Time flew like a white horse flashing past a crack in the wall. In the blink of an eye, six years had passed. For Konoha, those six years were a difficult period filled with change and conflict.
In Konoha's first year, the newly founded village seemed peaceful, but undercurrents stirred beneath the surface. Mistrust between the great clans yawned like a chasm within the village. Though the combined might of the Senju and Uchiha Clans had brought them together, it could not erase the blood feuds between the ninja clans.
Over the years, clashes between ninja clans and ninja assassinations occurred frequently in the village, and blood often stained the streets red. Hashirama, the Hokage, was run ragged every day. To settle the disputes, he did not hesitate to set aside his dignity as the God of Shinobi and repeatedly appeal to every side's sense of righteousness and compassion. He even took all the blame upon himself, bowing and apologizing to the various factions. Yet his compassion brought only brief periods of peace. The seeds of hatred remained buried deep in people's hearts, and whenever conflict broke out, blood was still shed and lives were lost. Hashirama felt utterly exhausted.
Madara Uchiha was filled with anger and bewilderment as he watched Hashirama go to such lengths to make concessions. Looking at the clans stirring up trouble, he wanted nothing more than to kill them all. Madara began to doubt whether their original purpose in founding Konoha could truly be fulfilled. In this world of slaughter and hatred, could a day of peace truly come?
Meanwhile, the Land of Fire's borders had also fallen into crisis. Ninja from other countries kept infiltrating the territory, stirring up trouble at will under the pretext of carrying out missions. Madara often led teams to the border to kill these intruders. Each time he returned, he advised Hashirama to wipe out the countries causing trouble outright. But Hashirama always refused, firmly believing that Konoha was peace-loving and must never start a war. The two argued endlessly over the matter, and the rift between them grew deeper by the day.
As the problems in the village and on the border grew more serious, Tobirama made a bold proposal: have the Uchiha Clan establish the Konoha Military Police Force. The Uchiha Clan's Sharingan possessed powerful abilities of perception and interrogation, leaving no crime hidden. The proposal was quickly approved, and Madara led his clansmen in swiftly establishing the force.
From then on, Uchiha Jonin could be seen everywhere on Konoha's streets, leading their clansmen on patrol. Whenever a conflict broke out, they swiftly arrested those involved and locked them in Konoha's prison. They showed no mercy to anyone who resisted, injuring those whose resistance was less serious and executing the worst offenders on the spot. The Uchiha carried out their duties strictly according to the law, making no exceptions for anyone. Before long, everyone in the village had come to fear them.
The great clans began to restrain their members, and the civilians also became more tolerant and self-controlled. The assassins hiding in the shadows were likewise rooted out one by one, either imprisoned or killed. Konoha miraculously settled down, but the Hokage's desk was piled high with letters accusing the Uchiha Clan of being overbearing and tyrannical.
In Konoha's second year, the Uchiha Clan's suppression had temporarily stabilized the village. Tobirama turned his attention to the sources of instability within the Land of Fire. He dispatched teams of ninja to clear out bandit hideouts and screen for foreign ninja in the cities, sending those who had crossed the border back to their own countries. Through Tobirama's efforts, the Land of Fire gradually became the safest and most prosperous country.
Yet the village's great ninja clans began to close themselves off. The clan elders restricted their members, forbidding them from going out and associating with other clans, and enclosed their compounds with high walls. Konoha became a collection of separate power blocs that outsiders found difficult to enter. The strange atmosphere was like a miniature version of the Warring States era.
Hashirama and Madara stood atop Hokage Rock, gazing at Konoha, divided into separate sections, their hearts full of emotion. Looking thoroughly puzzled, Hashirama asked, "Madara, how did the village become like this? Is there any way to get everyone to accept one another?" Madara's expression was cold as he answered without hesitation, "Cut down all those old fools with their closed minds. The hatred the older generation has accumulated runs too deep to be resolved. They're only holding back now for the sake of their descendants, and under their teaching, that hatred will be passed down from generation to generation."
Hashirama shook his head helplessly. "Madara, you're too eager to kill. A thousand years of Warring States history has shown us that slaughter cannot bring peace. Only mutual understanding and tolerance can resolve hatred." Madara sneered. "Hashirama, you're too naive. Compassion is often repaid with schemes and exploitation. Only by making those old fools afraid, making them terrified, will they submit and willingly become part of Konoha." Hashirama said angrily, "Madara, I will never allow you to lay a hand on the people of this village. We can find a better solution. Give me more time." Madara replied coldly, "Hashirama, you'll regret this. Your mercy will eventually hurt your loved ones."
In Konoha's third year, Hashirama decided to make a change. He sealed all the Senju Clan's Ninjutsu in a secret manual, making them a reward that registered Konoha ninja could earn and learn through their merit. At the same time, he required the great clans to open their gates and send their children between the ages of five and twelve to study at the Ninja Academy. Tobirama also responded enthusiastically, founding the Konoha Ninja Academy. From then on, the children of the great clans studied and grew up together at the academy, forming deep bonds with one another. Hashirama also called a meeting of the great clans' elders and strictly forbade them from spreading clan hatred in the village, hoping that the older generation's grudges would not carry over to the next.
In Konoha's fourth year, Hashirama pushed further to unite the ninja clans. He relaxed the marriage rules within the Senju Clan's thirty-six branches, allowing clansmen and clanswomen to marry outside the clan, and required the other clans to follow suit. Through Hashirama's efforts, Konoha's great ninja clans began to intermingle, and relations between the villagers grew closer. The Uchiha and Hyuga Clans, however, remained unmoved by the change, insisting on keeping their bloodlines pure so they could better awaken their Kekkei Genkai.
In Konoha's fifth year, Hashirama and Madara jointly launched an operation to capture the Tailed Beasts. Their actions shocked the entire Shinobi World. Konoha succeeded in capturing eight Tailed Beasts; only the One-Tail was captured by Sunagakure. Countries sent envoys to Konoha one after another, expressing their discontent at a single country holding the Tailed Beasts for itself. Hashirama believed that, to achieve peace, the Tailed Beasts should be distributed among the countries, giving each great nation the power to keep the others in check and thus prevent war. Madara and Tobirama, however, strongly opposed him, believing that the Tailed Beasts were too powerful and had to remain in their own hands. Nevertheless, Hashirama used his authority as Hokage to force through the decision to distribute them.
In Konoha's sixth year, Hashirama convened the first multinational talks in the Land of Iron. At the meeting, Hashirama conducted himself with benevolence, righteousness, and humility. He sold seven Tailed Beasts at low prices, keeping only the Nine-Tails in Konoha. The Three-Tails and Six-Tails went to the Mizukage's village, the Two-Tails and Eight-Tails to the Raikage's village, the Four-Tails and Five-Tails to the Tsuchikage's village, the Seven-Tails to the Takikage's village, and the One-Tail to the Kazekage's village. The talks established the great nations' standing in the Shinobi World, but they also sparked new conflicts. Deeply dissatisfied with Hashirama's strategy of distributing the Tailed Beasts and his ideals of peace, Madara ultimately left Konoha, taking the Nine-Tails with him.
In Konoha's seventh year, Madara rode the Nine-Tails into battle and challenged Hashirama. The great battle in the Valley of the End became a legend in the history of the Shinobi World. The two fought like immortals descended to earth, their Ninjutsu capable of destroying heaven and earth, showing the entire Shinobi World the terrifying combat power of the strong. In the end, Madara died in battle, and Hashirama's soul was gravely injured, leaving him with little time to live. Hashirama's wife, Mito Uzumaki, became the first Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, and Tobirama succeeded him as Hokage. A new chapter began for Konoha.