Uchiha Izuna was a scar in Uchiha Madara's heart that would never heal.
Usually, Uchiha Madara would avoid meeting Senju Tobirama as much as possible, because every time he saw him, the wound in his heart would tear open again.
It was only for the sake of Senju Hashirama and the greater good of Konoha that Madara had been enduring it all these years.
In the original story's plot, after Uchiha Madara was revived during the Fourth Great Ninja War, he immediately let himself loose, showing no mercy to Senju Tobirama. Even though Tobirama was just an Edo Tensei body, Madara took the first chance he got and pierced him until he looked like a hedgehog.
Now, Uchiha Makoto was "using the situation to his advantage," finding the perfect angle by leveraging his identity as an Uchiha—Senju Tobirama didn't trust him, which meant he didn't trust the Uchiha clan, which in turn meant he didn't trust Uchiha Madara.
After all, Uchiha Madara had even chosen to forgive the mortal enemy of Uchiha Izuna.
And you, Senju Tobirama, still dare to be two-faced?
Of course...
For Uchiha Madara...
The attitude of Senju Tobirama, that naturally evil old demon of the Senju clan, was completely unimportant.
He was just a despicable villain, a stinking rat who liked to plot against others from the shadows.
What was important was Senju Hashirama's attitude.
But this time...
Senju Hashirama's attitude was also very poor.
You, Senju Hashirama, you thick-browed, big-eyed fellow... you're actually siding with Senju Tobirama this time, helping him aid the wicked?
You stammered while trying to cover for Senju Tobirama and firmly rejected Uchiha Makoto's offer of cooperation.
Any discerning person could see that this cooperation would be of great benefit to both sides!
This was undoubtedly like pouring a large amount of salt on the wound in Uchiha Madara's heart.
And so...
Uchiha Madara's expression instantly darkened, but he didn't speak immediately. Instead, he turned his gaze to Senju Hashirama.
His gaze was heavy~~
Senju Hashirama also looked at Uchiha Madara.
For a moment, the atmosphere became extremely tense.
"No, I... I didn't!"
"In my heart, I definitely see the Uchiha clan as comrades!"
"Madara, you have to believe me!!"
"...."
"Makoto, say something! Help me say something!"
"...."
Senju Hashirama hurriedly tried to defend himself.
Damn it!!
How did it come to this, with the blame being pinned on his own head?
He had always regarded the Uchiha clan as comrades.
But Senju Hashirama's explanation seemed to lack conviction; Uchiha Madara remained unmoved.
There was no other way.
Senju Hashirama had no choice but to pull in the "main culprit," Uchiha Makoto, hoping he would say a few words on his behalf.
But Uchiha Makoto just stood silently behind Uchiha Madara.
His stance was clear.
Lord Hashirama, it's not that I don't want to speak for you, but Senju Tobirama has gone too far, and... your attitude is also very suspicious!
This time, you have to prove your own innocence!
—Senju Tobirama, you're biting the hand that feeds you. This time, I genuinely wanted to cooperate with you to make a huge profit... Secretly wary of me, are you?
Time to stir up trouble, time to stir up trouble!!
"What about Senju Tobirama, then? Hashirama, do you really think I know nothing?"
"This matter today must have been instigated by Senju Tobirama, right? Whether he doesn't trust Uchiha Makoto or the Uchiha clan, I believe you know very well in your heart."
"Madara, calm down!"
"I can explain."
"...Tobirama also meant well... he..."
Senju Hashirama was as dense as ever.
He chose the worst possible way to handle the situation.
At a time like this, he was still thinking of speaking up for his younger brother, Senju Tobirama.
Uchiha Madara's mood grew even more agitated, greatly annoyed!
"Hah... meant well."
"There are some things I don't want to pursue. I've only been turning a blind eye for your sake."
"During the war with Kumogakure, Senju Tobirama was slow to send aid to the Akatsuki Ninja Village... Do you really think I didn't know he was pulling strings behind the scenes?"
"Perhaps only an idiot like you, Hashirama, would be convinced by Senju Tobirama's so-called reasons."
"The secret struggles between the Senju and the Uchiha within Konoha... started long ago. In the future, who knows..."
"....."
"Madara, no... it's not like that!"
"Leave Tobirama's matter to me!"
"Madara... when you become the Second Hokage..."
"Senju Tobirama's eyes have always been fixed on the position of Second Hokage... Hashirama, you see me as a brother, but for the sake of the village, which side are you willing to let go of?"
Uchiha Madara said faintly.
This question was comparable to Uzumaki Mito asking Senju Hashirama, "If your mother and I both fell into the water, who would you save first?".
It was simply fatal.
Senju Hashirama was at a loss for words.
Choose one of two?
Can't I have both?
As he hesitated, Uchiha Madara's aura grew darker. This gloomy aura made Uchiha Makoto, who was watching from the sidelines, smell a very dangerous scent.
These old scores were a muddled mess. It was fine as long as no one brought them up, but if they were to really try and sort them out... it could easily lead to a major incident!
This topic could not continue.
What if Uchiha Madara suddenly lost control of his emotions, shouting 'Hashiramaaa,' and angrily unleashed his Perfect Susanoo to vent his anger on Senju Hashirama? That would be the end of it!
This wasn't Konoha, where they could fight as they pleased and smash everything to bits without Uchiha Makoto caring.
But... this was his Akatsuki Ninja Village!
He had to quit while he was ahead, quit while he was ahead!
"Lord Hashirama, your attitude... your attitude is what's most important... So hurry up and show your attitude with your actions!"
"Lord Madara just wants an answer from you!!"
"What are you standing there for... our cooperation... this matter..."
Uchiha Makoto winked at Senju Hashirama, quickly giving him a way out.
The choose-one-of-two dilemma that Uchiha Madara had just presented was a classic case of "I want to know where you stand."
Of course, it was impossible for Senju Hashirama to actually kill his brother, Senju Tobirama. But he could use another method to provide Uchiha Madara with emotional value and calm him down for the time being.
"Oh... right, right... Tobirama is really being unreasonable!"
"Makoto, I agree to this cooperation."
Senju Hashirama quickly reacted.
By agreeing to cooperate with the Akatsuki Ninja Village, he was essentially drawing a line between himself and his brother Tobirama, which also served as an indirect answer to Uchiha Madara's question.
It was just a cooperation, after all.
Konoha wouldn't lose out in any way!
Brother... I'm sorry!
I can't hold out any longer!
This is all for Konoha!
"Lord Madara, it seems Lord Hashirama still trusts our Uchiha clan and sees us as comrades!"
"Yes, yes, Madara..."
"Hmph..."
Uchiha Makoto offered Madara a way out, and Senju Hashirama chimed in from the side.
Uchiha Madara snorted coldly, glanced at the fawningly smiling Senju Hashirama, and stopped his "unreasonable pestering," wearing an expression that said, "I'll forgive you for now."
—I just needed an attitude from Hashirama. When it matters, he must stand on my side!
Then...
He glanced at Uchiha Makoto, the "troublemaker"—this junior's little schemes were as numerous as ever.
But Senju Tobirama... was truly a menace!
Back then... at that time, perhaps I should have pushed Hashirama harder to kill Senju Tobirama.
"Lord Hashirama, about our cooperation... you heard what those agricultural experts said earlier. Our partnership is not only greatly beneficial to our two villages but to the entire ninja world!"
"So this is not just for private gain, but also for the public good!"
"It's just that... you've agreed to cooperate... that fellow Senju Tobirama might come looking for me to settle scores later."
"Makoto, he won't. Don't worry."
"I am the Hokage!!"
Senju Hashirama smiled awkwardly, eager to end the topic, fearing it would stir up more trouble and upset Uchiha Madara again.
Besides, from the very beginning...
Senju Hashirama was also very interested in this cooperation.
The expressions on those agricultural experts' faces were full of excitement. They had grabbed his hand and described the benefits that successful breeding would bring to the Land of Fire—as long as the vermin handled it properly, no one in the Land of Fire would starve anymore.
It was a deed of immeasurable merit!
And Senju Hashirama's name would be firmly remembered by the common people.
But...
Senju Tobirama's parting instructions...
Had made him refuse to cooperate with the Akatsuki Ninja Village.
But now...
He was the Hokage, he called the shots!
"I know, I know... I just hope there's a way to have the best of both worlds."
"Senju Tobirama is your own brother, Lord Hashirama, after all. I don't want to make things difficult for you because of this."
"Lord Hashirama, since Senju Tobirama has already instructed you not to let Konoha and the Akatsuki Ninja Village cooperate this time, why don't we change the cooperation into a commission? Lord Hashirama can send some wood clones to the Akatsuki Ninja Village every month to assist with these breeding experiments. Considering your status, Lord Hashirama, each mission will be designated as an S-rank mission, with a commission of 5,000,000 Ryo!"
"What do you think of this proposal?"
Uchiha Makoto acted as if he was being considerate of Senju Hashirama, which made Hashirama feel a little embarrassed.
His own brother was badmouthing Uchiha Makoto behind his back, distrusting him, and also had issues with the Uchiha clan... Yet Uchiha Makoto was still thinking of him, considering the relationship between him and his brother. What a noble character!
Tobirama, he's really being unreasonable!
"No, no, that's too much, way too much. I didn't really do much. How could it be worth 5,000,000 Ryo?"
"Lord Hashirama, don't be so modest. The Wood Style is unique in the ninja world. Without you, this research would take a very long time to complete!"
Senju Hashirama quickly waved his hands, thinking the mission wasn't worth that price.
Uchiha Makoto, however, was firm, acting as if Hashirama's refusal was a sign of looking down on him.
"Alright then, Makoto. I guess I'll let you take a small loss."
"Lord Hashirama, you're joking. This is a mutually willing matter. How can there be any talk of taking a loss?"
Uchiha Makoto said seriously... while his heart was ecstatic.
A huge profit, a really huge profit!!
Senju Hashirama was indeed the God of Shinobi!
But... he was also a "pauper."
In the traditional ninja mission value system, a commission of 5,000,000 Ryo was considered a high price even for an S-rank mission.
Senju Hashirama simply thought he wasn't doing much; making a batch of plants grow was just a matter of consuming a little chakra for him.
The chakra used for a single Wood Golem was more than what this consumed.
How could such a small amount of work be worth 5,000,000 Ryo?
But... that was just the traditional ninja mission value system.
It could be said that Senju Hashirama, this hands-off manager, was completely unaware of the enormous value behind this business!
Uchiha Makoto, on the other hand, was all too aware.
From a professional business perspective, 5,000,000 Ryo per mission was a bargain!
It was worth 500 times five million Ryo!
He had originally wanted to cooperate with Konoha to run a monopoly business together.
But since that naturally evil old demon of the Senju clan, Senju Tobirama, was obstructing him... then he couldn't be blamed for not playing fair!
"Let's decide on this then, Lord Hashirama. For fairness, let's draw up a written agreement now."
"We'll sign a three-year long-term mission first!"
"And..."
Uchiha Makoto eagerly summoned an ANBU ninja who had been following them and had him quickly draft a mission contract.
A matter of this magnitude couldn't be settled with just a verbal agreement.
Uchiha Makoto didn't even have to think to know that once Senju Tobirama saw the huge profits involved, he would definitely meddle and try to get a piece of the business.
Wood Style was Senju Hashirama's exclusive secret technique.
Konoha held the core technology, putting the Akatsuki Ninja Village at a disadvantage.
He had to ensure that Senju Hashirama wouldn't go back on his word.
The best way was to have Senju Hashirama accept it in the form of a mission.
Of course, this trick of signing a mission contract would certainly not stop that naturally evil old demon, Senju Tobirama—the profits from this business were in the hundreds of millions.
But it was more than enough to handle Senju Hashirama.
After all, Senju Hashirama was a good person—and good people needed to have a gun pointed at them.
Even if Senju Hashirama eventually listened to Senju Tobirama's slander and forcibly tore up this agreement for profit, the Akatsuki Ninja Village would still hold the moral high ground at the negotiation table afterward, gaining an advantage.
"Makoto, does it have to be this formal?"
"Since this involves the identity of the Hokage, it's better to be formal to avoid haggling with Senju Tobirama later. After all, ninjas... have always regarded completing their missions as their life. A ninja who can't complete a mission is worse than trash... This is fair for everyone."
Uchiha Makoto spoke deliberately, his words carrying a hidden meaning.
Senju Hashirama nodded, assuming Uchiha Makoto just didn't want Senju Tobirama to find fault later. He took a pen and signed his name in the mission acceptor column.
Uchiha Madara stood by, unconcerned, his mind on having a good talk with Hashirama tonight—Senju Tobirama... Eye of the Moon... what if my talk with Hashirama breaks down... what should I do then?
Uchiha Makoto glanced at Uchiha Madara and then handed him the pen.
"Lord Madara, you should sign it too. You can be the witness."
"Me??"
"That way, if Senju Tobirama suddenly finds fault with this matter, you can justifiably... hehehe..."
"Then I'll sign too!!"
As soon as Uchiha Makoto finished speaking.
Uchiha Madara immediately signed his name on the mission contract.
—Anything that could make Senju Tobirama unhappy was something Uchiha Madara would definitely support
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