Gamer, fixing the fates of fictional characters

The next few days were somehow weird for Kaitou. He knew what was most likely to happen, but still held onto a glimmer of hope, that it would not come true.

This hope was useless, at least this way it seemed.

About four days after the official announcement of the first hokage was made, in the middle of the night, shadows were moving through the village.

The moon hung high in the sky, casting its silver glow over the silent village. Most were asleep, unaware of the quiet footsteps that moved through the shadows. 

Kaitou was not among them. 

He sat on the edge of a rooftop, watching as the night wind rustled through the trees. His senses were sharp, attuned to the presence approaching him. He didn't need to turn around to know who it was. 

"Leaving already?" Kaitou asked, his voice even, betraying no emotion. 

Madara stepped forward, stopping a few feet away. His crimson eyes reflected the moonlight, but there was no hostility in them. Only resolution. 

"You knew this was coming," Madara replied. "And yet, you did nothing to stop it." 

"I told you before," Kaitou said, finally looking at him. "This is between you and Hashirama. I won't interfere in something personal. As for trying, well you know I would have and did, it was just not possible anymore." 

Madara exhaled through his nose, his arms crossing over his chest. "Then come with me." 

Kaitou raised an eyebrow. "Come with you?" 

"You don't belong here either," Madara said. "You're not like the others, Kaitou. You see things differently. You're not blinded by sentimentality or naïve dreams of peace. The world isn't as simple as Hashirama wants it to be." 

Kaitou let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "And you think I should abandon everything to follow you?" 

"I think you should choose for yourself," Madara corrected. "You're smart enough to know this village won't last the way it is. You can feel it too, can't you? The cracks forming beneath the surface. The moment Hashirama is gone, this place will tear itself apart." 

Kaitou sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I won't deny that I have my doubts. But I made my choice." He locked eyes with Madara. "I will remain loyal to the village." 

Madara's jaw tightened slightly. "Even knowing that the village will one day betray itself?" 

"Even then," Kaitou said firmly. "Not because I believe in some idealized future, but because someone needs to be here when everything comes crashing down. If that day comes, I'll be watching." 

For a long moment, neither spoke. The night wind carried distant sounds of the village, but here, on this rooftop, it was as if the world had shrunk to just the two of them. 

Madara closed his eyes briefly, then turned on his heel. "I see," he said. His tone was calm, but Kaitou knew him well enough to sense the disappointment underneath. 

Just as Madara took a step forward, something flew toward him. 

With reflexes honed from years of battle, he caught it mid-air - a small scroll, bound tightly with a simple seal. He glanced back at Kaitou with a questioning look. 

"A farewell gift," Kaitou said casually. 

Madara narrowed his eyes slightly before unraveling the scroll. His eyes flickered across the contents, and for the first time that night, his expression shifted. 

"Plasma Release…" he murmured, almost disbelieving. 

"A Kekkei Tōta," Kaitou clarified. "I created it myself. It requires Fire, Lightning and Wind chakra, so I think that you should be able to use it." 

Madara stared at the scroll for a few seconds longer, then let out a quiet chuckle. "Heh. You never stop surprising me." He rolled the scroll up and tucked it away. 

For the first time in a while, his usual smirk returned. "I'll make good use of it." 

Kaitou leaned back, gazing at the stars. "I know you will." 

Madara didn't say anything else. With one final glance, he turned and vanished into the night, his presence fading like a whisper in the wind. 

Kaitou remained seated, his eyes still on the sky. 

"Goodbye, uncle."

The night went by, Kaitou did not move from his spot till morning. Even then, he only jumped down, because he sensed someone familiar getting close.

The next moment, an slightly out of breath, Hashirama stood in front of his door. About to knock, when Kaitou opened the door.

Hashirama, in the middle of the motion for knocking was momentarily stunned, but regained his composure quickly, before he looked at Kaitou, and upon seeing his expression, he guessed that Kaitou already knew what he was here for. He still continued

"Judging from your expression, you already know it?" asked Hashirama.

"If you're talking about Madara, then yes, I know," answered Kaitou.

Hashirama sighed, his shoulders sagging slightly. His usual warm, confident demeanor was dulled, weighed down by something heavy. He had expected this, but seeing it truly happen was another matter entirely. 

"He didn't try to convince you to go with him, did he?" Hashirama asked, though he already had a suspicion of the answer. 

Kaitou leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed. "He did." 

A flicker of unease passed through Hashirama's eyes, but it disappeared just as quickly. "And?" 

Kaitou exhaled through his nose. "I told him the same thing I told you before. This is between the two of you. I won't interfere in personal matters. But if push comes to shove, as long as nothing major happens, my loyalty will remain with the village." 

Hashirama studied Kaitou for a moment, as if searching for any hesitation in his words. When he found none, he let out a small breath of relief. 

"…Thank you," he said finally. "I know you and Madara were close, in your own way." 

Kaitou's expression didn't change, but his gaze drifted slightly. "It doesn't matter. He made his choice, and I made mine." 

Hashirama nodded solemnly. Then, after a short silence, he spoke again, his voice quieter. "I had hoped… until the very end, I had hoped he would stay." 

Kaitou looked at him then, truly looked. Hashirama, the man who had united warring clans, who had dreamed of a future where children wouldn't have to grow up on battlefields - standing here now, he looked almost lost. 

"Even after everything," Kaitou said, his voice quieter now, "you still believed in him." 

"I always will," Hashirama admitted, his smile faint but genuine. "He was my best friend." 

Kaitou looked away. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The early morning air was cool, the village still quiet. 

"…It won't be over," Kaitou finally said. "You know that, right?" 

Hashirama's expression darkened slightly. "…I know." 

"Then be ready," Kaitou said, pushing off the doorframe. "Because the next time you see him, it won't be like before." 

Hashirama didn't say anything right away. He didn't need to. They both knew what was coming. 

"…I just wish things could have been different," Hashirama finally murmured. 

Kaitou stepped past him, glancing at the sky. "Then you should have been born in a different world." 

Hashirama gave a sad chuckle, rubbing the back of his head. "Maybe so." 

Another silence stretched between them before Hashirama straightened, pushing his emotions back down. "I have to inform the council. They'll need to know Madara has left." 

Kaitou simply nodded. 

Hashirama hesitated for just a moment longer before stepping away. As he walked off, he stopped briefly, turning his head slightly. 

"…You won't regret staying, will you?" 

Kaitou didn't look at him. "I never regret my choices." 

Hashirama nodded slowly, as if he had expected that answer. Then, without another word, he walked away, leaving Kaitou alone once more. 

Kaitou closed his eyes, tilting his head up toward the sky. 

He had no regrets. 

But it didn't stop Kaitou from making his preparations for the next time they would meet.