Shisui shook his head. Itachi mirrored the motion, both looking puzzled.
Gen's lips curved faintly. He turned to Itachi. "Why not?"
Itachi hesitated, brow furrowing. "…I can't think of a reason. My intuition just says it couldn't happen."
"And you, Shisui?"
Shisui thought for a moment. "You said earlier Hashirama Senju led the creation of the village. The people revere him. If he refused the title… wouldn't that disappoint everyone?"
Itachi's eyes lit up at that. "That makes sense."
"Exactly," Gen said with a nod. "Hashirama was the perfect choice for the first Hokage. Only he could convince everyone. Without him, Madara might have forced the position through sheer power, but with him in the picture, no one else could take it.
Anyone else wearing that mantle would've sparked unrest, and unrest could lead to civil war. Hashirama wouldn't allow that, so he had no choice but to accept."
"Even as an Uchiha," Gen continued, "I can admit that logic holds."
The two young men nodded in agreement.
"After taking the position, Hashirama promised Madara the role of Second Hokage. But by then… Madara had already decided to leave."
Shisui frowned. "Why?"
"Because he no longer trusted Hashirama."
"Over the broken promise?"
"That was part of it."
Gen leaned forward slightly. "In the Warring States era, 'capable' meant one thing, strength. And Madara was strong enough to claim the title. If Hashirama was willing to give it up, then logically, the position should've gone to Madara. From his perspective, it was fair and legitimate."
"But then," Gen's voice cooled, "Tobirama Senju stepped in. Even without his interference, public opinion was against Madara, but Tobirama's actions deepened the rift between the two leaders.
Worse still, the village turned on Madara. Rumors spread that he'd killed his own brother to steal his eyes for power."
Shisui's eyes widened. "Did he?"
"No," Gen said flatly. "Izuna was dying. Madara's eyes were going blind. Izuna offered them to him, and Madara accepted. That's all. But try explaining that to people already afraid of your power. The more you deny it, the guiltier you look. Madara was too proud to bother. So… he left."
Shisui's jaw tightened. "Then who started the rumor?"
Gen gave him a pointed look. "Who benefits most?"
Shisui exhaled slowly. "…The Second."
"Exactly. Hashirama didn't need to play that game—and if the records are true, he wouldn't have."
"What happened after?" Shisui asked.
"Madara returned with the Nine-Tails and challenged Hashirama one last time. They fought outside the village, Madara fell, and Hashirama died soon after from chakra exhaustion."
Shisui's shock was obvious. "He captured the Nine-Tails?"
Gen nodded. "Sharingan and Wood Release are natural counters to any tailed beast, even the Nine-Tails. Records say that either of them alone could subdue it without much trouble." [T/L edit: I removed any mention of mangekyou from the author. As it does not make sense for itachi to know about it at this time.]
Itachi's eyes shone with quiet pride. No wonder Father speaks of the clan's honor so often.
Gen smirked. "But if Madara truly wanted to destroy Konoha, he'd have unleashed the Nine-Tails inside the village. No… I think he just wanted to defeat Hashirama once."
He didn't mention the real reason which was Hashirama's cells. That part stayed in his head.
"Remember this," Gen said, his tone firm. "In Konoha, the Uchiha are second only to the Senju. No other clan comes close. When Madara left, the clan stayed because they preferred stability… and because of those rumors. The split was real, but the bond wasn't fully severed.
And while the Senju led the founding of the village, we were equal partners. Without us, Konoha wouldn't exist."
Shisui and Itachi leaned forward, curiosity flickering in their eyes.
Gen's smile sharpened. "Want to know why?"
Both nodded like eager students.