Konoha.
Conference room.
The clan heads of Konoha's shinobi families gathered after being urgently summoned by ANBU under Senju Tobirama.
As for the agenda—everyone could more or less guess. Dawn Village had already trumpeted the clash with Kumogakure across the land.
The meeting opened much like always: Senju Hashirama sat at the head as a figurehead, while Tobirama actually ran the proceedings.
Soon, however, the clan heads noticed one difference—Uzumaki Mito was present. The Hokage's wife rarely attended such councils, but given her recent high-profile activities, it wasn't shocking. Though tradition-minded leaders disapproved of her "overstepping," the combined strength of Hashirama and Mito kept their objections behind polite faces.
Once all were seated, the meeting began.
"Regarding the joint Konoha–Dawn Village squad that clashed with Kumogakure in the Land of Fields: one Konoha chūnin fell, two Dawn chūnin fell—three chūnin in total. I assume you've all heard," Tobirama said, cutting straight to the point.
"The Hokage believes Dawn Village's demands are excessive—deliberately inflaming the incident, even courting war. In the name of peace, Konoha will not endorse Dawn's approach and is actively seeking talks with them…
"In the meantime, I ask each clan head to restrain your people. Do not let dangerous rhetoric spread in Konoha and escalate the situation."
Hashirama wanted to keep the dispute contained and prevent escalation into war. But with Makoto's propaganda whipping up public sentiment, the only way to cool things now was a sweeping gag order. Such a decree couldn't come from the Hokage directly, so Tobirama needed the clans to enforce it themselves—each bearing part of the blowback.
When he finished, silence fell.
All the clan heads knew the village mood. Opinion was nearly unanimous in support of Dawn's stance; even some of them felt Dawn, though overbearing, wasn't entirely wrong.
A great village should have a great village's backbone. If Konoha shinobi were attacked on a mission and killed, the village ought to restore its honor.
Of course, many also agreed with Hashirama: peace was too precious to risk over three chūnin.
Tobirama's request was obviously to make them co-owners of this "muzzle the village" operation. Some approved; some didn't. None rushed to speak. Instead, their eyes slid to Uchiha Madara.
That lord hadn't spoken yet; best to wait.
After all, Dawn's Light Shadow was an Uchiha. With such harsh terms thrown at the Hidden Cloud, no one believed Konoha's Uchiha were uninvolved. Likely Dawn had simply skipped consulting the Senju. Perhaps this was an internal tug-of-war between Senju and Uchiha for village sway. And either side was dangerous to cross.
Better to watch and see.
"Uchiha Madara, your position?" Tobirama asked when he felt the room's attention settle on Madara.
"Hmph." Madara turned his head, giving Tobirama no face at all.
Who are you to question me? Have Hashirama ask.
Natural-born evil Uchiha, Tobirama seethed inwardly, then shot his brother a look: Handle him.
"Madara, peace was hard-won. We can't let the wars start anew," Hashirama said quickly, backing his brother.
But this time Madara didn't stand with Hashirama. He hadn't cared much—until Makoto's wind of public opinion started to blow. Those essays spoke to him.
As expected of an Uchiha.
A Konoha shinobi was killed; someone had to be held to account. As for a mere Kumogakure—Madara felt he alone could erase them.
More importantly, the incident stirred a mind that had grown comfortable in peace.
Everyone knows: Uchiha are better off not thinking too much—especially those with the Mangekyō.
The clan wars had ended. The shinobi-village era had begun. And already, friction between villages had surfaced.
What about later?
Inevitable: there would be more. Once, missions drove clan conflicts into war; now, missions would drive village conflicts into war.
Had his and Hashirama's efforts truly brought peace?
Likely not.
Even on his way to the meeting, and still now, Madara's mind churned.
Perhaps this was an opportunity.
If wars between villages are inevitable—
Then take a step further.
"I want to unify the shinobi world," Madara thought.
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