Distributing the Tailed Beasts

The New Year passed without incident, and afterward, everyone returned to their peaceful lives.

Konoha continued at its usual pace, and the pain left by the Valley of the End had eased somewhat. After half a year, the former battlefield was named the Valley of the End.

Perhaps because the battle between the two had been too intense, the land remained barren even now. It looked as though it would take many years before life could return to it.

But that did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of Konoha's residents. Many villagers went to the valley created by the battle's aftermath out of curiosity.

When they saw the waterfall that seemed to descend from the heavens, they marveled at the power the two had wielded.

Not long after, someone suggested erecting two towering statues on either side of the waterfall to commemorate that epoch-making battle and remind future generations of the hardships their predecessors had endured.

The proposal won the approval of Konoha's upper ranks, and Senju Tobirama gave the order to begin constructing the two statues.

Senju Hashirama did not voice any objection. Perhaps, in his heart, he also wanted to erect a statue for Uchiha Madara.

Though it was a massive undertaking, it was no great problem with the power of shinobi. The statues were completed in just two months.

At the same time, news that Konoha had developed Jinchuriki spread far and wide, reaching the major shinobi villages and secretly stirring unease. Rumors of dividing the Tailed Beasts equally began circulating from an unknown source, quietly brewing beneath the surface.

Naturally, those rumors reached Senju Hashirama's ears—and he truly began to seriously consider the matter.

He knew his own condition. Madara's slash had targeted his special constitution, leaving behind severe hidden injuries. Coupled with the guilt he