The banquet in the Land of Fire's capital had long since ended, and Uchiha Makoto's figure had vanished from the royal palace. Yet in another corner of the world, history itself was about to change.
The moon had faded beyond the mountains, and the first rays of dawn painted the horizon a pale gold. The morning breeze carried with it the fragrance of fresh earth and the lingering smoke of campfires.
Upon the vast open ground outside the Senju settlement, two banners stood proudly side by side, their emblems fluttering in the wind—the crimson fan of the Uchiha Clan and the forest-green leaves of the Senju Clan. Beneath these banners, countless shinobi from both sides had gathered. Their eyes carried disbelief, suspicion, and—perhaps most shockingly—faint traces of hope.
At the center of the field, two men faced each other. One was Senju Hashirama, towering and broad-shouldered, with the warmth of sunlight in his smile. The other was Uchiha Madara, whose sharp gaze burned like fire, every step radiating the pride of his clan.
At that moment, the two extended their hands.
The clasp of their palms was more than a handshake. It was the burial of centuries of bloodshed, the ending of countless wars, and the promise of a future that had never before been dared.
A roar erupted from the gathered shinobi. The cheers rolled like thunder, shaking the ground beneath their feet. Some cried, others laughed, and many stood speechless, unable to believe what their eyes witnessed.
For the first time, the Uchiha and the Senju were no longer enemies—they were allies.
---
Tobirama's Doubt
Yet not all hearts shared this joy.
Standing just behind his elder brother, Senju Tobirama's silver eyes narrowed, his expression grim. Unlike the cheering clansmen, he could not rejoice. To him, the sight of Uchiha Madara standing proudly beside his brother was not one of hope, but of danger.
From the very beginning, Tobirama had opposed this alliance. In his eyes, the Uchiha were not comrades but an inherently cursed clan, driven by emotion, instability, and darkness.
When Hashirama first proposed peace with the Uchiha, Tobirama had argued heatedly.
"Big Brother," Tobirama had said then, his voice cold and unwavering, "you must reconsider. Although you are the head of the Senju Clan, you cannot ignore the voices of your clansmen. The blood of our people runs across these fields because of the Uchiha. Do you truly believe a handshake can erase a thousand years of hatred?"
But Hashirama, as always, met Tobirama's fury with gentle determination.
"The war has dragged on long enough," Hashirama replied. "If we do not end it now, our children and grandchildren will inherit only death. I cannot allow that. Madara understands this as well. Together, we can build a world where no child has to go to battle."
Tobirama clenched his fists that day. To him, his brother's kindness was not a virtue—it was a weakness that endangered their clan.
---
The Shadow of a Plan
Now, as the cheers of celebration echoed across the field, Tobirama's mind raced with possibilities.
This could have been avoided, he thought. This alliance never had to happen. The Uchiha could have been erased today.
He imagined the plan he had devised in secret:
Before the ceremony, Hashirama could have called upon their allies, the Uzumaki Clan, to send skilled seal masters. A barrier could have been raised around the negotiation grounds, trapping the Uchiha within. Meanwhile, the Senju would lie in ambush, ready to strike the moment the barrier fell.
It would have been swift, brutal, and final.
The Uchiha, wiped out in a single night.
Yes, it would be ruthless. It would stain the honor of the Senju name. But in Tobirama's eyes, the sacrifice of reputation was a small price compared to securing the clan's future. He himself would bear the burden of infamy if needed.
Big Brother could remain the pure, noble leader—untouched by blood. I, as his brother, could take the sin upon myself. That is my duty. That is why I exist.
Just thinking of it made his heart race. He saw in his mind's eye the bright dawn of a future where the Uchiha no longer cast their shadow over the shinobi world.
But reality was different. His brother had chosen peace.
---
Confrontation of Brothers
Later, in the privacy of their clan's meeting hall, Tobirama finally voiced his fury.
"Brother, why?" His words were sharp, like blades drawn in anger. "We held the advantage. Madara was already defeated. His clan was crumbling. If you had pressed just a little further, the Uchiha would already be extinct. Yet you chose to clasp hands with him?"
Hashirama's brows furrowed, his warm expression giving way to steel. "Enough, Tobirama. I have already given Madara my word. I will not betray it."
"But you do not see!" Tobirama's voice rose. "The Uchiha are cursed. Their very nature is unstable. Their love turns to hatred, their loyalty to vengeance. You think today's peace will last? You think Madara will stand beside you forever? I promise you, one day his hand will no longer hold yours—it will strike your back!"
"Enough!" Hashirama's voice thundered, shaking the room. His kind eyes now burned with a sternness rarely seen. "Your ideas are too extreme. If such thoughts spread among our people, it will destroy the very peace we are trying to build. You must never speak of this again, Tobirama!"
Tobirama froze. His elder brother had always been gentle with him, always forgiving. But now, the weight of Hashirama's authority crashed down like a hammer.
For a moment, silence reigned. Then Tobirama lowered his eyes, gritting his teeth. "Everything I do, Brother, I do for the Senju Clan. I only want to protect us."
"And I," Hashirama replied, his tone softening again, "am the head of the Senju Clan. I will protect us in my way. Hatred will only breed more hatred. We must find a new path."
Tobirama said nothing more. But in his heart, resentment simmered.
---
The Burden of Leadership
Days passed. The two clans began working together to lay the foundations of their dream. Houses were built, roads cleared, and farmland expanded. Hashirama himself used his Wood Release tirelessly, shaping timber, raising walls, and even planting groves to ensure food and resources for the future.
To Hashirama, the greatest task was building—not leading.
But to Tobirama, this was a dangerous mistake.
"The question of leadership cannot be ignored," Tobirama muttered one evening as he watched his brother summon another forest of trees. "If the Uchiha gain equal voice in this new village, they will seize power. They will twist it to their own ends."
When he raised the issue with his brother, Hashirama merely waved it aside.
"We can decide that later," Hashirama said with a smile. "For now, what matters is building homes for our people. Titles and authority are just words. What matters is life, safety, and peace."
Tobirama's jaw tightened. Big Brother, you are too naïve.
---
The Fire Within
That night, as the village slept, Tobirama stood alone atop a cliff overlooking the valley. Below him stretched the beginnings of their dream—a settlement where children from both clans played without fear, where shinobi shared meals instead of blades.
And yet Tobirama's heart was heavy.
Perhaps this alliance will hold for a season, for a year, even a decade. But what then? What happens when Madara's pride is wounded? When the Uchiha's emotions ignite once more? Will all this be reduced to ash?
The wind whipped at his white hair as he clenched his fists.
I do not hate my brother. I respect him. I love him. But he does not see the danger I see. If he cannot act, then I must. Someone must be the shadow to his light. Someone must stain their hands so his can remain clean.
His silver eyes burned with resolve.
Even if he never understands me… even if he resents me… I will do what must be done. For him. For our clan. For the future.
Far away, in the heart of the village, Hashirama's laughter rang out as he worked alongside their people, planting yet another tree. Tobirama turned his gaze away.
"Big Brother," he whispered into the night, "don't you see? Everything I do… I do for you."