Uchiha Clan Compound.
Tobirama took in the reactions of the Uchiha clan in full view.
If possible, he naturally did not want to curse himself…
But given his reputation within the Uchiha clan, if he wanted to become an opinion leader, it was impossible not to take a stance on the existence of "Senju Tobirama."
And although Tobirama believed that he had never targeted the Uchiha clan, and that everything had been for the village…
When facing so many Uchiha, there was no way to reason this out.
He could only take "his former self" as a target, fiercely criticize and denounce him, and stir up empathy among the Uchiha.
Sure enough, when Tobirama criticized the Second Hokage…
The Uchiha all nodded subconsciously, their expressions full of agreement.
'Can only do it this way…'
'Criticize myself, but at the same time I must elevate Hiruzen and big brother, reinforcing the legal legitimacy of the Senju line. Otherwise, it will backfire and affect the village's stability.'
Tobirama organized his thoughts.
Rather darkly humorous, this was also his area of expertise.
After all, who could understand him better than himself?
He unraveled, layer by layer, the policies he had implemented against the Uchiha, explaining them to them—while quietly mixing in a bit of his own private agenda…
Combining it with the Will of Fire, guiding them to "reverse-practice Tobirama's methods"…
Wouldn't that leave this group of Uchiha utterly stunned?
Tobirama had that confidence.
"The name Senju Tobirama was unfamiliar to me, but over the past two months, I've heard a large number of stories about him. So I searched through the archives and asked the elders of the clan…"
This was not a lie.
While inquiring about the stories of Madara and Izuna, Tobirama would also subtly ask about himself…
Hearing the Uchiha elders curse him, he felt an inexplicable sense of comfort.
It was like the culprit returning to the scene, repeatedly confirming his achievements…
"So, I understand the grievances between Senju Tobirama and us."
"I fully understand everyone's hatred toward him. His actions and policies are indeed detestable…"
"But we cannot remain at the level of shallow cursing. We must instead know ourselves and know the enemy, and take the enemy's strengths…"
"Take his ninjutsu, for example…"
"He did not possess the Mangekyō Sharingan, yet he was able to develop the Flying Thunder God Technique to contend against Izuna-sama, barely securing victory through a cunning move."
"We condemn his despicable methods, but we must also recognize the power of ninjutsu innovation…"
"We cannot remain stagnant! Nor can we immerse ourselves in the glorious history of when the Great Clan Leader was still alive…"
Tobirama said in a deep voice: "Therefore, for the sake of the clan, I will study this enemy of the Uchiha and turn his abilities into my own…"
"And it just so happens that I have some talent in ninjutsu. If everyone trusts me, in the future I will work together with you all to develop techniques more suited to the Uchiha!"
"Moreover, I believe that the current Hokage is not the same as Senju Tobirama…"
"He is a Hokage who inherited the spirit of the First, one who can understand that I act for both the village and the clan, and will not be bound by Senju Tobirama's mindset toward the Uchiha…"
So said Tobirama.
Isshin fell into thought.
Regarding the first half of what Seisui said, the quick-minded Isshin agreed wholeheartedly…
It was fine to vent by constantly cursing Senju Tobirama, but could they just curse endlessly?
Would cursing him day and night make Senju Tobirama's soul in the Pure Land scatter into nothing, or what?
They had to make real responses and changes!
Isshin had long wanted to advocate this…
Stop insisting that the ancestors' methods must never change—like Senju Tobirama, they should also create something new!
Did they really think each and every one of them possessed the bearing of the Great Clan Leader?
But the latter half…
The recognition of Hiruzen made Isshin hesitate.
In the past, he would never have accepted it—he would have immediately stepped out to refute it…
But over the past one or two years,
One matter after another had subtly changed his view.
The village's welfare had not left the Uchiha out at all…
The Police Force had even received the same treatment as the Anbu, with salary increases.
Even if Isshin wanted to accuse Hiruzen of using gradual, soft-pressure tactics, it wouldn't hold.
The Uchiha's participation in patrol forces was right there…
The military action against Kusagakure had not excluded the Uchiha either—they were included with a wave of the hand…
And then there were the words Hiruzen had spoken to Isshin that day in front of the Hokage Rock.
'The Hokage clearly knew Seisui's abilities, yet still overruled objections and sent him back to the clan…'
'With all these policies and systems, even within the clan, Hiruzen's reputation is good…'
'The Uchiha cannot confront Hiruzen head-on—it would be far too unpopular.'
Isshin sorted out his thoughts and stepped beside Tobirama.
"Seisui is right…"
"The Third is the Third. Senju Tobirama is Senju Tobirama…"
"Even though the Third is Senju Tobirama's disciple, everyone knows that what he inherited is the spirit of the First. That point must be emphasized—don't get it wrong."
Sacred separation, activated!
Tobirama chuckled inwardly.
This Isshin was quite capable—he could keep up with his line of thought…
But Tobirama had not yet fully grasped Isshin's thinking.
Was he still lying low, or had he truly developed some recognition of Hiruzen?
On this point, Tobirama would not jump to conclusions. He would continue observing Isshin…
A thinking Uchiha was not easy to deal with.
'Though this method is rather crude—forcing a separation between Hiruzen and me. Who would believe such rhetoric…'
'That is my disciple, not big brother's!' Tobirama thought viciously.
But to his surprise, the Uchiha actually showed expressions of deep agreement, whispering among themselves: "The Third… is indeed different!"
"He's known throughout the shinobi world as a kind and upright man—and even more so toward his own people."
Interestingly, Uchiha En raised his voice loudly in support of Isshin: "I think the clan head is right! This arm of mine was cut off by Senju Tobirama—I've got the right to speak, don't I?"
"The Hokage isn't like his sensei. His real sensei is Hashirama-sama—that's not wrong!"
The Uchiha burst into laughter. Fugaku joked from the side: "En-ojisan, you're going to bring up the cigarettes the Hokage gave you again!"
"You're a three-tomoe Uchiha, and you got bought off by a box of cigarettes?"
En wasn't annoyed. With a certain flair, he waved his hand: "What do you know? A box of cigarettes is nothing—I value the attitude!"
"Think about it yourselves—haven't your families received money from the Hokage? Haven't your salaries increased? And when it's time to go to the battlefield, aren't we sent too?"
The Uchiha nodded one after another—this was indeed the truth.
And when Isshin had argued with Danzō, the chakra Hiruzen had unleashed had left a deep impression on them.
A Hokage who possessed strength, yet could transcend the constraints of being Tobirama's disciple and reason with the Uchiha—such a Hokage was undoubtedly worthy of respect.
Tobirama felt himself growing slightly heated.
What exactly had Hiruzen said to Isshin and these Uchiha?
How had it turned into him holding Hiruzen back?
Isshin also frowned.
He did not actually want to praise Hiruzen—he only wanted to set the general tone, so that they would stop thinking about rebellion all the time.
With Seisui, wouldn't it be better to develop steadily?
But with Uchiha En's interjection,
By coincidence, they had gauged Hiruzen's reputation within the clan…
Better than he had imagined.
Madara murmured, "Interesting…"
"This brat actually wants to merge the strengths of myself, Izuna, and Senju Tobirama?"
Originally, Madara had felt repulsed by the Tobirama elements within Seisui.
But now it had been explained clearly…
He was learning from Senju Tobirama's strengths with the mindset of defeating an enemy.
On this point, Madara agreed.
Although he hated Senju Tobirama, as a strong man, he acknowledged that the bastard had his merits…
After all, a useless person could never have defeated Izuna.
"In other words…"
"If Seisui becomes my spokesperson…"
"He would be an Uchiha who inherits my will, shares Izuna's character, appearance, and virtues, and has also plundered Senju Tobirama's strengths—to complete the Eye of the Moon Plan?"
"This would be the perfect revenge against Senju Tobirama—for Izuna…"
Madara let out a long breath.
Killing a person's body was nothing…
Killing a person's heart—that was the hardest.
After all these years of Tobirama targeting the Uchiha, in the end there appeared a Seisui who fused his strengths?
Just imagining that scene made Madara feel delighted.
He even began to fantasize.
Before the Eye of the Moon Plan began, he would find a way to reanimate Senju Tobirama with Impure World Reincarnation…
Let him watch as he and Seisui stood side by side, speaking of the ultimate peace the Uchiha would bring to the world…
He would also have to find a way to bring Izuna along!
"Madara-sama, what are you thinking about? Why are you smiling so happily…" a White Zetsu spoke, interrupting Madara's fantasy.
"Hmph…" Madara glanced at White Zetsu, but did not get angry.
Though his fantasy had been interrupted, it made him begin to consider the real situation.
"Seisui's degree of identification with the current Konoha is deeper than I thought…"
"It's not possible to resolve everything in one go."
"That Sarutobi brat—using Hashirama's banner—that move was indeed well played…"
"Even I was once misled by Hashirama, let alone a youth like Seisui."
Madara's heart suddenly stirred.
The long-lost feeling of playing against Hashirama surged within him.
This was no longer merely about finding a spokesperson…
At its core, this was his will and Hashirama's spirit engaging in a contest after several decades!
"Hashirama, I knew that even in death, you would not give up fighting me…"
"But this time, it is not you yourself, but that Sarutobi brat standing in for you!"
"Even if I have grown old, I will not lose to your disciples and descendants!"
"Hahahahahaha!"
Madara laughed loudly. Even if it was only a battle with Hashirama within his imagination, it still brought him immense joy.
It was as if he was no longer an old man, but once again the Shura dancing across the battlefield…
"Since this is a battle against Hashirama…"
"I must take it seriously…"
"To deal with that goggle-wearing brat, it would suffice to find a chance to kill that little girl."
"But to deal with Hashirama's will, it cannot be that simple!"
"I must proceed gradually—dig out the roots of the Will of Fire, make Seisui lose hope in Konoha and actively seek a solution. And at that time, I only need to appear before him…"
Madara folded his arms, activating his astonishing intellect.
"The ninja welfare system established by Konoha is the key to Seisui and these Uchiha identifying with it…"
"But they have overlooked one thing—ninja are ultimately tools. Even with guarantees, they are still tools."
"As long as they display their own thoughts…"
"Those in power will show no mercy in erasing them."
"The Will of Fire cannot overcome the centuries-old inertia of the 'ninja code'…"
"It may seem as though ninja are being treated as people, but once they violate the 'ninja code' and fail a mission, they are still worthless."
As an old ninja who had lived through the Warring States era, Madara believed he understood the upper echelons of the ninja villages very well, and based on that, he devised his schemes.
His father, Uchiha Tajima, would directly kill clan members who failed missions…
Even within the so-called loving Senju clan, Senju Butsuma was extremely strict with those who failed missions.
This was the education Madara had received since childhood.
And looking across the Five Great Villages, this had not changed—only slightly concealed, but the essence remained.
What Madara did not know was…
Hiruzen's core nature was not that of a ninja—he did not carry the inertia of tool-based thinking.
What he emphasized were rules and institutionalization, and he also had a systematic understanding of the Will of Fire…
White Zetsu, watching Madara—laughing one moment, deep in thought the next, then muttering to himself—shivered.
It really wanted to say that with Madara-sama's current mental state, it would be better not to think too much…
Otherwise, something might go wrong…
What if the scheme failed and he ended up shooting himself in the foot, only to rage again alone…
If possible, it would be better to stick to something related to brute force!
But after thinking about it, this White Zetsu decided to remain silent, lest it become the long-overdue individual executed by Madara.
"Let me think…"
"I'll start from this point—use the conflict between the ninja code and the Will of Fire to tear apart the hypocrisy of the Will of Fire…"
"What kind of stage should I construct?" Madara's gaze deepened: "Saving a comrade, but bringing enormous losses to Konoha?"
"Good. That's it!"
In the Warring States era, there had once been an Uchiha who went mad because of this.
After saving his close friend, he was instead blamed by that friend for not prioritizing the clan's mission.
That Uchiha awakened his eyes because of this, killed his friend, and then committed suicide, causing quite a stir within the Uchiha clan.
Not only among the Uchiha—similar stories had occurred in many ninja clans.
But in the end, all of them were left unresolved.
The inertia of ninja thinking, and the cruel environment of the shinobi world, determined that this problem had no solution.
The ideology of tools allowed this issue to be covered over with brutality.
But the problem was—Konoha possessed the Will of Fire, which emphasized bonds between comrades…
"The village is said to be built to protect comrades, but the stage I construct will tell Seisui and the Uchiha that it is merely a beautiful illusion that exists before true trials arise!" Madara muttered softly.
Uchiha Clan Compound.
"Seisui, organize your thoughts carefully…"
"In the coming days, personnel from Kirigakure will come to visit. Fugaku and I will both attend as 'Konoha council members.' It is said that, to show their apology, Kirigakure is sending Elder Genji, and they will also present a treasure to the Hokage."
"Seven days later, I will gather all clan members and formally convene a clan meeting at Naka Shrine."
"I will report in advance to the Third so that even the clan members on duty in the Police Force can attend."
Isshin said solemnly.
Tobirama nodded. "Understood, Clan Head Isshin!"
---
I will post some extra Chapters in Patreon, you can check it out. >> patreon.com/TitoVillar
---