In the dense forest ten kilometers away from the new Ryūchi Cave, two figures were engaged in a desperate battle.
To be precise, the thirty-year-old man in red armor was being thoroughly thrashed.
His armor was slammed recklessly against trees and hard stone ground, still stained with mottled bloodstains.
"Hashirama, what's wrong with you? Why are you so weak?"
"Shut up... I haven't gone all out yet!" Hashirama seized the chance to gasp for air, inwardly cursing his misfortune. "As expected of the 'Rose of the Battlefield,' Madara's close-combat strength and experience are on a whole other level."
Though he relied on his body's instincts and regeneration to resist, he was merely a decent punching bag.
His only purpose was to amuse the other man.
Madara finally couldn't hold back and pressed further. "You've been acting strange lately. Tell me, what's really going on?"
Hashirama barely blocked a side kick, only to be sent flying by a roundhouse kick.
"Pfft~" A spray of blood mist erupted from his mouth. He barely managed to twist his body to stand firm, his weary vision growing blurry.
"It's just an exchange. I agreed to give the Sage of Six Paths my combat experience when I turn thirty in return for historical information."
"Regardless of whether that's true or not, aren't you afraid that once it's exposed, I'll take the opportunity to kill you and wipe out the Senju clan?"
"Heh heh~" Hashirama coughed up a trace of blood and spoke sincerely. "The Senju clan has incurred too much sin. Its downfall is its destiny. Besides, you've always said you'd raze the Senju compound to the ground... Now's your chance."
A flash of red light appeared, and the chain attached to the edge of Madara's war fan suddenly tightened in his grip—he recalled how, when they were young, Hashirama had been just like him, throwing a stone in unison to tip the other off about an ambush.
His throat moved as he swallowed the word "foolish" back down. He murmured, "You bastard... no wonder you've been so weak lately."
Hashirama said, "Do it... I only hope you can truly put an end to this chaotic era."
"Enough talk. Even without a prophecy, I, Madara Uchiha, will defeat you fair and square! Since you've lost your combat experience, then get it back!"
Madara suddenly grinned malevolently. "I'll be happy to help you~"
Hashirama felt a sudden ominous premonition. "Um... maybe I should just go find Tobirama."
"Hashirama... here I come!"
"Ah~ Yamete!" Hashirama was knocked to the ground again, scattering a pile of leaves.
They drifted eastward with the wind...
The direction was that of the Land of Fire.
At that moment, Konoha was bustling with activity. Everyone was happily busy, carrying hopes and expectations for the future.
But in contrast to the village's liveliness, within the ancestral Senju grounds, the three former elders sat gathered in the Senju shrine.
The Second Elder's aged hand pressed down on a document. "Hashirama has become increasingly insolent lately!"
The Third Elder looked around with hatred, clenched his fists, and said sharply, "We should never have supported him from the start!"
"The past isn't worth discussing," the First Elder said, leaning on his cane as he paced back and forth. "Now that things have come to this, we must find another way. How are the negotiations on that front going?" No sooner had he spoken than he was seized by a violent coughing fit.
The other two elders hurried to support him. The Second Elder answered, "We've basically reached a consensus. However, the Daimyō wants to designate the Hokage candidate..."
While the three were still conspiring, a sudden loud explosion echoed from the direction of Konoha, interrupting them.
...
Konoha…
Behind this peaceful facade lay the efforts of the security force, though they were overly strict and their attitude was grating.
However, the happiest were the newly joined clans. Not only had the Senju clan moved away from the political center, but Hashirama and Tobirama had also established a series of institutions, strictly enforcing laws and regulations, putting everyone at ease.
Thanks to the recently implemented new tax policy, the common people were grateful to Madara-sama for his kindness in reducing taxes by twenty percent.
They were all proud to be citizens of Konoha, and stories of Madara Uchiha's remarkable deeds spread throughout the village.
People sighed with admiration, "Konoha is truly a progressive, harmonious, and perfect place to live!"
The Tobirama-sama they eagerly awaited was sitting at the Hokage's desk, grumbling to his "good elder brother, Hashirama."
"Hmph, Madara really got off easy!"
Hashirama's Wood Clone replied flatly, "He's just the Hokage."
"That's still something we fought for! Forget it, let's not talk about him. Are you sure it's okay for us to unilaterally change the tax policy set by the Daimyō? This is practically... rebelling!"
Tobirama Senju was still worried; the deeply ingrained feudal ideas of the land still held sway over him.
"Widen your perspective and vision! The Daimyō, lofty as he may seem, is just an ordinary person. Why should they get to enjoy everything while we strong ones are at their mercy?
This is a revolution! I plan to let everyone in the village taste the benefits first, break their ingrained habits! When their interests are later stripped away again by the Daimyō's arrogance, they will naturally become discontented.
After some conflicts and bloodshed, the situation will escalate. That's when we make our move, and everything will fall into place."
Tobirama nodded thoughtfully, deeply agreeing. Respect shone in his eyes as he remarked, "Truly worthy of you, Elder Brother. I still have much to learn."
"There's still a long way to go. As long as we three don't turn on each other and aren't provoked by Black Zetsu, we can handle any challenge!"
"Black Zetsu... it's still unsettling to think about. If you hadn't told me, I wouldn't have believed such a being existed. That history... the people of our two clans were truly pitiable.
Kawarama... Itama... I will definitely avenge you!" Tobirama's eyes flashed with murderous intent, his fingers digging deep into his palm—his hatred for Black Zetsu at this moment was even greater than Madara's.
"We definitely will!"
Hashirama's Wood Clone suddenly thought of something. "By the way, how are things with the clan? Are those old geezers still behaving?"
"Those three often gather in secret. Lately, they've even tried to incite clan members to oppose the reforms."
"Heh heh~" Tobirama curled his lip. "Retirement is already merciful. With my arrangements, their minions have been rooted out. The only reason we keep them around is to see what other hidden dangers might still be lurking in the clan.
They can't cause any real trouble. But have you explained things to Shigeru and sister-in-law?"
"Yes, it's all settled, haha~ Let me give you some good news. I'll be a grandfather soon!"
Tobirama was pleasantly surprised. "Oh? Shigeru is doing well! Hopefully, it's a son!"
"It should be a daughter, but it's all the same." Hashirama's Wood Clone answered somewhat hesitantly, thinking to himself about Tsunade's future "fat pig" nickname. "I need to make sure she doesn't develop a gambling addiction, a willful nature, and an arrogant personality."
A thought suddenly struck him.
"Look at me and Shigeru, then look at yourself! Tobirama, you're twenty-nine. You have to get married and have a child this year!"
"I'm not going to do it. There's too much I need to be busy with. I don't have the leisure." Tobirama flatly refused, his mind involuntarily drifting back to the cold, staring corpses of his brothers he had witnessed as a child.
"No! Bringing children into this era is cruelty to them! It's better for them not to be born than to be born into such unfortunate times."
Hashirama's Wood Clone's expression became severe. "I'm the head of the family now! This isn't something you get to be willful about! Not just you, even Madara, I'll try to persuade him. Hmm... maybe you two could have a joint wedding?"
"What? No way! There's no way I'm having a joint ceremony with him!"
"Then find a partner first! I think the Hyūga clan is a good option."
"The Hyūga? They're somewhat qualified. If combined with my Flying Thunder God Technique, I wonder if I could achieve a technique that arrives anywhere I can see in an instant."
"Huh? I haven't agreed yet!"
"True. Maybe the Kurama clan would be good. Their Kekkei Genkai can even counter Uchiha genjutsu, but they need time for their painting, and their physical constitution is weak."
Tobirama's attention was piqued again. "I've heard of them. But the Uchiha aren't just strong in genjutsu; they have Fire Release, taijutsu, ninja tools, Susano'o... forget it."
"Anyway, figure it out yourself. And stop messing around with Impure World Reanimation experiments for a while. Get moving."
"But my heart isn't really in that. You don't understand! If I can perfect it, I can see our family again!"
Hashirama's Wood Clone said, "Ninja lifespans are too short. If you end your line without an heir, how will I answer to Father and the others on the Yellow Springs Path?"
"It's precisely because life is short that I invented Impure World Reanimation. This way, the dead can help the living, and the living can reduce unnecessary sacrifices!"
"...…" Hashirama's Wood Clone fell silent at that, letting out a sigh. "I won't blame you for disturbing the dead. But if death is no longer the end, this world will produce even more madmen."
"That's a problem for later."
"Fine." Hashirama conceded helplessly. "You can continue the experiments, but you still need to produce an heir as soon as possible. Students are good, but only your own offspring will truly see you as family and honor you. Even Madara, he doesn't see me as family like that. He's not as close to me as you are. That's the fundamental difference, understand?"
Tobirama looked surprised. "I didn't expect you to say Madara isn't as good as me just to convince me. You used to always criticize me, reject me..."
Hashirama's eyes held a sincere gaze, his voice low as he said, "People change. It's precisely because you are my family that I speak to you so frankly."
Tobirama couldn't help but turn his head away, not wanting his expression to be seen.
Just as he was about to say something,
outside the Hokage office, a continuous "boom boom boom" suddenly sounded, causing the whole building to tremble. Was it an earthquake?
The scenery outside the window also grew dark abruptly.
"Ding ding ding!" Alarms sounded.
"Hashirama-sama! Tobirama-sama! This is terrible! The village... the village is surrounded by monsters!"