My entrance to Konoha was not a celebration, but a quiet crossing... like a shadow sneaking into the sun. I saw a village that resembled a dream. No fog, no shouting... just life. Stalls, children running, the smell of fresh bread, and clothes drying on the lines... Everything seemed simple.
My steps were quiet, even though everyone who passed by felt a strange weight. Some glanced at me with curiosity, others with suspicion, perhaps even fear.
And I... I was searching for an answer.
At that moment, I searched for something new, though I could find it anywhere. But the essence of peace would not be found anywhere.
Then, I saw an elderly woman struggling to carry some items. I approached her quietly and helped, without words.
She looked at me with surprised gratitude, and then I spoke:
— "Ma'am, I would like to ask... how can I apply to live in this village? I need a place to belong. Perhaps... a house?"
Before she could open her mouth, her eyes widened, and her features froze.
She looked behind me, and I felt three breaths heavy in the air.
Hashirama Senju... with his warm gaze and deep smile.Tobirama... with a cautious eye, scrutinizing everything.Madara Uchiha... with eyes of unquenchable fire, observing.
Hashirama spoke first, his voice as if calming the anxiety of the sky:— "I believe we are the ones who can help you in this plight ."
I looked at them... I didn't recognize them by their faces, but their names were famous, engraved in the stories.
I spoke calmly:"Excuse me, have we met before?"
Tobirama stepped forward a little:"Indirectly... perhaps."
Hashirama laughed, but his laugh was not one of mockery, but warmth:— "Then come... and let us help you together."
I moved forward with them, walking beside me...Each of us with a step that showed at least something of what was within us.
Inside the Hokage's Office
The room was quiet, but filled with an invisible density. A mix of tension... and curiosity.
Kazuya sat before them, not turning his gaze away, nor lowering it. His eyes, with their deep blue, were mesmerizing to anyone who saw them, making one not believe that they belonged to a man, holding what cannot be said.
Tobirama spoke first, his voice cautious, like a soldier tapping:"Who are you?"
"I am Kazuya Hoshino," he replied.
Hashirama, hearing this, said with some thoughtful annoyance, tapping his chin:"Hmm... Hoshino. I've never heard of a shinobi clan like that before."
Madara corrected his companion:"Indeed, what kind of shinobi clan are you, and what do you specialize in?"
Kazuya heard them and looked at them with an unreadable expression, saying:"It doesn't matter."
The three of them exchanged glances, and the atmosphere shifted slightly. In unison, they muttered:"What?"
Kazuya answered:"It doesn't matter."
Tobirama (eagerly): "What do you mean?"
Madara (challengingly): "Do you really have nothing to offer us?"
Kazuya (firmly): "It doesn't matter, let's focus on what's important."
They continued the conversation.
Hashirama was the first to speak again, his tone kind, deep, as if it were coming from the heart of a tree he had planted with his own hands:"Hmm... Kazuya, right? Your story reached us... and raised many questions."
Kazuya: "..."
"I assume you are the one sent to speak with me."
Tobirama, in contrast, rested his chin on his fist, his right eye half-closed, analyzing every detail of Kazuya's face... eyebrow movements, eyelash twitches, even the tone of his breath.
Madara was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, his gaze sharp... not reflecting anger, but a type of burning caution.
As for Hashirama, he smiled, a slight smile that wasn't quite complete. He stepped forward, as though inviting calm and an indirect way of easing the atmosphere and bringing distances closer, if only a little:
Hashirama:"We've been waiting to meet you for a long time... You, who saved the children of our clans on those two nights... from the shadows and also treated the wounded today."
Madara, who had been standing aside, narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the features of this stranger, trying to uncover even a small detail, but to no avail. He spoke first because he knew that if the conversation continued like this, they wouldn't reach their true goal, so he directly asked what was on his mind.
Madara:"What do you want from Konoha?"
Kazuya:"I wasn't expecting thanks... nor am I looking for recognition. I did what I thought was right, and as for what I want from Konoha... a home."
A quick glance passed between the brothers, then to Madara, who was still watching.
Madara:"We've seen your strength. You're a shinobi... but you enter Konoha and ask for residence without offering any service? Nothing?"
Kazuya raised his eyes slowly, and that moment made the room feel strangely cold. He looked at Madara, then spoke:"I want a home. As for work... I'll find it myself. I'm not good at interacting with others much. In other words... I'm a shinobi, yes, but I won't offer my services as a soldier. I will most likely work in a civilian field."
Hashirama raised his eyebrows, as if an unfamiliar tone had reached him, but he did not interrupt.
Kazuya, in that moment, understood Hashirama's expressions easily.
Kazuya continued, his voice filled with a sincerity that confused those who heard him:"Don't misunderstand me... it's not out of greed, but why should I meet your demands? I've asked for nothing but a place to live, nothing more."
The three exchanged different looks...Hashirama... his eyes gleaming with a hidden sadness.Tobirama, raising his eyebrow for the first time... a rare sign of true astonishment.Madara... his fingers tapping on his arm, stunned between caution and admiration.
Finally, Hashirama spoke gently, as if to melt the tension:"Sometimes... we don't give a place meaning. It is the place that gives us meaning. And what you are doing now, is more than just finding shelter."
At that point, Kazuya raised his gaze again, his expression rigid, but hiding something beneath the surface, something like pain... or guilt.
Finally, Kazuya spoke:"When can I reside here? And if I've wasted your day with this conversation, I apologize."
Hashirama whispered, almost like a breath:"Perhaps... we haven't wasted anything. Perhaps we've found something."