The Story of Madara and Hashirama That Had to Be Told

The council hall instantly erupted in an uproar.

"Clan leader, please think twice!" Second Elder Senju Linjian hurriedly tried to stop him. "It's too dangerous for you to risk yourself in person!"

"That's right, clan leader! Why not let this old man make the trip personally?" First Elder Senju Zhijian requested.

Senju Butsuma raised a hand, cutting off everyone's attempts to dissuade him. "My mind is made up! That old fox Uchiha Tajima—only I can deal with him."

Then his gaze turned to Hashirama, and his tone softened by a rare degree. "Hashirama, you are already a proper man. You must shoulder the heavy responsibility of revitalizing the Senju Clan. Do not disappoint the Senju clansmen, and even more, do not disappoint me."

Hashirama clenched both fists. "Father... I..."

"Don't make that face." Senju Butsuma gave a cold snort. "I am only preparing for the worst. Mere Uchiha cannot keep me, Senju Butsuma, there!"

No sooner had Senju Butsuma finished speaking than Fourth Elder Senju Lijian spoke up with deep concern. "Clan leader, there is one more matter... what about the Uzumaki Clan? We have harmed them like this. Uzumaki Ashina definitely won't let it go."

The council hall instantly fell silent, and everyone's eyes focused on Butsuma.

Senju Butsuma was silent for a moment, his fingers lightly tapping the tabletop. "If the Uzumaki Clan comes to our door... then Hashirama and you elders will first step forward to placate them."

First Elder Senju Zhijian frowned and said, "But if they insist on demanding an explanation..."

"Then tell them the truth," Senju Butsuma said in a low voice. "Tell them this was the Uchiha Clan's scheme to drive a wedge between us, and that we were kept in the dark as well.

If they demand compensation, as long as their demands are not excessive, satisfy them as much as possible.

Remember, you must not come into conflict with the Uzumaki Clan!

After all, the Uchiha Clan is our true enemy!"

"The clan leader is wise!" everyone echoed one after another.

"Father, why don't you let me personally visit them and explain..." Hashirama volunteered.

"It's useless. Given Uzumaki Ashina's temperament, he must be furious right now.

No matter how you explain, he won't listen, and he might even act against you." Senju Butsuma explained patiently.

"Young clan leader, this old man suggests first writing a letter to explain things to Uzumaki Ashina, then making a decision based on his reaction," the first elder proposed.

"Zhijian's suggestion is good!" Senju Butsuma agreed. "Then you will assist Hashirama in writing an apology letter. Make the wording sincere."

"Yes!" The first elder cupped his hands.

Hashirama could only nod helplessly. "I will do it right away!"

Senju Butsuma continued, "Pass down the order. Immediately select thirty jonin. Tomorrow, they will follow me to the border.

Everyone else is to prepare for battle. If four days later you have not seen any word come back from us... immediately launch an all-out attack on the Uchiha!"

"Yes!" everyone answered in unison.

Early the next morning, a thin mist shrouded the Senju Clan Grounds.

Hashirama stood before the main gate, watching as Senju Butsuma led thirty elite ninja farther and farther away.

"Young clan leader..." First Elder Senju Zhijian stood behind Hashirama, hesitant to speak.

Hashirama took a deep breath. "I want some peace and quiet. You all go back first."

Senju Zhijian also understood Hashirama's current mood, so tactfully led the others away.

After leaving the clan grounds, Hashirama, as if guided by some strange impulse, came to the side of a small river.

This was a place he had often come to as a child. The rushing river water could always calm him down.

He crouched, scooped up a handful of cool river water, and splashed it onto his face.

"Father... Tobirama..." Hashirama murmured to himself. "What should I do..."

Just then, a faint rustle came from the trees on the opposite bank.

"Who's there?" Hashirama asked warily, his fingers already hooking around a kunai.

The trees on the opposite bank swayed slightly, and a long-haired youth walked out.

He wore ordinary dark cloth clothes, with a small bundle on his back, looking like a traveler on the road.

The youth raised his head, revealing a delicate face that carried a hint of pride. "I'm just passing by."

His voice was cool, and his gaze swept quickly over Hashirama. "I didn't expect there to be someone here."

Hashirama relaxed his guard a little, but still kept his distance.

"This river is dangerous. The current is fast," Hashirama kindly reminded him.

The youth raised an eyebrow, walked to the riverside, crouched down, and washed his face.

Then he looked up at Hashirama. "Do you come here often?"

"Mm." Hashirama nodded. "I come when I'm in a bad mood."

The youth was silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "Me too."

The two looked at each other across the rushing river water, inexplicably feeling a trace of resonance.

"My name is... Madara." The youth hesitated for a moment, then gave his name.

Hashirama smiled. "My name is Hashirama."

"Hashirama?" Madara frowned slightly. He seemed to have heard that name somewhere, but he could not recall it at once.

"What is it?" Hashirama looked at him in puzzlement.

"Nothing." Madara shook his head, tossing those vague impressions to the back of his mind.

He sized up the youth on the opposite bank—thick brows, large eyes, and an honest smile on his face. No matter how he looked at him, he did not seem like a ninja.

Hashirama was also observing Madara.

Although this youth who called himself "Madara" had a cold expression, his eyes were clear, and there was a steadiness in his bearing that did not match his age.

"You don't look like a local." Hashirama was the first to break the silence. "Are you out traveling?"

Madara gave a soft snort. "Something like that."

He casually picked up a flat stone and flung it toward the river surface as if skipping it.

The stone skipped seven times across the water before sinking.

"Amazing!" Hashirama's eyes lit up, and he also picked up a stone. "Watch me!"

His stone skipped nine times across the water.

Unwilling to accept defeat, Madara tried again, and this time it skipped eleven times. Just like that, back and forth, the two actually began playing at skipping stones like ordinary boys.

"You're pretty good at skipping stones," Madara praised, rare for him.

Hashirama scratched his head, smiling a little shyly. "I played a lot when I was little. Oh right, where are you from?"

Madara's movements paused almost imperceptibly. "A small village to the north. You wouldn't know it even if I told you."

"I see..." Hashirama did not press further and instead said, "My family is in the timber business, nearby."

"Timber?" Madara raised an eyebrow. "No wonder you're called 'Hashirama.'"

Hashirama burst out laughing. "Maybe! What about you? What does your family do?"

Madara looked into the distance. "Family business... mainly crafts."

That was not entirely a lie. The Uchiha Clan was indeed skilled at making ninja tools such as shuriken.

The sun gradually rose higher, and Madara stood up, patting the dust from his clothes. "I should go."

"So soon?" Hashirama was a little disappointed. "Will you come again tomorrow?"

Madara hesitated.

By rights, he should return to the Uchiha Clan Grounds as soon as possible to prepare for the negotiations.

But for some reason, he actually found himself looking forward to seeing this youth named Hashirama again.

"If things go smoothly," Madara said after pondering for a moment.

Hashirama revealed a brilliant smile. "Then see you tomorrow, Madara!"

"See you tomorrow, Hashirama." Madara turned and left, the corners of his mouth unconsciously rising slightly.