Hashirama still did not quite understand. As far as he was concerned, it did not matter who won or lost. What mattered was that he had founded Konoha together with Madara.
Seeing that Hashirama did not understand, Madara explained.
"Madara, there's still a difference.
If events followed their original course, after Konoha was founded, I, as the loser, would eventually be pushed out of Konoha's center of power by that evil bastard Tobirama.
Frustrated and unable to achieve my ambitions, I would then go to the Uchiha Clan Compound and see that altered stone tablet. Eventually, I would leave Konoha, wander around outside for a while, and find the Nine-Tails.
Then I would bring the Nine-Tails back to attack Konoha, ultimately triggering the Battle of the Valley of the End.
And only after I faked my death in the Battle of the Valley of the End, obtained your cells, and integrated them into my body would that sneaky old bastard Black Zetsu show up.
That would take a great deal of time."
Hashirama worked it out and realized that did seem to be the case. A long time had passed between Konoha's founding, Madara's defection, and their eventual battle.
Madara continued.
"But this time, I'm participating in Konoha's founding as the victor. That means the initiative will remain firmly in my hands.
I'll also be the one leading Konoha, so the inherently evil Tobirama will have absolutely no grounds to push me out of its center of power."
As he spoke, Madara gave Tobirama a meaningful look.
Tobirama snorted without responding and simply continued drinking his tea.
Seeing this, Madara held his head high like a triumphant rooster and continued.
"Hmph. As long as I control Konoha and don't show any signs of dejection or disappointment in it, Black Zetsu