"Purge the Hokage's inner circle—Execute Tobirama. Prepare the Ceremonial Robe for Lord Madara!"
"You… you…"
Uchiha Setsuna's face darkened instantly.
Because everything Senju Tobirama had just said was true.
So true, in fact, that Setsuna had no way to refute it.
Back then, during the legendary battle between Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama, Setsuna had watched from the edge of the battlefield. Even now, the earth-shaking, heaven-rending spectacle was burned into his memory.
That level of power—
It was something only gods should possess.
And yet…
In that battle, Lord Madara narrowly lost to Senju Hashirama.
The moment Madara fell, the morale of the Uchiha forces collapsed as well. On the surrounding battlefields, many Uchiha shinobi were defeated and captured alive by the Senju clan.
In the end, it was Hashirama—seeking reconciliation between the two clans—who released Madara and all the captured Uchiha.
After a thousand years of war between Senju and Uchiha, it was ultimately the Senju clan that emerged victorious.
The words of the defeated are always pale and powerless.
To argue forcefully would only make one look like a fool.
Setsuna stood there, speechless.
Seeing this, Tobirama felt a surge of satisfaction. A pleased smile crept onto his face, his expression growing even more arrogant.
"The Senju clan won the war between our two clans. Naturally, we are entitled to enjoy the greatest share of the victory."
"If my elder brother hadn't shown mercy, Konoha wouldn't even have a place left for the Uchiha clan."
"You, Uchiha Setsuna, have benefited immensely—and yet you still complain."
"The debt you owe the Senju can never be repaid, and yet you dare play these underhanded tricks right under my brother's nose."
"You truly have no shame."
"I have never seen anyone so brazen."
Tobirama pressed his advantage, his momentum unstoppable as he berated Setsuna.
These words had been bottled up in his heart for a long time.
Normally, because of Hashirama—who always favored compromise—and because such statements were politically sensitive, Tobirama avoided saying anything that could harm village unity. In front of the Uchiha, he usually held his tongue.
At most, he vented a few complaints privately to his brother.
But today—
This innately evil Uchiha, Setsuna, had walked straight into his hands.
Finally, Tobirama could say everything he had been holding back.
"What a pity," Tobirama thought smugly.
"If only I could say all of this straight to Uchiha Madara's face."
The verbal release left Tobirama feeling refreshed, his pent-up frustration swept away—yet tinged with regret.
If only the one standing here had been Madara himself.
Madara—
You were beaten to the ground by my brother.
You survived only because of his mercy.
What gives you the right to strut around in front of me?
"You—!"
"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west—don't mock a clan for being poor!"
Unable to respond directly, Setsuna muttered inwardly, enduring Tobirama's barrage until he finally snapped and forcefully changed the subject.
"Enough, Senju Tobirama!"
"First, let me make this clear—every single one of those statements on that stack of paper has nothing to do with the Uchiha clan!"
"And secondly—why don't you reflect on your own actions?"
"Speak! Look me in the eyes!"
"Why have you delayed again and again, refusing to deploy Konoha's forces to aid Akatsuki?"
"Your behavior runs completely counter to justice!"
"The villagers' eyes are sharp—they know right from wrong!"
"Do you even understand the Three Virtues of Shinobi: benevolence, righteousness, and bravery?"
"Even the civilians can't stand it anymore—that's why they're standing up in support of the Uchiha!"
"No matter what, Konoha belongs half to the Uchiha clan!"
"Do you really think you're Lord Hashirama?"
"No matter how much you abuse his authority, no one will ever see you as the true Hokage!"
"I want to see just how long you can sit on that seat!"
Setsuna knew full well that when it came to the founding of Konoha, the Uchiha couldn't win an argument against Tobirama.
So he decisively shifted focus—
Using the war between Akatsuki and Kumogakure as his weapon, he launched a verbal counterattack.
Without legitimacy, words carry no weight.
The Hokage was Lord Hashirama, not Senju Tobirama.
The villagers could clearly see who was right and who was wrong.
Hashirama ruled through noninterference—so he couldn't be at fault.
Therefore, the problem had to be Tobirama, twisting matters behind the scenes until even the villagers couldn't tolerate it anymore.
Tobirama was momentarily left speechless.
Yet Setsuna, bound by a shinobi's conventional mindset, still refused to escalate matters further. He only argued verbally, showing no intention of using force.
He didn't understand how cruel political struggle truly was.
This was a fight to the death.
If Uchiha Makoto had been here, he would have shouted:
"Purge the Hokage's inner circle—execute Tobirama!"
Then he would have attacked immediately, forcing the situation into total chaos.
Chaos would have been perfect.
Hashirama was a peacemaker—he would inevitably smooth things over for the sake of clan harmony.
And while Madara had little interest in the Hokage's seat, if given a legitimate excuse to deal with Tobirama, he would definitely step in.
At that point, Tobirama would be forced into temporary political retirement.
And the Uchiha could finally enter the core of power, carving away at Tobirama's authority.
"Hmph. What sophistry!"
"Everything I've done regarding Akatsuki has been for Konoha!"
"Every operational plan was approved by my brother!"
"It's clearly the Uchiha clan trying to sabotage the village—trying to undermine peace!"
Tobirama reacted swiftly, his political instincts sharp as ever, immediately attempting to shift the blame back onto the Uchiha.
Though his words were righteous, there was a hint of bluster masking insecurity.
His true motives—those private calculations—could never be exposed.
Not even to Hashirama.
Now, public opinion in the village had to be suppressed.
Those dangerous statements targeting the Senju clan had to disappear completely.
That was why Tobirama had summoned Setsuna here—to force the so-called culprit to resolve the situation.
To minimize the fallout.
Out of respect—for Madara's "face" (and his fists)—Tobirama was willing to let the matter slide.
After all, if things truly spiraled out of control, someone would have to take responsibility.
And that someone couldn't be Hashirama.
The Hokage was sacred, ruling through benevolence.
So the blame would fall—
On Tobirama himself.
And that was unacceptable.
"Uchiha Setsuna," Tobirama said coldly,
"I won't waste words."
"Whether you admit it or not, these statements originated in areas patrolled by the Uchiha."
"You cannot escape responsibility."
"You will deal with this immediately."
"I will not allow this to affect my brother."
Knowing he was at a disadvantage, Tobirama abandoned intimidation and invoked Hashirama's authority directly.
He had no real way to force Setsuna's hand.
Madara was in Konoha.
Hashirama was in Konoha.
Coercion was impossible.
"Sorry," Setsuna replied calmly.
"Can't be done."
"I've already told you—these rumors didn't originate with the Uchiha."
"At most, we added a little momentum."
"Instead of trying to silence the villagers, why don't you deploy Konoha's forces?"
"Otherwise, you'll have to face their condemnation yourself."
Setsuna sneered.
Public opinion favored the Uchiha.
Investigate all you want—the Uchiha were clean.
After all, those words truly hadn't originated from the clan.
He had merely helped them spread.
What crime was that?
As for helping Tobirama suppress public opinion?
Impossible.
Setsuna wanted things to grow bigger.
Right now, the unrest was limited to streets and teahouses—dangerous, yes, but not yet decisive.
But the longer it dragged on, the greater the variables.
All he had to do was watch the show.
"Bastard!"
"You Uchiha are hiding disaster in your hearts!"
Tobirama's expression turned icy.
Even after invoking Hashirama, Setsuna refused to cooperate.
This was nothing short of malicious intent.
"Do I really have to deploy the shinobi forces just to quell public opinion?"
"It's still too early…"
Tobirama hesitated.
According to intelligence, the war between Akatsuki and Kumogakure had entered its most intense phase.
The longer it dragged on, the better it was for his plans.
Backing down now would be foolish.
Just then—
An ANBU operative hurried into the office.
Upon seeing Setsuna, the operative hesitated and instinctively tried to withdraw.
"Since you're already here, why leave?" Setsuna sneered.
"Or did Tobirama order you to do something shameful?"
"Speak plainly," Tobirama snapped.
"ANBU exists to protect Konoha."
"There's nothing disgraceful."
The operative finally reported:
"Lord Tobirama—there's unrest at a teahouse."
"A villager started discussing village affairs, emotions escalated, and the crowd grew."
"Some are even calling to gather at the Hokage Building to protest."
Tobirama's face drained of color.
This could no longer be delayed.
Private grumbling could be ignored—
But public assembly at the Hokage Building?
They were courting death.
Looks like they wanted a taste of ANBU's iron fist.
Tobirama panicked.
Meanwhile, Setsuna's lips curled into a radiant smile. He even hummed softly.
So it's finally escalating…
Tobirama—how are you going to clean this up?
"Uchiha Setsuna," Tobirama growled,
"I'll remember this."
"We'll see how it ends!"
"This was your doing—I'm sure of it!"
"If Konoha descends into chaos today, you won't escape responsibility!"
"Clear waters stay clear; muddy waters stay muddy," Setsuna replied calmly.
"This has nothing to do with me."
"It's the villagers—acting on their own—seeking justice because they can't tolerate your actions."
Though the timing was suspicious, Setsuna truly wasn't behind it.
But he wasn't stupid either.
Now he understood—
The events unfolding in Konoha had almost certainly been orchestrated by Akatsuki.
Makoto wouldn't let Tobirama—who kept obstructing from behind the scenes—rest easy.
Setsuna took another sip of tea, watching Tobirama quietly.
Let's see how you end this.
PS: I've been releasing chapters daily . Honestly, it hurts seeing almost no support on Patreon after all that work.If you're enjoying the fic, even a little, supporting me would mean a lot. It helps a student stay independent .
complete fic (all chapters ) are already up on Patreon → patreon.com/Chakraflow789
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Chakraflow789