Contesting the Experiment Order

"Hashirama, what do you mean by this?"

Madara Uchiha heard Hashirama Senju's implication—that the two of them should directly awaken the Rinnegan to potentially counter Black Zetsu—and could not help but feel a surge of surprise.

"Big Brother, we don't even know if this ancient text is accurate."

"If we act rashly, won't there be trouble?"

"After all, no one has ever attempted this. If something truly goes wrong while you two are transplanting bloodlines, it could be extremely dangerous."

Tobirama Senju was stunned the moment he heard Hashirama's idea; he never expected his older brother to become so unscrupulous when it came to protecting Madara Uchiha and the village.

The thought of experimenting on themselves just because they found an ancient text to see if they could awaken the Rinnegan was terrifying. What if something went wrong? What would they do then?

"Indeed! Brother, if you both undergo this experiment and something happens, how are we supposed to respond?"

"This ancient text might not even be true; we have no way to verify if what it records is fact."

Izuna Uchiha frowned, expressing his agreement with Tobirama Senju, and hurriedly tried to dissuade them.

"Father, Uncle Madara, Second Uncle, Uncle Izuna."

"I think Father's proposal is sound. Let's set aside the question of whether this puts Father and the others in danger for a moment."

"We can conduct experiments on bloodline transplantation first, and only after the experiments pass will we decide whether to proceed with the actual transplant."

"But we cannot ignore the danger either. What if there really is such a powerful entity lurking out there watching us?"

"We would be in a very passive position. After all, who knows what the true strength of an immortal being is?"

"Are we really going to pretend that all of this doesn't exist?"

"If we cling to wishful thinking and it ultimately leads to the destruction of the Konoha we worked so hard to build, I don't think Father or the uncles would be willing to accept that, would they?"

Senju Fujima voiced his opinion after hearing the others. After all, he knew that once Madara Uchiha fused with his father's bloodline, he would be able to awaken the Rinnegan.

As for Hashirama Senju, as long as he fused with the Uchiha Clan's bloodline, he would certainly awaken the Rinnegan as well. It was a mutual process; both were reincarnations of the descendants of the Sage of Six Paths, so there would be no danger at all.

"That's right, Fujima's words make a lot of sense."

"I will not allow anyone to hurt you, nor will I allow anyone to hurt the villagers."

"I agree with Hashirama's proposal. I choose to experiment."

Upon hearing Senju Fujima's words, Madara Uchiha frowned, but eventually, a flash of determination crossed his eyes, and he made up his mind.

As someone who was obsessed with protecting his brother, he had to eliminate any situation that posed a threat to him; he didn't want even the slightest bit of danger to occur.

Therefore, he decided to conduct the experiment alongside Hashirama Senju to see if they could truly awaken the Rinnegan.

"This?"

Tobirama Senju and Izuna Uchiha saw the unwavering resolve in Madara Uchiha and did not know how to persuade him further.

After all, what they said made some sense, but was it not too dangerous? Yet, they seemed unable to find a reason to refute them.

"It's decided, you two stop talking."

"As Hokage, I shall be the first to conduct this experiment!"

"With my Sage Body, there shouldn't be any accidents."

"Once it is proven to be completely safe, then we will let Madara proceed with the experiment."

A flash of tenacity crossed Hashirama Senju's eyes. His love and obsession for the village were profound; he would not allow anyone to destroy it.

If it were an ordinary opponent, he could handle it with his own strength, but he had no confidence when facing the legendary Eye of God—the Rinnegan.

The Sage of Six Paths was a legendary deity, and Hashirama did not consider himself a god; he felt he was, at most, a powerful mortal.

However, if he awakened the Rinnegan, he might become a god-like existence, and then he might just be able to stop Black Zetsu.

"No, Hashirama. As Hokage, it is only natural that I be the one to experiment first. Don't interfere."

When Madara Uchiha heard Hashirama Senju's words and saw him competing for the spot, he shook his head and spoke up.

He believed that since he was currently the Hokage of Konoha, he naturally needed to contribute to the village, so he insisted on being the one to experiment.

"No, I'll do it."

"I am the Hokage, I have the final say, I'll do it."

"I am also the Hokage, I have the final say, I'll do it."

A bizarre scene ensued as the two argued incessantly over who would conduct the experiment, gritting their teeth and rolling up their sleeves as if ready to brawl.

"Uh...!"

Senju Fujima watched his father and Madara Uchiha, feeling as if he were watching two clowns. A large bead of sweat rolled down his forehead, and he looked at Tobirama Senju and Izuna Uchiha with a shrug, speechless.

"These two, really...!"

Tobirama Senju clapped a hand to his forehead, shaking his head with a wry smile.

"Heh, a scene like this is truly rare! Ah, haha...!"

It was the first time Izuna Uchiha had seen his brother act this way, and he gave Tobirama Senju an awkward smile.

A quarter of an hour later.

"Alright Dad, Uncle Madara, let's decide by vote."

"The minority shall submit to the majority. The three of us will cast the votes, and you two will each count as one vote for yourselves."

"How about it?"

Senju Fujima was somewhat speechless, then looked directly at Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju to propose his idea.

"I agree."

"I agree as well."

Upon hearing Senju Fujima's words, Tobirama Senju and the others expressed their approval, raising their hands in favor.

"Fine, then we decide by vote. Izuna, cast your vote for me, and Fujima, you must vote for me, hmph."

Madara Uchiha sat on the recliner, pouting as he looked at Izuna Uchiha and Senju Fujima.

"Hmph."

Hashirama Senju also let out a cold snort and sat straight down in his seat.

"Haha...! Then let's begin the vote!"

"Second Uncle, Uncle Izuna, let's get ready!"

Seeing the two of them acting like children, Senju Fujima couldn't help but laugh, then looked at Tobirama Senju and the others.

"Right."

"Mm."

Tobirama Senju and Izuna Uchiha nodded slightly.

"Then let's begin. Those who agree with Uncle Madara going first for the experiment, please raise your hand."

Following this, Senju Fujima called out.

As soon as Senju Fujima's words echoed, there was dead silence. Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha stared at the three of them without blinking.

"Alright, the final result is in: Uncle Madara has zero votes."

"That means the winner of this vote is the Deputy Hokage."

Senju Fujima looked at Tobirama Senju and the others; not a single person had raised their hand. He looked at Madara Uchiha and smiled.

"Izuna, Fujima, you two...!"

"Hmph."

Madara Uchiha was a good sport, but seeing that neither Izuna Uchiha nor Senju Fujima had raised their hands, he snorted coldly and turned his head away, feeling very unwilling.

"Hehe, hahaha...!"

"Didn't I say so? It is only fitting that I conduct the experiment, hahaha...!"

Seeing Madara Uchiha's frustrated expression, Hashirama Senju burst into loud laughter.

"Hmph, consider yourself lucky. These traitors, they're going to be the death of me."

Hearing Hashirama Senju's words, Madara Uchiha snorted disdainfully and glared fiercely at Izuna Uchiha.

Izuna Uchiha simply responded with a smile, unbothered.

Brother, you are the only hope for our clan; naturally, nothing can happen to you. Forgive me for my choice this time.

In truth, this was what Izuna Uchiha was thinking. When faced with unknown dangers, he naturally did not want Madara Uchiha to take the risk.

Although he felt somewhat sorry for Hashirama Senju, his brother's life was the most important thing to him.

Big Brother's strength is immense, so there shouldn't be any accidents, but we absolutely cannot let Madara Uchiha experiment first.

Otherwise, if Madara Uchiha succeeds and awakens the Rinnegan, if he were to lose his temper, our Senju Clan would be unable to stop him.

Big Brother, you must succeed!

Tobirama Senju had his own considerations. Although he now trusted the Uchiha Clan, when faced with the fear of the unknown, he dared not entrust the fate of his clan to his own trust alone.

If Madara Uchiha obtained the Rinnegan and became arrogant, believing himself invincible, problems would likely arise.

Therefore, it was better for his big brother to conduct the experiment. After all, he himself loved researching forbidden techniques and believed this shouldn't be too difficult.

"Alright, the result of the selection is in."

"Next, Dad will conduct the experiment."

"However, Uncle Madara, you said that if it requires the eyes of a close relative to become an Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan..."

"Then, Uncle Madara, do you think your father's eyes could also be used to upgrade your Sharingan?"

"Even if we don't awaken the Rinnegan later, having an Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan would still be a high-level combat asset."

Following this, Senju Fujima set his sights on Tajima Uchiha, for awakening the Eternal Mangekyou required only the eyes of a close kin.

Why, then, could he not use the eyes of Tajima Uchiha? Furthermore, the eyes of his deceased younger brothers were also available for use.

"What? No, Fujima, those—those are my father's eyes, this...!"

Upon hearing Senju Fujima's words, Izuna Uchiha froze for a moment before shaking his head, his heart filled with extreme reluctance; after all, his father was already dead, and he naturally did not wish to disturb the only eyes that had been preserved.

Because the bloodline of the Uchiha Clan was unique, the Sharingan of any clansman who died in battle or from illness would be extracted and kept in special storage.

After all, if their corpses were dug up and studied by others, it was highly likely that the bloodline of the Uchiha Clan, or rather, their Sharingan, would leak out into the world.

Therefore, after every war, they would clear the battlefield, take away the bodies of all their fallen clansmen, and extract their eyes for special safekeeping.

Otherwise, there was no telling how many Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan would have emerged among other clans or civilian ninja throughout the Ninja World.