Chapter 22: Time Skip -The First Year

Authors Note: I upload this extra chapter since I might not upload one tomorrow. Enjoy.

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The first year of Raiden, Hashirama, and Madara's plan was intense, focused on both training and preparing a foundation for the future. All three trained together regularly, with Raiden continuing to develop his expertise in fūinjutsu. He crafted a new seal—the Beacon Seal—designed to protect loved ones. The seal activated based on heart rate, changing signals from green to yellow, then to red when the wearer was in life-threatening danger. It was subtle enough to be hidden under armor and allowed easy activation without being detected and it showed a rough direction to the beacon activator.

Raiden immediately after making the seal showed it to his friends, they asked for the seal after hearing its functionality both of them gave one to their brothers. Raiden laughed in his head 'You guys will be so thankful for this.'

Raiden did not keep this seal a secret and shared it with his clan, hearing the functions this seal possessed elated the Uzumaki since could be very useful, even the stoic Senju clan leader asked for the seal to be distributed to his clansmen and was even willing to pay, Raiden was over the moon since nobody would reject money, the Senju clan leader paid Raiden 250 000 ryo at once so every clansman could have at least 2 their precautions.

And how smart the Senju clan leader was.

During one of the battles between the Senju and Uchiha, this seal proved invaluable. Hashirama's youngest brother, Kawarama, was caught in an ambush. Seeing the red signal, Hashirama gathered a group of Senju and Uzumaki to rescue him, but Madara was the first to receive the alert and acted swiftly.

Madara arrived to find a circle of Uchiha surrounding Kawarama. Approaching his clansmen, Madara masked his emotions and spoke calmly, "What's going on here?"

One of the older Uchiha answered, "This Senju brat wandered too far into our territory. We thought we'd make an example of him." A few Uchiha smirked, muttering suggestions for torture.

Madara turned towards Kawarama and asked, ''What is your name?''

The Uchiha clansmen yelled.

''His name is not important, lets teach those Senju what happens when you mess with our clan''

''Yeah''

''Kill this brat''

"SILENCE" yelled Madara as he activated his Sharingan and showed his 2 tomoe's, the clansmen quieted down as they feared and respected their clan heir too much.

Seeing the situation Kawarama mustered up some courage as he said while his entire body was trembling with fear "My name is Kawarama Senju"

Suppressing a grimace, Madara forced a cough. "This Senju isn't just anyone—he's the clan head's youngest son," he said, attempting to sway them diplomatically. But his words did little to stop the bloodlust in his clansmen's eyes.

A particularly aggressive Uchiha sneered, "Doesn't matter. A Senju is a Senju."

Madara's gaze hardened "I'm saying he's more valuable to us alive. My decision is final. Anyone who disagrees… can face me."

The oldest Uchiha in the group asked his clan heir "Young master what is your plan with this Senju brat?"

Madara looked him in the eye and said "We will use this Senju to lure the rest of his clan members for an ambush, Let's see how much the Senju take care of their own."

Hearing this the group was happy and sneering thinking about the Senju they were about to kill.

"Our young master is the best"

"Only he can think of something as brilliant as this"

The threat of Madara was clear but so was the allure of Madara's plan, and the Uchiha grudgingly obeyed, binding Kawarama and leading him toward their base. However, Madara walked closely behind, keeping a watchful eye on his clansmen to ensure they didn't harm the boy. Kawarama tried his best to stay composed, though the bruises and insults weighed on him.

"I bet they won't even care about you since you are useless"

"You are just a waste like the rest of your clan"

"Hahahahaha"

"Big brother, please come save me"

Meanwhile, Hashirama led his team through the dense forest with urgency, his mind solely on his younger brother, Kawarama. He whispered under his breath, "Kawarama… hold on." The Senju and Uzumaki forces moved silently, anticipating a battle as they entered Uchiha territory.

Ahead, a group of Uchiha warriors roughly dragged Kawarama along, laughing at his attempts to struggle. "Think you're tough because you're a Senju?" one of them sneered, pushing Kawarama forward.

Suddenly, Hashirama and his team emerged, weapons drawn, facing down the Uchiha captors. Hashirama's voice cut through the tense silence. "Release my brother, or face the consequences!"

The Uchiha laughed in response. "You're in no position to threaten us, Senju."

Without further words, Hashirama signaled, and the Senju and Uzumaki warriors surged forward. The clearing erupted into chaos as shinobi clashed, jutsu lighting up the night.

In the midst of the fighting, Madara intercepted Hashirama with a glare, kunai meeting with a resounding clang. "So, here to play hero?" Madara challenged.

"Madara," Hashirama growled, "You're really going to stand between me and my own brother?"

Madara's expression remained cold, but there was a flicker of understanding. "You'd do the same," he replied softly. After a fierce exchange of strikes, he leaned in, muttering just loud enough for Hashirama to hear, "Get ready."

With a powerful throw, Madara launched Hashirama into the air, aiming him toward Kawarama's position. As Hashirama soared, he activated Wood Release: Binding Roots. Vines erupted from the ground, snaring the Uchiha warriors holding Kawarama. As they struggled, Hashirama landed beside his brother, his eyes scanning him for injuries.

"Kawarama!" he exclaimed, kneeling down. "Are you alright?"

Kawarama's voice was shaky, but he managed a small smile. "No, big brother… I knew you'd come."

Before they could say another word, the rest of the Uchiha forces spotted Hashirama save his brother. Madara yelled, "Don't let them escape! They've got the Senju brat!" The Uchiha surged forward in anger, kunai and fireballs filling the air.

Hashirama quickly hoisted Kawarama to his feet. "Retreat!" he shouted, signaling his team as the remaining Senju and Uzumaki forces fell back, fighting fiercely to cover each other's escape.

Madara kept his cover, faking a struggle with another Senju. Watching Hashirama retreat with Kawarama, he caught Hashirama's eye for a brief moment, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. Madara concealed a smile as he told his clansmen to follow the Uchiha.

Back at the Senju camp, Hashirama fell to his knees before Raiden. "Thank you… Raiden," he choked out, his gratitude evident. "Your Beacon Seal saved Kawarama's life."

'Phew' Raiden wiped the imaginary sweat of his brow as he thought 'I knew it might happen soon, luckily I made this seal'

Raiden offered his hand, helping him up. "I made the seal, but you and Madara brought him back. That's what matters."

The success of the Beacon Seal solidified their trust, binding Raiden, Hashirama, and Madara closer as they took another step toward their dream of a united shinobi world.