Chapter 7 Engaged?

"Dave! Come back with me!" Tobirama shouted, veins bulging on his forehead as he watched his son, who was enjoying himself endlessly.

"Huh? Oh, oh, oh! Hee hee, Yue Mei, see you tomorrow." Dave quickly stood up after hearing his old father's not-so-friendly shout and smiled at Yue Mei beside him.

"Monkey, Zangzang! I'm leaving!" Dave also waved to Hiruzen and Danzo nearby, then left with Tobirama.

"You idiot!! My name is not Zangzang!!" Danzo stood up angrily, shouting at Dave's retreating figure.

"And me! I'm not called Monkey!!" Hiruzen added.

However, Dave didn't hear their protests. The moment he stepped outside, his father used the "Flying Thunder God" to send him home instantly.

Dave went to his family's training ground to plant vegetables, while Tobirama, looking worried, went to find his big brother.

"Brother!!" Tobirama burst through the door, not caring about the "Hokage Office" sign.

"Hiss!! Cough cough... Tobirama, what's the matter?" Hashirama, who had been sipping tea, was startled by Tobirama's shout, causing the hot tea to spill onto his pants.

"Brother! You must not let Dave spend time with Uchiha Madara again! He's already leading Dave astray, do you know that?" Tobirama said seriously as he sat next to Hashirama.

"Um... Madara just played with Dave all afternoon, didn't he? How did he lead him astray?" Hashirama asked, confused.

"Hmph! Dave's behavior has changed so much after just one afternoon! If he continues to hang out with Uchiha Madara, he'll be ruined! I won't even mention Dave's previous incident at the meatball shop! He's been mischievous since he was a child, and I can't help that. But today, not only was he inattentive in class, but he also got close to a girl from the Uchiha clan! Who knows if the Uchiha elders sent her on purpose to get close to Dave! And I'm sure Uchiha Madara is behind this! This is all his fault!" Tobirama's face practically screamed, "I hate the Uchiha!"

"Cough cough... Tobirama, not all Uchihas are bad. I think Uchiha Madara likes Dave a lot. He even sought him out today, and as for that girl..." Hashirama trailed off, looking conflicted. "Tobirama... Brother, I don't know how to put this. You can investigate if you want, and if there's truly something suspicious about the Uchiha, we can ask Dave to stop seeing the girl. If not, I'll handle it. I don't want to stop... Kokuma's situation... you know..."

Tobirama sighed. "Brother... don't worry. Kokuma will return someday. I'll leave for now." He stood up and left quietly.

Senju Compound

Dave was back to planting his vegetables. He still had the same four plants, and to unlock new ones, he needed to increase his Chakra reserves. "But I'm only five years old! Where am I supposed to get enough Chakra for that?"

Just then, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts. "Hey, kid, want to go out for some meatballs?"

Dave lit up and turned toward the voice, seeing Uchiha Madara leaning against a wall, looking at him coldly.

"Uncle Madara! But... my father's Shadow Clone is still here..." Dave replied, disappointed.

"Hmph. It's just a Shadow Clone. Even if it shows up, I'm not afraid. Once we're gone, your father won't know a thing." Madara jumped off the wall, and Dave excitedly climbed onto his back. With a few quick leaps, Madara took him away.

After they left, Tobirama returned, intending to talk to Dave. But when he opened the door, he was greeted by a Pea Shooter plant, shaking and blinking at him. Tobirama immediately sensed something was wrong.

He summoned his Shadow Clone, which stood frozen in place. Tobirama touched it and quickly absorbed the memory of what had happened. When he saw the flash of the Sharingan, he realized he had been trapped in a genjutsu.

"Release!" Tobirama broke free from the illusion.

"Damn it! Uchiha! Uchiha Madara!!!" Tobirama clenched his fists in rage.

At Hashirama's house next door, Mito heard Tobirama's roar and shook her head with a sigh. She had sensed Madara's arrival at the compound the moment he appeared but didn't stop him.

When Madara took Dave away, Mito even smiled slightly. At least Madara was starting to engage with others again instead of isolating himself. That was progress. As for Tobirama… well, Mito preferred to stay out of it.

Meatball Shop

"Uncle Madara, I met a girl at school today. She's really cute," Dave said while eating.

"Oh? What's her name?" Madara asked, slightly puzzled.

"Her name's Uchiha Tsukimi. She's so cute!" Dave beamed.

"An Uchiha, huh? Hahahaha, interesting." Madara paused, then laughed heartily. He could already imagine Tobirama's reaction during class.

But Madara had no intention of stopping the boy. Tsukimi, as he recalled, was the younger sister of Jing Na, a four-year-old prodigy and the son of the Uchiha clan's second elder.

Normally, they would never allow Uchiha blood to mix outside the clan, but if it were Dave, Madara figured there wouldn't be an issue. After all, Dave was a remarkable kid with Wood Style, likely to be as powerful as him or Hashirama in the future.

He'd have to talk to the little girl when they returned. Hmmm, maybe he'd even get to witness Tobirama's expression when Dave got closer to a Uchiha. Madara chuckled at the thought.

"Kid, do you like that girl, Tsukimi?" Madara asked with a grin.

"Yeah, I like her," Dave said, blushing slightly.

"Alright then, I'll decide for you. Let's go to the Uchiha clan and arrange an engagement with her!" Madara announced, grabbing Dave and heading off toward the Uchiha compound.

"Huh???" Dave was stunned. Were they really going to arrange an engagement already?!