"Whoosh!"
A sudden, furious shout startled the entire Senju clan. In an instant, they dropped into battle-ready stances, eyes wide as they stared toward the source of the voice.
"Hashirama! And here I thought you were an honest man—yet you dare to do something so shameless!"
From the sky descended a tall, slender figure: none other than the voice that had just denounced Senju Hashirama.
The man had rare curly hair, and his handsome face bore a deeply pained expression. His lifeless, fish-like eyes reflected a glimmer of disappointment as he stared at Hashirama, who was now holding a kunai and closing in step by step.
"Eh? Gin-aniki!"
Recognizing the newcomer, Hashirama's heart clenched. Over the years, he and Uchiha Gin had grown close. Every holiday, Gin would give red envelopes filled with generous gifts to his young son.
"There must be some kind of misunderstanding!"
Thinking of this, Hashirama awkwardly scratched his head and cautiously explained,
"Hmph! I was watching from afar—don't try to deny it! You even took your pants off! And now you're trying to lie?"
Gin covered his eyes with one hand and pointed with the other at Hashirama's thin undershirt, his voice loud enough to be heard across the entire battlefield.
"What?! Our clan leader suffered such humiliation for our sake?!"
The captured Uchiha, furious over their defeat, erupted in rage. Eyes bulging, they shouted as they struggled against their restraints:
"If you want revenge, come at us! Don't hurt our clan leader!"
"Come on! I'm not afraid! I'll crush you, you despicable Senju rat!"
…
"Come on now, Gin-aniki, stop joking around. I have a family, you know."
Hashirama awkwardly laughed, trying to calm the yelling Uchiha. He was getting used to Gin's antics.
"U! Chi! Ha! Gin! If you keep spouting nonsense, even as a ghost I won't forgive you!"
Flat on the ground and unable to move, Madara felt utterly humiliated. His pale face turned red as his eyes blazed with killing intent. Glaring at Gin, who still wore that teasing smirk, he bellowed with all his strength:
"Madara! Be polite!"
Before Gin could even respond, Hashirama suddenly crouched down beside Madara and lightly tapped his head. His tone was completely subservient:
"You agree, right, Gin-aniki~?"
"Hmph. Whatever. Carry on."
Gin sighed. People were so infuriating. If only his dear cousin had half of Hashirama's tact, he wouldn't have to worry so much.
"Well then, since you're here, Gin-aniki, help me bear witness."
Seeing Gin nod, Hashirama relaxed a little. He straightened up and turned serious, his expression solemn and full of resolve:
"Huh? Wait a minute—this is way too sudden. I mean, sure, you're the older brother, but maybe let me go inform the clan first…"
Gin held up a hand, face filled with reluctance.
"You idiot! What are you even talking about?! Big brother's not—"
Finally, Tobirama, who'd stayed silent all this time, sheathed his long sword and shot an annoyed glance at Gin. If it weren't for those curls, he would've already used Flying Thunder God to end him.
"Oh! So that's it! Big cousin made such a dramatic request—I have to witness this, I have to!"
Gin clapped his leg in excitement after Tobirama explained the situation. He was fully invested in seeing how this moment played out.
"Listen well, Tobirama. Remember what I say now as my dying wish."
Hashirama, clutching the kunai, stepped toward his brother. His eyes held an unyielding determination.
"Big brother…"
Seeing that unwavering resolve, Tobirama sighed. He knew there was no stopping this, so he reluctantly gave in.
"These are words bought with my life. Everyone must remember: after I die, you cannot kill Madara."
Hashirama swept his gaze across the worried faces of his clan.
"From this day on, there shall be no conflict between the Uchiha and Senju. Swear it in the name of your fathers—and your future grandchildren!"
He glanced at Madara. His eyes were clear, untainted. A peaceful smile spread across his face. Turning the gleaming kunai toward his own stomach, he began to plunge it in.
"Farewell~"
Tobirama couldn't bear to watch. He thought Hashirama was only bluffing, but now realized he was serious. Chakra surged around him as he prepared to use Flying Thunder God to stop his brother's foolish act.
"Can a kunai even kill someone like him?"
Gin, standing near the Uchiha prisoners, swallowed his melon seed and muttered as he watched Hashirama prepare to commit seppuku.
Hashirama had a Sage Body—could a kunai even pierce him? If so, wouldn't that mean Kakuzu could slay gods?
On the ground, Madara never took his eyes off Hashirama. When he saw a single tear fall from the man's eye, memories of their youth surged up. That droplet, like a stone skipping across water, stirred deep ripples in his heart.
"Whoosh!"
With his eyes closed and filled with resolve, Hashirama stabbed the kunai at his stomach—only for a large hand to grab his wrist at the last second.
"Eh? Madara?"
Feeling his arm stop mid-thrust, Hashirama smiled in his heart. He knew Madara couldn't bear to lose him. He opened his eyes excitedly—only to see a different face.
"Gin-aniki?!"
Hashirama was stunned. Of all people, why was it Gin who stopped him? He would've understood if Tobirama tackled him, but this?
Then he saw a second hand reaching out. It was Madara, who had finally forced himself upright. His face was filled with awkwardness. He hadn't expected to be one step too late.
"Madara! I knew you couldn't bear to lose me~"
Hashirama beamed, grateful, and thanked him aloud.
"Hmph! I just thought you might not die completely, so I was gonna help finish the job!"
Madara turned away, cheeks flushed. He definitely wasn't trying to save him.
"Heh~ Happy ending for everyone. Now, big cousin, if you didn't want him to die, are you going to keep your promise?"
Gin stepped in to break the awkwardness, patting Madara's shoulder. He sent a pulse of chakra filled with life energy into him, helping him regain strength.
"Ugh... I, Uchiha Madara, always keep my word. I agree to the truce."
Feeling the warm power flow through him, Madara glanced at his cousin in surprise. But now wasn't the time for questions. He looked at Hashirama, saw the hope in his eyes, and slowly extended his hand.
BOOM!
Just as their hands met in peace, a huge explosion rang out.
Startled, everyone looked around, fearing an ambush. But all they saw was Gin grinning with a giant party popper in hand. Colorful streamers rained from the sky.
While everyone stared at him in shock, Gin just laughed louder.
"Congratulations, Warring States Era—your story has officially wrapped!"
—A few days later—
Today was the day of the official alliance between the Uchiha and Senju clans.
Madara and Izuna, both dressed in high-collared Uchiha formal wear, were pulled into a quiet corner by the ever-mysterious Gin.
"Big cousin, can't you just tell us what it is? Why all the secrecy?"
Madara was still mentally prepping his speech and frowned. He didn't want his address to lose out to Hashirama's, so he was a bit annoyed.
"Yeah, seriously!"
Izuna also looked confused. Was their cousin hiding something cool?
"Well, uh, big cousin... actually…"
Gin scratched his head, eyes drifting toward a hidden figure nearby. Why wasn't he coming out like he said he would?
"Tch. If you've got something to say, say it after the alliance. I still need to talk to Hashirama about terms."
Madara waved him off, sensing Gin's hesitation. He had a strange feeling in his eyes, but there was no time for this now.
"I'm going too! Big cousin, if it's something good, save me a piece~"
Izuna waved and quickly followed after his brother.
"Sigh… Uncle, why won't you come out? Big cousin just handed over the whole clan, you know…"
(End of Chapter)
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