Outside the Hidden Leaf Village, on a desolate hillside.
Madara sat alone atop the mountain, staring blankly into the distance, his figure exuding loneliness and isolation.
A gentle breeze passed by, carrying with it a green leaf from who knows where. Madara instinctively caught it in his palm.
Looking at the leaf, Madara's thoughts drifted back to the past.
"Decided then—we'll build our village right here!"
A familiar voice rang out. Madara slowly turned his head toward the side.
"Oh right, I also want to build a school—to protect the children and keep them away from war!"
A boy with a bowl-cut hairstyle sat beside him, gesturing wildly with excitement as he spoke.
"Heh, only you'd say something that ridiculous. No one else could possibly come up with that."
Madara let out a soft scoff, murmuring to himself.
"What are you thinking about, Madara?"
Snapped out of his daydream, Madara found that the Hashirama beside him now had long flowing hair, fully grown into his adult self, watching him with a warm smile.
"Say, what should we name our village?"
"...Konoha. How about Konoha?"
Looking at the green leaf in his hand—reality and memory overlapping—Madara echoed the words from memory without thinking.
"Heh, even someone like me can get sentimental in old age, huh? Seems I'm no exception."
When Madara regained focus again, he gave a bitter chuckle and waved away the ghost of Hashirama beside him.
"Hashirama, I will make you see—only my way is correct."
Standing up straight, Madara declared solemnly.
After bringing peace to this world, he would create a dream for himself.
A dream where he, Hashirama, and Izuna could coexist—one free from that detestable Tobirama.
"At that time, we can be together forever, never to be interrupted again, Hashirama..."
Murmuring softly, Madara's chakra surged violently, unleashing an overwhelming aura like a raging flood.
...
In the Hokage's office.
When Tanzō saw the figure behind Kaze, he slammed his fist on the desk and shot to his feet.
"Insubordinate brat! How could you bring him here?!!"
Realizing his loss of composure, Tanzō quickly composed himself and said coolly,
"Hiruzen has worked hard for Konoha for so long; he deserves rest. Why must you trouble your uncle over village affairs anymore?"
Indeed, following behind Kaze was none other than Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Kaze had gone to great lengths to mend things between the two old rivals.
Sometimes, when old allies fall out, they both feel uneasy, secretly longing for a chance to reconcile.
Yet neither is willing to swallow their pride and apologize first, struggling to find the right moment.
And now, this was the perfect opportunity.
"Hmph, Tanzō, what exactly are you implying?" Hiruzen replied sternly.
"This is a crucial moment for Konoha. As the Third Hokage, how could I sit idly by and do nothing?"
"Hmph."
Tanzō glanced at Hiruzen, then at Kaze, letting out another scoff before falling silent.
Seeing this, Kaze grinned brightly and said,
"Father, it's not just Uncle Hiruzen—I've also summoned the other two former Hokages to help us face Madara Uchiha."
Tanzō gave a slight nod, replying instinctively, "Oh, the other two—"
"What the heck?! (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻"
"The other two Kage-levels, Dad," Kaze shrugged.
Kaze scratched his head, then hurled a Flying Thunder God Kunai.
WHOOSH!
In an instant, accompanied by dazzling special effects, two striking figures made a dramatic entrance.
"Monkey, Dangō, long time no see!"
Seeing the stunned expressions on Arashi and Tanzō, Hashirama burst out laughing.
No way! (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
Tanzō was so shocked he flipped the table over.
"M-m-m-master?! L-lord Hashirama?!" Hiruzen stammered in disbelief.
Pfft,
Seeing Monkey, who usually never showed emotion, freaked out, Kaze couldn't help grinning in satisfaction.
Don't ask—it was totally on purpose.
But Monkey had seen his fair share of shocking moments. He quickly pulled himself together.
"...It's the Impure World Reincarnation technique!" Still reeling, Hiruzen was the first to speak up.
"You bastard!" Tanzō shouted furiously, pointing at Kaze.
"You're defiling their honor by using the Impure World Reincarnation on these two honored Lords!"
Your dad just became Hokage, and you summoned two former Hokage for me?!
You little punk planned this, didn't you?!
You know Yue… Never mind—scratch that line.
"Enough, Tanzō," Tobirama said casually, dropping onto Tanzō's chair.
"To fight against Madara Uchiha, it was a necessary move. There's no need to blame Kaze."
"Yeah, don't blame Little Kaze," Hashirama chimed in.
Glancing around for another chair, he used his Wood Release to conjure one and sat beside his younger brother.
After all, he couldn't stand beside his own brother like some lowly commoner!
"T-This… yes sir." Tanzō bowed obediently.
Clucking sounds followed.
Seeing his father act unusually obedient for the first time, Kaze secretly found it quite amusing.
Right now, Tanzō looked exactly like a student called into the principal's office.
"YOU DAMN IT!"
Seeing his son grinning like an idiot, Tanzō flew into a rage, itching to strangle the disobedient brat on the spot.
"Hehehe~"
Standing behind Hashirama, Kaze stuck out his tongue and made faces at Tanzō—a perfect example of loving father-son banter.
"Now then, report what you know," Tobirama said, shifting slightly away from Hashirama before speaking at last.
"Yes, Master!"
When it came to matters concerning Konoha, Tanzō immediately set aside personal feelings and summarized the critical intel he'd gathered by various means.
...
After finishing, Tanzō cast a proud glance at his master.
The information he'd shared was exclusive to the ninja world, clearly showcasing the prowess of Tanzō Shimura.
He had expected praise from his master.
However, as soon as he stopped talking, Tobirama frowned slightly, confused.
"...That's all?"
Tanzō blinked before hesitantly nodding, "Yes, Master."
"Tanzō, Tanzō... I really don't know what to say about you."
With a sidelong glance, Tobirama shook his head slightly, his tone laced with disbelief.
"What you just described isn't even a tenth as detailed as what Kaze has given us."
What the hell?!
Tanzō was absolutely floored.
He had gone to painstaking lengths, sending countless elite operatives to scour every corner for the faintest clue.
And Kaze?
Kaze never left his compound, spending all day either deep in discussion about taijutsu with Kaori or courting Yukiko...
So in the end, was he really no match for this disobedient brat?!"
Seeing Tanzō furious enough to burst a blood vessel, Kaze earnestly tried to cheer up his father.
"Father, you don't need to feel discouraged. Just work harder next time."
Tanzō gritted his teeth. "You disobedient brat, you—!"
"Hm?" Tobirama shot Tanzō a cold, sweeping glance.
"..." Tanzō swallowed the curse words that had reached his lips.
BOOM!
At that moment, Hashirama's face darkened, and he whipped his head toward a distant direction.
"What is that...?"
Tobirama's face hardened as well, his voice cutting like winter frost.
"That's right—it's Madara Uchiha!"
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