Chapter 18: We Must Help the Uchiha

Upon returning to the clan, Uchiha Izuna's mind was filled with Chu Yang's heart-wrenching words. He was unwilling to accept them and was still thinking of how to persuade Uchiha Madara to overturn the agreement.

Uchiha Madara remained silent for a long time, only saying one thing: "Go to the clan yourself and see how the people react, then come back and tell me your decision."

Thus, Izuna had no choice but to wander the streets alone. To avoid disturbing the residents, he specifically used a Transformation Jutsu.

It was nearing dusk, and under the glow of the setting sun, smoke rose from the chimneys of every household.

Smelling the scent of domestic life, the nerves that had been taut from war for many days gradually relaxed.

He heard laughter.

Izuna turned his head to see a group of children running past him, playing and laughing together.

The laughter came from the children's playfulness.

But it was more than that...

Clan members were walking toward him from all directions, laughing as they passed Izuna. They were chatting about daily trivialities, punctuated by bursts of laughter.

It was like a melodious tune slowly entering the ear, making one feel refreshed and at ease.

This was a scene that had not appeared in Izuna's memory for a long time. He had thought that only after the complete defeat of the Senju clan would such a sight return to the Uchiha clan.

However, in reality, after the news of the two great clans ceasing hostilities and forming an alliance spread, the shadows cast by the war were rapidly receding.

Izuna stood there blankly.

Feeling the bustling prosperity around him, a myriad of emotions welled up in his heart.

He realized that he might be wrong. If he continued to persist, his enemy might not be the Senju clan.

It would be these very clansmen by his side, who had long yearned for peace.

Izuna, who had originally opposed the alliance, could only bow his head under the weight of the people's will.

He no longer sought to stop the alliance between the Uchiha and the Senju.

Before long, the news of the alliance between the two great clans continued to spread, reaching across the entire shinobi world and causing a sensation among various factions.

The two great clans set aside their prejudices and joined hands in cooperation. Following the ideals of Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, they began to establish the first ninja village in the history of the shinobi world.

But new troubles were approaching...

While Konoha Village was undergoing massive construction, various clans and ordinary citizens were busy voting for the first Hokage of Konoha.

The will of the people naturally leaned toward Senju Hashirama.

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

"The Clan Head will definitely vote for Uchiha Madara. Why don't you do the same, Teacher, and cast a vote for him as well?" Chu Yang looked at Senju Tobirama with a smile, looking like a little fox.

Senju Tobirama immediately became wary. "Kid, do you know what you're saying? If something goes wrong and Uchiha Madara actually becomes Hokage, the Konoha Village my brother worked so hard to build will be ruined!"

Chu Yang explained, "Teacher, you must have investigated the internal evaluation of Uchiha Madara within the Uchiha clan; it has hit rock bottom. If the Clan Head hadn't repeatedly emphasized the significance of Madara's status in Konoha, he probably wouldn't have been able to suppress those clansmen."

"Under these circumstances, how many people would choose him to be the First Hokage? Your and the Clan Head's votes would merely be 'sending charcoal in the snow'—providing much-needed support in a time of crisis!"

"Even if we take a step back, even if you truly wanted Uchiha Madara to become the First Hokage, the people below would never agree. The first to oppose would be those Uchiha clansmen who want Madara to step down."

If Senju Hashirama wanted to step down, the people below would never allow it; they would only press him firmly into his high position. Isn't that how the imperial robes are bestowed?

Senju Tobirama pondered for a moment and asked, "Is this also part of your plan to win people's hearts?"

Chu Yang chuckled. "We can pull in some Uchiha clansmen to accelerate their internal division, leaving Madara isolated, while simultaneously accepting him so that he finds a sense of belonging with us."

Chu Yang nodded and then whispered, "An Uchiha Madara who is bound to Konoha by ties of family and friendship, working hard and without complaint, is much better than an Uchiha Madara who is abandoned by everyone and leaves with nothing but hatred, isn't he?"

As if a cold wind had blown past, the hair on Senju Tobirama's body stood on end.

He understood that Chu Yang wanted to use the shackles of emotion to lock Madara firmly in place.

Would this work?

Tobirama wasn't sure, because Madara was an extremely ambitious man. But there was no doubt that this plan was entirely beneficial to Konoha and the Senju clan.

Even if they couldn't achieve the ideal effect on Madara, they would still win big.

Encouraged by Chu Yang, Senju Tobirama found Senju Hashirama, who was currently having a headache over the election, and told him that he wanted to vote for Uchiha Madara.

Upon hearing this, Senju Hashirama looked at his brother as if he were a stranger. "What's wrong with you? This doesn't seem like your style..."

"First, you release the Uchiha clansmen early, and now you propose voting for Madara. What exactly are you trying to do?"

Various arguments of Chu Yang's flashed through Tobirama's mind. He twitched his lips unnaturally, forcing a smile that didn't look like a smile, and said, "I want to use this to repair the rift with the Uchiha clan."

"Although the Uchiha clan has surrendered, their strength remains. They are the most powerful clan besides the Senju. If the Uchiha cannot integrate into Konoha, they will cause great trouble for the village in the future."

"Therefore, I want to repair our relationship with them as soon as possible and find ways to help them integrate into the village."

After saying this, even Tobirama was almost moved by his own words, let alone Hashirama. Hashirama had been working hard for this, but not everyone could understand him.

What power could compare to the support of one's kin?

"Tobirama, I'm so glad you think this way. Let's work hard together!" Senju Hashirama patted his brother's shoulder joyfully, his psychological fatigue vanishing instantly.

Neither brother knew...

In fact, at that moment, someone happened to be outside the room and had overheard their conversation.

The visitor was Uchiha Madara. He had originally come to find Senju Hashirama regarding the selection of the First Hokage, but he "accidentally" overheard their dialogue.

Madara hadn't expected that Senju Tobirama, who had always been hostile toward the Uchiha, would actually be willing to do such a thing for them.

As for Tobirama's mention that the Uchiha clan might cause trouble for Konoha in the future...

Regarding this, being isolated by his own clansmen, Madara suddenly felt he could understand Tobirama's perspective.

Certain traits hidden within the Uchiha clan could not be eradicated and would grow wildly during specific periods.

For example, betrayal.

Deeply shaken, Madara went home and told his brother, Uchiha Izuna, about this without hesitation.

The latter was equally shocked.

Connecting this to the previous change in Tobirama's attitude, he felt a complex mix of emotions.

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

They cast their respective votes for each other!