Madara immediately announced a series of military reforms from the stage-the Uchiha would take the lead in strengthening the ninja training system, enforcing fully unified regulations, and establishing a military merit system!
Once they joined, the village had to come first. There would be no disputes over individual clans' interests, only a single objective-victory!
The new system immediately caused a stir among the crowd.
"Silence!" Madara brought the gathering to order again.
"Hmph! Since you've joined Konoha, you must put the village's interests first. If the village is unstable, how can the clans survive? Now, for the system of rewards and punishments..."
Sensing the faint pleasure of the man beside him, Tetsuhiro recalled the system notifications he had received before the meeting.
[Congratulations, host. Madara Uchiha's bond with the host has reached 96%.] [Notice: Once a character's bond reaches its maximum of 100%, it will trigger a specific action from that character. If you respond in a way that satisfies them, they will trust the host completely, even if it means standing against the entire world! You will also randomly copy one of their abilities, without restrictions from bloodline, talent, skills, or other factors.]
Yes! The Rinnegan is beckoning to me! He secretly rejoiced again.
"Why are you spacing out again?" Madara couldn't help prompting him. "Hashirama, what's wrong?"
"Ah, I just thought of something happy. Under your leadership, Konoha is sure to become even more prosperous!"
"Naturally."
As soon as Madara finished announcing the reforms, he ordered everyone to undergo an inspection by the Nine-Tails to check for Black Zetsu.
Little Kurama checked everyone in turn, including important figures such as Tetsuhiro, Madara, and Tobirama.
After hopping off the last person, he shook his head at Tetsuhiro.
"Unfortunately, there's no trace at all."
This left even Tetsuhiro doubting himself. Was I really worrying over nothing?
"All right, everyone, you're dismissed. Hashirama, stay behind."
Once everyone had left...
"What is it, Madara?"
"What you've done these past few days has made me see you in a new light. What else do you have planned?"
Tetsuhiro thought for a moment. "Let's visit two places first."
Konoha, the Sarutobi Residence.
The estate occupied roughly sixty-six acres, with subsidiary buildings to the north, west, and east, connected to the main hall by long corridors.
A courtyard lay to the south, and an earthen wall surrounded the entire estate.
The two were invited inside, with a Sarutobi elder leading the way.
Tetsuhiro casually asked, "How is Sarutobi Sasuke doing?"
"After Lady Katsuyu's treatment and the medicine you provided, his condition has improved considerably. Thank you very much!"
Madara watched them with a cold expression the entire time.
He was always like this with anyone other than Hashirama.
They followed a wooden corridor to the main hall, the residence's central, single-story building, which faced south.
The elder slid open the wooden panel doors at the four corners of the main hall.
Once inside, they reached the central chamber and slid open the paper screen door.
Sarutobi Sasuke struggled to rise from the tatami.
"Forgive me for not greeting you outside. I'm sorry for the trouble of making you both come here in person. I'm deeply grateful."
After an exchange of pleasantries,
Madara Uchiha impatiently reiterated the decision that he would serve as First Hokage and appoint Sasuke as Hokage Assistant.
Sasuke showed little surprise and thanked them again for visiting in person.
Since Sasuke could keep his composure, Tetsuhiro was happy to chat with him about everyday matters...
One moment, he praised Hiruzen Sarutobi's performance and his ability to carry out missions properly.
The next, he complimented Sasuke's taste, the distinctive decor, and the elegant, pleasant surroundings.
Sasuke smiled and responded to each remark.
Finally, Madara couldn't stand it any longer. He crushed his teacup and snapped, "Enough, Hashirama. If you have something to say, say it, or I'm leaving!"
"Ahem!" Tetsuhiro choked on his tea and said awkwardly, "Here's the thing. Although Konoha has been established, Madara's dream and mine haven't ended yet. We want to achieve true peace!"
Tetsuhiro once again laid out their grand objective of abolishing the daimyo and unifying the world!
Sarutobi Sasuke was utterly stunned. After sitting in a daze for a long while,
he finally spoke slowly. "I was wondering why you gave up the Hokage position. So the whole world is your true goal. How remarkable..."
"What do you intend to do?"
Tetsuhiro explained that they would use taxation as their starting point and lead everyone in armed resistance, among other things...
"The idea and strategic planning are good, but there are still many shortcomings, such as resistance... the clans' interests, and so on."
Tetsuhiro answered each concern in turn.
Only when the sun was setting did the three reach a satisfactory conclusion. Sarutobi Sasuke was willing to devote all his strength to supporting them and help persuade the other clans.
Tetsuhiro would return the favor by granting them certain benefits and having Tobirama take Sasuke's son, Hiruzen Sarutobi, as his personal disciple.
With that, the village's strength and thinking had been unified, and the strategic planning was settled for now. Next, he needed to resolve Madara's concerns.
The two bid farewell to Sarutobi Sasuke and headed to the Research Lab in a remote part of the village.
Inside the brightly lit Research Lab, all four walls were white.
More than a dozen Chunin and Jonin were busy preparing materials, releasing seals, or standing to one side taking notes.
Meanwhile, Tobirama faced a restrained person on the floor in the center of the room, preparing to perform a jutsu.
Secret art-Impure World Reincarnation!
The surrounding black jutsu markings surged toward the person, whose agonized screams filled the room.
"How's it working?" Tetsuhiro asked as he entered, unable to bear looking at the person.
Madara, on the other hand, looked fascinated and watched with keen interest.
"I finally overcame the last hurdle. This is the first experiment."
"I'm not interested in this stuff. Just don't use anyone from the village for your experiments."
"I won't. I wouldn't even use an Uchiha..."
"Hm?" Madara shot him an icy sideways glance.
Tobirama immediately glared back.
"Enough. Don't go out of your way to stir up trouble."
"Hmph!" Tobirama turned his head aside.
At the center of the room, the jutsu markings flowed completely into the person's body. Paper tags gradually covered him, and his screams stopped.
Uchiha Izuna's form gradually took shape over his body.
Madara's pupils trembled, and he murmured in a choked voice, "Izuna..."
"Big brother?" As though sensing him, Izuna looked over and asked uncertainly.
"It's me, Izuna! You really have come back to life." Madara had just taken two steps forward
when Izuna recalled the bitterness and fear he had felt before his death, along with his hatred for the man responsible-Tobirama Senju.
He suddenly roared, "Big brother, why are you standing with the Senju? Have you...?"
"Listen to me. The age of war is over. It's all over." Madara clenched his fists tightly, trying to persuade him.
"No! Have you forgotten all the Uchiha who died in battle? Or did you betray our entire clan for that sham peace?!"
"I wish I could slaughter every last one of those disgusting hypocrites in the Senju Clan!"
Tobirama stood to one side, happily enjoying the brothers' argument.
"Simply wonderful~"
"Hey, you knew this would happen from the start, didn't you?"
"Heh-heh. Big brother, what are you talking about? I have no idea. I've already done what you asked. The rest is up to that guy."
Smack! Tetsuhiro slapped his forehead hard.
What am I supposed to do now?
Suddenly, Izuna shouted, "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive fireball hurtled toward Tobirama. Madara glanced at "Hashirama," his meaning plain. Left with no choice, Tetsuhiro pressed his palms together to block it for Tobirama.
Wood Release: Wood Wall!
[Impure World Reincarnation restrictions] 1. Strength is less than one-tenth of what it was in life. 2. The caster can control the subject's body and will. 3. Duration depends on the caster's chakra reserves, with a maximum of six hours. 4. Frequent use will attract the attention of the Sage of Six Paths and the Shinigami.
Before you continue