The morning came and Akane woke Shisui like usual. His small stature helped him step down the stairs faster than most people. He arrived in the kitchen where breakfast was waiting for him, a biscuit and a bowl of oats.

He ate it as usual and hurried his way out the door to meet up with his Sensei and teammates at training ground five. His team consisted of two girls, Anko Mitarashi and Kazumi Aburame, both Chunin. And then their sensei, a man named Ryoichi Nohara. This was not Shisui's first team, it wasn't even his second. This was his third team, the reason being the first team's Sensei was on maternity leave, and the team was dispersed to fill out other teams. The second team Shisui was on was dissolved because their Jounin sensei was arrested for tax evasion, an odd crime for a Shinobi to be arrested for. And the remnants of that team were still here but with a new leader. Shisui was the only genin on a team of Chunin, but it was oddly inspiring to Shisui. He'd show his salt eventually, he had to.

As he approached the meeting point, he spotted the familiar figures of his teammates. Anko, with her striking purple hair and mischievous nature, waved enthusiastically. Kazumi, ever the stoic Aburame, offered a subtle nod of acknowledgment from her high collar jacket and dark glasses.

"Look who decided to show up. At least some Uchiha aren't late." Anko teased, her eyes dancing with mirth.

Shisui grinned, unfazed by her playful jabs. "Wouldn't miss it for the world, Anko-senpai."

Ryoichi cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "Now that we're all here, let's go over the mission details," Ryoichi began. "The Hokage has decided to give us a day off from regular missions."

Anko's expression brightened, and she pumped her fist in the air. "Alright! A day to kick back and relax!"

Ryoichi chuckled. "Not quite. He has a special task for Shisui."

All eyes turned to the youngest member of the team. Shisui tensed, unsure of what to expect.

"Seems like someone's in trouble," Anko quipped, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Just like your brother used to be, eh?"

Shisui waved off her teasing. "Obito wasn't a troublemaker. At least, I don't think so."

Kazumi spoke up, her voice quiet but firm. "The Hokage wouldn't summon you for misbehavior. It must be important."

Ryoichi nodded. "Precisely. Shisui, you are to meet with the Hokage, who I'm sure you know was your brother's former sensei."

A mix of excitement and apprehension swirled within Shisui's chest. "Yeah, I met him before Obito left with Jiraiya."

But why him, specifically?

Ryoichi made a disgruntled expression, "Well, Jiraiya's strong so let's hope your brother only picks up that trait. Just like I hope Rin doesn't absorb Lady Tsunade's flaws."

Shisui quirked his head, "Who's Rin?"

Ryoichi hid his smirk, "My daughter. She was one of the Fourth's students too, but after a mission had gone ary and they lost a member, Rin sought to get stronger and learn more medical ninjutsu. She left a couple months before your brother had with her new Sensei, Lady Tsunade."

Shisui was surprised to hear about one of his brother's teammates, Rin, she sounded nice, pretty. He wondered what Obito's opinion of her was.

His sensei pat him on the shoulder, "Don't keep the Hokage waiting," Ryoichi urged gently. "Hopefully we'll catch up with you later."

Shisui straightened, determination etched into his features. With a respectful bow to his teammates, he turned and headed toward the Hokage's estate, his steps purposeful.

The familiar buildings of the village blurred past as he navigated the winding streets, his mind racing with possibilities. What could the Hokage want with him? It had to be significant, given Obito's history. Or could it be something else?

Soon, the impressive structure loomed before him, and Shisui steeled himself. Taking a deep breath, he entered, ready to face whatever awaited him.

In the land of Rain far from the Rain village, two teenage boys were overseeing a small town in a valley.

"What do you think the best course of action is?" The red head asked.

"The valley makes it a target for mercenaries, bandits, and starved Shinobi. Ideally we'd have a man on each front, but since it's just the two of us we'll have to guard one front of the valley." The other said.

The red head sighed, "When are we going to talk about it?"

The blonde looked at his friend, "Talk about what?"

The redhead's green eyes continued to gaze at the poor village below them, "Konan, her departure, and your unconfessed feelings."

Yahiko looked forward, his hands tightening around his belt. He sighed, "What's there to talk about? Konan left us to be a part of the system we want to fight."

Nagato nodded, his expression solemn. "Yes, Konan made her choice," he said, a hint of sadness in his tone. "But she wouldn't do it without good reason. Maybe she believes that joining that organization is the best way to ensure our dream lives on."

Yahiko's jaw tightened. "That masked man... I don't trust him," he growled. "What if he's using Konan? What if he's planning something sinister?"

Nagato's gaze drifted to the town below, where the residents carried on with their daily lives, oblivious to the potential dangers lurking in the shadows. "Regardless, you heard what that man said. He promised to leave our Akatsuki alone if one of us joined," he reminded Yahiko. "But I share your concerns. I wonder what would have happened had Obito been here..."

Yahiko's expression darkened at the mention of their friend. "Obito would have swayed Konan's mind," he said bitterly. "His bright demeanor always won out."

The two shinobi fell silent, their minds weighed down by the weight of the uncertainty of the future.

"I hope she's safe."

In the industrial looking Hidden Rain, the new leadership and management was in full effect. No longer was the village under Hanzo's regime, an assassin made sure, and neither was Rain under a native of the land, instead two men, a puppet master and a wolf. The puppet master was dangerous, everyone knew that. But the wolf...he was an enigma.

What was more dangerous, the one who you knew countless stories of their ruthlessness or the one who was a blank slate? On paper Sasori was more dangerous, but Sakumo Hanma was somehow more dangerous. Sasori listened to Sakumo, either out of respect or fear. Whichever it was still kept Konan on edge.

The rhythmic patter of raindrops against the windowpane accompanied Konan as she made her way through the dimly lit corridors of the tower. Each step echoed with a sense of trepidation, the weight of her decision to leave her friends and the fear she had of Sakumo Hanma.

As she approached the war room, the imposing figure of Sakumo Hanma came into view, his gaze fixed on the Rain village beyond the glass pane. Even from a distance, the aura of pain and suffering that surrounded him was palpable, like a shroud of darkness enveloping his very being.

"Konan," his voice sliced through the silence, its pitch higher than normal. Was he younger than her?

Konan steeled herself regardless, meeting his back with a determined gaze. "Yes, Sakumo sir?"

"Within our group, we operate in two-man squads," Sakumo explained, turning to face her fully. "I had initially intended to partner with Sasori, but I've decided to send him on a mercenary contract with Orochimaru instead."

As he spoke, Konan couldn't help but notice the scarring that marred the right side of his face, the stretch marks etched into his skin like a grim reminder of a past event. Then she noticed a single scar over his left eye. There was one thing for certain, despite his youth, probably fifteen years of age, the weight of his experiences seemed to age him beyond his years.

"You'll be my partner for today's mission," Sakumo continued, his tone brooking no argument.

Konan nodded, though she was fearful, the thought of her friends. She may have left her former comrades behind, but her loyalty now belonged to Sakumo– and to this enigmatic young man who inspired equal parts fear and respect.

"I understand, Sakumo-sama," she replied, her voice steady. "I am ready to follow your lead."

Sakumo grabbed his mask adjusting it on his face, "We're going to visit the Hidden Waterfall."

In a dark cave, where the Gedo statue resided, one woman sat in the cave. Madara Uchiha, the very woman who founded the Leaf with the First Hokage. The only reason she lived this long was because of her siphoning chakra from the Gedo statue.

She was sleeping, or meditating. She held onto her cane, dreaming of the future. The infinite Tsukoyomi, the eternal dream, true peace.

A green plant raised out of the ground, a black and white creature with yellow eyes. "Madara," Black Zetsu said.

Madara opened her eye, "Zetsu, what do you have to report?"

Zetsu fully formed, the white half began speaking. "Kakashi is leaving Rain with the blue haired girl."

"I see. Anything else?"

Zetsu dropped an old Hidden Leaf headband on Madara's lap, "It took a very long time but I found this, I think it's the headband of Hashirama Senju."

Madara slowly reached for the headband, "Where did you find this?" Her Sharingan activated, looking for traces of chakra to confirm if it was the First Hokage's.

"We found it in the Land of Iron, near the top of a mountain. He could have jumped off of it, but there were no remnants of a skeleton. Regardless, he should be long dead." The black half said.

Madara narrowed her eye, "Hashirama left the village after we battled, I want to know what and where he went, how he died. Even if thirty-three years have passed." Madara's eye changed to the Rinnegan and she looked back at the headband. "This is Hashirama's, but there is large amounts of Sage chakra imbued in it."

"Doesn't it make sense for it to have Sage chakra left on it?" White Zetsu asked.

Madara's dried lips curled into a frown, "He was not wearing it in our battle, and judging by the amount he used in our final battle he used almost half the chakra. So there is more to his fate than we know. So keep digging around in the Land of Iron for anything significant."

Zetsu nodded, "Very well." It started submerging itself into the ground. "Even now she still has love for that pesky Hokage, but I wonder what is she's hoping I find?"

Madara continued to sit there, her Rinnegan deactivating. She breathed in slowly, and then slowly breathed out. She closed her eye, thinking about Hashirama. The only thing that ever made her happy after Izuna's death, both emotionally and physically. How Hashirama was the man he was in the environment they were born in, it was still bogling to Madara. And he never did anything for no reason. Whatever reason Hashirama used sage chakra was significant as she only knew him to use it against her. She held onto the headband as if to remember a memory dear to her.

An early morning day during the first week after the founding of the Hidden Leaf village.

The early morning sun peeked over the horizon, casting a warm glow upon the bustling construction site. Madara Uchiha, her blue robe flowing behind her with each purposeful stride, surveyed the designated plots for the Uchiha clan's new homes. Her sharp eyes missed no detail, and her gloved hands meticulously checked off each parcel of land as she moved from one to the next.

A sudden chill raced down her spine, a familiar sensation that alerted her to a presence lingering behind her. Without turning, she issued a stern warning, "You have three seconds to move. Or else you will have a sudden trip to the medical tent."

A deep chuckle resonated from behind her, followed by a casual hand resting upon her shoulder. "You're still the same as always, Madara."

Madara closed her eyes and exhaled a resigned sigh. Only one person would dare such a brazen intrusion upon her personal space. "Must you always be so childish and carefree, Hashirama?" Madara then whirled around, her eyes narrowing as she faced Hashirama. "You know I do not like people standing behind me. On top of that you have a complete disregard for personal space." she chided, her tone sharp. "I must say, your lack of boundaries is truly grating."

Hashirama chuckled, a mischievous grin plastered across his face. In his hands, he clutched a bundle of intricately crafted headbands, each adorned with a stylized leaf emblem. "Come now, Madara. We've been friends for so long that playful gestures shouldn't bother you."

Madara grunted, folding her arms. "What is the purpose of this visit?"

"I come bearing gifts," he announced, holding a forehead protector out towards her.

Madara eyed the proffered item skeptically. "A forehead protector?" She arched a questioning brow. "And what, pray tell, is the purpose of such a thing?"

"It's a symbol," Hashirama explained, his eyes alight with excitement. "A way to distinguish the shinobi of our newly founded Hidden Leaf Village from any other."

A flicker of recognition crossed Madara's features. It was her suggestion, after all, that had led to the village's name. Leave it to Hashirama to take even the most innocuous idea and turn it into a grand spectacle.

"Here," Hashirama insisted, pressing the headband into her hands. "You should be the first to wear it, as a founding member of our village."

Madara's gaze shifted from the intricate leaf symbol to Hashirama's expectant expression. A wry smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she secured the headband in place, allowing a few strands of her raven locks to frame her face. "Very well, if it pleases you."

Hashirama beamed, his enthusiasm infectious even to Madara's stoic demeanor. Bubbles. Or bubbling. Madara felt something in this moment, happiness? Some foreign feeling reached the surface and Madara was both confused and relieved. Why was she feeling this way? And why did it feel so nice?

Two friends exchanged a look at one another for a bit too long. But neither sad anything, just chuckling and parting ways.

How...

Why...

What...

When...

These words always lay in Madara's mind. The hows, the what's, the when's, and the why's. Just exactly how did their relationship sour and deteriorate so much, why did it happen? Izuna's death? Her pregnancy? Hashirama's marriage? What had caused her to end up in a death match with the man she loved...