"Big Brother, I support you becoming the village's leader!"
"The Senju will support you as the village's leader!"
"Even many among the Uchiha will support you as the village's leader!"
Senju Tobirama stated his position with unwavering resolve. Strength, prestige, and that pure heart that longs for peace across the shinobi world—he knew well his brother's virtues. Even if Big Brother's head wasn't always the sharpest, he would be perfectly fine as the village's leader. As the younger brother, Tobirama would make up for any shortcomings in the thinking department.
"But… I still feel Madara is more suitable than I am."
Even with Tobirama's full-throated support, Senju Hashirama thought for a moment and still believed Uchiha Madara was the better choice to lead the village.
The reasons were complicated. Not only did Hashirama think he lacked talent for administration, but he also felt Madara had sacrificed too much to make peace between the Senju and Uchiha. He and the Senju owed Madara far too much. Tobirama, you do as well.
Hashirama wanted to use this chance to repay Madara. Madara, I've seen everything you've done. You have not failed me, and I will not fail you.
By feeling and by reason, Madara had the qualifications to be the village's leader. So Hashirama thought.
In an instant, compromise, helplessness, and bitter regret surged through Tobirama. No matter how many strategies he had to pacify the world, nothing would go his way if his own brother surrendered first.
"Madara, Madara, Madara—he's all you ever think about."
"What's so great about that innately evil Uchiha Madara?"
"I should have… regret incoming."
He grumbled to himself, then faced reality. Madara must not become the village's leader.
"Big Brother, I won't argue with you now."
"I won't agree to letting Uchiha Madara be the village's leader."
"Fine—let's put the village leadership to a vote."
There was no helping it. If his brother wouldn't cooperate, Tobirama could only use an election to push him into the top seat.
"Alright."
Hashirama nodded. If he kept insisting, his younger brother might actually blow a fuse. Besides, this method seemed fair to him. He believed Madara's ability would win people over and he would naturally become the leader.
"Then it's settled."
Tobirama let out a long breath. Big Brother, you're finally listening. Let me personally help you ascend to the leadership of the village.
That night, Tobirama did not sleep. He planned how to ensure his brother won the leadership with a strong vote.
First, he had to convince Hashirama—and everyone else—that Hashirama was more suitable than Madara. To that end, Tobirama decided to conduct a questionnaire before the internal vote.
He would use the survey report to build momentum for his brother.
He wasn't worried about the Senju; Hashirama's prestige in the clan was high. If they voted, the Senju would surely back Big Brother. The key was the Uchiha. Though Hashirama's strength and magnanimity had moved some, many still supported Madara. They were the priority.
For safety's sake, Tobirama decided to manipulate the results. How to do it? Directly altering data was out of the question—too crude, too easy to expose. He discarded that idea. After much thought, a better plan came to him.
The next day, he dispatched a graceful, curvy older sister in black fishnet stockings to conduct the survey among the Uchiha.
Cradling a clipboard, she approached Uchiha clansmen.
"Sir Uchiha, are you worried there will be more shinobi with no missions?"
"Of course. If shinobi can't get work, some might turn to robbing civilians. That would hurt ordinary people."
"Are you worried more children will be sent to the battlefield?"
"Yes. I don't want the clan's children going to war. They deserve a better future."
"Do you feel shinobi are becoming less disciplined?"
"Without a doubt. The brutality of war makes many lose their discipline."
"Do you think young people welcome authority and leadership?"
"Of course."
"And they're ready to face challenges, right?"
"Yes."
"If Senju Hashirama served as the village's leader, would you support him?"
"Uh… I suppose I would."
"Thank you for your cooperation. Please sign here."
After a long day, the older sister returned with enough completed questionnaires to report back to Tobirama's office.
In the office, Tobirama eagerly spread the stacks across his desk and read from start to finish. The results were as he expected: support for his brother as leader had surpassed half and reached eighty percent.
All that remained was to present these results to Hashirama—stripping out the unrelated preliminary questions and keeping only the final one.
Normally, a reputable, conscientious, ethical surveyor would never do such a thing. But this was for the village. For that reason, bending a principle slightly was acceptable to Tobirama.
In high spirits, he even opened a bottle of wine—though as a proper shinobi he rarely drank. Today was an exception, worthy of celebration.
"Big Brother, I am racking my brains for you."