"My ideals aren't yours to dictate."
Uchiha Madara's gaze locked coldly on Hashirama, three black tomoe spinning in his eyes.
He already knew Hashirama would never approve of his plan.
This naïve fool probably still believed that relying on talk alone could bring peace to the shinobi world.
Only the "Eye of the Moon" plan could achieve true peace, allowing everyone to sink into a blissful dream, living without war or pain.
"Madara, your plan is too extreme!" Senju Hashirama's voice rose sharply.
Such an act was no different from killing everyone in the shinobi world.
As if saying—
If everyone dies, there will be no more war.
"Don't say another word. This is my ideal!" Uchiha Madara said. "I don't need you interfering. I will carry out the 'Eye of the Moon' plan myself."
Hashirama's clenched fists slowly loosened, his eyes revealing complex emotions.
Though he wanted nothing more than to pull his closest friend back from this mistaken path, in his current state he had no power to stop him.
No one in the shinobi world could prevent Madara from carrying out his plan.
For now, all he could do was stall for time, and hope that maybe later, he could persuade Madara to give up such an extreme course.
After a long silence, Senju Hashirama spoke softly:
"Madara, I respect your decision."
Uchiha Madara blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting Hashirama to say such a thing.
Hadn't this man just opposed his ideals so strongly?
Madara quickly regained composure, the three black tomoe fading from his eyes. His face remained cold.
"Your opinion doesn't matter to me."
Whether Hashirama agreed or not, the "Eye of the Moon" plan would be realized.
This was the only path to peace in the shinobi world.
No matter what, it had to be accomplished.
"Mm, I know." Hashirama nodded eagerly, then asked with hope in his voice:
"Now I can follow you, right?"
Meeting Hashirama's expectant gaze, Madara reluctantly gave a small nod.
"Do as you like, as long as you don't interfere with my plan."
He had not yet awakened the [Power of All Creation], which meant the "Eye of the Moon" plan was still in preparation.
If Hashirama wanted to follow, so be it.
It would not affect his plan in any way.
But one thing continued to puzzle Madara—
He had transplanted Hashirama's flesh so many years ago. Why had he still not awakened the so-called [Power of All Creation]?
He had thought that possessing Hashirama's cells would allow immediate awakening.
But now it seemed he had been overly optimistic.
This power likely required a long time to manifest.
Hopefully, not too long…
"Madara, what are we going to do now?"
"Madara, where are we going?"
"Madara, how will the 'Eye of the Moon' plan be carried out?"
"Madara, how will you use genjutsu to control everyone? What if someone isn't affected?"
"Madara, where did you even learn about the 'Eye of the Moon' plan?"
...
All along the way, Hashirama trailed after Madara, chattering endlessly.
"Enough!" Uchiha Madara snapped, his head throbbing from the noise.
He already regretted letting this man tag along.
Letting Hashirama follow was clearly a mistake.
Senju Hashirama fell silent at the rebuke, wearing a pitiful expression.
Was he really that annoying? Did Madara have to be so harsh?
He only wanted to probe indirectly for details about the "Eye of the Moon" plan, so he could figure out how to counter it.
But in trying, he had only provoked Madara's anger.
Uchiha Madara: "..."
At this moment, he truly wanted to abandon this nuisance and leave him behind.
...
"Madara, isn't that the border of the Land of Fire up ahead?" Senju Hashirama pointed forward.
As they walked, they had unknowingly arrived at the frontier.
"Mm." Uchiha Madara nodded, a flicker of nostalgia crossing his face.
He had not set foot in the Land of Fire since the battle at the Valley of the End.
"Madara, should we sneak back to the village for a look?" Hashirama suddenly suggested.
It had already been two years since he left the village. It was time to see Renya again.
Aside from Madara, Renya was the only one who knew the truth.
And in those two years, Renya's battlefield achievements had been excellent. This was the perfect chance to praise him.
He also wanted to secretly check in on Mito and Tsunade to see how they were doing.
Madara turned to him with a look that screamed "idiot."
If they returned and Tobirama or Mito discovered him, wouldn't his faked death be exposed?
Then all his careful plotting for the "Eye of the Moon" would look utterly foolish.
"Madara, just come with me," Hashirama pleaded. "I haven't seen Mito and Tsunade in so long."
"No." Madara's tone was icy as he rejected the idea outright.
He would not let Hashirama's sudden whims ruin his secrecy.
"Madara, please…" Hashirama pressed his palms together in supplication. "I really want to go back, just for a little while."
Since faking his death to pursue Madara, he had not once eaten Renya's cooking.
Wait—that's it! Food!
Hashirama's eyes lit up with inspiration. He knew how to lure Madara.
"Madara, Renya's cooking is amazing. Are you sure you don't want to try it?"
Once Madara tasted Renya's food, he would surely fall in love with it.
Maybe he'd even abandon the "Eye of the Moon" plan altogether choosing instead to have Renya cook for them every day.
...
"I'm not going." Madara crossed his arms and turned his head away in stubborn defiance.
He was the so-called Shura of the shinobi world. What delicacies hadn't he tasted?
How could he be tempted by one meal?
Besides, he had no interest in food.
Seeing Madara unmoved, Hashirama grew anxious.
So, he played his last card:
"Madara, Tobirama has already let go of his hatred toward the Uchiha. Don't you want to see it for yourself?"
This time, Madara did not immediately refuse.
He doubted Hashirama's words. How could Tobirama possibly let go of his grudge against the Uchiha?
Back when he was still in the village, no one harbored more malice toward the Uchiha than Tobirama.
If not for Hashirama's sake, Madara would have killed him long ago.
After all, Izuna had died at Tobirama's hands.
"If you see how Renya and Tobirama interact, you'll know whether he's given up his hatred or not," Hashirama said with a smile.
"...Fine. I'll go to Konoha with you." Madara finally agreed.
He didn't believe Tobirama could ever accept the Uchiha, even if the man in question was an adopted child.
"Hehe, and you'll finally get to taste Renya's cooking too. I know you'll like it," Hashirama beamed with joy once Madara gave in.
This time, Renya had to make a whole table full of dishes.
He would eat to his heart's content!
Madara glanced at the drool forming at the corner of Hashirama's mouth, his face twisted in disdain.
Was that kid's cooking really that good?
...
The two concealed their presence, bypassed the gate guards, and slipped into Konoha under the cover of night.
But just as they reached the Senju compound, they saw Tobirama carrying away an unconscious Renya.