"How about calling the leader of the ninja who protect the Land of Fire from the shadows the Hokage?" Hashirama Senju watched Madara Uchiha cautiously.
Madara Uchiha had been thinking about Yanbai and only caught Hashirama Senju's "How about." He glanced sideways at him in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
"Ah-the daimyo of the Land of Fire asked us to choose a representative for the Shinobi Village. In other words, its leader." Hashirama Senju's expression was calm. "I want you to lead us as the First Hokage."
Madara Uchiha said nothing, seemingly considering the proposal.
Then Hashirama Senju said, "Yanbai has always been headstrong. He probably just couldn't think things through for the moment. As far as I'm concerned, no one but you is a match for him. Please don't be too upset. We'll all be one big family from now on. I hope you can treat everyone like family, so we can move forward together and protect them all."
Hearing that, Madara Uchiha instinctively felt displeased.
Madara believed he was the only one who understood Yanbai's difficulties. Even Hashirama, Yanbai's own older brother, failed to understand him.
Had Yanbai always borne all that pressure without anyone understanding him?
Madara Uchiha's mood soured, his gloom almost palpable.
Of course Madara Uchiha was willing to protect everyone, but should he really become their leader?
Madara Uchiha thought of Yanbai again. If Yanbai were here, would he agree with Hashirama Senju?
Madara Uchiha's silence and gloomy air sent Hashirama Senju's imagination spinning in all sorts of strange directions.
"Madara, there's no time to be discouraged." Hashirama Senju spoke softly. "A lot of small and medium-sized ninja clans have written to us recently, hoping to join us."
Madara Uchiha remained melancholy.
Hashirama Senju kept talking. "Madara, it's about time we named the