The case of the Land of Fire's Cabinet Elder had finally settled into dust; the coffin lid was nailed shut.
Although Uchiha Makoto still had to represent Akatsuki Village in thoroughly investigating the Konoha Anbu and finally reporting the situation to the Land of Fire, both sides actually knew the truth well.
No matter how they investigated, the result would be that bandits caused the chaos.
After wrapping up the many trivial matters.
Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Makoto formally bid farewell to the Land of Fire's Daimyō.
Uchiha Makoto did not rush back to Akatsuki Village. Instead, as agreed with Senju Hashirama, he traveled with him to Konoha.
After a long journey, the group finally returned to Konoha.
"Finally back."
"We're home..."
"This trip really wasn't easy."
"....."
The Konoha ninjas in the team, seeing Konoha Village in the distance, couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
Their delay in the Land of Fire's capital this time was simply too long. It lasted a full two months, and they hadn't been idle at all during that period.
Actually, going on a mission lasting "two months" wasn't rare.
It was just that the situation this time was special. Being dragged out for field duty during the New Year, a time for family reunions, made them miss the rare rest time they got once a year for nothing.
The situation for the Akatsuki Village ninjas was about the same, or perhaps even more miserable.
After arriving in Konoha, they had to continue working to investigate the Konoha Anbu. And how could Senju Tobirama, that naturally evil old ghost, easily let Uchiha Makoto investigate the various Anbu intelligence he wanted... This was another "dirty and tiring job" that required staying up late.
However, Uchiha Makoto could guarantee that the Akatsuki Village ninjas absolutely had no resentment towards the Hikarikage in their hearts.
Uchiha Makoto's favorite thing to do was to slap their faces with banknotes.
Of course, humans need rest. Immediately starting work after a long journey to Konoha was indeed unreasonable.
So, with a wave of his hand, Uchiha Makoto gave them a day off in Konoha.
As for Uchiha Makoto himself, he followed Senju Hashirama to the Senju Clan grounds. He wanted to visit his future daughter-in-law.
Senju Tobirama originally intended to return to the Hokage's office to work like a beast of burden out of habit, but seeing Uchiha Makoto heading to the Senju grounds, he cautiously tagged along.
He had no choice.
He was full of wariness toward Uchiha Makoto.
While in the Land of Fire's capital, he had been very careful, never giving Uchiha Makoto and his elder brother, Senju Hashirama, a chance to be alone, just to prevent his brother from being deceived.
Now that they were back in Konoha, if he let his guard down, the loss would outweigh the gain.
"Senju Tobirama, is it necessary to stare at me like that?"
"It's not like I'm an outsider."
"Tch~ I told you, I will watch you to the death!"
"Hmph, you are truly hopeless. You are just jealous of my talent!"
"...."
"Alright, alright, when will your relationship be like it was when we first arrived in the Land of Fire? Back then, you two were practically like brothers."
"Who is brothers with him?!" *2
On the way to the Senju grounds.
Senju Tobirama watched Uchiha Makoto like a prisoner, which really annoyed Uchiha Makoto.
And the two of them could truly argue endlessly about anything.
Naturally, along the way, Uchiha Makoto and Senju Tobirama exchanged sharp words and personal attacks.
Senju Hashirama jumped out trying to be the peacemaker, but his persuasion was like adding oil to the fire.
Brothers?
Senju Tobirama wished he could immediately send Uchiha Makoto to hell with his Flying Thunder God Slash!
Uchiha Makoto felt about the same; he didn't wish for Senju Tobirama to live too long.
Senju Tobirama must die!
Ideally, right after Senju Hashirama dies, Senju Tobirama should drop dead immediately!
The two didn't finally quiet down until they arrived at Senju Hashirama's home, cutting a "tsk" at each other and turning their heads away simultaneously.
"Where is Mito?"
"Tobirama, I remember Mito is usually home at this time."
"Brother, how long has it been! Sister-in-law hasn't been idling at home for a long time; she has been helping me handle village affairs."
"During the time I wasn't in Konoha, Sister-in-law was helping me."
"I told you long ago to put more energy into Sister-in-law and care for her more! Don't go looking for that bastard Uchiha Madara whenever you have nothing to do, or sneaking off to the gambling den to lose money."
"Tobirama, you can scold me, I am at fault, it was my negligence... but what does this have to do with Madara?"
"Brother, shut up. It's only because Sister-in-law has a good temper..."
"....."
Uzumaki Mito was not home at this time, and Senju Hashirama was still wondering where she went.
Perhaps out of care for his sister-in-law, Uzumaki Mito, or perhaps simply because he was unhappy and wanted to pressure his foolish brother, Senju Tobirama started arguing again.
It had to be said that Senju Tobirama really stood on the moral high ground. Even Uchiha Makoto, his nemesis, couldn't find fault with him.
Of course, the most important thing was that Uchiha Makoto couldn't be bothered to get involved in this complex relationship.
This was far more complicated than a love triangle.
Although Senju Hashirama was scolded until he couldn't lift his head, he still wanted to struggle a bit... for Madara!
Madara, what did he do wrong?!
Senju Tobirama's eyes instantly widened. Not only did his brother not obediently admit his mistake, but he also dared to quibble.
And it was for that naturally evil Uchiha Madara. It was simply outrageous!
In the end, the invincible God of Shinobi was suppressed by Senju Tobirama. He squatted on the ground dejectedly, drawing circles.
"Alright, Senju Tobirama, stop scolding, stop scolding."
"Where is Tsunade? Where is my daughter-in-law!"
"Right, right, right... Makoto, come, I'll take you to see Tsunade, my granddaughter!"
Uchiha Makoto couldn't wait any longer.
He had a hunch that Senju Tobirama, that bastard, was doing it on purpose, not wanting him to see his daughter-in-law, Tsunade, at all!
Senju Hashirama seemed to have found a savior. He sprang up from the ground and rushed toward Tsunade's room with Uchiha Makoto.
Senju Tobirama gritted his teeth, his expression helpless.
Yes.
Senju Tobirama did it on purpose.
He certainly knew why Uchiha Makoto had eagerly followed his brother to the Senju grounds.
It was for Tsunade!
Even though the arranged marriage between the two families had been personally certified by the Daimyō, Senju Tobirama still wanted to destroy it in his heart.
Although this matter was already set in stone and difficult to change.
But if he could deliberately disgust Uchiha Makoto a bit, Senju Tobirama was very willing.
And he could also pressure his brother in passing... Brother is really a bastard! He only knows Uchiha Madara; Sister-in-law's heart is truly too soft!!
"So cute."
"Smells nice, so soft."
Upon seeing little Tsunade.
Uchiha Makoto couldn't help but reveal a fatherly smile, his eyes incredibly gentle.
Little Tsunade was wrapped in swaddling clothes embroidered with light pink cherry blossom patterns. Her face was as round and chubby as a ripe peach, her long eyelashes drooped, trembling gently with her even breathing, and her small mouth pursed unconsciously.
Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama, standing beside Uchiha Makoto, were the same.
The three entered a brief period of peace.
"I've decided. In the future, I will pass on my life's unique skills to her."
As Tsunade's grandfather, Senju Hashirama naturally doted on this little one. For a moment, his spirit soared, and he patted his chest, wanting to teach her everything he knew.
Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Makoto couldn't help but look sideways at this.
As everyone knew, the ninjutsu Senju Hashirama was most proud of was Wood Release.
So Senju Tobirama subconsciously thought of Wood Release.
However, he was an adult with Hokage thinking, so Senju Tobirama thought further ahead.
Tsunade was going to marry into the Uchiha Clan in the future.
And according to the traditions of the ninja world, a woman marrying into her husband's family changes her surname. She would even change her surname to Uchiha.
A Senju clansman bearing the Uchiha name, able to use Wood Release, and potentially using this move against Konoha... just thinking about this future made Senju Tobirama feel a bit breathless.
Uchiha Makoto, on the other hand, thought of Sage Mode.
It wasn't that he didn't want Tsunade to inherit Senju Hashirama's Wood Release.
But according to the performance in the original Naruto story, members of the Senju Clan likely needed to be bound with Asura Chakra for Wood Release to awaken smoothly.
Compared to Wood Release, learning Sage Mode was more reliable.
Even if Senju Hashirama couldn't teach Tsunade Sage Mode, he could bring the Shikkotsu Forest summoning scroll to Akatsuki Village.
—Large-scale group medical ninjutsu was extremely scarce in the ninja world.
Subsequently, Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Makoto, harboring different thoughts, gave completely different answers.
"Brother, teaching Tsunade Wood Release is something that needs to be discussed at length."
"Lord Hashirama, are you talking about Sage Mode? This technique indeed should be passed down to descendants."
After all, they were old rivals.
Uchiha Makoto saw at a glance that Senju Tobirama did not want Wood Release to flow out to Akatsuki Village.
And Senju Tobirama also immediately saw through Uchiha Makoto's thoughts. This bastard was actually aiming for Sage Mode!
However, Senju Hashirama shook his head at this moment. His expression was even a bit proud: "Those don't count as my unique skills. My life's unique skill is my gambling technique, which has reached the peak of perfection!"
"I must pass this precious unique skill to Tsunade."
Uchiha Makoto and Senju Tobirama looked at each other, their opinions instantly unified!
"Impossible!"
"Don't even think about it!!"
"Tobirama, please, keep a close watch on your brother."
"Don't worry, in this matter, I am duty-bound!"
Tsunade's title as the Legendary Sucker.
Uchiha Makoto had heard it like thunder in his ears.
He himself detested this kind of rotten gambling habit and naturally wanted to do his utmost to prevent Tsunade from gambling.
Senju Tobirama also didn't want his brother's granddaughter to catch the bad habit of gambling... The money he lent to his brother never came back.
Senju Hashirama, who was originally full of lofty ambitions, was immediately driven to the corner of the room by the two.
...
Uchiha Clan Grounds.
After the Uchiha Grand Elder returned to Konoha, he didn't stay idle. He gathered the elders who had prestige in the family and were trustworthy.
In the meeting room.
The Uchiha Grand Elder held a tea cup, his fingertips rubbing the cold porcelain wall. He took a sip of tea slowly and methodically, then unhurriedly recounted the investigation process in the Land of Fire's capital.
"Grand Elder, do you mean that Senju Tobirama might be involved in the Cabinet Elder assassination case?"
"This is really a good opportunity."
"We must reopen the case. We must reopen the case for the Cabinet Elder. Senju Tobirama is doomed this time!"
"Such a rebellious subject and traitor must be punished by heaven!"
Hearing that the assassination of the Land of Fire's Cabinet Elder might be related to Senju Tobirama.
A hawk-faction elder impatiently started off, expressing the desire to remove this scourge for the Land of Fire!
The Uchiha Clan never lacked such hawk-faction elders. Once he started, several elders immediately echoed in support.
The remaining Uchiha elders, who were relatively more mature and prudent, raised objections.
"Grand Elder, but just a short while ago, the Land of Fire's Daimyō proclaimed to the entire Land of Fire that the assassination of the Cabinet Elder's whole family was due to bandits causing chaos."
"Bandits causing chaos, how is that possible?"
"Where in the Land of Fire would there be such daring bandits? It must be Senju Tobirama making trouble from within!"
"Don't interrupt. My meaning is, Grand Elder, since you suspect Senju Tobirama was involved, why didn't you mention this matter at the time?"
Everyone's gaze instantly focused on the Uchiha Grand Elder.
Obviously.
This question indeed required an explanation from the Uchiha Grand Elder.
Subsequently, the Uchiha Grand Elder repeated Uchiha Makoto's words from that day.
"Hiss... that makes sense. We really can't... to Senju Tobirama. If he dies because of this, we won't be able to explain it to the Hokage..."
"After all, they are biological brothers."
"Senju Tobirama got off easy."
"Speaking of which, Makoto truly has a unique vision. As expected of the Hikarikage. Senju Tobirama is not important at all; what's important is Lord Madara's attitude."
"Up to now, Lord Madara seems to have never publicly stated that he wants to become Hokage."
The Uchiha elders in the room were quickly persuaded by the Grand Elder and temporarily gave up on pursuing the Senju Tobirama issue.
And to this day, they finally began to face Uchiha Madara's attitude squarely.
Lord Madara should also reveal his ambition in Konoha!
"Then, what should we do next?"
"Ever since we messed up the surprise for Lord Madara last time, Lord Madara has..."
"Now, Lord Madara stays inside the Naka Shrine deep in the clan grounds all the time. He basically never shows his face and strictly forbids us from entering at will."
"You're so stupid you could die."
"Do you think Lord Madara wouldn't want to become Hokage?"
"Lord Madara is proud by nature and wouldn't specifically do things for this, but as Uchiha clansmen, we must naturally take the initiative to share Lord Madara's worries and solve his difficulties!"
"Mobilize the family's power and build momentum for Lord Madara in Konoha!"
The Uchiha elders expressed their opinions one after another.
Does Lord Madara want to become Hokage?
Putting themselves in his shoes, the answer required no hesitation—Yes! He wants it!
Considering Uchiha Madara's temper, the Uchiha elders naturally knew they couldn't force Lord Madara to reveal his ambitions in public.
But... they could proactively and thoughtfully promote and build momentum for Lord Madara!
This approach naturally aligned with the Uchiha Grand Elder's wishes.
Ever since the "surprise" the Uchiha Grand Elder meticulously prepared last time was completely botched, Uchiha Madara had given these elders the cold shoulder, to the point where he didn't even bother to look at them directly.
That coldness that kept people a thousand miles away was felt clearly by every Uchiha elder, making it difficult for them even to meet Uchiha Madara.
Now, giving this surprise to Lord Madara, Lord Madara would definitely be happy.