Chapter Text
When they arrive at the Senju compound the sun had completely set. They travelled through Konoha at a brisk pace, too dark to discern any obvious differences; the rooftops he was led across were certainly the optimal route. Fascinating.
It’s what makes it particularly odd to find the most obvious, and the first difference, the Senju compound, specifically his, or should he say, his counterpart’s home.
His mouth quirks slightly in amusement.
Any version of the Senju main house could never be called small, but with a married couple, two younger brothers, and regular Uchiha interlopers, it would never be big enough. It’s no wonder his counterpart feels slightly irritable.
But it becomes clear after neatly taking their sandals off, that there is no way there would be room for all his brothers and Mito anyway.
“Have they moved out already, or do you live elsewhere?” He asks, finding the idea of his younger siblings making good on their promise to move out before him, a charming development to report back once home… for professional reasons.
His counterpart freezes in the hallway. They’d already arrived in front of the guest room.
“No. Stay put for the night, and we’ll talk in the morning …do you require anything?” Tobirama answers curtly and turns to lead him into the plain guest room. He’s clearly only extending the bare minimum of courtesies, but he expects no less; old habits die hard, and he would be tempted to do the same given the opportunity.
“No, just the room will suffice.” He answers evenly, the thought of requesting anything else not even crossing his mind. They both know it wasn’t a genuine inquiry anyway, only a loose concession to etiquette, so he very purposefully doesn’t acknowledge the agitated chakra swirling in his host’s coils.
This Tobirama’s chakra lacks malice after all… but while he’d expected his presence would put the denizens of this dimension on edge, just as he is himself, he didn’t think it would show through his chakra.
(Because he’d never been able to feel the way his own emotions are expressed through chakra; not from a lack of trying, it just didn’t work the same, trying to feel himself. But if his chakra in fact acts similarly and is projecting uneasiness for his counterpart to sense, his host had at least done him the courtesy of not mentioning it either. It had been a strange night for all.)
So, to let them have their peace of mind, he also elects to stay put for the night as requested instead of investigating this dimension further. They both have a lot to consider, and a more… diplomatic approach would be needed to gain needed assistance after all.
He’s not surprised at Mito’s presence, sitting peacefully with her husband at breakfast.
He approaches slowly, unable to resist brushing the tips of his fingers against the wall’s smooth surface. Immaculate, where his home would be occasionally pot-marked and blackened by unruly brothers- and Guest (and it never actually bothered him as much as he likes to project to the perpetrators, the inspiration to research the effects fire jutsu has on the Mokuton had to start somewhere…)
“I know it was explained to me, but it’s curious that this is not another of your brother’s shadow clones.” He arrives in time to hear the end of Mito’s conversation with her husband in lieu of a greeting. But he’s under no illusion they’re unaware of him, the feeling of safety this house evokes in him is somewhat disconcerting, however.
She turns to give him her full attention as he enters the room, “Forgive my curiosity, but you simply must show me the seal that got you here.”
The way she skips over formalities indicates that she’s accepted his origins. Or that he’s just managed to inspire her dubious enthusiasm. But he’s all too happy to oblige.
“Of course.”
He’s fully prepared to dive straight into business despite it being first thing in the morning. His counterpart is likely the most aware of his lack of sleep from preparing, just as he’s of the way they spent the night discussing him.
“It was an experimental seal intended to transport across large distances.” He provides a simple introduction, mirroring his counterpart in providing the bare minimum of niceties, although unnecessary, as Mito’s already given him her unspoken approval, but not everyone’s his dimensional clone either.
(“…yes, I understand that logic is your first love and all that, blah blah… But! making small concessions is part of the mutual understanding all humans share, it’s how we avoid killing each other at first contact… most of the time. But it’s what’ll make you a real boy yet, Tobirama. Diplomacy!”) Dubious advice at best, but there’s a reason Izuna’s in charge of Konoha’s foreign relations and isn’t dead, yet.
“Yes. Let me have a look here…”
Mito immediately begins to examine his recreation of the disastrous seal, as he seamlessly integrates himself into helping her husband serve breakfast.
“As I’m sure you’ve already discovered, our Tobirama uses something comparable he calls the Hiraishin. This is remarkably similar… but while the Hiraishin is formally a space-time jutsu, it’s more akin to summoning.
I see that your aim was to cover obscene distances utilising the space-time component. However, from what I can tell, it’s this single-minded distance modifier here.” Mito waves him over to point out a component of the seal, “-that’s the problem. While stable in barrier formations, when applied to something as complex as space-time, it becomes vague and unreliable.
“Honestly, you’re lucky to be alive. Although… if you had a version of myself where you’re from, she should’ve been able to tell you this.” Mito narrows her eyes.
Tobi doesn’t avert his eyes; he can only keep his back straight, even though he’s been caught by an objectively, scary woman. He’s long past repenting for his bad habits.
“So, you didn’t consult her.” Mito reads his subtle shift but doesn’t roll her eyes, far too sophisticated for it, but the motion is implied.
“Something that is consistent throughout dimensions, then. Good to know.” She sighs as Hashirama returns to join them at the table. She also briefly turns her silent judgement to her Tobirama, unable to escape by sitting unassumingly in the corner.
and he’s abruptly aware of how well his counterpart’s been minimising his presence in his own home, impressive.
“The good news is-” She announces when her husband is properly seated, “-that since the distance component is calculable and was the cause of your troubles, I can reverse it to hopefully, send you back…”
Tobi had speculated something similar before receiving her confirmation and had already guessed the upcoming caveat.
“But the amount of chakra required…”
“We cannot ask my brother, the Hokage, to contribute such a large amount of chakra when it could put Konoha at risk.” His counterpart finishes for them, inserting himself back into the room to give his brother a pointed look.
Konoha would always be their first priority.
“Don’t say that!” Hashirama pouts, “-Of course, we’ll help you out Tobi.”
But Tobirama's stormy look doesn’t concede the point, the elder looks back and something is exchanged silently between the two.
“…things may be a little… tense at the moment, but as soon as we’re able, I'll send you back. I promise.” Hashirama assures earnestly across the table.
but… if things are tense as he says… and as goes unsaid…
He can only turn his suspicions elsewhere… that current tensions likely have something to do with Madara and the Uchiha, whom he can feel entering an early morning rage in his periphery.
It’s unsettling, but he doesn’t reach out towards his chakra this time. And he doesn’t have to enquire further either, because Hashirama conveniently pitches in, finished eating and getting up to leave, “Madara has agreed to meet us in my office this afternoon, we’ll see you there.”
Tobirama scoffs dismissively.
Hashirama ignores it to continue, “-I’m also sorry, but I can’t actually stay until then, there’s always so much work to do. But! I’ll have Mito and Tobirama accompany you. I’m off!” And with little ado, Hashirama is out the door in a whirlwind of atrocious Hokage robes.
That explains the unseemly eating speed. They’ve been ditched.
“…”
“It’s only times like this my husband is eager to go to work, self-made work at that.”
“Hm.” Both Tobirama’s meet each other’s eyes simultaneously, in mutual commiseration.
“I was informed that you’re here to train, but it’s obvious that you’ve been sent to watch over me.”
Unsurprisingly, his counterpart had also informed him of a busy schedule and promptly dropped him off with Mito in front of three familiar children. Equally a show of trust, and professional caution. Unlike… a certain someone, who’s only adept at blatantly avoiding responsibility.
And the three young shinobi shuffle nervously as they catch the way his eyes shine in amusement. Their sensei is… essentially him after all, and they weren’t being particularly subtle about their assignment. It was enough to make his head shake in exasperation at their antics.
Hiruzen scratches the back of his head sheepishly, “…as expected of… Sensei. I know you’re not a shadow clone, but it’s really hard to tell.” He squints in a very unsubtle assessment.
“A dimensional traveller apparently,” Homura states, shifting his glasses.
But at least Tobirama had informed his students comprehensively, before objectively abandoning him with them. He has no doubts his counterpart is just as curious as he is to start analysis and assist in the seal reconstruction, however, responsibilities to Konoha would always come first– much to the chagrin of a certain Uchiha.
(But he’s working on it, with Izuna’s… enthusiastic assistance, hence the judicious use of water jutsu.)
But it was a pleasant feeling; competence, that is (not Izuna’s dubious coaching).
“Naturally, and it appears I have all morning free. A mission is a mission, but I won’t let that interfere with your training. We’ll go to the usual training field.”
The usual field was in fact, the same familiar plain of grass and dirt, surrounded by a smattering of trees, and he has the pleasure of watching his alternative students meet up with Danzo, Torifu and Kagami to begin their day together. The scene is so familiar, that he has to remind himself that these are in fact, not his students and should hold off on interfering just yet.
“You smile a lot.”
Mito had made herself unobtrusive next to him under the shade of a Hashirama tree as she works on his seal. She doesn’t even come close to startling him, but her statement takes him aback from contemplatively observing his student’s forms. He hadn’t realised she’d been watching him closely enough to make such an observation.
“…do I? That’s not something I’ve heard before. In fact, I regularly hear the opposite.” Mostly from his brothers he doesn’t mention.
“Perhaps, but in comparison to our Tobirama, you look… dare I say, happy.”
“Expressions are superficial, and happiness is... a nebulous concept Mito-san.” Is his natural response, his thoughts on emotions have never surprised anyone. Although… emotions… have become a complicated subject for him recently.
She simply tips her head in acknowledgement.
“I don’t need to be a sensor to see that you don’t carry weight in your heart Tobi-san. You are watching your students train earnestly; you are clearly driven to see them succeed yet your gaze isn’t anxious about what their future holds. You are simply content with watching their present. It is not a look I ever thought I’d see you– Tobirama, wear.
"So, yes, happiness is a nebulous concept Tobi-san, but what is happiness if not being able to live for the present, as you do.
"In this reality, while we have Konoha for today, we can’t help but worry about ‘will it be standing tomorrow?’ Doesn’t that mean that happiness is impossible for us?”
She looks across him searchingly.
And he’s taken aback, not quite sure how he’s expected to answer. All the ‘romance’ coaching in the world couldn’t prepare him to respond to something like this. Well… he could, be he knows it’s not the kind of answer these types of discussions call for. But he answers as he’s best equipped to anyway.
“Although it’s unlikely that Konoha would be annihilated in a single day, it is why we prepare and train. It’s the nature of shinobi to live on uncertain terms. We all live under the same shadow.”
Mito would be greatly mistaken to think that he and his dimension doesn’t share the same worries about Konoha’s future. However, he doesn’t think that she’s unaware of his priorities. And while she hasn’t done him the discourtesy of resorting to a thousand flowery words, it pains him to be put at any kind of disadvantage, “By your logic, happiness would be impossible if certainty is a requirement for it, especially for me.” His life has been anything but certain, “-but, if you think achieving happiness is important, that I have somehow achieved it; what actually drives me is seeing my brother’s dream come to fruition and now, protecting it. It is my purpose, and I... am content with my place. Happiness... has never been part of the equation... you talk as if I'm an expert on the subject, Mito-san.” He speaks honestly, but… his answer is also littered with hesitance as his thoughts are led astray down a very different path, unbidden.
Happiness
Less of a thought, and more reminiscence of a feeling.
The feeling of warm chakra wrapped around him like a blanket, of scorching fire a pleasant burn through his veins and a curtain of black hair like smoke.
He doesn’t mention any of that, however.
“Is that so…” Her nod in response is polite, but her expression is weary. They both know that he'd stated the obvious, the easy answer, and it makes him feel slightly disrespectful, which may have been within her plans anyway.
“Indeed, we work and train and bleed to protect our home Tobi-san, and I would say that many are content with that. But as it is my duty to watch over my husband’s dream, his children– so to speak, what I really want no know is; what makes you so different? I have called it happiness, despite knowing your apathy towards the subject, because as I see it, if you can be happy, it indicates that Konoha truly prospers.”
Different? Happiness? She is right that Tobirama has never been good at understanding or keeping up with the nuances of emotion. To him ‘happiness’ is just an empty word. It’s what makes him so-called different.
But what he does understand is chakra.
…And remembering the feeling of two chakras fitting so cleanly together… so much fiery emotion filling the hole in his chest… makes warmth bloom on his face.
He thinks that maybe having a place of his own inside Konoha, in someone’s arms, perchance makes him… happy. What a novel concept, but as he said; emotions have become complicated for him recently.
Mito has also been watching his students with him, but her gaze was never truly there. Something flashes briefly in her eyes and she sighs, “I’m aware that you have a family there… but… I see that there’s something else different about you.”
He wishes he could provide the appropriate reaction, but at his blank look, Mito turns her attention back towards the field resigned, apparently having found what she was looking for.
Tobirama blinks. He thinks that maybe, this dimension's Tobirama is on to something – avoiding contact with Uzumaki Mito. Because what is it, that she’s found? At least he can be secure knowing her dedication to his brother’s dream, to Konoha.
But the memory of Mito’s black eyes lingers, an endless pool, that could reach inside his chest and scoop out the insides, turn him inside out and expose answers locked behind his rib cage.
But she doesn’t comment any further on whatever information she’s dug from his entrails.
Truly a formidable woman.
“Please forgive my questioning Tobi-san, despite living in the same house I don’t get the chance to talk to my brother-in-law very often, but I’ve found you to be very different to the Tobirama I know. I truly hope he and my husband don’t give you too much trouble.”
“It’s quite alright Mito-san.”
Strange conversation over, Mito stands to say a polite goodbye. Whatever she’d found, it made her comfortable enough to leave him alone with just his students to watch him for the rest of the morning.
The morning passes peacefully until afternoon, at that point he arrives at Hokage tower. When he steps into his brother’s office for a second time, both Hashirama and Tobirama are there, but no Madara. He can’t say he isn’t disappointed to see any version of the man, but still doesn’t know what to think about his chakra.
He’s moved on from the Uchiha’s compound compared to the last time he’d checked, but his fiery chakra had dragged scorching fissures across Konoha’s unseen landscape. It’s likely uncomfortable for everyone involved, specifically, himself, Tobirama and the surly Uchiha.
Looking at his counterpart, he undoubtedly looks uncomfortable. And Hashirama– he can see the stars in his eyes at his entrance… caution may be required then, he concludes.
“Welcome Tobi, we’re still waiting for Madara, but I’ve just been talking to Mito-”
And of course he had. He doesn't know when, but is unsurprised that the impromptu if untraditional, interrogation had been reported to the Hokage.
“She says that while you’re no threat to Konoha, you have information that may assist us.” Hashirama unapologetically declares. And he’s not offended, he would happily share any information that may be beneficial to Konoha.
“-brother please, I don’t think this is an avenue in need of pursuit-” His counterpart seems to disagree.
Hashirama beams, far too invested with the path of inquiry. And frankly, he is rather curious.
“Mito says that I may have a little something to do with the power of love!”
“… Love?” Love? He should have known better than to favour Hashirama’s reaction. He’s not sure he wants to know where his brother is going with this, how does love have anything to do with Konoha?
“Specifically, your love, or that you’re in love! And if you’d tell us who the lucky girl is, we can-”
He is very confused, he needs clarification, and his counterpart looks ready to shake some sense into his brother too. But none of them has time to do so when they’re interrupted by a knock at the door.
(Both Tobirama’s had known about the new arrival, but notifying their troublesome Hokage, he hadn’t asked) Hashirama looks slightly dejected but at least has the professionalism to let the poor Uchiha in.
“-Come in.”
The poor shinobi, through the façade of stoic professionalism, looks distinctly uncomfortable to be there.
“…Madara… sama has asked me to notify the Hokage that he’s unable to attend today’s meeting… and that he extends… his… apologies.” The Uchiha’s already stiff expression cramps at the words. Neither Tobiramas are surprised at the announcement, because Madara’s chakra is, in fact, located on the opposite side of Konoha. Tobi was going to mention it but hadn’t the chance. And somehow the tumultuous state of the Uchiha’s chakra makes him unsurprised at the announcement.
“That’s fine, Uchiha-san, I understand, and I don’t mean to trouble you but…”
“-Could you kindly impress upon your clan head, that this meeting is not optional as it falls within the purview of clan matters. In fact, he has an obligation to attend, not only to answer his Hokage but as the Uchiha's representative. That is unless he plans on abdicating the position to someone who will.” Tobirama's ice-cold expression pieces the Uchiha as if he’d never left the battlefield.
“Tobirama-” Hashirama interjects half-heartedly, but doesn’t outwardly show his disapproval beyond a brief reprimanding look, “If you would, Uchiha-san, not in those exact words of course, just say that this is important, and also please extend my apologies, and if you could ask…nicely?”
“…Of course, Hokage-sama” And the Uchiha beats a hasty, yet dignified retreat.
“Tobirama,” Hashirama calls, immediately revisiting his dissatisfaction. “We’re trying to build a working relationship with the Uchiha here, please try to be nicer…”
“I don’t see how my actions are preventing that brother, it’s Madara who’s the obstacle to his own clan’s integration into Konoha-”
“No, Tobirama, the reason Madara is being like this is because you’re not trying to understand. You act as though we’re still at war, but if we want to build peace, you need to act like it-.” Tobi watches on as Tobirama’s expression completely shutters, it's how he determines that they're now going to get nowhere on the subject, except to the heights of unproductivity.
Tobi signs, even if it’s not himself, it’s uncomfortable to witness this Tobirama being reprimanded. And honestly, he doesn’t appreciate being ignored like a shadow clone in the corner either. It doesn’t bode well that three of Konoha’s founders are at odds, while the other is infuriatingly missing. If he wants to get home with any kind of haste, it would appear that it’s in his best interest to resolve these tensions.
Where was Izuna when he’d actually be useful?
Unfortunately, he’s already mentally committed to solving the problem in front of him. He’d take it over whatever conversation Hashirama had been attempting before the Uchiha messenger arrived, discomfort has never stopped him and Izuna before. However, he’d use his own persuasion before resorting to the weasel’s shady ways.
“-If I may interrupt, I believe it to be in all our best interests to use Madara’s absence to plan a way to resolve these tensions between all founding parties. For both the good of Konoha and a timely return to my own.” The disputing Senju pauses to look back at him. Hashirama looks appropriately abashed at his behaviour, but Tobirama stands unrepentant.
He would never openly admit it, but perhaps he somewhat understands a little of Izuna’s struggles with his typical stubbornness.
It had become clear that this dimension’s counterparts are slightly behind his own, when it comes to ‘opening up to each other’ and ‘being honest with your feelings’. ‘Emotional development’, he’d scoff at the notion if it wasn’t so damningly effective even if it was a work in progress, the results spoke for themselves if he of all people would play mediator for his past self.
“As I see it, something needs to be done with your Tobirama and Madara in order to see the Uchiha fully integrated into Konoha.” He is unafraid to give his blunt assessment if Izuna was too absent to do it for him, “I wouldn’t bring it up unless absolutely necessary, because I too went through my fair share of disagreements with Madara, none as protracted as yours… but as it is, we can’t let own stubbornness get in the way of what’s really important.” Tobi turns to tell his counterpart sincerely, perhaps channelling more fervent Uchiha honesty than is strictly necessary, but it must have worked as intended if Tobirama’s thoughtful expression and Hashirama’s blinding, “Really!?” are anything to go by.
“… then… how would you approach resolving our… disagreement?” Tobirama asks sceptically but starts to look hesitant in the face of his uncharacteristic approach.
“I won’t presume to know all the answers” (Not in the least because Izuna had been the one to do the work for him) “But I may have some suggestions.”
“We’d love to hear.”
“To start simple, have you tried sparing? Sometimes these complex emotional problems can be solved with straightforward solutions.”
Tobirama’s expression changes for the first time from stubbornness with a raised eyebrow, and Hashirama looks vaguely apologetic, “… I know spars can be great, but I don’t think we have a training ground prepared for… that.”
“The village is predominantly made of wood.” Tobirama pitches in. And how typical of them to only team up when threatened with emotional progress. Not that he doesn’t do it himself…
He’s not discouraged, however, because he’d started simple knowing it would likely face resistance on principle, but if hostilities with Madara had devolved into the indiscriminate burning stage...
He sighs again, thinking maybe he should’ve gotten some sleep, “I won’t pretend that it’s not a terribly difficult thing to ask, but have you tried talking to him, maybe putting aside time to share a meal?”
Hashirama’s sheepish expression is all the answer he needs. Unfortunately, his counterpart remains stubbornly mulish staring through him as if meeting him for the first time since last night.
“Absolutely not.”
“No?” But his counterpart maintains his cool stance under the question. His approach wasn’t working at all. It wasn’t as if he’d expected to excel at it, but he at least thought he could connect with his counterpart on principle. He frowns back at him.
“They’re all great suggestions Tobi, and we really appreciate your help, but I might have to partially agree with Tobirama on this one. Madara is still too… volatile for a direct approach but think that some clear communication is a fantastic suggestion for you two, even if it's not a verbal encounter.”
He’d sometimes forgotten that underneath the dense exterior and hideous white robes, his brother was an intelligent man with perhaps more emotional competence than even his current self; he was still married and Mito had yet to flee back to Uzushio after all.
“-You need to let your actions show your sincerity, that’s all. So all the suspicions to stop, you need to understand that-”
...Or perhaps not. As Hashirama barrels on obliviously shutting down all further avenues of productive conversation with his brother. They were back to the beginning again, and Tobi was beginning to understand the frustration of being a third party to these clashes.
“No, what you don’t understand brother, is that-“
Before they started opening up to each other again, he and Hashirama had often fallen into disagreements like this. Sometimes it was easy to forget the damage years of conflict exacted upon his relationship with his elder brother, something this pair apparently hadn't repaired yet.
But this is why he dislikes dealing with people, dimensional counterparts or not. Intuitively he knows he should be able to help solve the issues between the three leaders logically, but his suggestions lacked persuasion even though they had integrity. There was just no helping the lack of authority he held in a discussion about matters of heart.
He'd tried his best without falling back on Uchiha advice, but it looked to be the only direction left to follow. Admittedly he was already borrowing most of Izuna’s advice already, just adjusting the delivery, hypothesising the intuitive link between his counterpart would substitute the original’s… unique delivery. Because despite being Konohagure’s budding spymaster, sometimes Izuna had the subtlety of a raging Biju.
…It was not as if Izuna’s advice hadn’t worked… in terms of letting his actions show sincerity. So, if he’s abandoning rationality, banking on the value of Uchiha indiscretion, he’ll quote it right from the source, even if it pains him to do so (the wait to get back home would be even more painful otherwise).
He takes a second to observe the brothers still engaged in their verbal sparring match. It’s not like him to be hesitant, but he can’t help it, just like he can’t help being out of alternative options.
He flashes his chakra to show irritation, just enough to get Hashirama’s attention, “To interrupt you again, solving these issues is imperative to Konoha’s health and my own return home, I hate to admit defeat to unconventional methods, but even though we value efficiency above all else, I didn’t want to suggest this route despite it being the most effective way to ensure a decisive resolution to your Madara problem with minimal cost or damage to Konoha while not implicating the clan if you’re discreet.”
Tobirama instantly looks over interested, as unfortunately predicted, “...Then, if you didn’t suggest this method straight away, I take it that it requires either exceptional skills or will come at great personal cost, perhaps both... but it has a high success rate?”
Tobirama can't pretend he's not slightly chagrined that Izuna's option had garnered his counterpart's immediate interest, but there was never any doubt that he would handle it professionally, “Yes, it requires both and may be at the price of your pride, requiring quick reflexes and preparation. But, it has the highest success rate out of any other approach I’ve tried. I received the intel straight from Izuna himself.” He looks over at his counterpart meaningfully, taking time to carefully imply the nature of his last resort.
He sees his counterparts’ eyes harden and feels the resolve in the curt nod. He can admire the determination, as he himself had to take time to come to terms with this option despite its decisiveness.
“-I didn’t think this was ever an option Tobi, we’ve already had this discussion-”
“-We have, but if our alternative Konoha has resolved their problems this way, we are at least obliged to explore all avenues at our disposal. We never should have removed all the options from the table brother.
I take it that your Hashirama has come to terms with the situation?” Tobirama turns to ask, but his look shows that his decision is already made.
“Yes, he has come to terms with it.” He turns to pin Hashirama gravely instead, he would assist his counterpart in this venture with everything he has to offer, “A word of advice brother; it will hurt less the sooner you let go, both Madara and I made our choices long ago.”
Hashirama winces, but also looks dejected in understanding. “I understand” As the Hokage, he gives his tacit approval. "I'll at least hear it out."
Tobi nods, already determined that Hashirama should listen in on the plan, dubious content and all because it would save on a lot of crying later down the line.
“Then, as per Izuna’s instructions; when you next meet Madara you should ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and then ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ when you get home-▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ wearing a ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ because ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ and then ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇. Because if you routinely follow these instructions, there’s no problem you and Madara won’t resolve, to quote Izuna.”
Tobi takes a second to let them grasp the instructions, while he also takes a second to absorb the blow of repeating Izuna’s horrendous directions, it was worse than he remembers, but at least he’s able to distil the worst of it into straightforward techniques for his counterpart to implement.
He looks up anticipating Hashirama’s tears or an exaggerated outburst, but instead, he appears frozen in his seat, expressing twisting far too rapidly to grasp. Tobirama has also frozen similarly to the side and seems to be paling rapidly…
“Are you okay?” He asks genuinely concerned. The more he is exposed to the intricacies of intimacy he is, the less uncomfortable he becomes, but if his counterpart is behind the curve he can understand some distress.
His counterpart's eyes widen, and his breath speeds up minutely, “I... assure you that... I am not. You've given me a lot to think about. If you’d excuse me.” And he promptly flashes away.
A convenient ability, but not so much for himself, as he can only look back to the only other person left in the office.
“…T-Tobi… I- I think we have… a lot to discuss.”