Konoha Was a Little Noisy Today (Loudly)

Tonight, Konoha lost its usual peace and quiet as explosions thundered all around it.

The two figures battling each other moved farther from the village as they fought. Neither wanted to drag Konoha into their fight.

For the first time in years, Tobirama Senju donned his Warring States armor. His pale blue armor reflected a sharp gleam in the moonlight as he stood before the Hokage Building, issuing orders in an orderly fashion.

Notify the clan heads to remain calm. First, reassure their clans and the civilians, guide the evacuation, and maintain order. Any questions could wait until the battle ended.

Under his arrangements, the unease stirring through Konoha slowly subsided. Guided by Konoha's uniformly dressed ANBU, the bewildered civilians took refuge in shelters, safe from the fallout.

Under Tobirama Senju's firm hand, the clan heads, though full of questions, also suppressed their urge to investigate and obediently stayed within their clan compounds.

However, some sensory ninja skilled at gathering intelligence slipped out unseen. Tobirama Senju had little means of dealing with them; his manpower was limited, and his reach only extended so far.

To his pleasant surprise, however, Watanabe Ichiro arrived with some Uchiha from the Konoha Military Police Force to provide support, neatly filling that gap.

Yes, the Konoha Military Police Force in this world was still under Uchiha control. However, this force had greater authority and broader responsibilities, and the ANBU had absolutely no jurisdiction over it.

After directing his clansmen to follow Tobirama Senju's orders, Watanabe Ichiro stood beside him, covered in blood. His expression was calm, and he paid no mind to the bloody air surrounding him.

"Congratulations, Ichiro. You got what you wanted."

Tobirama Senju suddenly spoke.

"...What do you mean? Also, please just call me Ichiro as usual, Sensei. Hearing you address me so formally feels too strange."

Tobirama Senju's sudden remark left Watanabe Ichiro utterly confused.

Why congratulate me on getting what I wanted?

And aren't you going to ask where all this blood came from?

What about the failed Impure World Reincarnation experiment earlier? Don't you want to question me about that?

I'm waiting to be falsely accused so I can act aggrieved. I already practiced looking wounded by your lack of trust several times. I could put that expression on right now.

Tobirama Senju gazed toward the distant battlefield with apparent indifference, sorting through his thoughts.

"If that's how you wish me to address you, then fine, Ichiro. I admit you truly are different from those Uchiha. As expected of a child with our Senju blood."

"Never have I wished more strongly than now that your name were Ichiro Senju."

"Although I don't know how you learned Madara Uchiha's whereabouts, I understand that you didn't want Uchiha Izuna revived. Your patience, your ambition, your intelligence... they are truly unparalleled."

"Now, congratulations on bringing the Uchiha Clan under your control."

Watanabe Ichiro kept a straight face, utterly bewildered. Why had Tobirama Senju suddenly thrown out the script and turned into one of those universally despised riddle-spouters? Riddle-spouters who refused to speak plainly could get out of Konoha!

His thoughts turned, and understanding began to dawn.

From Tobirama Senju's perspective, Watanabe Ichiro had first learned the truth about his origins, moved out of the clan compound that very night, and sought support from him-in other words, from the Senju Clan.

Then Watanabe Ichiro had become Tobirama Senju's personal disciple, placing himself firmly on his side.

Next, he had sabotaged the technique meant to revive Uchiha Izuna, leaving a flaw that practically announced, "I sabotaged the technique."

Finally, Tobirama Senju had learned that Madara Uchiha had returned to the clan.

Put those events together, and a classic revenge story sprang to life.

The protagonist was bullied from childhood. After growing up and discovering his origins, he realized that no amount of endurance would earn his clansmen's acceptance. Furious, he rebelled and left to seek a teacher.

After diligent, grueling effort, he finally mastered his skills. He devised a plan to throw the situation into chaos and hold up the clan's strongest fighter. Then, after signaling to his esteemed teacher, "I want revenge on the Uchiha Clan," he departed. Taking advantage of the clan's weakened defenses, he slaughtered those who had once bullied him and rose straight to power as its leader.

Uh, that actually makes a lot of sense.

Watanabe Ichiro blinked and gave a slight nod.

Though every step of the process was wrong, the end result was much the same.

Watanabe Ichiro had become the Uchiha clan head and beaten up the troublemakers within the clan.

Those who had tried to kill him met violence with violence, their "brains and guts splattered across the ground." Those who had shown restraint were spared; he merely broke their limbs. Bloody, yes, but tailored to the circumstances, and his conscience could live with it.

Seeing his reaction, Tobirama Senju felt reassured. But another question now confronted him.

"Uchiha Ichiro, would you like to return to the Senju Clan and become Ichiro Senju?"

Where did Watanabe Ichiro's loyalties lie? Would he be content with the Uchiha's power, seeking to become another decision-maker in Konoha? Or would he repay Tobirama's kindness by directly eliminating the unstable Uchiha Clan?

That choice would determine whether Watanabe Ichiro ultimately stood against him or beside him.

Watanabe Ichiro also raised his head to look toward the distant battlefield. After a moment's thought, he answered softly.

"The Uchiha Clan, as a fellow ally, should naturally stand together with the Senju."

"As for me, Sensei, whether I'm Uchiha Ichiro or Ichiro Senju, I'm still your student, aren't I?"

He had sided with Tobirama Senju.

Tobirama Senju answered with a satisfied smile. What a good disciple. Teaching him those forbidden techniques wasn't a waste!

The battle between Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha shook heaven and earth.

A perfect Susanoo clashed with a towering wooden golem, while the two men shouted their conversation as they fought.

"Hashirama! (Hashirama Senju) Why can't you understand me?!"

"Madara! (Madara Uchiha) Your ideas are too bizarre! Killing everyone to pursue peace is impossible!"

"Does peace bought with blood not count as peace? Hashirama, if we joined forces, who in the shinobi world could stand against us?"

"Madara, your thinking has gone astray!"

Their battle lasted seven days and seven nights.

At first, they were merely playing around, much as they had during the Warring States period when they led the Senju and Uchiha clans against each other. Their clansmen and younger brothers fought for their lives, while the two of them fought as though fooling around, chatting all the while.

Later, once each realized the other was serious and that he truly couldn't persuade him, both brought out their real strength. Those who needed their ultimate moves unleashed them; those who needed to dance danced.

At first, the people of Konoha trembled in fear. Later, when they discovered that the shaking ground, clashing ninjutsu, and deafening explosions posed no danger to them whatsoever, they simply went back to their lives and their business.

And so, a rather peculiar scene unfolded.

At the vegetable market, tremendous explosions rumbled in the background.

Vendor (loudly): "What would you like?"

Customer, pointing at the vegetables and holding up two fingers (loudly): "These, two pounds!"

Vendor: "Twenty pounds, coming right up!" (Loudly)

Customer: "Two pounds! I said two pounds!" (Extremely loudly)

Vendor: "Here you go, your twenty pounds!" (Loudly)

Customer: "I fucking want two pounds!" (Extremely loudly)