Ninja clans were one thing—they at least cared about their reputations and wouldn't plunder civilians. But wandering shinobi and local thugs would do anything just to survive. Entire villages were often slaughtered for money and women. Hundreds of small hamlets within the Land of Fire had been wiped out by drifters.
So when word spread that the Uchiha were founding a village that would shelter ordinary people, families began arriving with all they owned. Come, and there might be a sliver of hope; stay away, and only death awaited.
Before long, civilians gathered on the village outskirts. Izuna assigned them basic tasks. Among them were many with special skills—one was the grandfather of the future Ichiraku Ramen owner; his noodle-making was superb. Because his food was so good, the Uchiha pulled him into the kitchens to cook for everyone. He had brought a boy in his teens with him—clearly the future "hand-kneaded ramen" uncle himself, the resemblance uncanny.
There were also carpenters and carvers. With their help, the houses took on better form and beauty.
While the Uchiha were building at full tilt, the remaining clans each weighed their options. In the Land of Fire, only two great names still stood: the Hyuga and the Senju. All others had been destroyed or had submitted to the Uchiha.
In the Hyuga compound:
"What do we do, Father? Even the Sarutobi, half-destroyed, have joined the Uchiha, to say nothing of the small clans. We can count the remaining great houses on one hand. We've always stayed neutral, but now the Uchiha are dealing with everyone."
The son looked at his father, Santai. "We've clashed on missions and battlefields before. If we don't state a position soon, this could end badly."
Santai drew on his pipe, thinking. "I don't think so—at least not yet. Both the Uchiha and our Hyuga wield dōjutsu. Competing for resources and missions to keep our clans alive is necessary; it isn't the same as clan hatred. And this time, when other clans moved against the Uchiha, we Hyuga didn't respond. We didn't help the Uchiha, but we didn't ally against them either. They should understand that. They won't start a large war immediately. If they do, it will be against the Senju, not us."
"But Father… even so, sooner or later we'll have to choose." The son's voice tightened. "Don't forget that sky-covering meteor. If something like that appears over our compound, could our people do anything?"
"That… we'll speak of it when the time comes. If a meteor like that falls, what could we do?"
Despair edged Santai's words. A world-shrouding star—if it truly descended—meant extinction for any clan. There would be no place to hide.
Hearing that, the son fell silent for a long time.
…
At the Senju:
Hashirama paced anxiously through the compound. "Tobirama, how is it?"
Tobirama came in from outside and gave a helpless nod.
Seeing the gesture, Hashirama broke into a radiant smile. "Great! I knew it—Madara would succeed!"
Overjoyed, he didn't get far before Tobirama smacked a hand against his shoulder.
"What are you celebrating! Our mortal enemies, the Uchiha, just defeated the Sarutobi. They're stronger than ever. They're building a village, and people are flocking to them. If this continues, we Senju won't be their match. I really don't understand what you're thinking, brother!"
Tobirama was truly angry.
"Don't be mad," Hashirama answered with a sheepish grin. "You know my dream—to build a village that protects everyone. I can't do it… not yet. But the Uchiha are doing it. Isn't that a good thing?"
"Good?" Tobirama stared at him like he'd lost his mind. "If they grow stronger, they'll attack us, and then we'll—"
Hashirama wasn't listening. "No. I'm going to see Father. I'll ask him about the Senju joining that village. Then we really could see a peaceful world."
He spun and ran for Butsuma's room.
"Brother! Hashirama!"
Tobirama was exasperated to the core. Did this man even know what he was doing? It was maddening.
In the Senju council room, Butsuma was discussing the road ahead with several elders when Hashirama burst in.
"Father, I want to talk about the possibility of our Senju joining that village. You know if we do, the shinobi world could stabilize—maybe even find peace."
"Hashirama, don't make trouble. Tobirama, get your brother out of here," Butsuma snapped.
"That's right, take him away," one elder added. "He's raving. Saying such nonsense in here!"
Brows furrowed all around. The Uchiha had shaken the shinobi world to its core, and while they hadn't yet found a solution, their own house produced Hashirama—talking about leading the Senju to join the Uchiha's village.
(End of Chapter)
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