The Advancing Madara Uchiha, The Worried Tobirama

Madara Uchiha recalled the Fire Dragon Seisui had displayed, his expression both excited and solemn.

"This technique and method for utilizing Fire Release Chakra..."

A flash of his younger brother crossed Madara's mind, and he shook his head with a wry smile. "I said he was like Izuna, but really, he's more like me."

"Forget it, it's all the same—after all, I taught Izuna everything he knows about Fire Release... but I wouldn't mistake this style."

"There's absolutely no way someone could figure out my Fire Release techniques on their own!"

If the resemblance between Seisui and Uchiha Izuna had previously left Madara dazed and uncertain...

Once Seisui unleashed his Fire Release, it directly confirmed for Madara that Seisui was inextricably linked to the two brothers.

Seisui's Fire Release techniques were uniquely Madara's own!

Combined with Seisui's Ninja Sword Technique and his seamless handling of Muramasa, Madara's excitement grew. He let out a long breath and muttered to himself:

"As expected of my brother—the legendary Chakra Reincarnation, could it really be true..."

In the thousand-year conflict between the Senju and Uchiha Clans, each era produced a prodigiously talented ninja from both clans who became their respective leaders.

And every generation of these gifted leaders shared many similarities in personality and ability, always locked in a script of love and hate—

This led to a bold speculation among both Senju and Uchiha members: "What if the old clan leader didn't settle things with his archrival and got so angry he reincarnated?"

This theory had always been popular and endlessly discussed within both clans.

Before Seisui, Madara had scoffed at this notion and even actively suppressed it.

What Chakra Reincarnation? Nonsense!

I, Madara Uchiha, am myself—there's no way I'm anyone's reincarnation!

But after seeing Seisui's performance—

Madara thought: Hey, you know what, there might be something to it!

"It's not just the Fire Release techniques—this method of winning people over and the way he talks. For an eleven- or twelve-year-old kid, if he weren't Izuna's reincarnation, how could he be this clever..."

Madara recalled Seisui's conversation with Asuma, and his mind drifted back to when he first became clan leader.

Back then, Madara was young and hotheaded. Though his strength was formidable, it hadn't reached its peak, and he still needed his clan's support.

At that time, Uchiha Izuna, just like Seisui guiding Asuma and Uchiha Yashiro, used gentle words and overwhelming power to smoothly win over the entire Uchiha Clan's loyalty in Madara's name.

Madara let out a long breath, his eyes brimming with barely contained excitement, tinged with gravity.

Excitement, naturally, because he had confirmed Seisui as Izuna's reincarnation—seeing his brother again couldn't be better...

Gravity came from Madara's thorough understanding of Uchiha Izuna.

Now, even if Seisui was Izuna's reincarnation, he was still Shisui's older brother, with his own thoughts...

In identity and mindset, Seisui was a completely different person from Izuna, Madara's brother.

Madara didn't believe that someone as clever as Izuna would trust him based on just a few words.

If that were the case, Madara wouldn't believe Seisui was Izuna's reincarnation at all.

People could be so contradictory sometimes...

"What kind of setup do I need to make Seisui acknowledge me and join my side?"

"If I handle him like I did that fool Obito Uchiha, given Seisui's strength and mindset, he'd see through it easily—that would be disastrous."

Madara sank into thought, his brow furrowing deeper, yet the smile on his lips grew wider.

Quite the challenge!

The heart that had long ceased to stir began to beat powerfully once more...

Madara's gaze swept over his aged arm, and his brow furrowed noticeably.

To meet Seisui in such an undignified state...

He couldn't accept it!

He had to, had to find a way to change it!

To ensure the Moon Eye Plan at least had a fallback, Madara suppressed his longing for Seisui and slowly formed hand seals:

"Black Zetsu, I'm speaking to you."

"The plan needs to move forward quickly. Secure Obito Uchiha immediately, then report back to me—you have other tasks."

"I understand, Lord Madara."

Black Zetsu, disguised as Rin Uchiha, first replied respectfully, then shook his head. "This generation's Indra has awakened the Rinnegan, but he's such a handful..."

"This so-called Spokesperson plan—if I weren't here to clean up your mess, it'd be full of holes. I really have a thankless job."

"Forget it, for the sake of reviving Mother, these are minor issues."

Black Zetsu stood in the shadows, silently observing Obito Uchiha drenched in sweat, a sickly smile spreading across his pretty face.

"Obito Uchiha needs to feel cared for, so I'll give him that."

"Throughout history, heroes have always struggled to resist beautiful women. Compared to a hero saving a beauty, the script of a beauty saving a hero—that's something no one can ever resist..."

"Especially the emotional Uchiha Clan!"

Black Zetsu slowly sank into the ground, a grand play targeting Obito Uchiha beginning to take shape.

Meanwhile, in the valley.

Seisui smiled as he watched Asuma's retreating figure, feeling quite gratified.

At their parting—

Asuma had said to Seisui, "Seisui, I've always hated using privilege to get things done in the village, but please forgive me now. For the village's future, I have to do this..."

"When I get back, I'll beg my father to let us be in the same squad after graduation. Please agree..."

"I know you like Medical Ninjutsu. I'll find a way to get my father to have Lady Tsunade teach us!"

Seisui gladly agreed.

With Asuma as an ally, the Hokage lineage identity was hardly out of reach.

If Seisui and Asuma ended up in the same squad...

A rebellious Asuma who left the village might not have a teacher from the Hokage lineage, but when Asuma stopped wandering and needed one, Hiruzen Sarutobi would surely arrange the best for him...

Especially since Asuma had wisely chosen Tsunade. Compared to the prophet-like Jiraiya or the seemingly corrupted Orochimaru...

The beautiful and capable Tsunade was Seisui's best choice.

"Keep it up, Asuma. I believe you'll succeed." Seisui chuckled, offering heartfelt encouragement to this Son of the Hokage.

At that moment, Tobirama Senju slowly let out a long breath.

As the Second Hokage, Asuma's criticism and resentment toward the village deeply worried him.

But what troubled Tobirama even more was Seisui's words—"Asuma, think more..."

At that age, little ninja brats shouldn't be overthinking!

Thinking too much leads to trouble!

"Little brat Seisui, tell me—what do you want the Monkey's son to figure out?"

One chapter posted first! The second is being written...

Might be a bit late—apologies to all you esteemed readers, Orz...