You Wouldn't Want the Uchiha Clan to Be Bullied by Tobirama, Would You?

Hashirama and Madara stared straight at each other, both unwavering in their convictions.

Neither could convince the other.

Even after the future and Natsu Yuu had taken a sledgehammer to Hashirama's beautiful hopes, they still hadn't completely shattered. He still yearned for a wonderful utopian world of love and mutual understanding.

A moment later.

The two of them tacitly dropped the subject.

There was no way to settle a clash of ideals in a short time. Besides, it wasn't the main issue right now.

"Madara, what do you think? Do you believe everything I told you?"

Madara's mouth twitched. "..."

Believe that he would be killed by Hashirama with his own hands?

As if!

How could he possibly lose so badly to Hashirama? Impossible. Absolutely impossible!

Unless he'd done it on purpose?

Lost to Hashirama on purpose, then faked his death to escape, all to plot the fusion of Yin-Yang Power?

Madara was a shrewd man in his own right, and he quickly guessed at his future self's "true plan."

But he still couldn't be completely sure.

"I don't believe those stories you told me, but I believe you."

"Madara!"

Hashirama was overjoyed. He knew Madara was someone he could trust.

It was his own fault, too. He'd been so busy with the Hokage's affairs that he'd neglected Madara's feelings.

If only he'd opened up and talked things through with Madara sooner, so many tragedies wouldn't have followed!

"So you agree? You're willing to succeed me as Second Hokage?"

"Don't put words in my mouth. I haven't agreed yet."

"Madara, you're the only one I can count on. The village needs you to protect its future. And didn't you promise Izuna you'd protect the clan? If you leave, you wouldn't want the Uchiha Clan to be bullied by Tobirama, would you?"

"I..."

Madara was at a loss for words again.

Damn it!

Hashirama had changed, too. He'd learned to use provocation!

Having the same argument thrown back at him really didn't feel good.

But Hashirama had a point.

He could disregard everything else, but he couldn't disregard the promise he'd made to his younger brother.

In the end.

For the sake of his clan, and to honor the promise he'd made to his younger brother Izuna, Madara decided to stay for the time being. He wouldn't rush to leave Konoha.

At the very least.

He had to find a chance to meet the god who claimed to rival the Sage of Six Paths.

That would let him determine whether the man really possessed such power to travel through time.

What if Hashirama had been fooled, too?

If the man really was some kind of charlatan who bewitched people, Madara would cut him down for Hashirama's sake!

"I understand. I won't leave the village."

"You should figure out how to convince the Daimyo and the other clans first. They won't agree to me taking the Hokage Position so easily."

Madara folded his arms, putting on an air of pride.

That was the greatest concession he could make, and he was making it only because Hashirama had been sincere with him.

"Hahaha!"

"As long as you agree, leave the rest to me. I'll make them accept it, even if I have to reason them into it!"

Hashirama was overjoyed again, unable to contain his excitement.

He'd finally convinced Madara!

As long as Madara stayed in Konoha, they could at least prevent the First Shinobi World War. Everything was heading in a wonderful direction!

"Also, where's that man named Natsu Yuu, the one who calls himself the Sage of the Dao Path? I want to meet him..."

Hashirama shook his head.

"He might still be in another time. I can't say for sure."

"But he said he'd come looking for me again. You can meet him then."

Madara frowned slightly. He wouldn't feel at ease until he'd met the man in person.

"Does that guy really have the legendary Rinnegan?"

"Yes, that really should be the Rinnegan! And I couldn't sense any Chakra from him at all. He must have used some legendary Dojutsu to conceal it."

Madara was secretly startled. Hashirama's sensing ability was second to none in the Ninja World.

If he couldn't detect any trace of the man's Chakra at such close range, that was enough to show how terrifying his Stealth Ability was.

But what if the man didn't have any Chakra?

He'd even teleported Hashirama. Even if everything had been an illusion, he couldn't have done it without using any Chakra, could he?

"What does this Sage want?"

"I don't know. But I don't think he means any harm. At least, I didn't sense any malice."

"There's no such thing as kindness without a reason."

"I know, but the village can't just make an enemy of a Sage for no reason, can it?"

"Hmph. I'll test him myself when I meet him!"

"Madara, you can't just attack him recklessly!"

"Do I look that stupid, Hashirama?"

"Hahaha, I was just reminding you..."

"Hashirama, what are you planning to do next?"

Hashirama thought it over, then answered, "Tomorrow, I'll gather the heads of the village's clans and establish the legal basis for you to succeed me as Second Hokage!"

Madara looked Hashirama in the eye, surprised by how decisive he was.

It seemed this "journey to the future" had truly shaken Hashirama to the core and changed him a great deal.

There would inevitably be resistance as he tried to convince the clan heads.

But it would only be a minor nuisance...

Once Hashirama set his mind on something, no one could stop him.

"What after that?"

"Madara, come with me to capture all the Tailed Beasts in the Ninja World."

"You're still hung up on that so-called Tailed Beast Deterrence System?"

"No, I'm still thinking it over. But it really is dangerous to leave the Tailed Beasts roaming free. Their Tailed Beast Bombs are a grave threat, powerful enough to destroy an entire village!"

Madara nodded. He did want to get out and stretch his legs—and maybe dance a little while he was at it.

"Fine! I'll go with you."

Besides, having Hashirama along didn't sound bad!

"Oh, right! There's one more important thing. We need to find Tobirama a wife as soon as possible."

"Oh?"

At that, Madara grew more interested.

"That stone-faced guy has never shown any interest in women, has he? I take it he did plenty of outrageous things in the future, too, if you're this worried about him?"

"Exactly. Tobirama needs to experience love! Speaking of which, Madara, are there any suitable kunoichi in your clan?"

"Even if there are, there's no way Tobirama would accept one."

"Then he won't get a choice. We can always get him drunk and then just..."

"Yikes... Hashirama, you've changed..."

"Heh heh heh, I'm only doing this for the village's future!"

Hashirama chuckled. He'd already made up his mind to sort Tobirama out and make sure his little brother got a taste of the hard stuff!

After that.

Hashirama and Madara chatted for another two hours.

It wasn't until deep into the night that Hashirama finally left, reluctant to go.

If he didn't get back soon, Mito would be furious, and he'd probably have to sleep on the floor again tonight...

Of course, staying the night at Madara's wouldn't be bad either. But he'd better hold back for now. Tobirama probably had plenty of questions he was waiting for Hashirama to answer.

After Hashirama left.

Madara sat alone in the empty secret chamber, lost in thought.

After all, Hashirama had given him too many shocks and surprises that day. The suggestion that he take over as Hokage, in particular, had completely derailed all his original plans.

Although he still couldn't stop thinking about the "inscriptions" on the Uchiha Clan Ancestral Stone Tablet.

He had, for now, given up on leaving Konoha.

He'd give Hashirama another chance and see what happened next.

At the very least, if he really became Hokage, nothing could happen to the Uchiha Clan again.

That would also mean he'd kept his promise to Izuna.

As for Hashirama's final suggestion—that they find a Uchiha kunoichi to marry Tobirama for the sake of an alliance—it wasn't entirely out of the question.

Madara had no children of his own, but he did have a few nieces from branch families.

Even though he didn't want any Uchiha woman marrying that detestable Tobirama.

But then again.

Just imagining how bitter Tobirama would look when he had to call Madara "Uncle" after the marriage...

Even Madara couldn't help grinning, secretly delighted.

That could work!

It'd be even more satisfying than killing Tobirama!

Besides, Hashirama had made the decision. If Tobirama had a problem with it, he could go complain to his Elder Brother!

Just as Madara was lost in his daydreams.

An unfamiliar voice suddenly rang out, interrupting his thoughts.

"Madara Uchiha? What are you so happy about?"

Madara instantly activated his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and swept his sharp gaze toward the figure that had suddenly appeared in the secret chamber.

"That's the Rinnegan!"

"Are you the man who calls himself the Sage of the Dao Path?"