"I... I didn't. It's just that people from other clans came to me before, saying they wanted peace talks with us, and they wanted me to act as a middleman. That's why I said that. Years of constant war have left our clans exhausted. If there's an opportunity for peace talks, why wouldn't we take it?"
Uchiha Maiyi hurriedly explained. He had no intention of ambushing Madara—after all, he was still a member of the Uchiha.
"Hmph, that's just your side of the story. It's entirely possible you leaked information about the Uchiha without realizing it. Otherwise, how could this mission have been ambushed so easily? And after what they've done, you still believe they have any sincerity in peace talks? Ridiculous."
Hearing this, Uchiha Jingliu's face darkened with anger.
So that's why—while they had been fighting desperately at the front, the clan had been betrayed from within.
"I... I…"
Uchiha Maiyi couldn't explain himself clearly. He didn't even know what to say.
Uchiha Tajima sighed at him. This man—he truly didn't know what to make of him.
"My lord, how should we deal with him?"
Uchiha Tajima turned to Kaede.
"Simple," Kaede said flatly.
He hated traitors the most.
And to make matters worse, Maiyi's descendants—Uchiha Kagami and Uchiha Shisui—were no better. Not only did they lack respect for the clan, they were even willing to destroy it for the sake of the village. Laughable.
Especially that Uchiha Kagami.
So what if he became Tobirama's disciple? In the end, he still died.
"Sigh, take him away."
Tajima nodded at Kaede's words and motioned for someone to escort Maiyi out.
Before the matter was fully investigated, Kaede did not interfere with Tajima's decision.
"Father, I think from here on, we should take the initiative. Whether it's for ourselves or for the peace of the future, we need to strike first against those clans."
Madara had been mulling this over, and only after hearing everything Tajima and the others had said did he finally make up his mind.
Yes.
If they didn't act first and instead tried to negotiate, the Uchiha might very well face destruction.
Those people calling them an evil clan—it was nothing but greed for their Sharingan.
Just as Kaede had taught: the best defense is offense. When the entire world is in your hands, no one will dare touch what you hold dear—because they know that doing so would bring down your thunderous wrath.
And when that happens, the only fate awaiting them is annihilation.
"You think so too, Madara?"
Tajima looked at his eldest son in surprise. He had thought Madara would support peace talks—after all, he knew what his son's wish had always been.
"Yes, I support it."
Madara nodded.
With both Madara and Kaede supporting a preemptive strike—and with someone like Maiyi in the clan—Tajima knew they had to act.
"I declare: from this moment on, the Uchiha declare war on all other clans. If they dare unite against us, we will destroy them one by one."
Tajima's words were resolute.
After his declaration, the entire clan responded to the call. The strong prepared for battle, while the young and weak were moved to safety—they would be the clan's pillars in the future.
The offensive began.
And just as expected, in their first battle, the Uchiha achieved a complete victory—wiping out the small Kyokaze Clan without leaving a single survivor.
Some might call it excessive to kill even the children, but leaving them alive would only plant seeds of vengeance that would grow and return one day.
To cut the grass, you must pull up the roots.
…
Nanga River.
Madara sat there, idly skipping stones across the water. Each one bounced again and again before finally sinking with a soft splash.
Kaede, as usual, lay under a tree with his eyes closed, resting.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps came from afar—hurried, unhidden. In the middle of a war, no outsider should have been able to come here.
When the steps reached them, a voice called out:
"Madara, I heard the Uchiha have been attacking other clans… and that you wiped out the Kyokaze Clan?"
At the sound of the newcomer's voice, Kaede opened his eyes.
Before him stood a man with a bowl-cut hairstyle, black hair and black eyes, looking almost foolish—yet in truth, he was the future God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama.
Madara froze, not expecting to see him here at the Nanga River.
"Why are you here?" Madara frowned.
He hesitated, unsure whether to act. He had once vowed that if he met Hashirama again, he would kill him. But seeing that Hashirama had come alone, perhaps killing him now… might not be ideal.
"That's not important. What's important is your answer."
Hashirama's voice was urgent.
While speaking with his father, Tobirama, and the elders, he had heard news of the Uchiha annihilating the Kyokaze Clan—and had rushed here immediately.
He didn't believe it. Having spent time with Madara, he knew the Uchiha were not the evil clan everyone claimed.
If they could negotiate…
But now, with the Kyokaze Clan gone…
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][[email protected]/euridome]
[Thank You For Your Support!]