Uchiha Gather to Watch the Dancers

Shinjo Rana felt that he was the one who'd come out on top. Just thinking about all that wealth made his heart burn with excitement.

As for the small clans in the alliance, those who obeyed could stay. Those who didn't would all be slaughtered.

Only weak clans needed an alliance. Once they got their hands on all that wealth, the so-called alliance would become dispensable.

The Southwest Alliance had already wiped out all the Senju forces stationed in New City.

Senju Tobirama hurried along the road, his face dark. Ever since he'd been confined, his expression hadn't improved.

Ever since he'd met Uchiha Yang, nothing had gone his way.

His standing in the clan had plummeted, and even the people who'd been close to him had distanced themselves. The looks he got from the family and friends of the clan members he'd caused to die filled him with shame.

At least his big brother hadn't given up on him. He couldn't disappoint him again.

Senju Tobirama silently made a vow to himself.

Senju Hashirama entered a town that had been devastated. Ruins were scattered everywhere, civilians cried out in despair, and countless bodies lay strewn about.

Senju Hashirama didn't wear his usual carefree smile. His face grave, he walked through the entire town.

"Clan leader, what should we do now? How much will we have to pay in compensation? Why don't we dispose of all these people and tell everyone the Sarutobi and Shimura clans did it?"

Seeing that the clan leader wasn't speaking, a self-important Senju Elder assumed he was worried about compensation. He hurriedly offered what he thought was an excellent suggestion.

At those words, Senju Hashirama stopped and furrowed his brow, looking at the other clan leaders.

"Do you all think the same?"

There wasn't a hint of emotion on Senju Hashirama's face.

Some of the more astute men silently kept their mouths shut, waiting to see how things would unfold. Others, quick to speak up, nodded in approval.

"Clan leader, the elder's suggestion is one way to handle it. That way, we won't have to pay a single coin."

"This is the best option. Even if we compensate these civilians, they'll still badmouth us afterward."

"That's right, clan leader. Dispose of them now. They're only suffering while they're alive, so putting an end to it would be our final act of mercy."

Boom!

Senju Hashirama could hold back no longer. His chakra erupted, surging toward them in a violent wave.

"Those of you who stayed silent—does that mean you agree with what they said?"

Senju Hashirama turned his gaze toward the men who hadn't spoken.

He'd never imagined there were so many people in his clan still clinging to such outdated ideas.

It seemed that if he wanted to spread his vision of peace across the world, he had to start within his own clan.

If even his own clansmen thought this way, just how cruel must the rest of the world be?

The Senju leaders saw nothing wrong with it. To them, the lives of civilians didn't count as lives at all. Their fate had always rested in the hands of the mighty ninja.

Killing them was no different from cutting down leeks. They'd keep growing back, and there'd never be an end to them.

The leaders who'd been questioned lowered their heads. There was no way they could match the chakra their clan leader had unleashed.

But they didn't understand why he was angry. Hadn't they been right?

Senju Hashirama felt that his dream had a long way to go. After taking a deep breath, he issued a direct order.

"Leave three Chunin and ten Genin here to comfort the people who've suffered and make sure they can rebuild their homes."

As soon as he gave the order, the Senju leaders looked up at him in surprise.

"I am the clan leader. This is an order."

For the first time, Senju Hashirama firmly declared his authority, his tone unyielding.

"Yes."

His stern tone made them lower their heads instinctively, reminding them of the days when Senju Butsuma had ruled the clan.

After Senju Hashirama became clan leader, he'd always been soft-spoken, and they'd gradually forgotten the shadow Senju Butsuma had left behind.

They hadn't expected their clan leader to become so forceful now. His appearance and voice were just like those of his father, Senju Butsuma.

From then on, Senju Hashirama left a group of people behind in every town to comfort the civilians. It was his first step toward peace.

The group Senju Hashirama had brought with him was now half its original size. The Senju leaders were worried. With fewer people, how could they fight the Sarutobi and Shimura clans?

Those two clans together were no weak force.

Senju Hashirama ignored everyone's advice and insisted on his own course. They could do nothing about it. The authority and power were in his hands, so they had no choice but to obey.

As for the Sarutobi and Shimura clans, Senju Hashirama thought he could try to win them over. If both clans were willing to accept his vision of peace, then one day Uchiha Madara would see his efforts and determination.

It wasn't that Senju Hashirama looked down on the other clans. It was just that the Uchiha were far too powerful. If the Uchiha refused, things would become even more difficult.

Uchiha Compound.

The sound of ancient music drifted from Uchiha Yang's home.

Dry ice sent white mist billowing in from all sides. The classical dance, taught in person by Uchiha Yang and performed by a bevy of stunning dancers, made its debut in this world.

The dancers twirled in graceful, ancient-style gowns, their slender waists and long legs appearing and disappearing beneath the flowing fabric.

Uchiha Yang sat in the seat of honor, swaying his head as he occasionally downed a cup of wine. Through his narrowed eyes, he fixed his gaze on the glimpses of white that appeared as the dancers' skirts fluttered.

Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Izuna sat on either side of him. Below them, the high-ranking members of the Uchiha Clan sat on both sides.

After Uchiha Madara had finished making the arrangements, he received an invitation from Uchiha Yang.

"They look like celestial maidens who've descended from heaven."

Uchiha Sake envied his lord's life. Now this was living! What he'd thought was a good life before seemed miserable in comparison.

Uchiha Yang had specially borrowed all these dancers from the Daimyo Mansion. As for when he'd return them, that depended on when the Feudal Lord got tired of the job.

Uchiha Yang glanced at Uchiha Madara. Madara's eyes were fixed straight ahead, and the wine by his lips remained untouched.

Uchiha Madara had never seen anything like this. Even in the eyes of the Feudal Lord, who was always lost in thoughts of women, this was a first.

This was also the first time Uchiha Yang had brought them out for everyone to watch after training. Good things were meant to be shared.

Honestly, they danced really well.

[Brain: I think I need to take a nap, guys. I feel like my head is full of dancers.]

[Sharingan: I wonder if the master can make eye drops. My eyes are getting a little dry.]

[Hands: Hehe, women, hehe.]

[Legs: Slurp. Now this is living.]