Chapter 3. Uchiha Madara, You'll Definitely Regret This!
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"To gain complete trust, you must first make others think you are their friend. In short, you must stand behind someone; only then can you stab them in the back. And there are petty people among the Senju!"
At this moment, Uchiha Madara frowned slightly, carefully savoring Uchiha Makoto's words.
Someone he trusted would stab him in the back?
Was Uchiha Makoto implying that Hashirama… could Hashirama really do such a thing to him?
No!
Absolutely impossible!
This must be prejudice born from Uchiha Makoto's hatred toward the Senju, unfairly disparaging Hashirama!
First of all, Hashirama is not that kind of person!
Second, he is Hashirama.
Third, I am Madara, and Hashirama and Madara—for a hundred years, no changes are allowed!
In just an instant, Madara completely rejected the thought.
Hashirama would never do such a thing. But a petty man would!
Were there petty men in the Senju clan?
According to Hashirama's words, theoretically no, but objectively yes.
And who was this petty man?
Immediately, the image of Senju Tobirama flashed in Madara's mind.
If it were Senju Tobirama, then yes—this was indeed possible!
"But it's just a possibility!"
"I will personally crush this possibility!"
From the bottom of his heart, Uchiha Madara looked down on Senju Tobirama. In his eyes, there was only Hashirama.
A mere Senju Tobirama could not cause any trouble at all.
"Uchiha Makoto, you worry too much!"
"I will protect the Uchiha clan. I personally promised Izuna!"
"Besides, I've already talked it over with Hashirama. He loves peace!"
"Hashirama would never indulge the petty men of the Senju. Hashirama and I will handle such matters."
Uchiha Madara spoke with utmost seriousness.
Right now, he truly believed in Senju Hashirama, and truly believed that together they could bring reconciliation between the Uchiha and the Senju clans.
But—
Uchiha Makoto only nodded perfunctorily, while inwardly ranting madly.
"Damn it!"
"Hashirama, Hashirama—it's always Hashirama with you!"
"Your younger brother Izuna, on his deathbed, personally asked you, his older brother, to avenge him!"
"And as for that little kunai stab from Hashirama—given his monstrous regenerative powers, the wound scabs over in seconds! That's supposed to be proof of sincerity?!"
"I really have nothing to say to a love-brained fool!"
"Madara-sama, I know you and Hashirama are being honest with each other, wanting to build a ninja village for the Uchiha and Senju together. But in truth, this is only transforming open war into a hidden struggle."
"I know the Uchiha are at a disadvantage now, but enough of this swallowing humiliation for survival! The ninja world is vast—there will always be a place for the Uchiha!"
"Once the village is built, and we become entangled, you in me and me in you—the downfall of the Uchiha's future will begin right there!"
Uchiha Makoto took a deep breath, yet still pressed on.
Even though he knew Uchiha Madara had already been thoroughly captivated by that succubus Senju Hashirama, determined to bring the entire Uchiha clan as "dowry" to rekindle their bond, Makoto still had to give his advice. If nothing came of it, he could at least justifiably "set up shop on his own."
The Uchiha clan is like a lean camel that is bigger than a horse. If he was going to strike out independently, Uchiha Makoto very much wanted to take a portion of the family assets with him.
Even a small portion would be a valuable fortune. Makoto absolutely did not want to start out as a penniless lone commander, with the heavens collapsing around him.
Of course, what mattered even more was that such "advice" was actually a long-term investment.
Because once Konoha was established, it wouldn't even take a few years before Uchiha Madara, due to conflict with Senju Tobirama and Senju Hashirama, would leave the village alone, through the main gate, with not a single clansman willing to follow him. For a clan leader to end up like that—it was truly tragic.
And at that time, who would Uchiha Madara remember?
No doubt about it!
Naturally, he would remember himself—the great prophet!
Uchiha Madara, furious, turned his back and came over to his side, ready to go against his old "lover," Senju Hashirama. No matter how you looked at it, this was pure entertainment—a joker's delight!
And there was no need to worry about Uchiha Madara "usurping the throne."
Madara-sama had no interest at all in the position of village leader; otherwise, he wouldn't have left Konoha outright.
After all, if he really had wanted to compete with Senju Tobirama for the title of Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama would hardly have been a match for Uchiha Madara because the gap in raw strength between them was simply too vast.
In the face of absolute power, all of Tobirama's sinister schemes were nothing but wasted effort.
Beyond that, imagine Konoha searching for a Second Hokage, only for Uchiha Madara to show up with wine and meat, seeking Senju Hashirama's support as the First Hokage. Senju Hashirama would practically be thrilled to raise the flag in his favor!
When it came to Uchiha Madara, Senju Hashirama would say: "I support Madara! He promised to bring peace to the ninja world!"
And when it came to Senju Tobirama, Senju Hashirama would say: "Tobirama, you already have so much support. You don't need mine too!"
But unfortunately… Uchiha Madara doesn't want to do that.
He glanced once at the ancestral stone tablet and, as though he had lost his mind, believed the nonsense written upon it. He was utterly deceived by Kaguya's descendant, the ninja world's "filial son," the millennia-long schemer—Black Zetsu!
Thus, Madara's future was sealed long ago.
Madara-sama, you are destined to throw yourself into my arms!
Even if Uchiha Madara wanted him to join in carrying out the Tsukiyomi plan, Uchiha Makoto would go all in without hesitation, standing by Uchiha Madara to achieve greatness together.
First, he would squeeze every bit of value out of Uchiha Madara—after all, by the time Madara awakened the Rinnegan, he would already be aged and near death.
But Makoto had cheats on his side!
There was no reason he couldn't outpace Uchiha Madara in growth!
Uchiha Madara silently listened to Uchiha Makoto's words.
He was thinking them over.
They sounded quite reasonable on the surface. But… Uchiha Madara had already been bewitched by that Senju succubus!
"Alarmist talk—this is nothing but alarmist talk!"
"The Uchiha's affairs are mine to handle, the Senju's affairs are Hashirama's. He and I have already laid our hearts bare. As long as the two of us work together, what in this ninja world could we possibly fail to accomplish?"
Uchiha Madara spoke with supreme confidence. Meanwhile, Uchiha Makoto just stood there, quietly watching him boast, already looking forward to the day he'd be slapped in the face by reality.
On that day, Uchiha Makoto would be sure to ask Uchiha Madara: "Madara-sama, since you didn't become the Second Hokage, why don't you look for the problem in yourself!"
"Answer me!"
"Look me in the eyes!"
"Tell me why?"
"Why, baby, why?"