"Sigh~ the village's petty governance bullies me, the old and powerless!"
Failing to get a second bowl of honey-flavored shaved ice, Gin let out a heartbroken sigh.
Watching little Chiyo happily holding her red bean ice cream, Gin's eyes shifted slightly.
Since even Chiyo had shown up, it meant that Sunagakure's people were already in place. Together with the Kirigakure and Kumogakure he encountered earlier today, and the mysterious bandaged man and the scar-faced little brat mentioned by the kids while eating barbecue before… those must have been Iwagakure's people without a doubt.
Which meant now, all four great nations' Kage had gathered in Konoha, just waiting for Hashirama to call the meeting.
"Slurp~"
Under Chiyo's slightly disdainful gaze, Gin licked up the last drops of syrup at the bottom of his bowl, inwardly scolding in frustration.
"I wonder if big cousin has finished his seclusion. If he doesn't sneak into this meeting, his dream of becoming Second Hokage might just sink~"
Nanga Shrine.
In the darkened shrine hall, a pair of scarlet eyes slowly opened. Their owner stared at the ancient stone tablet before him, a trace of inner conflict flashing across his gaze.
Having read through 80% of the stone tablet's contents, Madara's heart was in deep turmoil.
Last time, he saw their ancestor instructing Uchiha and Senju to unite their powers to build peace. Yet flipping a little further this time, the ancestor suddenly changed tone, saying: "Here's a quick guide to clear the game."
"Infinite Tsukuyomi, huh…"
Madara frowned. Whether or not the shinobi world was peaceful wasn't his biggest concern. He could barely manage Konoha's land, let alone the whole world. As for trapping everyone in an eternal illusion of happiness… he had zero interest.
His brothers were healthy and long-lived, Hashirama—even with their differences—was still someone Madara thought he could reconcile with in a few years.
The clan was thriving, Konoha's growth was on fire. Unless he had lost his mind, why would he choose to execute this so-called Infinite Tsukuyomi plan?
"Hashirama, did you forget about me?"
Turning to look at the shrine's door that hadn't moved in days, Madara's head pounded with anger. He thought Hashirama would be eager to come find him…
Yet after all this time, not a single sound. Could it be that Izuna hadn't told anyone he'd locked me in here?
Just as Madara fumed in indignation, in a dark corner of the shrine, a puddle of strange black liquid slowly lifted its head. Two bean-like yellow eyes stared at Madara before the stone tablet, and in its heart echoed a curse it barely held back.
"Why is this Indra so hard to handle? He already knows about Infinite Tsukuyomi, yet he's not scrambling to awaken the Rinnegan?"
Black Zetsu clenched its illusory fists, face dark with frustration, inwardly cursing Madara's stupidity.
"Is it because he hasn't despaired yet?"
After pondering a long time, Zetsu suddenly realized—Madara had everything. Aside from still being single, everything was perfect: a sensible brother, wealthy family, even the chance to be village leader.
Why would someone living in such bliss bother with a suspicious plan like Infinite Tsukuyomi?
Thinking this through, Zetsu grew anxious. After all the centuries it had endured, it had finally produced a somewhat decent Indra descendant—it couldn't just give up!
He had to find a crack in Madara's heart, use it as leverage, and push him to carry out Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Bang bang bang~
While Zetsu was deep in thought, the shrine door shook violently with knocks. Sitting cross-legged, Madara's ears perked up.
"Madara~ it's me! Hurry and open the door!"
Hearing that familiar voice, Madara's lips finally curved into a faint smile. Hmph, so he remembered me after all!
He straightened his robes, unwilling to lose face, then put on a frosty expression and opened the creaking door.
"Hashirama, what is it?"
Standing outside in casual clothes, Hashirama beamed with a dazzling smile.
"Madara, if you don't come out now, you'll miss the show~"
"A show? What kind of show?"
Madara arched a brow, intrigued.
"All four Kage have arrived in Konoha~"
"So it's time to strike? As expected, you can't do without me!"
At that, Hashirama's smile froze.
"Madara! They all came for peace, you mustn't cause trouble now."
Hashirama's face turned stern as he gave his warning.
Not kill them? Then what, hand out gift baskets?
Madara tilted his head in confusion, eyes full of question marks.
"I'm organizing a Five Kage Summit. This meeting is of great importance, and I want you to attend with me."
"Hmph~ since you insist, I'll reluctantly…"
Though secretly pleased, Madara feigned deep thought before nodding lightly.
But of course, things never went as smoothly as he wanted. A blue flash lit up behind Hashirama, and a panting, white-haired figure suddenly appeared.
"I knew it, big brother—you must not act on impulse!"
Having used Flying Thunder God multiple times, Tobirama's face was pale. His scarlet eyes glared at the two men.
"Tobirama! You actually planted a Flying Thunder God mark on me."
Hashirama frowned, surprised that his brother had been monitoring him.
"It was for safety. You're the Hokage, you can't risk any accidents."
Recovering quickly thanks to his Senju vitality, Tobirama looked unbothered, even righteous, as he added,
"As the one who planned this summit, only I have the right to attend with you."
Then he turned a cold glare toward Madara.
"High-level meetings aren't for just any stray cats and dogs."
"Tobirama, I'll send you to morning class!"
Madara exploded, furious that his joyful reunion was again ruined by this white-haired brat.
"Big brother, look at his attitude. If you bring him to the summit, won't the other nations laugh themselves to death?" Tobirama added smugly.
"And you're qualified?!"
Madara glared, voice ice cold.
"With my strategy, I can win Konoha greater benefits at the talks."
Puffing his chest with confidence, Tobirama clearly saw himself as Konoha's brain.
"Benefits? Heh~ and just what benefits can you wring out, you shortsighted fool?"
Madara scoffed. To him, Tobirama was too petty to secure anything substantial.
"You two, stop fighting~ stop fighting~"
Caught in the middle, Hashirama's head pounded. After years of Madara and Tobirama bickering—small fights every three days, big ones every five—his nerves were frayed.
"Big brother/Hashirama, just say who you're bringing!"
Both turned their glares on Hashirama, forcing him to choose.
"Uh… what if I don't go, and you two attend instead?"
Shrinking his neck, Hashirama suggested, only to be met with death stares.
"Hashirama, why are you really holding this summit?"
Madara sighed, eyes glinting, pressing him for an answer.
"Peace! I want to mediate the nations' conflicts."
Hashirama's fists clenched, his eyes shining with determination.
"And?"
If that was all, then the summit was worthless. No nation would halt war because of mere words.
Once war started, hatred took root.
"Distribute the Tailed Beasts. If we divide them among the nations, they won't easily start wars."
Scratching the back of his head, Hashirama revealed his true plan.
"Distribute them? Those are our spoils of war! Just hand them over?"
Madara frowned, shocked Hashirama had accepted Tobirama's suggestion. Weapons like Tailed Beasts—how could he sleep soundly without keeping them?
"Of course not for free. Konoha's finances are strained, the daimyo's funds can't fill the gap. This is the perfect chance to squeeze the others hard enough they won't recover quickly."
Tobirama explained smugly.
"Hmph~ seems your brain isn't completely waterlogged."
For once, Madara couldn't fault the plan. Rarely, Tobirama hadn't messed it up.
"Besides, I've planted hidden triggers in the Beasts. If any nation misbehaves, I can detonate them at will."
Tobirama's scarlet eyes gleamed coldly as he revealed his trump card.
"Triggers? Tobirama, you never told me that!"
Hashirama was shocked. He hadn't planned on selling faulty goods!
"Triggers? With your ability?"
Madara, though more convinced now, still doubted Tobirama had the skill.
"It wasn't me—it was Gin. I entrusted him with it."
Suppressing his anger, Tobirama answered coldly.
"Big cousin, huh… then it's fine~"
Madara instantly relaxed. With Gin's power and Mangekyo underlings, planting traps was child's play.
Hashirama, seeing the situation calm a little, first scolded Tobirama for acting without reporting, then turned to Madara with a troubled face, torn between them.
"Big brother, trust my selling skills! I can definitely sell the Beasts for a fortune. Not only pay back the Land of Waves, but also double Konoha's size!"
Eager, Tobirama volunteered. The summit seat was his for the taking.
Meanwhile, Madara sneered inwardly. Even if I don't go, no way I'll let you, white-hair, get in either!
Suddenly recalling the pile of IOUs Gin held, Madara's eyes lit up, lips curling into a sly grin.
"Hashirama, if we're talking salesmanship, Tobirama doesn't even rank in Konoha."
Madara raised his chin proudly.
"Hah?"
Hashirama frowned, balance tipping back to even.
"Absurd! I admit there are better salesmen, but none know the Beasts like I do!"
Fuming, Tobirama snapped back.
"Salesman who knows Beasts… isn't there only one person in Konoha?"
Patting his chest confidently, Tobirama froze halfway through his words.
"Tobirama… there actually is someone better than you."
Hashirama's face grew complicated, realizing Madara was playing mind games.
"Hmph~ see? You remembered, didn't you? Someone more eloquent, more knowledgeable, and more…"
"Money-grubbing!" ×3
Village cold drink shop.
Ding-a-ling~ the bell chimed.
Chiyo skipped away happily with her red bean ice cream, replaced by the sweaty, steaming Konoha F6.
Seeing the exhausted kids, Gin—true to his word—let them gorge themselves on as much shaved ice as they wanted.
Ding-a-ling~ the bell rang again.
Just as Gin was watching the kids devour the icy treats, a messenger ninja stepped in.
"Hashirama is looking for you. He has something important to discuss."
(End of Chapter)
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