Chapter 18: We Need to Help the Uchiha

Chapter 18: We Need to Help the Uchiha

Upon returning to the clan, Uchiha Izuna's mind was filled with Chu Yang's harsh, cutting words. Unconvinced, he still wanted to persuade Uchiha Madara to overturn the agreement.

Madara remained silent for a long time before saying, "Go observe the reactions of the clansmen yourself, then come back and tell me your decision."

With that, Izuna had no choice but to wander alone through the streets. To avoid disturbing the people, he deliberately used the Transformation Jutsu.

By now, it was nearing dusk, and under the glow of the setting sun, smoke rose from every household.

The scent of daily life in the air gradually eased Izuna's nerves, which had been strained by the ongoing war.

Then, he heard laughter.

Turning his head, he saw a group of children laughing and playing as they ran past him.

The laughter came from their playful antics.

But it wasn't just them…

Clansmen, smiling, came from all directions, passing by Izuna. As they walked, they chatted about trivial family matters, bursting into intermittent laughter.

It was like a gentle melody, drifting into his ears and soothing his heart.

This was a scene that had long vanished from Izuna's memory. He had thought such moments would only return once the Senju were utterly defeated.

But in reality, after news of the two great clans ceasing hostilities and forming an alliance spread, the shadow of war was quickly dissipating.

Izuna stood frozen in place.

Surrounded by the bustling and thriving streets, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He realized he might have been wrong. If he continued to persist, his enemies might no longer be the Senju Clan.

Instead, it could be his own clansmen, who had long yearned for peace.

Faced with the overwhelming sentiment of the people, Izuna, who had once opposed the alliance, could only bow his head.

He no longer opposed the alliance between the Uchiha and Senju Clans.

Before long, news of the alliance spread further, shaking all the factions in the shinobi world.

The two great clans, putting aside their differences and joining hands, began to build the first-ever ninja village, in accordance with the ideals of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha.

However, new troubles were looming…

As construction boomed in Konoha Village, major clans and ordinary citizens busily prepared to elect the village's first Hokage.

The people's favorite was, of course, Hashirama Senju.

However, Chu Yang proposed a different idea to Tobirama Senju.

"The clan leader will surely vote for Madara. You might as well follow suit and give Madara your vote too," Chu Yang suggested with a sly smile, looking at Tobirama like a crafty little fox.

Tobirama immediately grew wary. "Do you know what you're saying, kid? If something goes wrong and Madara actually becomes Hokage, everything my brother worked for in building Konoha will be ruined!"

Chu Yang explained, "Teacher, you must have investigated how the Uchiha Clan views Madara. His reputation has hit rock bottom. If it weren't for the clan leader repeatedly emphasizing the importance of Madara's position in Konoha, he wouldn't even be able to hold the clan together anymore."

"Given this situation, how many people would actually choose him as the First Hokage? Your vote, along with the clan leader's, would just be a token gesture!"

"Even if you truly wanted Madara to become Hokage, the people below wouldn't agree. The first to oppose would be the Uchiha clansmen who want Madara out."

Hashirama might want to step down, but no one would allow it. They'd make sure he stayed in power, whether he liked it or not. Isn't that how one ends up cloaked in authority?

Tobirama thought for a moment, then asked, "Is this all part of your plan to win people over?"

Chu Yang chuckled. "We can simultaneously win over parts of the Uchiha Clan, accelerating their internal division and isolating Madara, while also accepting him, making him feel like he belongs with us."

Chu Yang nodded, then softly added, "A Madara Uchiha, tied down by bonds of family and friendship, dutifully working in Konoha, is far better than a Madara who's betrayed and full of hatred, leaving to exact revenge, don't you think?"

It was as if a cold wind had blown through, making Tobirama's hair stand on end.

He understood that Chu Yang intended to bind Madara with emotional chains.

But would it work?

Tobirama wasn't sure, since Madara was an ambitious man. But without a doubt, this plan was beneficial for both Konoha and the Senju Clan.

Even if they didn't achieve the ideal result with Madara, they would still win big.

Persuaded by Chu Yang, Tobirama went to find Hashirama, who was troubled over the election, and told him of his decision to vote for Madara.

After hearing this, Hashirama stared at his brother as if he were a stranger. "What's gotten into you? This doesn't sound like you at all…"

"First, you release the Uchiha prisoners early, and now you want to vote for Madara? What exactly are you planning?"

Recalling some of Chu Yang's reasoning, Tobirama awkwardly tugged at the corners of his mouth, trying to force a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I want to repair our relationship with the Uchiha."

"Although they've surrendered, they're still the most powerful clan next to ours. If the Uchiha don't integrate into Konoha, they could cause major problems for the village in the future."

"Therefore, I want to mend our relationship with them as soon as possible and help them fit into the village."

After saying this, Tobirama almost felt moved by his own words. Let alone Hashirama, who had been striving for this all along but rarely found understanding.

What could be more powerful than the support of family?

"Tobirama, I'm so glad to hear you say this. Let's work hard together!" Hashirama said, beaming as he patted his brother's shoulder, his exhaustion instantly lifting.

Neither brother realized…

At that moment, someone outside the room had overheard their conversation.

It was Madara Uchiha. He had come to see Hashirama about the Hokage selection but had "accidentally" overheard their discussion.

Madara hadn't expected Tobirama, who had always been hostile to the Uchiha, to be willing to do something like this for them.

As for Tobirama's mention of the Uchiha potentially causing trouble for Konoha in the future, being isolated by his own clan, Madara suddenly found himself understanding Tobirama's point of view.

Some traits hidden within the Uchiha Clan could never be eradicated and would grow wild under certain circumstances.

For instance, betrayal.

Deeply moved, Madara returned home and immediately shared what he had overheard with his brother, Izuna.

Izuna was equally astonished.

Recalling Tobirama's recent change in attitude, his feelings became even more complex.

The next day, in front of the other clans, the Senju brothers and the Uchiha brothers did something that left everyone speechless.

They cast their votes for each other!