Storm Has Risen

Seeing the contents of the agreement, Uchiha Gakugyo raised an eyebrow. "Compared to the conditions we proposed earlier, this seems to have been watered down quite a bit, doesn't it?"

Aside from the first point, which aligned with both parties' opinions, the second and third points were significantly reduced.

Full compensation had become twenty percent, and a five-year truce had become two years.

Senju Takeuma let out an impolite snort. "Your conditions, I doubt you even thought they could be met, did you?"

That was the case, wasn't it? War reparations had always been paid by the loser to the winner.

As long as this war could continue, it would end with a Senju victory no matter how you looked at it.

Your Uchiha clan just got lucky and happened to capture Tobirama, and now you want us to pay you full compensation in return? Dream on!

Uchiha Gakugyo and the other hardliners' expressions turned fierce, and the Senju opposite them glared back without mercy.

A century of deep-seated hatred led both sides to wish death upon the other, with the possibility of conflict erupting at any moment.

"Twenty percent it is, then,"

Izuna said at this point, "but the truce must be extended to three years."

"This..."

"Hashirama, what do you think?"

Just as Senju Takeuma was about to reply, Izuna turned his attention to Hashirama Senju.

On the surface, the truce period was for both sides, and the interests of the Senju and Uchiha should be equal.

However, the longer the delay, the more it would benefit the Uchiha and not the Senju.

This battle had caused even more severe damage to the Uchiha.

It was like two injured beasts; for the one more heavily wounded, it was natural to want more rest.

This would be more conducive to its recovery, so it could fight again next time.

Hashirama Senju clearly hadn't expected Izuna to suddenly pass the ball to him.

Just as Hashirama Senju was hesitating, Izuna suddenly interjected, "Ten years ago, you and my Older Brother spoke by the lake; you haven't forgotten, have you?"

Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju's expressions changed drastically upon hearing this.

In the past, they had met without knowing each other's surnames and had sworn an oath to "build a village together."

Now, forced by the clan's enmity and the war's situation, they had to face each other with swords.

Had ten years already passed in the blink of an eye?

Hashirama Senju couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions, tilting his head back and taking a deep breath, his pupils glistening.

"Older Brother, don't fall for it!"

Tobirama Senju shouted anxiously.

He was also one of the witnesses, but he understood Izuna's tricks better.

This was an attempt to use the strategy of the "pleading soldier"!

However, although this kind of emotional appeal seemed foolish, it was perfectly suited for someone like Hashirama Senju.

As expected, after taking a deep breath, Hashirama Senju replied, "I... agree with Izuna's opinion, and our clan also needs time to recuperate."

"Lord Hashirama!"

"Young Clan Head Hashirama!"

The Senju ninjas erupted in collective shock, with many showing angry expressions.

However, Hashirama Senju shook his head. "My mind is made up; no more discussion."

Izuna's lips curved upwards, and he called out, "Hashirama Senju keeps his word. Since that's the case, let's sign the agreement."

"Uchiha Izuna, you despicable fellow."

Tobirama Senju, who was restrained by Izuna, gritted his teeth.

Facing Tobirama Senju's furious glare, Izuna sneered dismissively.

Despicable?

Not as much as you.

Since Hashirama Senju, the second-in-command of the Senju clan, had spoken, even if Senju Takeuma wanted to object, he saw the determination in Hashirama Senju's eyes.

With the thought of not wanting to offend this young man who would undoubtedly lead the Senju in the future, he ultimately defaulted to Hashirama Senju's decision.

With Uchiha Tajima and Butsuma Senju, the two clan heads, deceased, Uchiha Gakugyo and Senju Takeuma, as the vice clan heads, naturally signed the agreement.

After both sides held a copy of the agreement scroll, imprinted with their respective signatures and handprints, Hashirama Senju said impatiently, "Is that it? Release Tobirama."

If it were usual circumstances, Izuna would have said, "You first withdraw from Mount Kumogakure, and then I'll release him."

But considering that he had just tricked Hashirama Senju, Izuna chose to give him face this time and immediately released the binding jutsu.

Tobirama Senju quickly walked back to the Senju formation, his expression grim. "I apologize, everyone."

The outcome was entirely due to his capture.

"It's okay, it's okay, anything can happen on the battlefield."

Hashirama Senju, a veteran brother-complex, quickly comforted him.

"Let's return to the clan grounds. It's not your fault this time, Tobirama. I can only say the enemy was too despicable."

Senju Takeuma also said.

The two strongest ninja clans of the Sengoku era agreed to a three-year truce. This meant that for these three years, the entire ninja world continent would be significantly calmer.

With Mount Kumogakure as the boundary, the two clans began to withdraw to their respective clan grounds.

The deaths of Tajima Uchiha and Butsuma Senju also meant that these two clans would elect new clan leaders.

In the eyes of the public, these would likely be Uchiha Gakugyo and Senju Takeuma, the two vice clan leaders.

Likely...

Mount Kumogakure, within the Uchiha encampment.

Uchiha ninja were cleaning up the battlefield, preparing to transport weapons, remaining food, cloth, and other supplies back to the clan grounds, ready for the next war that could arrive at any moment.

Not just these, but also... the bodies of their fallen comrades.

Take them back, to their wives and children waiting in the clan.

Izuna found Madara Uchiha and asked, "Older Brother, why are you here alone?"

Ever since the Truce Agreement was signed, Madara had been silent, which made Izuna very curious.

Madara glanced at Izuna, pondered for a long time, and then said, "Ah... it's nothing. I just didn't expect that guy Hashirama would remember things from when we were kids."

More than ten years had passed since then...

Izuna's expression faltered, then he shrugged, preparing to leave.

He expressed no desire to understand the lifelong friendship between Indra and Asura.

But as Izuna turned to leave, Madara called out to him, asking, "Izuna, do you think it's possible to build a village where all ninja can live together?"

Asking this question doesn't fit your persona...

Izuna almost couldn't help but say that, and replied perfunctorily, "Let's first find a way to eliminate the hatred between the Uchiha and the Senju."

This question alone was enough to give Madara a headache.

Eliminate the hatred between the two clans?

How could that be easy?

Not to mention the accumulation of hatred over a hundred years, but just his own father, brother, and relatives – how many had died at the hands of the Senju clan?

And it was the same for the other side; Hashirama's father, brother, and relatives – how many had died at the hands of the Uchiha clan?

Glancing at Madara, who had fallen into thought, Izuna turned and left.

The storm brought by his own butterfly wings had already begun to stir.

At least he could be sure that in the original story, the Uchiha did not get this opportunity to recuperate.