"Tobirama, I really look at you with new eyes. You finally figured it out!"
"I remember you were very opposed to this marriage before!"
Senju Hashirama showed an extremely gratified expression.
His younger brother's prejudice against the Uchiha had always been a stone pressing on his heart from beginning to end.
Now he finally saw the dawn of moving this stone away!
What's wrong with the Uchiha clan?
There are so many handsome men and beautiful women in the family, and they are all very kind, just don't like to smile.
"Hehehe... Brother, I have my difficulties."
"Let's not mention the past."
Senju Tobirama was helpless. He could only force a smile and wave his hands repeatedly.
Who can understand his difficulties?
If it weren't for having no choice, he would find a way to ruin this betrothal no matter what.
The so-called marriage alliance was a big pit deliberately dug by Uchiha Makoto, that naturally evil Uchiha brat, for Konoha!
With the marriage between the two families, the child born to the Senju family in the future would have the surname Uchiha. This child could undoubtedly become the Hokage, and Konoha would really be surnamed Uchiha then.
And now he was actually helping Uchiha Makoto dig a few shovels of soil beside him.
But this was also a last resort!
This was all for Konoha!!
He didn't know... if he would have the chance to fill this pit in the future.
Perhaps he could only trust the wisdom of future generations!
"Lord Hashirama, I think this matter must be handled grandly. After all, this involves the face of our two ninja villages."
"Tomorrow, let's go meet the Daimyo together."
"Let the Daimyo personally matchmake for our two families!"
Uchiha Makoto said.
He knew very well that the result of that investigation report would definitely not satisfy the Daimyo and the Lord Elder, and there would inevitably be a huge wave of public opinion surging towards the two major ninja villages, demanding a reinvestigation.
Investigating like this... couldn't withstand detailed scrutiny.
Senju Hashirama, a peak figure in the ninja world, could be fooled once because of the cooperation between Uchiha Makoto and Senju Tobirama.
To reduce the heat as much as possible, he must use the marriage alliance to put pressure on the Daimyo.
And incidentally, let the Daimyo of the Land of Fire realize the attitude of the ninja villages—"Akatsuki and Konoha are marrying.... The assassination of the Lord Elder's family was done jointly by our two major ninja villages, and we have the ability to turn black into white in front of you. Today the Lord Elder's whole family was assassinated. If you are not honest in the future, maybe it will be your turn tomorrow!"
Although Senju Hashirama certainly didn't have such thoughts.
He wouldn't do such treasonous things.
But this is not important.... Just the marriage between the Uchiha and Senju clans can make the Daimyo of the Land of Fire automatically fill in the message Uchiha Makoto wants to convey.
"Okay, no problem."
Senju Hashirama nodded. Naturally, he wouldn't spoil the fun at this time.
Uchiha Makoto couldn't hide the joy in his eyes, raised his glass towards Senju Hashirama, and Senju Hashirama did the same.
"Senju Tobirama, hurry up and raise your glass too. Aren't you happy?"
"This is something you personally brought up!"
"Smile... why aren't you smiling, are you unhappy?"
"Eww... your smile is really ugly!"
Uchiha Makoto naturally didn't forget Senju Tobirama beside him, signaling him to smile and raise his glass quickly.
But Senju Tobirama... smiled very ugly.
"This naturally evil Uchiha brat..."
"Bastard..."
"Killing people, and destroying their hearts... too bastardly!!"
....
Knock, knock, knock...
A knock on the door sounded.
Soon, the door opened, and the Uchiha Great Elder walked in quickly.
The light in the room was very dim, with only a few candles barely emitting light.
"Lord Elder, I'm here."
"En, thank you for making a trip so late."
The Uchiha Great Elder's expression remained unchanged, bowing to the Lord Elder of the Land of Fire.
In his heart, he was guessing the reason why the Lord Elder of the Land of Fire went to such great lengths to meet him privately.
Soon, vaguely... he also guessed almost right.
The Lord Elder's whole family was assassinated. For such a big matter, the Uchiha clan must send clansmen to participate in the investigation. However, Uchiha Madara was not interested in these things, so the only one who could represent the Uchiha clan was him, the Uchiha Great Elder.
And he did find some anomalies during the investigation process.
Every time the Great Elder wanted to say something, he would always be deliberately interrupted by Uchiha Makoto, covered up by some "eloquence."
Of course, he just felt a little strange in his heart.... Maybe he was overthinking.
As a traditional ninja...
It was hard for him to imagine that the shadows of the two major ninja villages in the Land of Fire were behind this matter.
Where did the ninjas of the ninja villages in the Land of Fire get the guts to lay murderous hands on the Lord Elder of the Land of Fire?
.... Senju Tobirama actually didn't have this guts either, it was just that Uchiha Makoto lent him a gut, and also made him a pair of iron knees.
"Stand up, no kneeling!!"
Until the investigation result was "finalized" by Uchiha Makoto and Senju Hashirama.
Due to the prestige of Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Makoto, the Uchiha Great Elder didn't voice his doubts in public.
"Great Elder, regarding the assassination of my whole family, the investigation result has now been submitted to the Daimyo, and I saw this investigation result immediately."
"The investigation result says it was an accident, a coincidence... rogue ninjas..."
"You also participated in the investigation. I want to ask you now, is this really an accident, a coincidence?"
The Uchiha Great Elder opened his mouth but didn't speak.
Because this question was too tricky.
The Hokage of his own Konoha and the Kōkage of the neighboring Akatsuki Ninja Village both agreed that this was bandits causing trouble, an accident without deliberate conspiracy. If he questioned this result, wouldn't it prove that the Hokage and Kōkage joined hands to fake it and deceive the Daimyo?
How many heads does he have to dare to express opinions on this matter casually?
"Great Elder, since the Hokage and Kōkage have already made a decision, it naturally is an accident, a coincidence."
"Hmph... I don't believe it, I don't believe it... Great Elder, do you know who I lost in this assassination... my wife, son..."
"Accident?"
"How could this be an accident!"
The Lord Elder looked a little agitated. Obviously, the assassination incident had a great impact on him. So even if the truth was cruel enough to be unacceptable, he had to find a way to investigate clearly and then find a chance for revenge!
But the Uchiha Great Elder still didn't speak.
This matter is of great importance. Speaking rashly would offend both the Hokage and the Kōkage... This must require extra money!
"Regarding the current situation of Konoha, according to the top-secret information I got here, Senju Tobirama asked Senju Hashirama to come forward personally to seek help from the Akatsuki Ninja Village. Senju Tobirama has reached a private deal with Uchiha Makoto. You are probably still kept in the dark about these things.... The internal reform of Konoha promoted by Senju Tobirama is already a certainty."
"In this case, although your clan's Uchiha Madara is strong, he is ultimately not the opponent of the Hokage."
"Conquering the world requires fists, ruling the world.... Senju Hashirama acting like this now obviously has made a decision."
"The Second Hokage of Konoha will continue to be held by the Senju clan."
"Senju Tobirama will become the Second Hokage!"
The Lord Elder of the Land of Fire knew very well where the Uchiha's weakness lay.
They dreamed of letting the Uchiha clan produce a Hokage.
But reality was cruel.
Uchiha Madara now had the thought of taking the whole clan to run away from Konoha.
There was no clansman in the family who could truly contend with Senju Tobirama, and the opportunity left for the Uchiha clan was close to zero.
Of course, the Uchiha clan still believed that the family had a great hope of serving as the next Hokage.
The family competing for the position of the Second Hokage was at least fifty-fifty with Senju Tobirama.
They didn't realize that the family was actually in crisis.
And the words of the Lord Elder of the Land of Fire now were like a sharp blade piercing part of the Uchiha's fantasy.
And his words were mixed with a little lie in the truth, making it difficult to distinguish..... The secret deal between Uchiha Makoto and Senju Tobirama was only known to the two of them. The Lord Elder of the Land of Fire didn't know at all, but this didn't prevent him from saying it at this moment.
—It was a fabrication and guess, but it was indeed true.
"Uchiha Madara isn't that strong..."
"Senju Hashirama still strongly supports his brother Senju Tobirama"
"The always trusted Uchiha Makoto also secretly made unknown deals with the Senju clan."
The Uchiha Great Elder's ninja way seemed to have suffered a heavy blow instantly.
The seed of doubt had long been planted.
The "defection" of the Uchiha clansmen at the briefing had actually made the Uchiha elders dissatisfied. However, due to Uchiha Makoto's assistance for many years, they subconsciously began to make excuses for Uchiha Makoto and did not pursue this matter. But now with the Lord Elder of the Land of Fire instigating like this... he really couldn't distinguish for a while.
"Great Elder, Senju Hashirama is Senju Tobirama's brother. Do you think he will be closer to Senju Tobirama or Uchiha Madara!"
"Uchiha Makoto is the Kōkage. He has long left the Uchiha clan. For the interests of the Akatsuki Ninja Village, he doesn't mind making deals with the Senju clan."
"And I am not a ninja. I have no interest in interfering with the power of your village. So as long as your Uchiha clan helps me find out the truth, in return, I will fully help your Uchiha clan reach the top of the Hokage position!"
The Lord Elder's eyes were deep. He sensed the Uchiha elder's wavering and firmly seized this opportunity.
Both reasoning and promising benefits.
As the Lord Elder of the Land of Fire, one person below one and above ten thousand, it is no exaggeration to say that his students and former subordinates are all over the Land of Fire.
The resources he can mobilize in the Land of Fire are unimaginably huge.
If the Lord Elder of the Land of Fire really fully supports the Uchiha clan, everything Uchiha Makoto can give to the Uchiha clan, the Lord Elder can actually give, and definitely give more.
Of course... The Lord Elder of the Land of Fire was painting a big cake at this time.
He really wanted to do everything to take revenge, but reality often doesn't go as one wishes. The honor and disgrace of the family are like shackles forcing him to remain rational.
If something cannot be done, then he can only give up temporarily.
He can't really completely fall out with the Hokage and Kōkage. The result would definitely be a miserable death for himself, and even the complete disappearance of the family inherited for centuries.
Endure!
There will always be a chance in the future...
There will always be a chance...
But the big cake painted by the Lord Elder of the Land of Fire at this time was undoubtedly really fragrant. Unsurprisingly, the Uchiha Great Elder was already confused by the fragrance.
"Lord Elder, is this true?"
"A gentleman's word is hard to chase even with four horses."
The Uchiha Great Elder's expression became serious.
For the Uchiha clan, he could make this deal with the Lord Elder.
And the Lord Elder of the Land of Fire didn't disappoint the Great Elder, nodding solemnly.
"Lord Elder, then I'll tell the truth. According to my experience, there is indeed something strange about that investigation report."
"The disguise methods of that group of ninjas were perfect, but they still couldn't deceive my pair of Sharingan!"
"If my judgment is correct, those ninjas who assassinated you were all first-class elites. Ordinary rogue ninja forces simply cannot have such strength,"
The Uchiha Great Elder opened his three-tomoe Sharingan and spoke his mind.
The ability of that scarlet Sharingan is known to everyone in the ninja world.
The Lord Elder of the Land of Fire did not doubt the Uchiha Great Elder's judgment, but his mood became heavier.
Bad!
Could it be that Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Makoto really joined hands to set me up?
"Then the investigation report submitted by the Kōkage and Hokage..."
"Uhm..."
"Hiss...."
This conclusion is really fatal.
Publicly slapping the face of the Hokage and Kōkage requires courage.
The Hokage is kind-hearted and won't settle accounts afterward.
But Uchiha Makoto... as everyone knows, he is very petty.
In the past, Senju Tobirama didn't offend him much, just didn't like him and cursed a few words, and he has been pitted by Uchiha Makoto until now.
The Uchiha Great Elder didn't dare to respond for a while.
Even the Lord Elder of the Land of Fire didn't dare to act rashly.
The two stared at each other for a while, and it was the Lord Elder of the Land of Fire who spoke first.
"The Kōkage and Hokage must have been deceived. I think it's Senju Tobirama making trouble behind the scenes."
The Lord Elder of the Land of Fire decided to put all the blame on Senju Tobirama.
There was no helping it.
The Uchiha Great Elder would absolutely not publicly accuse Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Makoto for him at the same time.
And even if he collected enough evidence, confronting Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Makoto, these two Kage, directly like this would undoubtedly be seeking death.
How can the reputation of the two Kage be slandered at will?
In the Lord Elder's view, the current situation can only be picking soft persimmons to pinch, and Senju Tobirama is undoubtedly a soft persimmon.
Moreover, the Hokage and Kōkage publicly joining hands to submit a "polished" investigation report proves that neither of these two people is clean.
As the Hokage's brother, Senju Tobirama definitely participated in this matter. Throwing all the blame on him is reasonable!
"Although I can't kill Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Makoto to avenge my family, using Senju Tobirama's life as a sacrifice is barely acceptable."
The Lord Elder of the Land of Fire felt heavy.
This feeling of being unable to kill the enemy with his own hands.... is extremely painful.
But the Uchiha Great Elder became visibly excited.
He didn't dare to publicly attack the Hokage and Kōkage, but he still had the guts to find an excuse to attack Senju Tobirama!
And very big guts at that!
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