Chapter 1.5 Prologue

"I have some ideas that can help you, uncle." Continued Makima, her voice ever so soft.

"Help me?" Hahsirama asked, happiness at being acknowledged as family slightly replaced with curiosity.

"I have been keeping an eye on your career. After all, it's not every day someone can call the Prime Minister of Japan your family."

"Ah." Replied Hashirama, unable to say anything more intelligent due to shame and embarrassment. "You must be disappointed then." He ground out sadly.

"Not at all. It was quite endearing. You devoted yourself to doing what was right rather than what was acceptable. Most would choose to bow their heads like dogs at the resistance, but you pulled on regardless. The fact that your reforms failed to pass speaks volumes of the state of government rather than yourself. You should be proud of yourself."

He had heard that same line from Hideta. He had considered it nothing more than an empty platitude, but while hearing it from the former filled him with shame, the latter filled him with elation.

"You have done your best, uncle. There is nothing you should be ashamed of." Continued Makima in a soothing voice.

"So let me ease your burden."

"Oh? How will you do that?" Replied Hashirama. While he believed his niece to be bright and competent, he doubted that she could come up with something to break the deadlock that was his term when even he could not after having racked his brain for years.

"Please… Make a contract with me." She orde-... asked.

Ryuuta Hashimara remembered nothing else.