Chapter 4 Let’S Go, Kid

"Your nephew? Tobirama's son?" In an instant, Dave felt a huge wave of hostility wash over him. Uchiha Madara's scarlet eyes were glaring right at him.

Dave's heart skipped a beat—he had forgotten that Madara's brother had been killed by Tobirama.

"Madara! He's not Tobirama!" Hashirama quickly shouted.

"Hmph, of course I know." Madara retracted the bloodlust that had emanated from him like a tidal wave and spoke coldly.

"Uncle, your name is Madara." Dave wasn't going to miss this chance to get on his good side. He had to make a good impression on Madara, ensuring that he wouldn't hold a grudge or plot against him later.

"Yes," Madara said, coldly looking down at Dave with suspicion.

Because of Madara's aloof demeanor and his terrifying reputation from the Warring States period a few years ago, very few people in the village, aside from the Uchiha clan, were willing to engage with him. Most children in the village ran away in fear at just a glance from Madara. But the child in front of him? He wasn't afraid. Was it ignorance or bravery?

"Uncle Madara, you're so handsome! Way more handsome than my uncle!" Dave's eyes sparkled with admiration.

"Huh? Hahaha, kid, you've got good taste! Hashirama, I win this time! I'm more handsome than you!" Madara was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter, glancing mockingly at Hashirama.

This time, it was me, Uchiha Madara, who defeated you, Senju Hashirama!

"Hey, hey, hey! Dave! Your uncle is obviously way better looking than Madara!" Hashirama shouted at his nephew, clearly displeased. This was the first time he had lost to Madara in something so trivial! Except for the one time they had a childhood peeing contest, Hashirama had never lost to Madara. And now? He lost in something as superficial as looks?

"Well, Uncle Madara is just cooler," Dave said, quickly running into Madara's arms, pointing at Hashirama, who was fuming.

"Hashirama, if you lose, you lose. Don't take it out on the kid." Madara sneered at Hashirama, even as he awkwardly patted Dave's back.

Madara thought to himself, So this is what it feels like to be trusted by a child. Is this how Hashirama feels when children in the village run to him? It's a good feeling.

Where did I, Uchiha Madara, ever lose to Hashirama? I am clearly more handsome! The village children must just be ignorant.

"Agh! I won't accept defeat! I'll start taking better care of myself! I won't lose to you next time! Madara! Dave! Let's go home!" Hashirama fumed.

"No, we just got here!" Dave protested.

"Alright, Hashirama. You go back. I'll show the kid around the village," Madara frowned, clearly not interested in dealing with a sulking Hashirama.

"Hmph! Fine. Dave, be back by nightfall." Hashirama turned away angrily.

As he walked away, though, a smile crept onto Hashirama's face. He knew Madara's reputation wasn't great in the village, and very few people wanted to interact with him. He was worried that if things continued this way, something bad would happen to Madara.

But Dave's actions today made him see hope. The child liked Madara, and for the first time, Madara had smiled at someone in the village.

But wait… Was I really not as handsome as Madara? Should I start using those skincare products Mito keeps talking about? Hashirama started doubting himself as he walked away, leaving Dave puzzled by his uncle's strange behavior.

"Let's go, kid," Madara said, his smile fading as he motioned for Dave to follow. They continued walking through the village.

As they strolled, Dave noticed that many children stared at them from a distance. They looked at Madara with fear in their eyes. This made Dave nervous. Although Madara didn't show any reaction, his silence only made the tension worse.

"Uncle Madara, I want some dango," Dave said, trying to lighten the mood.

"Okay," Madara replied, briefly frowning. Kids are such a hassle, he thought.

Madara bought some dango and sat down with Dave at a small shop.

"Hey, Dahe, did you see that guy wearing Uchiha robes? Ever heard of him? They say he's a weirdo, over 40 and never married. My dad says he likes men!" one teenager whispered to another at a nearby table.

"No way, that's wild! Where'd you hear that?"

"My dad told me! He said he even has a thing for the Hokage!"

"Whoa, that's crazy!"

As Madara and Dave sat awkwardly waiting for their food, they overheard the conversation from the teenagers behind them. Dave could hear it, and of course, so could Madara. His face darkened with every word they said.

"Hey! Who gave you the right to insult Uncle Madara?!" Dave couldn't stand it anymore. He grabbed two sake bottles from the table and slammed them down in front of the teenagers, roaring in anger.

The teenagers were stunned, and even Madara was taken aback.

"Wh-Who do you think you are, kid? You wanna get beaten?" one of the boys stammered, trying to look tough.

"Beat me? I'll beat you first!" Dave shouted, smashing one of the sake bottles over the boy's head.

The boy fell to the ground, clutching his head and crying out in pain.

"The thing I hate most is people like you, talking trash behind someone's back! If you've got something to say, say it to my face! And if you're still upset, come find me at the Senju compound! I'll beat up your parents too!" Dave yelled, kicking the boy while he was down.

The other teenagers were too scared to move. They were just ordinary kids, and with the ninja academy not open yet, they hadn't seen much of the world. They were petrified.

"You'd better not let me catch you talking bad about Uncle Madara again!" Dave snarled, walking back to his seat and sitting down as if nothing had happened.

Madara was shocked by what he had just witnessed. This kid...

"Kid, you…" Madara struggled to find the right words.

"Hehe... I grew up with my mom in the settlement," Dave said quietly. "My mom had me after my father left us. She was always the subject of rumors in the clan. Every time we went out, people would point at us and whisper, just like those kids. Every time, I wanted to do what I just did, but my mom would stop me, and I would cry by myself. After she died, I came here to find my father. On the way, I swore that every time I saw people like that, I'd do what I just did."

Dave's voice was filled with sadness and anger, and his fists clenched tightly as he spoke.

"...You're a lot stronger than your father," Madara finally said, unsure of how to comfort the boy.

"Hehe, the dango's here, Uncle Madara. Let's eat!" Dave said, suddenly cheerful again.

"Yeah," Madara muttered.

After they ate, Dave sat waiting for Madara to pay.

"The damages will be charged to the Uchiha clan's account. If anyone has a problem with it, they can come talk to me," Madara said coldly to the shop owner before taking Dave and leaving.

"Uncle Madara, can you carry me? I'm a bit tired," Dave asked hesitantly as they walked.

"Tch, kids are so troublesome... Fine, hop on," Madara sighed, kneeling down to let Dave climb onto his back. As Dave clambered up, Madara paused, wondering why he had done it.

"Hehe, you're so tall, Uncle Madara! When I grow up, I'll be just as tall as you. And when you're old, I'll carry you!" Dave said with a grin.

"...Kid," Madara said quietly, a rare smile flickering on his face.