Wood Release: Wood Wall!
Tetsuhiro easily blocked the fireball, and Madara immediately darted over, interrupting Izuna's hand seals and restraining him.
"Let go of me, damn you, Tobirama Senju! What Evil Techniques did you use to control my big brother?"
"Enough, Izuna. Calm down. No one's controlling me," Madara explained gently. "Here's what happened..."
A short while later...
"What?! We lost? You were forced to cooperate to protect our clansmen, successfully ended the age of chaos, and founded Konoha? The Senju withdrew from the center of power? The Uchiha Clan received preferential treatment, and you became the First Hokage?"
Reeling from the revelations, Izuna stood frozen and stopped resisting.
"Do you understand now? Thinking only in terms of clans is a thing of the past. Other countries have followed our example and established shinobi villages. A national war is coming, and we're plotting to seize power!"
"..."
Tetsuhiro also tried to persuade him. "Plenty of Senju clansmen died at your hands, too. But for peace, and for the children, we chose to let go, because hatred only breeds greater hatred!"
"Let it go, Izuna. Think of Madara. Think of the children."
"Madara, take Izuna around the village. Some things he needs to experience for himself."
But Madara sneered at Tobirama. "Tobirama Senju, don't think I don't know what you're up to. You won't be controlling Izuna."
Then he turned and led his younger brother away without leaving room for argument. "Come with me."
Only Tetsuhiro and Tobirama remained.
"Are you satisfied now?"
"More or less. Shame those two didn't fight."
Tetsuhiro's eyes shone with resolve and conviction. "Just as I said earlier, it's for the children, and for peace!"
Tobirama shrugged. "Got it. What are you planning to do now, big brother?"
"Has the Daimyo's envoy arrived? How are the preparations?"
"He arrived today. Everything's ready."
"Good..."
The next day!
After his time had run out, Izuna was brought back through Impure World Reincarnation again today.
Having experienced the village's harmonious atmosphere yesterday, and heard every clansman at the Uchiha's secret meeting express a longing for peace, he no longer acted rashly this time. Instead, he quietly followed Madara with a cold expression.
This time, he intended to help Nissan handle government affairs and expose the Senju's political schemes along the way.
"I knew there was no such thing as a deal that good! Tobirama Senju and their allies have taken almost all the resources and authority!"
"All we have is authority over law enforcement and security?"
Madara said nonchalantly, "Izuna, with me as Hokage, they're only working for me-no, they're all working hard to build the village. Besides, plenty of our people sit on the Council of Elders."
"Nissan, they've deceived you! They're stripping you of your power!"
"Enough. I know what's what. Didn't you say you wanted to help me?" Madara pointed at the mountain of bamboo slips on the desk. "There you go. They're all yours."
With that, he turned and left without regard for Izuna's feelings.
"Huh?! Me alone? What about you? Don't go, Nissan!"
Bang! The door slammed shut.
"Damn it! I get it now. You damned Senju are trying to work Nissan to death, aren't you? But you've miscalculated! I have unlimited stamina and energy. As long as I take his place, your scheme won't succeed!"
After muttering to himself, Izuna buried himself in work.
Meanwhile, Madara had practically fled the Hokage's office and was heading outside the village...
At that moment, he felt immensely grateful. Don't blame me, Izuna. You were the one who said you wanted to help.
Soon, he saw quite a show unfold.
Outside the village, the scorching sun baked the earth. A leather whip struck civilians' backs with dull thuds, and drops of blood mingled with sweat seeped into the soil.
The civilians being whipped endured the pain, not daring to cry out.
Civilians knelt all around a small field of fertile farmland, while a man dressed like a noble stood in the center.
The whip lashed through the air in his hand.
"Speak! Who told you to pay less tax?"
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Though the whip tore their skin open, the civilians still gave no answer. They simply endured in silence.
An emotion called rage was spreading.
"Fine, won't talk, will you? Get them! Do whatever you want with the women. Kill all the men."
Over a dozen guards immediately appeared at his side.
Some were Chunin, others samurai. They approached those worthless wretches with savage grins.
"Lord Envoy, why trouble yourself over these commoners? Lord Hashirama is still waiting for your honored arrival." A Jonin from the village appeared in a flash, tactfully interrupting their violence.
"Hmph. Don't you know why this is happening? A man who lost the election still has the nerve to try currying favor with me? Where's your Hokage? Tell him to come out!"
As it turned out, the Daimyo's envoy gave Tetsuhiro no consideration at all. He even wanted Madara to come out and welcome him.
Watching from the shadows, Madara's eyes narrowed. A murderous gleam flashed through them, but quickly vanished as his lips curled in disdain.
In his mind, he had already sentenced this insect to death.
In the field, the Daimyo's envoy continued venting his displeasure, even letting his men keep abusing the civilians.
Just as the Jonin found himself at a loss, unsure what to do,
an overwhelming presence surged from behind him, pressing down so hard he could barely endure it. The envoy's guards fared even worse.
One after another, they coughed up blood under the pressure.
A deep voice rang out. "Envoy, this is Konoha. We have the right to protect every villager. Madara is busy. Whatever you need, you can tell me."
Clad in red armor, Tetsuhiro spoke with a warm, cheerful smile, though his gaze held an unfathomable depth.
"Hashirama Senju, are you rebelling? I'll report your behavior to the Daimyo!" the envoy said scornfully.
"Whatever supplies the Daimyo cuts off from you then will be your fault."
At the mention of cutting supplies, Tetsuhiro's face began to turn pale, and his voice softened considerably. "Envoy, I was the one who ordered the tax reduction. I'm willing to accept punishment. Please don't cut off Konoha's supplies."
With that, he signaled his men to carry two chests before the envoy and slowly open them...
Golden light gleamed from within. They were filled with gold, silver, jewels, and large amounts of paper currency.
Both chests contained exactly the same things.
"One is for the Daimyo. The other is a token of my sincerity. Please accept it, Envoy."
The envoy picked up a jewel with his pudgy fingers, leaving clear traces of sweat on the gold leaf. The guards beside him licked their lips, their eyes greedy.
"All fine goods. I didn't expect you to be so sincere. Very good, very good."
"I'll raise the taxes right away. I hope you'll put in a good word for me with the Daimyo."
"Hmm... don't say I'm making things difficult for you. Before I left, the Daimyo specifically instructed that Konoha's taxes must be raised by thirty percent. So you understand."
At those words, a strange, furious heat welled up in the kneeling civilians' hearts. That was even ten percent higher than before!
Some collapsed to the ground in despair;
some blamed Lord Hashirama;
but even more clenched their fists, filled with resentment and anger.
Hearing this, Tetsuhiro's expression became something between a smile and a smirk, and he made a show of struggling to accept it.
The envoy reacted exactly as expected, leaving no room for negotiation.
In the end, Tetsuhiro could only reluctantly agree. He also proposed that he and Madara travel to Daimyo City together to personally beg the Daimyo's forgiveness.
The envoy arrogantly declared that they could go, but could bring only ten-no, five guards, and no weapons whatsoever. They also had to show respect when meeting the Daimyo.
Tetsuhiro readily agreed to everything.
Only then was the envoy satisfied. Under Tetsuhiro's arrangements and guidance, the two headed to a place he had prepared to enjoy some proper relaxation.
"Hmph! How disgusting." Having witnessed the entire exchange, Madara muttered in revulsion, "I could never do something like that. Hashirama, thanks for putting up with all this."
Then he returned to Hokage Rock and stood atop his own carved likeness.
He silently looked down over the village.
"Peace? It's not far off..."
Before you continue