In a dense forest ten kilometers away from the newly rebuilt Ryūchi Cave…
Two figures were engaged in a desperate battle.
To be more precise, a thirty-year-old man wearing red armor was being utterly and mercilessly beaten.
His armor repeatedly crashed into trees and boulders, stained with fresh and dried blood.
“Hashirama, what happened to you?
Why are you so weak?”
“Quit talking…
I haven’t used my full strength yet!”
Hashirama seized the chance to gasp for air, while inwardly lamenting:
“As expected of the ‘Rose of the Battlefield.’ Madara’s close-combat skill and experience exist on an entirely different level.”
Even relying on Hashirama’s instinctive battle sense and incredible regeneration, he could only serve as a fairly durable punching bag.
His only real contribution was making Madara happy.
At last, Madara couldn’t help but ask:
“Something’s been wrong with you lately.
Tell me—what exactly happened?”
Hashirama had just blocked a side kick when another spinning kick sent him flying.
“Pfft!”
A cloud of blood sprayed from his mouth.
He twisted his body in midair and barely managed to regain his footing.
His exhausted vision had already begun to blur.
“It was an equivalent exchange.”
He wiped the blood from his mouth and continued.
“I agreed to surrender my combat experience at age thirty to the Sage of Six Paths in exchange for knowledge of history.”
Madara’s expression darkened.
“Whether that’s true or not, aren’t you afraid that after learning your secret, I’d kill you and wipe out the Senju Clan?”
“Heh…”
Hashirama coughed up another mouthful of blood.
“The Senju Clan has accumulated too many sins.
If it were to perish, perhaps that would simply be its fate.”
“Besides…”
He smiled sincerely.
“You always said you’d flatten the Senju compound someday.”
“Now’s your chance.”
A flash of red crossed Madara’s eyes.
His hand tightened around the chain attached to his gunbai.
He remembered their childhood.
Back then, when Hashirama had discovered an ambush, he had silently thrown a stone—just as Madara had done—wordlessly warning him of danger.
The word idiot lingered on his lips.
But in the end, he swallowed it.
“So that’s why you’ve been weaker lately…”
Hashirama closed his eyes.
“Do it.”
“I only hope you’ll truly be able to end this chaotic era.”
“Shut up.”
Madara’s voice turned cold.
“Even without any prophecy, I, Uchiha Madara, would defeat you fairly and honorably.”
“If you’ve lost your combat experience…”
“Then I’ll simply beat it back into you.”
A savage grin spread across his face.
“I’ll help you recover it properly.”
A terrible premonition instantly arose in Hashirama’s heart.
“Wait…
maybe I should go find Tobirama instead—”
“Hashirama.”
Madara cracked his knuckles.
“I’m coming.”
“Ah!
Yamete!”
Hashirama was once again beaten into the ground, sending leaves flying into the air.
One leaf drifted eastward with the wind.
Toward the Land of Fire.
At this moment, Konohagakure was bustling with activity.
Everyone worked happily, filled with hope and anticipation for the future.
Compared to the village’s lively atmosphere, however, the Senju ancestral grounds painted a very different picture.
The three former elders sat together inside the Senju shrine.
The Second Elder placed his aged hand upon a stack of documents.
“Hashirama has become increasingly reckless.”
The Third Elder scanned the room resentfully, clenching his fist.
“We should never have supported him.”
“The past no longer matters.”
The First Elder leaned on his cane and paced back and forth.
“At this point, we must seek another path.”
“How are negotiations progressing?”
As soon as he finished speaking, he broke into a violent coughing fit.
The other two elders quickly supported him.
“The discussions have mostly succeeded,” the Second Elder replied.
“However, the Daimyō insists on personally selecting the Hokage.”
Before they could continue their conspiracy, a tremendous explosion echoed from the direction of Konoha.
Their discussion abruptly stopped.
Meanwhile, in Konoha…
Behind the village’s peaceful appearance was the tireless effort of the Military Police Force.
Though admittedly, their methods were somewhat overbearing, and their attitudes often rubbed people the wrong way.
The happiest people, however, were the newly joined clans.
Not only had the Senju withdrawn from the center of political power, but Hashirama and Tobirama had jointly implemented numerous administrative reforms and strict legal regulations, giving everyone a strong sense of security.
Then there was the recently enacted tax reform. This story is hosted at g.com.
The civilians repeatedly praised Lord Madara for his generosity in reducing taxes by twenty percent.
Everyone took pride in becoming citizens of Konoha.
Stories of Uchiha Madara’s exploits spread throughout the village.
People often sighed:
“Konoha truly is an advanced, harmonious, and ideal place to live.”
At that moment, the very person they admired—Lord Tobirama—was sitting in the Hokage’s office, complaining to his “beloved older brother.”
“Hmph.
That really worked out well for Madara.”
Hashirama’s Wood Clone replied calmly:
“He’s only the Hokage.”
“We built all of this together!”
Tobirama crossed his arms.
“Forget him.”
“Are you sure we’re doing the right thing by changing the Daimyō’s tax policy without permission?”
“This is practically…”
He lowered his voice.
“…rebellion.”
Even now, Tobirama remained somewhat uneasy.
Generations of ingrained beliefs still constrained him.
Hashirama leaned forward.
“Think bigger.”
“The Daimyō are just ordinary people.”
“Why should they enjoy everything while those of us with real power remain their tools?”
“This is a revolution.”
“My plan is simple.”
“First, let everyone in the village experience the benefits.”
“Once they’ve grown accustomed to them, when the Daimyō arrogantly attempts to take those benefits away…”
“They’ll become dissatisfied.”
“Then a few conflicts and a little bloodshed will escalate matters.”
“And when the time comes, we’ll step in.”
“Everything will happen naturally.”
Tobirama nodded slowly.
His respect for his brother deepened.
“As expected of you, brother.”
“It seems I still have much to learn.”
“We have plenty of time.”
Hashirama smiled.
“As long as the three of us don’t turn against one another and Black Zetsu can’t manipulate us, we can overcome anything.”
“Black Zetsu…”
Tobirama’s expression darkened.
“Even now, it’s difficult to believe.”
“If you hadn’t told me, I’d never have imagined such a being could exist.”
“The history of our clans…”
He clenched his fists.
“…was truly pathetic.”
“Itama.”
“Kawarama.”
“I swear I’ll avenge you.”
His fingernails dug deeply into his palm.
At this moment, Tobirama hated Black Zetsu even more than he hated Madara.
“We will.”
Hashirama suddenly remembered something.
“By the way, what’s happening with the clan elders?
Are those old men behaving themselves?”
Tobirama smirked.
“The three of them meet frequently in secret.”
“They’ve even tried inciting opposition to our reforms.”
He shook his head.
“Allowing them to retire peacefully was already a kindness.”
“I’ve already stripped away their supporters.”
“I’m only keeping them around to identify any remaining problems within the clan.”
“They won’t accomplish anything.”
Then he glanced at Hashirama.
“What about Shumo and sister-in-law?
Did you explain everything?”
Hashirama grinned.
“Of course.”
“And I’ve got good news.”
“I’ll be a grandfather soon.”
Tobirama’s eyes widened.
“Oh?”
“That boy finally did something right.”
“It’d be great if it’s a son.”
“Probably a daughter.”
Hashirama hesitated.
“But either way is fine.”
Meanwhile, he silently vowed:
“No matter what, I absolutely have to prevent Tsunade from becoming a gambling addict.”
Then another thought struck him.
“Look at me and Shumo.”
“Now look at you.”
“Tobirama.”
“You’re already twenty-nine.”
“You must get married and have children this year.”
“Absolutely not.” This story is hosted at g.com.
Tobirama rejected the idea instantly.
“I still have too much work to do.”
As he spoke, memories surfaced involuntarily.
The cold bodies of his dead brothers.
Their eyes that never closed.
“No.”
“Having children in this era would only be cruel.”
“If they’re born into such an unfortunate age, it’s better not to be born at all.”
Hashirama’s expression became stern.
“As your older brother, I won’t allow you to be stubborn about this.”
“If necessary, I’ll even force Madara to get married too.”
He paused.
“Actually…
maybe you two could hold a joint wedding?”
“What?!”
Tobirama nearly jumped out of his seat.
“Absolutely not!”
“I’m not sharing a wedding with him!”
“Then hurry up and find someone.”
“I think the Hyūga Clan would be a good choice.”
“The Hyūga…”
Tobirama immediately began thinking.
“They do have potential.”
“If I combine their Byakugan with my Flying Thunder God Technique…”
“Perhaps I could create a technique that allows instantaneous movement anywhere within visual range.”
Hashirama blinked.
“…I wasn’t asking for a research proposal.”
“Then perhaps the Kurama Clan.”
“Their Kekkei Genkai can counter Uchiha genjutsu.”
“Though their physical constitution is poor.”
Tobirama nodded thoughtfully.
“I’ve heard of them.”
“But Uchiha aren’t dangerous only because of genjutsu.”
“There’s also Fire Release, taijutsu, ninja tools, Susanoo…”
He sighed.
“Forget it.”
“Anyway, stop conducting those Impure World Reincarnation experiments.”
“Go find a wife.”
“But you don’t understand!”
Tobirama suddenly became emotional.
“If I succeed…”
“I’ll be able to see our family again.”
Hashirama fell silent.
After a long pause, he sighed.
“I’m not criticizing you for disturbing the dead.”
“But when death is no longer the end…”
“This world will create even more madmen.”
“That’s a problem for the future.”
“…Fine.”
Hashirama reluctantly conceded.
“You can continue your research.”
“But you still need descendants.”
“Students are valuable.”
“But only your own children will truly treat you as family.”
“They’ll be the ones to visit your grave.”
“Even Madara…”
He smiled softly.
“…doesn’t consider me family.”
“Our relationship can never be the same as ours.”
“That’s the fundamental difference.”
Tobirama stared at him in astonishment.
“I never thought…”
“That in order to persuade me, you’d actually say I matter more than Madara.”
“In the past, you only ever disagreed with me.”
Hashirama looked at him sincerely.
“People change.”
“And because you’re my family…”
“I’m willing to speak honestly.”
Tobirama immediately turned his head away so Hashirama couldn’t see his expression.
He was just about to speak—
BOOM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
A series of explosions erupted outside.
The entire Hokage building shook violently.
An earthquake?
The sky outside the window suddenly darkened.
The emergency alarm began blaring.
“Lord Hashirama!
Lord Tobirama!”
A shinobi burst into the office, panic written across his face.
“Something terrible has happened!”
“The village…”
“The village is surrounded by giant creatures!”