Tsunade knew that her granduncle, Tobirama Senju, held deep prejudices against the Uchiha clan. Before Ronglin could speak, she took a deep breath to calm her wildly turbulent emotions and explained:
"Uchiha Ronglin reformed the entire Uchiha clan. During the Third Shinobi World War, he led Konoha to countless achievements. Combined with his immense strength, he was recommended by the old man, the Third Hokage, and the Daimyo, and thus became Konoha's Fourth Hokage."
"Under his leadership, Konoha has flourished. Not only has its strength not weakened because of the war, it has instead grown stronger and stronger."
Tobirama Senju silently watched Ronglin without speaking. Hashirama Senju looked at Ronglin and asked:
"What is your relationship with Madara?"
Ronglin looked so much like Madara that he might have been a descendant of Madara's line. Unlike his younger brother Tobirama Senju, Hashirama Senju had no great objection to who became Hokage. As long as that person could lead Konoha toward prosperity, he did not care which clan they came from. Even if they were Uchiha, it did not matter.
"There is no direct blood relation."
Ronglin smiled faintly, entirely unaffected. Though their appearances were similar, their bloodline connection was very distant.
"I see."
Hashirama Senju looked at Ronglin and Tsunade and said:
"It seems a battle today cannot be avoided. I wonder whether you possess the strength to match the trust that made the Daimyo and the little monkey set aside their views of the Uchiha and elect you as the Fourth Hokage."
"I won't disappoint you. I only hope you are as strong as the legends say. Otherwise, I'll be very disappointed."
Ronglin shot back without yielding an inch. He could sense the battle intent in Hashirama Senju's tone. Was he being treated as Uchiha Madara, or was this some