Tobirama had been unfortunate. He was Hashirama’s younger brother, which was the reason why he was pushed to be social and, even worse, friendly. Hashirama was aware that it wasn’t Tobirama’s nature, but they had to keep appearances. The Uchihas had to be reassured that the Senju weren’t an enemy anymore.
Hashirama’s smile widened when Tobirama pressed a stick with meat toward his fingers, and his eyes reflected the fire in the grill. He reached for another skewer and handed it to Tobirama.
“First, eat. Only people who feel safe eat. And you want to look like you feel safe,” he murmured, and he burrowed his teeth into the juicy piece of chicken while thinking about his second point. The salt on the surface tickled his tongue, while the sweetness of the meat melted in his mouth. It was quite nice, but not worth the price.
He finally knew what to say, and he took a deep breath. It was the kind of inhale that was preparing for a long, sharp, and strong speech. The kind of inhale that suggested something big was coming, and that made Hashirama’s eyes glint.
“And second, you need to-” his confident monologue was bitten short when a loud pop echoed through the crowd. Tobirama panicked; the same terror Hashirama saw on a battlefield just years prior, rarely in the village. Hashirama’s throat thinned when the bizarre scene unfolding brought up war memories.
The crowd was howling in disbelief, the lanterns stirred, and the poor Uchiha lady was shaking. Disaster. Tobirama’s rice paper-white hair towered in the tide of raven-haired people like a white family crest on a black haori. Hashirama exhaled loudly.
There was no way his brother would win against the allegations of disliking the Uchiha Clan, because he had just attacked an Uchiha child.
He had to help, unsure of who was the bigger child now.
Hashirama’s face softened, his eyes narrowed so much they almost closed, and his lips curled into a long line. He knelt down to have his nose at the same level as the boy.
“Are you alright, young man? My brother thought you were attacking him. That speaks of his uptight nature, and also of your talent. You’ll grow into a great ninja if your chakra confused my genius younger brother!” Hashirama said with a smooth voice that spread through the festival like a warm sake, his smile still flawless and refined.
He wondered if Tobirama felt safe yet.
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