san, it's evident in the questions you ask me. However, I believe that the method you chose to establish peace was not the most appropriate... force? Yes, but not so brutally... at least, not at the right time."
"What do you know of my methods, woman!" Madara irritated, bothered by this woman's accusation, which also diminished him.
"I'm not trying to criticize your actions, Uchiha-san. As powerful as you are, you can't face the entire world alone. That's why you failed against Hashirama Senju," explained Sakura, holding knowledge unsettling for her own good.
"You're playing a dangerous game, Haruno," threatened Madara, putting an end to all friendliness. Sakura sighed at the brunet man's attitude, then headed to the nearby forest to gather twigs. Once she had enough, she returned to settle.
"This branch is you. As powerful as it may be, alone, it will be destroyed," Sakura demonstrated by breaking the branch in two with a skillful move. "But if you are united... you will become invincible."
Sakura gathered about ten twigs with the remaining branch and bent them slightly to illustrate their resistance before continuing her explanation.
"I never said your vision of peace was wrong, only that the method to achieve it might not be the wisest. And don't give me your condescending 'I'm a man, I know better than you' looks," Sakura anticipated, pointing her finger at Madara, getting to know her interlocutor better and better.
"Hn!"
Minutes passed in silence, neither of them deigning to break the charm of the gentle warmth of the sun and the light breeze. One immersed in studies, the other pondering the possibilities of achieving the desired peace. What she had proposed seemed to have some credibility, despite the many gaps that needed to be filled. Of course, she probably hadn't revealed everything about her peace projects.
After a while, Madara's gaze turned back to the young woman. Focused on her book, whose title he couldn't see, she occasionally took notes on a parchment. Her hair danced with the wind, and Madara could observe how she delicately tucked a rebellious strand behind her ear. It would be foolish to deny that she was a woman of great beauty, even if he wasn't ready to proclaim it out loud.
"What book are you reading?" he finally asked.
"The nerve endings of the spine," Sakura replied while scribbling a sentence on her parchment, her eyes shifting from the book to her pencil.
"Nerve endings?" Madara was interested.
Even though he was a ruthless warrior, he had an insatiable appetite for learning; any knowledge could be crucial.
"The human body is composed of a chakra circulatory system connected by Tenketsu. The blood system, on the other hand, is connected to our chakra system. It has been discovered that our entire body is made up of nerve endings, an invisible part to the naked eye, discernible only through a very powerful magnifying glass. In essence, these nerve endings connect all the sensations of the body to our brain. They are responsible for the perception of heat, cold, touch, taste... pain," explained Sakura, interrupting her reading. She loved sharing her knowledge; teaching was a dream for her.
"Is this the work of your mother?"
Madara was deeply impressed; he would never have envisaged such profound complexity of the human body.
"Yes... my mother was a virtuoso in medicine and understanding the human body," sighed Sakura, her face lighting up with a nostalgic expression. She recalled shared conferences, challenging lessons, demanding training, and tender moments.
"I would have liked to know her," admitted Madara, eliciting a surprised look from Sakura.
"I can't say if you would have tolerated her presence, Uchiha-san. She had a temperament even more fiery than mine," remarked the pink-haired woman, referring to her former master. "A strong character that reacted instantly to the slightest contradiction or annoyance."
"Impossible, no one can rival your character," Madara joked, struggling to conceive that anyone could be more spirited than Sakura.
"Don't mock me, Uchiha-san."
Sakura was taken aback by the playful attitude of the clan leader. He was known to be distant and cold, not for his sense of humor.
"I'll mock if I want to... stubborn character," Madara replied in a childish manner, surprising Sakura again as she discovered several facets of this man in a matter of seconds. He was quite different from the one she had faced during the Fourth Great Shinobi War.
"Well, at least I walk..."
If that's how he wanted to play, then she would play, and he would be the loser.
"That was low and petty."
"You'll survive; feel free to join me at the table, Uchiha-san."
She walked away, proud of her move, leaving the brooding brunet alone, devoid of any chance of catching up with her.
"Come back here, woman!" Madara shouted without receiving a response.
Day 15
After fifteen days of diligent care, Madara's organs were progressing favorably on the road to recovery. However, even though he now had some physical capacity, engaging in sports activities remained out of reach, his limbs still too fragile. Nevertheless, the regained stability paved the way for Sakura's intervention on his spine.
Sakura positioned Madara on a large stool, herself adopting a slanted position relative to him. Carefully, she arranged the man so that his legs formed a 90° angle with the ground, his torso stretched to the maximum. It was imperative that the patient could actively participate in his treatment, although the kunoichi made sure to avoid any collapse.
"Why approach this step only now?" Madara questioned, his gaze scrutinizing the young woman, who was practically in close contact with his body. Her left arm held his trunk firmly to prevent any failure, while her right hand delicately touched his vertebrae. It was almost... a caress. It looked like she was counting, exerting minimal pressure on each vertebra.
"Because what I'm about to undertake will be extremely painful, Uchiha-san, and it's crucial to spare your organs," explained Sakura, stopping her hand precisely where the sword had pierced. The connections were almost all severed. "Did Hashirama use an Electric Release Jutsu when the sword pierced you?"
"Yes."
A bitter aftertaste filled Madara's mouth, vivid memories of that traumatic moment resurfacing strongly. The blade piercing him through, the complete loss of control at the moment of penetration, the acerbic words spoken by his former friend...
"Not very encouraging," Sakura whispered to herself, lowering her hand lower to assess the extent of the damage. She weighed her options, wondering if pressure points would be enough or if a new intervention would be necessary.
"Why such a conclusion?" Madara asked, catching the barely audible murmur.
"The human body, Uchiha-san, is like an electrical network. The brain generates its own electrical energy to function. Information circulates through your body like a circuit, and undergoing an electrical attack can have devastating consequences," explained Sakura while charging her index and middle fingers with a green aura.
"Hmmm, does that change anything?"
"It will take me more time to get you back on your feet," Sakura admitted while positioning her fingers at the base of the spine, on the first lumbar vertebra, known as L1. Then, she mentally prepared herself to deliver cutting words towards Uchiha, hoping to provoke a reaction.
"And otherwise, how does it feel to lose so pitifully to Hashirama?"
Upon hearing these words, a wave of hatred and anger engulfed Madara. In an instant, he let himself be overwhelmed by his emotions, a murderous impulse towards Haruno Sakura irresistibly creeping in. How dare she address such a delicate subject and call him weak so blatantly?
"You little... AHHH!" he roared, overwhelmed by the sensation of agony. The world narrowed down to that piercing cry, to that relentless grip twisting his insides. Madara growled, his teeth clenched under the grip of a throbbing pain that seemed to emanate from the depths of his being. A hoarse cry escaped his lips, piercing the air and echoing in the hollow of his chest. A lone tear slid down his cheek, bearing witness to the cruelty of the torment tormenting him.
"My apologies, Uchiha-san. I had to provoke your irritation to alleviate the pain."
The kunoichi's fingers, vibrating with an ethereal green glow, worked with surgical precision. A liberating and burning surge of chakra struck the vertebra, releasing the tortured bonds of nerves. Sakura's touch became gentler, her fingers moving in a circular massage over the area that had previously been gripped by pain.
"Breathe slowly; it will pass... I know, the pain is excruciating."
Madara, caught between rage and distress, spat out his disdain.
"I hate you!"
Sakura didn't flinch, understanding that hate was often the muffled cry of pain. She responded with unchanged kindness.
"I understand. Let me know when the pain subsides."
The two remained in this position for a long minute until the pain, like a furious tide, slowly receded, leaving behind a fading echo.
"The pain is gone," sighed Madara with relief.
"Now, let me know when the numbness in your legs has disappeared."
Sakura, undisturbed, maintained her position, her fingers still in contact with the delicate vertebra. She issued a calm and measured directive.
Suddenly, Madara felt a powerful tingling along his legs, a sensation that had eluded him for far too long. Was it possible? Had she really managed to restore vitality to his dormant limbs?
"It's good," declared Madara, a belated realization that the numbness had completely disappeared after a minute.
"That's why I couldn't do this earlier, Uchiha-san. Your heart wouldn't have withstood it, creating unnecessary complications. Know that I only touched one of the twenty-four potential points," declared Sakura before releasing the pressure on Madara's back.
"Water, demandé Madara, feeling strangely weakened."
Although he had rested for fifteen days, he felt as if he had been engaged in a fierce battle for hours. This woman was right; she was truly lethally dangerous. Sakura gently took Madara in her arms and carefully placed him back on his bed, then headed to the kitchen to fetch a glass of water.
"Here, drink slowly," advised Sakura, bringing the glass of water to Madara's lips. "Do you have an appetite, or would you prefer me to lull you into a restful sleep after this effort demanded from your body?"
"I am not weak!" protested Madara, still fighting against the fatigue that overwhelmed him after this healing session.
"Very well, I'll be right back, Uchiha-san."
After fifteen days of diligent care, the meal had finally diversified. Today, the bowl of soup was slightly more substantial, the rice remained unchanged, but a new addition appeared: fish accompanied the ensemble.
"Fish?" remarked Madara, internally delighted to taste something other than the perpetual rice and soup.
"Fish is an excellent source of nutrients for your body. Moreover, your stomach seems to have recovered well. Even though it is still fragile, it should have no trouble digesting such delicate and tender meat," explained Sakura before gently blowing on the spoon.
"How long?"
"For your spine?"
"Yes."
"Probably one to two months at most to hope to see you sitting on your own. It will also be necessary to undergo rehabilitation exercises to get used to it again. As for your legs, probably an additional month, with intensive rehabilitation, as they have suffered atrophy from not being used."
Madara felt a duality of feelings, combining discontent and joy. Joy in knowing that in three months, he could stand on his legs again. Discontent with having to endure three more months bedridden before resuming his physical training.
For the next minute, Madara silently enjoyed his soup, then took the first bite of lemon-flavored rice, probably added to complement the fish.
"Will this also heal my arm?" he asked.
"Unfortunately, no," Sakura replied, alternating between rice and fish to feed Madara. Each time, she cut small portions of fish with her chopsticks before presenting them to her patient. "Healing your arm will be challenging, but I will work on it."
"How?"
Madara savored the delicate lemony taste of the fish melting in his mouth, appreciating the rare opportunity to taste meat, especially since Sakura turned out to be an exceptional cook.
"It took over a year to perfect this healing technique, but I am on the verge of achieving it. Once completed, I will be able to restore your chakra system, repair your Tenketsu, your right eye, and your Sharingan."
Madara's astonishment was indescribable, a rare occurrence where he found himself speechless. This woman boasted of having the skills to restore his vision and his Sharingan. Normally, restoring an eye rendered blind, especially by the Izanagi technique, was considered impossible.
"Who are you, Haruno-san?" he asked, expressing his perplexity.
"Haruno Sakura, the second most renowned medical ninja in the Elemental Lands, after my mother, Tsunade Haruno. While others specialize in assassination, my mother and I have dedicated ourselves to the art of saving lives."
"Medical ninja?" Madara repeated, incredulous.
"Yes! Uchiha-san, allow me to ask you a question about your Sharingan," she said, furrowing the clan leader's brow. Many coveted the secrets of the Sharingan.
"That depends," Madara replied suspiciously.
"It's not an attack technique that plunged you into darkness; no elemental traces emerged from this mystery. You are blind, not just blind, but your Dōjutsu has simply disappeared," analyzed Sakura, placing the empty fish plate on the tray. "Did you use a Sharingan technique to leave it in this state?"
At first, Madara hesitated to respond. It was a clan secret known only to him and his brother. The memory of the latter revived intense pain because to achieve this tragedy, he had to endure the sight of Tobirama Senju inflicting a mortal wound to his brother Izuna. Izuna had then entrusted his eyes to him just before taking his last breath, obtaining the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and an unquenchable hatred towards Tobirama. Madara knew that his Sharingan had extinguished by activating Izanagi, but he never imagined that it would have completely disappeared.
"Yes," Madara finally murmured.
Sakura plunged into deep thought. No mention of a technique rendering one blind after use was familiar to her. She was well aware of the visual exhaustion caused by the evolution of the Sharingan, but Madara possessed an Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, which should have protected him from blindness.
"Hmm... it must have been a technique of formidable power to generate such a backlash."
"You are too perceptive for your own good," declared Madara weakly, exhausted by fatigue. He gently closed his eyes to rest.
"Please," said Sakura, grateful, before placing her eyes on Madara's sleeping face. She rose silently, delicately slid her fingers on his temple, and helped him find restorative sleep. "Sleep well..."