If not for knowing their opponent was Kaede, the guards would likely have attacked already. Even so, no one's face looked friendly.
"Madara!"
Hashirama, however, waved excitedly at Madara, practically hopping. Tobirama stood beside him wearing the look of a man who dearly wished to tell everyone he didn't know this idiot. Madara could only pretend he hadn't seen Hashirama.
"Obviously, I wouldn't have come for nothing," Kaede said evenly. "The Hyūga have agreed to join the village we're building. The Sarutobi and several minor clans have also entered. In the Land of Fire, only the Senju remain outside.
"So I'm here to give you two choices: annihilation—or join the Uchiha in the new village."
"Oh? The Hyūga as well?" Butsuma's tone held a thread of bravado. "I suppose you used the same threat on them—refuse and be destroyed. Isn't that right?"
After all, the Senju were not the Hyūga. They were a clan with real weight, and he spoke accordingly.
Madara coughed. "Butsuma, think carefully about the price of speaking to my sensei like that. Can you afford it?"
"I can afford it," Butsuma replied. "I'm only asking plainly: if our clan joins, do we enter as partners? As servants? As slaves? I need to know. The Senju and Uchiha have been mortal enemies for generations. You arrive suddenly—I must be clear."
"Father, I believe Kaede-sama is sincere," Hashirama cut in. "And building a village is a good thing. It will protect our people. Everyone's joining—let's join too."
Butsuma nearly lost his composure. "Hashirama, you—"
This was the time to bargain for the greatest benefit to their clan, and his son was handing the store away.
"Brother, enough. This isn't our turn to speak; Father is here," Tobirama muttered, dragging Hashirama back.
"Ah—Kaede-sama, Madara—stay for a meal later!" Hashirama still shouted as he was hauled off. "I'll make mushroom mixed rice—it's my specialty!"
Perhaps because of Hashirama's bumbling warmth, Kaede's eyes softened. He didn't take offense at Butsuma's tone; instead, he smiled.
"With my strength, if I chose to strike the Senju today, none of you could stop me," he said calmly. "So our invitation is genuine, not a trap. Your standing in the village will depend on your deeds. If your contributions are great, you'll hold rank equal to the Hyūga.
"But if you enter with the intent to split the village or undermine the Uchiha, your end will be extinction. I've made myself clear. Decide quickly—so I can decide your fate."
"This… give us a moment." Butsuma finally understood: this was an ultimatum. Refuse now, and the Senju might vanish before dusk. And Hashirama wasn't wrong; if a village could truly bring peace, who wanted to send children to die on battlefields? With most clans already inside, refusing meant making enemies of them all.
After brief, heavy thought, Butsuma nodded. "Very well. We agree—"
"Good," Kaede said. "You've made the right choice and spared your clan. You have three days. Move to the village then. Madara."
He turned and left. Madara gave the Senju a long look and followed.
Once they were gone, Butsuma ordered everyone to pack. Hearing this, Tobirama still couldn't accept it. "Father, why? Doesn't this make us Uchiha vassals?"
"I think it's good," Hashirama answered, more serious than before. "With a village, people can understand one another. There'll be less hatred. And—"
"Be quiet, brother—" Tobirama snapped, out of habit. But Hashirama's gaze hardened.
"Tobirama, I told you long ago—my greatest dream is to create a village that protects everyone. The Uchiha have founded such a village and invited us to join. How could I refuse? Don't be the one who stands in the way of my dream."
"Brother…" Tobirama fell silent. The decision was made; nothing he said would change it.
Many Senju were unwilling, but when they pictured Kaede's godlike power, complaints died on their tongues. If they had to join, then at least they could tell themselves this: they were entering the village created by a man like a deity. Serving under such a figure could be an honor—even if it meant working alongside their ancient enemies.
Soon after, word spread that both the Hyūga and the Senju had agreed to join the village.
(End of Chapter)
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