Headache

Madara Uchiha, deeply immersed in the Uchiha compound's secluded confines, meticulously recorded jutsus, his focus undivided. Meanwhile, Tobirama Senju found himself awake, under the dim luminescence of his quarters within the Senju compound, contemplating strategic matters with grave concern.

Initially, Tobirama had dismissed the absence of the Uzumaki and Ryūchi clan leaders from a hastily arranged meeting, attributing their non-attendance to the short notice and their delayed journey to Konoha. However, the veil of ignorance was lifted a few days prior, revealing a meticulously maintained facade.

'If you guys are not going to be in union, why bother dragging the union itself?'

The news of their actions had become well known among their clans, causing cracks to be revealed. The Senju clan, under the leadership of the formidable Hashirama, had reigned supreme within this coalition, closely followed by their kin, the Uzumaki and Ryūchi clans. The alliance was further bolstered by the elemental prowess of the Shimura, Sarutobi, & Hatake clans, with smaller clans such as the Nara, Yamanaka, & Akimichi providing crucial support. The Mitokado and Utatane clans, though even lesser in size, had also lent their strength, forming a hierarchy that had successfully countered any challenge they faced from the Uchiha alliance.

Yet, the newfound peace with the Uchiha unveiled ambitions Tobirama had not foreseen. The Uzumaki and Ryūchi clans now sought autonomy, preferring leadership over followership. Given Hashirama's unmatched power, outright secession was not feasible; they instead opted for a discreet separation, aiming to carve out their dominions while ostensibly maintaining allegiance to the alliance.

To ensure their safety from potential reprisals, they openly informed every allied clan of their 'intentions', a move that infuriated Tobirama, as there were 2nd meanings of their gesture: tempting other clans to seize the opportunity.

The void left by the Uzumaki and Ryūchi clans threatened to diminish the Senju's political influence, as remaining clans might now vie for greater leverage whose bonds aren't thicker than the former. Word of their dissent had permeated through their clans, unearthing fissures within the alliance that once stood united against the Uchiha.

"For now, they resist the temptation for greater power, but can we expect this restraint to continue?" Tobirama pondered the allure of power's universality.

Everyone can be tempted by power, from the wise to the poor. There is no one who would not try to benefit themselves, their family, or their clans at the expense of others.. Everyone can be tempted by power, from the wise to the poor. There is no one that would not try to benefit themselves, their family or their clans at the expense of others.

An alliance that united on the surface but mired in political redundancy was a concept he rather not experience. If he did not act now, the Uchiha were not the only clan he would worry about.

'Speaking of the Uchiha, did they have a hand?' Tobirama contemplated before brushing off.

Unlike his brother, no one tried to contact the Uchiha, still not warmed up to them.

Tobirama doubted Madara's capacity for such strategic depth, believing he was still in the honeymoon phase, yet recent changes in Madara's behavior sparked suspicions.

'Regardless of their involvement, I need to find a way to unite the alliance.'

For a few days, he was reviewing various plans such as targeting the Hyuga, before rejecting it.

Initially, targeting the Hyuga seemed to be suitable, meeting conditions. They were arrogant, boasted about their clan and dojutsu, and had no interest in diplomacy,, which of course resulted in a negative perception of them, which make them seem like suitable targets to replace the Uchiha in the narrative.

Moreover, they have a tradition where the main family gains control of their branch members after the branch member turns 4, treating them as second-class people of their own clan, which is enough to incite Hashirama's intervention.

However the problem was, they were now part of the village.

It had been a few months since other clans joined the village, but it didn't mean they fully accepted it and wouldn't leave, as they were still skeptical about the village.

Even at the meeting, they had their guards up against each other, believing they would ambush at any time that may cause the demise of their clans if they let their guards down.

Targeting them could precipitate distrust and division, potentially driving clans away from the village or worse, towards the Uchiha, who happens to have an equal share and footing courtesy of his dear elder brother, undermining the narrative Tobirama sought to uphold.

At that point on, it would be as worse as the fragmentation of the alliance interest.

"If only elder brother led the village," Tobirama sighed, a sentiment quickly overshadowed by a sudden surge of chakra emanating from the Uchiha compound. Anticipating the source to be Madara, ahead of his scheduled spar with Hashirama, Tobirama returned to his strategizing, determined to forge a path through the intricate web of alliance politics.