The battlefield could be safely left entirely to Madara.
With him and you joining in, the Uchiha’s chances of victory increased by several more points, and part of the battle soon ended.
When the smoke gradually dispersed and Madara was preparing to lead the clan members back, he suddenly noticed you staring at one place with tightly furrowed brows.
Madara looked over.
It was a child wearing Senju battle armor, looking about the same age as Kiya, with half-black, half-white hair, being surrounded and attacked by five adult Uchiha ninja.
The child’s face was full of terror, tears turning in his eyes.
Uchiha Madara instantly thought of the death of your younger brother, Uchiha Asuku.
Asuku, too, had lost his life on the battlefield.
That was a pain deep in your heart.
He knew very well that at this moment, you had recalled that painful past.
Madara walked forward without hesitation and ordered loudly, “Take this child back to the clan grounds as a captive.”
His voice was firm and allowed no doubt.
The five ninja were slightly stunned, but the young clan head’s order stood above all else.
They quickly put away their weapons and escorted the Senju child away.
Senju Itama had thought he would die here, but an Uchiha person had suddenly appeared and spared his life.
Though he did not know what schemes this person might have, Itama was still grateful that he could survive.
He only hoped Father would not be furious because he had been captured.
Big Brother, Second Brother…
You looked at Madara, and in your eyes was a trace of complex emotion difficult to describe.
You walked side by side on the road back to the clan.
“I promised you.
On the battlefield, no matter which family’s children they are, they are innocent.” Madara’s voice was low and gentle.
“Thank you,” you answered softly.
You knew the knot in your heart might perhaps bring trouble to the Uchiha, but Madara understanding and supporting you like this made a warm current surge in your heart.
Madara lowered his eyes slightly.
“In the end, I should be the one saying those words.
Without you, I’m afraid I would have lost a younger brother.”
At this moment, the afterglow of sunset fell on the two of you, stretching your shadows long.
The two hearts seemed to draw a little closer on the war-torn banks of the Naka River.
After returning to the clan grounds, however, your moods did not relax because of this.
At night, Madara sat alone in the courtyard, looking at the bright moon in the sky, countless thoughts in his heart.
He thought of the battlefield’s cruelty, Gen’s terrified eyes, and your moved expression.
“I will definitely end this endless war and stop the clan members from living amid fear and slaughter,” Madara secretly swore.
On the other side, you also tossed and turned in your own room.
You thought of Madara’s heroic figure on the battlefield, and of the kindness he showed when he spared the Senju child.
A ripple rose in your heart.
“Perhaps he really can change all of this.”
“What!
Itama was captured on the Uchiha young clan head’s orders!” Senju Butsuma slammed his fist onto the table.
Hashirama and Tobirama looked at one another, then lowered their heads again.
The ninja below did not dare respond to the clan head’s anger.
Butsuma stood up and walked a few steps.
“We should be grateful the Uchiha still have plans, otherwise I would…” lose another child.
His next words surprised everyone.
“If I abandon the Senju Clan’s interests for Itama, then I am not worthy of holding the position of clan head.”
“Father!” Senju Hashirama’s eyes widened.
He could not understand it.
Were so-called interests more important than Itama’s life?
This time Tobirama did not stop his big brother, though as the rational one, he did not think there was anything wrong with Father’s choice.
But Itama was still his younger brother.
He truly could not accept a second tragedy like Kawarama’s.
“Hashirama, as the Senju’s young clan head, do you still not understand this principle!” Senju Butsuma felt his authority being questioned.
“I understand the reasoning, but Itama was captured—are you not at fault at all?
Why would a seven-year-old child appear on the battlefield!” Senju Hashirama finally voiced the deepest question buried in his heart.
A loud slap fell, and a clear red mark appeared on Hashirama’s face.
“Father, calm down!” Tobirama could no longer sit still and stood in front of Hashirama.
Senju Butsuma looked at the hand he had used to strike his eldest son.
It trembled slightly, and inexplicable sorrow rose in his heart.
“War is cruel by nature.
Someone must always sacrifice in exchange for victory.
It does not matter who you are, even if you are the Senju’s young clan head.”
Butsuma closed his eyes.
“Refuse negotiations with the Uchiha.
The Senju will not concern themselves with whether that child lives or dies.”
“As for that Uchiha young clan head, I want all information on him.
Go investigate!”
When the Uchiha council hall received the news that the Senju Clan refused negotiations, the sky was almost bright.
Tajima was not surprised by Senju Butsuma’s choice.
He only pitied that child.
Now they had two choices.
But doing so would wrong the clan members who had died.
If they killed the captive, naturally there would be no particular effect, other than deepening their hatred with the Senju.
The relationship between the Uchiha and Senju had long since become as incompatible as fire and water.
Whether the hatred deepened or not did not really matter.
The youths in the residence also heard that the Senju had refused negotiations.
Uchiha Madara’s motion of wiping his kunai stopped.
“Everyone says we Uchiha are evil, but this Senju Clan is obviously the truly evil one!” Uchiha Izuna snorted coldly, disapproving of the Senju’s actions.
Ryoei found it somewhat amusing and rubbed Izuna’s head.
“The Senju clan head is indeed not a responsible father, but he is absolutely a qualified clan head.”
Early in the morning, Uchiha Tajima joined the elders in convening a clan meeting.
The meeting’s content was very simple: the right of life and death over the Senju captive.
Most of the clan members abstained.
The captive was truly too young.
At worst, they could wait until he grew up before killing him.
Madara had thought he would need to make some arrangements today to keep that child alive, and had not expected it to go so smoothly.
Just who was spreading the rumor everywhere in the ninja world that the Uchiha were evil!
Ever since that argument with his father, Hashirama had refused to participate in clan meetings.
Hashirama spent all day holding his head and hiding in corners growing mushrooms.
Somewhat childishly, he thought that perhaps the Uchiha were kind by nature, and Itama would be fine.
The more he thought, the more annoyed he became.
Taking advantage of the time when Tobirama was called away by Father, he directly ran out of the clan grounds.
Sure enough, the moment he saw nature, his mood became much more relaxed.
Tobirama came to the council hall, where Father and the clan elders’ gazes all fixed on him.
“You came at just the right time.
This is a portrait of the Uchiha young clan head.” Butsuma threw a scroll toward him.
Senju Tobirama caught it and unfolded it.
In the painting, the boy had an arrogant face, sharp eyes, and unruly hair that made him seem even more outstanding.
As he looked, Senju Butsuma explained.
“His name is Uchiha Madara.
Not long ago, he awakened the Sharingan.
On the battlefield, he has killed quite a few adult ninja.
Whether in combat talent or thinking ability, he is a grave enemy for the Senju.”
“If you meet him on the battlefield, be sure to kill him.
If an enemy like this is allowed to grow, he will bring great trouble to the Senju.”
“The Uchiha’s third young master, Izuna—you have encountered him many times on the battlefield, so you should know how troublesome they are.”
“When you have time, give this scroll to Hashirama.
He has been throwing a tantrum lately, and I cannot very well go myself.”
After hearing Butsuma’s words, Senju Tobirama put the scroll away, nodded, and turned to leave.
When Madara once again came to that tributary, he saw a familiar figure.
“Yo, long time no see!
Your name was…” Madara hesitated, recalling the boy’s name.
“Hashirama,” the boy had already answered for himself.
Uchiha Madara put both hands on his waist.
“Hashirama, what’s going on?
You’re so listless as soon as you get here today!
Did something happen?”
Senju Hashirama sniffed.
“Why ask that?
I’m perfectly fine.”
“Who are you fooling?
Why don’t you tell me!” Madara did not believe his nonsense.
“It’s nothing…” Hashirama continued being stubborn.
“Enough.
Say it.” Uchiha Madara spoke earnestly.
“No, really, it’s nothing.”
“Enough, stop being stubborn.
I’m telling you to just say it!” Madara was almost out of patience.
“It really is nothing.
Nothing at all…” Hashirama turned his head, tears streaming down his face.
“I said, say it!” Uchiha Madara’s fiery temper immediately flared up.
But Hashirama did not speak, and his tears flowed even more.
Only then did Madara realize the boy was truly sad, and he withdrew his anger.
“What happened?”
“My younger brother…” Thinking of the dead Kawarama and Itama, whose fate was uncertain, Hashirama’s heart was full of sadness.
“Something happened.”
Hashirama wiped away his tears with his sleeve.
“The reason I came here is because looking at this river makes it feel as if the turmoil in my heart can be washed away.”
“Even if I can’t see your heart, I know,” Uchiha Madara said only halfway.
Hearing this, Hashirama immediately stood up and asked, “What?”
“You…
your hairstyle and your clothes are both hopelessly tacky!” After saying that, Madara straightened his back proudly.
Although he could not beat Hashirama at skipping stones, when it came to taste, he was still superior. Find the original chapter at g.com.
Hearing Madara’s complaint, Hashirama’s attention was instantly diverted, and he lowered his head in dejection.
As an older brother, Madara could deeply understand Hashirama’s feelings, especially since he had nearly lost his fifth younger brother not long ago.
If not for Uchiha Nagi, he would surely have suffered even more than Hashirama.
Seeing that it was getting late, and that Uchiha Nagi should only now be returning from the old faction, Madara, thinking of seeing her, hurriedly waved.
“Hashirama, I should go.
See you next time!”
Watching Madara’s light, quick back, Hashirama replied softly, “See you next time.”
“Big Brother, where did you go?” Tobirama sat at the table with his arms folded, his examining gaze fixed on Hashirama.
“I went out to clear my head.
What’s wrong?” Senju Hashirama felt somewhat guilty.
Guessing that his big brother might be hiding something, Tobirama did not rush to ask.
In any case, he would know someday.
“This is the scroll Father asked me to give you.
The person in the painting is the Uchiha young clan head.
If you encounter him, it would be best to deal with him, otherwise there will be great trouble.”
Senju Hashirama scratched the back of his head.
“Why didn’t he come find me himself?”
Tobirama’s face was full of black lines.
“These past few days, you’ve refused to attend clan meetings.
Father thinks you’re still angry and can’t lower his pride to come find you.”
Only then did Hashirama remember this was his own problem.
Somewhat embarrassed, he picked up the scroll on the table.
“I won’t do that again,” Hashirama promised, then opened the scroll.
When he saw the portrait, he froze.
The road back to the clan grounds from the Naka River seemed especially long and silent to Uchiha Madara.
The afterglow of sunset fell on him like blood, yet could not warm his body, tense with vigilance.
The sound of wind around him seemed to hide enemy breathing, and every swaying leaf could be a fatal threat.
Suddenly, a gust of wind swept past, and dozens of black shadows sprang out from every direction, instantly surrounding Madara.
Each of these enemies wore fierce expressions, and their bodies gave off dense killing intent.
Madara took a deep breath and instantly entered battle mode.
His figure flashed, and he took the initiative to attack, trying to tear open a gap in the enemy encirclement.
However, the enemies were clearly well-trained and cooperated tacitly.
Again and again, they skillfully dissolved Madara’s attacks and launched round after round of fierce counterattacks.
Madara used all his strength to block the enemies’ attacks.
Sweat fell like rain, and many wounds gradually appeared on his body.
His stamina was being rapidly consumed, while the enemies’ attacks grew increasingly vicious.
Just as Madara felt powerless and thought he was about to lose his life here, a black shadow suddenly appeared.
Madara only saw you rapidly form seals with both hands.
Immediately afterward, a shocking scene occurred: all the enemies’ chakra seemed to be instantly drawn away by an invisible hand.
Their bodies became stiff, and their eyes filled with fear and despair, like lambs waiting to be slaughtered.
You did not hesitate at all.
The long blade in your hand danced, instantly harvesting the enemies’ lives.
Blood splashed everywhere.
Your eyes were as cold as frost, without a trace of pity.
After all enemies were eliminated, the surroundings once again returned to calm.
You slowly walked toward Madara.
“Little brat, you didn’t hurt your brain, did you?”
Seeing that Madara did not react for a long while, you could not help patting his shoulder.
“You…” Madara looked at you, somewhat stunned.
“What?” You did not realize at all how serious Madara was at this moment.
Madara suppressed the throbbing in his heart.
“I mean, why are you here?”
“Oh.
I received news in the clan grounds that enemies were lying in ambush near the Naka River, so I happened to come handle it.” Your tone was relaxed, as if the danger before you had been nothing more than an insignificant farce.
Madara looked at your profile, mixed feelings in his heart.
After a moment, he said softly, “Thank you.”
Those two simple words contained complex emotions.
“By the way, recently the Senju Clan has been asking about you everywhere.
Be careful.” As if suddenly remembering something, your expression turned serious as you reminded Madara.
“The Senju?” Madara’s brows furrowed slightly.
In his mind, he quickly flashed through the people he had recently met, and Hashirama’s figure appeared at once.
A trace of vigilance and thought flashed through Madara’s eyes.
The Senju Clan had always been the Uchiha’s archenemy.
What exactly did they intend by investigating him?
The wind by the Naka River gradually rose, rustling the reeds along the bank and pulling Madara’s thoughts back to reality.
“Do you know why they’re asking about me?”
You shook your head.
“Not very clearly.”
“I’ll be careful,” Madara said to you, his tone full of firmness.
He had already prepared himself.
No matter what schemes the Senju Clan had, he would not let the Uchiha Clan fall into danger.