Senju VS Uchiha: The First Time (3)

Butsuma shook his head. He had to save the Kurohabaki Clan, but Hashirama had to head to the Land of Whirlpools with Tobirama at this time. This was also the wish of Uzumaki Soza. The Uzumaki Clan possessed a special constitution that allowed them to sense when their time had come, and the old man now wished to see his granddaughter live a happy life in his final moments. He insisted on personally selecting her future husband. Furthermore, Butsuma was confident in his own strength; even if he couldn't defeat Madara, the gap in their power would not be insurmountable.

"Father!"

"Say no more. Aihara, I leave these two boys to you. Take them to meet the princess; after all, this should be a satisfactory answer for Old Man Soza."

To Butsuma, who had never witnessed his son's full power or the true strength of Madara's Mangekyo Sharingan, Madara's might was merely a turn of phrase used by Hashirama. Moreover, the proud Butsuma did not believe he would lose to his own son. Thus, when Hashirama anxiously tried to speak again, Butsuma cut him off and addressed Uzumaki Aihara.

"Indeed! Both young masters possess top-tier talent, but are you truly certain? You see, I personally think that actually...!"

Uzumaki Aihara had his own unique way of reading people. Although Hashirama seemed reckless and had spoken to him bluntly, Aihara felt no ill will toward him. On the contrary, he believed that Hashirama's future achievements would surely make him a towering hero.

However, when he looked at Tobirama, he suddenly felt a sigh for being born at the wrong time. With a brother who shone like the sun, Tobirama's life would forever be cast in shadow. Aihara did not know what kind of impact this would have on him, but fortunately, seeing Tobirama's stern, unsmiling expression, he knew the boy was extremely self-disciplined. Such a person would never become the tragic, evil existence he had imagined.

With a long sigh, Aihara suddenly thought that heroes did not belong to families, nor could they bring anything good to their lovers. Instinctively, he felt that Tobirama was actually more suitable than Hashirama.

"Hashirama is the future primary heir of our clan. Tobirama, do you have any objections?"

Butsuma did not think so deeply. He would not allow anyone to question the successor he had chosen. Hashirama's position in the clan had been set since birth, an immutable fact. He immediately dismissed the hidden implications in Aihara's words and turned his gaze toward Tobirama.

"None! I don't need anyone to manage me! I am extremely self-disciplined, unlike him!"

Tobirama was observant and had long since anticipated the meaning behind their conversation. He felt quite disdainful of his father's scrutinizing gaze. If he didn't want something, he wouldn't take it even if it killed him. What belonged to his brother was his brother's; it never was, and never could be, his own. Tobirama's self-positioning was very clear: he was to assist his brother, enabling him to fulfill the promise they had made with their younger brothers atop that giant rock in their childhood—to bring true peace to this world. If the world is not at peace, how can one have a home?

"I have urgent matters to attend to and must depart immediately. Aihara, we shall take our leave here. Give my regards to Old Man Soza!"

"Understood!"

Butsuma looked at Tobirama's unchanging expression and nodded with satisfaction. He tightened the long sword at his waist, spoke to Aihara, and then quickly left, heading outside the clan's encampment.

Below a mountain range, Madara, Mingye, and Izuna stood on a cliff, overlooking the mountain path below. Izuna observed the surroundings for a long time before nodding.

"Mingye is right. This place is indeed a shortcut to quickly enter the Kurohabaki encampment. Moreover, the dense forest surrounding it obscures the view; ordinary people would never discover the existence of this path!"

After Izuna finished speaking, Mingye added to the two of them:

"I have already laid out three hundred thousand venomous snakes here, along with ten thousand Explosive Tags that my clansmen spent an entire day crafting. Once the Senju arrive, they will surely suffer heavy casualties. At that point, Big Brother and Second Brother, you need only reap the rewards!"

"Senju Hashirama will not be injured by such things!"

Madara looked into the distance with disdain, showing no joy at Mingye's preparations.

"That is why I have kept the many elderly, women, and children of the Togakushi and Haguro clans! I only need Senju Hashirama to do one thing: cripple his own chakra. If he refuses, I will make him watch as every one of those elderly, women, and children dies before his eyes!"

The corners of Mingye's mouth curled up. It was unclear whether he was mocking Madara or smiling at an outcome he had long anticipated as he spoke to him again.

"Mingye!"

Madara's brows furrowed upon hearing Mingye's reply, and he wanted to speak, but Izuna stepped in first.

"Second Brother, those who achieve great things do not fuss over trifles. I know what I am doing, but have you thought about the life we live now? I do not want to see another scene where, among five brothers, only three remain, just like us!"

Mingye shook his head coldly. From the day he wiped out the Wind-Thunder Clan, he had cast his conscience into a bottomless abyss. People in chaotic times did not deserve a conscience; at least in this era, Mingye would not allow himself to be consumed by grief.

"..."

Hearing Mingye's response, both Madara and Izuna fell silent. Mingye's words were like a blade, stabbing deep into their hearts. Three years ago, when they were still in the age of innocence, they did not understand how long grief could last, or whether missing their loved ones would bring comfort or excruciating pain. But now, Madara and Izuna knew the answer.

Those who remain in this world are the most miserable, for they must not only struggle to survive during the day but also tear their hearts out at night to escape the sorrow of their loved ones' departure.

Watching their father depart with over a hundred ninjas, Hashirama and Tobirama packed their luggage and followed Uzumaki Aihara in the opposite direction toward the Land of Whirlpools.

On the road, Tobirama saw the worry on Hashirama's face and smiled as he spoke.

"Big Brother, you know Father's capabilities. Although Father may not necessarily defeat Madara, it would cost Madara a great price to kill him. A pyrrhic victory is not something the current Uchiha Clan desires, so Big Brother, you can rest assured!"

Uzumaki Aihara also glanced at Hashirama and said, "Tobirama is right. Hashirama, you are worrying too much. As far as I know, the current state of the Uchiha Clan is not very good either. The entire clan has only fifty or so ninjas. Looking at the entire Land of Fire, the Uchiha don't actually have many ninjas. If it weren't for their Sharingan allowing them to fight ten men each, they wouldn't even be considered a large clan based on population alone!"

Hashirama's expression was serious as he walked and shook his head, voicing his worries and suspicions to the two of them.

"That is not what I am worried about. I keep feeling that this matter is strange in every way. Why would the Uchiha Clan wipe out the ninja clans that were on good terms with us? To the Uchiha, even if our clan and these allied clans joined forces, it wouldn't cause them much trouble!"

Tobirama smiled. Hashirama was oversimplifying things. The power of a single clan might seem insignificant, but the effect of gathering many together was quite considerable. Under such circumstances, Mingye and Madara would never allow their plans to come to fruition, and their intent to sabotage was obvious.

"Big Brother, it's not that I want to criticize you, but you are looking at things too simply. Today, three small clans are willing to listen to our Senju Clan—it may seem like a small matter, but after these three clans are absorbed, countless other small clans will see it. When they face external threats, they will join our ranks. Then, as they gather, the quantity will be absolutely incomparable. With a population of over a million in the Land of Fire, even if there aren't fifteen thousand ninjas, there are at least eight thousand. If all these ninjas were united by us, can you imagine what a powerful force that would be!"

Hashirama shook his head, his brows locked tight. His heart was beating rapidly; his instincts seemed to be telling him that something terrible was about to happen.

"That is exactly why Madara has even less reason to wipe out those two small clans! Doing so will only make more people fear them!"

Tobirama laughed again and explained to Hashirama.

"Perhaps that is exactly what they want! Some clans won't listen to reason! Selfish clans are everywhere! Only when they are hurt will they learn what it means to be obedient!"

Hashirama suddenly stopped in his tracks, looked at Tobirama with a serious expression, and asked:

"No! Tobirama, who delivered the information to Father?"

"What information?"

Tobirama frowned, not understanding what Hashirama was asking about. Hashirama spoke quickly, questioning him again.

"The information that the Haguro and Togakushi clans were wiped out!"

Tobirama recalled the man who had come before his father, panting and terrified. He did not think the man posed any threat or seemed suspicious, so he answered Hashirama's question.

"It was the ninja from the Kurohabaki Clan who came to our clan for help. Why?!"

"Oh no! Father has fallen into a trap!"

Hashirama's inexplicable palpitations were completely identified after hearing Tobirama's reply, and a terrifying, anxiety-inducing thought emerged in his mind.

"Big Brother, what do you mean by that!"

Seeing Hashirama's body trembling slightly, Tobirama could not understand what he was so worried about.

"The Togakushi and Haguro clans were both wiped out overnight. Why did the news spread so quickly? Even if the Kurohabaki Clan received the news in an extremely short amount of time, the time it took for the ninja to come and ask for reinforcements would have been enough for the Kurohabaki ninja to die a hundred times over. Why would the enemy let this clan survive, and even allow Kurohabaki ninja to lead the way!?"

Hashirama turned around quickly and looked at Tobirama earnestly as he spoke to him.

"Big Brother, we have already confirmed this. Do not forget how tightly the Kurohabaki ninja hide themselves. The Uchiha clan has at most fifty-some people, and until now, I have never heard of any clan joining the Uchiha. They would not only have to split their forces into two paths to completely annihilate the Haguro and Togakushi, but also dispatch a portion of their ninja to conduct a comprehensive search of the forest to find the Kurohabaki clan's hidden residence. The time should be sufficient!"