While Hirofumi Ito was busy chatting with Orochimaru…
On the other side, Hashirama Senju was in a bit of a funk.
He sat glumly by a small river, occasionally picking up a pebble and tossing it into the water.
Watching the ripples spread across the surface, Hashirama's mind drifted back to his childhood…
Back then, he'd met Madara by a river just like this one. From that moment, they became inseparable, chatting about everything under the sun.
But neither of them knew the other's family name…
Until one day, their secret meetings were exposed. That's when Madara learned Hashirama was a Senju, and Hashirama learned Madara was an Uchiha.
The Senju and Uchiha clans had been at war for who-knows-how-long—how could they possibly let the future leaders of their clans be friends?
And so, Hashirama and Madara were torn apart…
Year after year, the wars dragged on. Friends and family around Hashirama died one by one—his father, his brothers…
Madara went through the same losses.
But the seed of peace had been planted in their hearts, and one day, it would take root and grow.
Eventually, both Hashirama and Madara rose to lead their clans, becoming the strongest of their respective families. On that fateful day, they met again—not as friends, but as enemies, each bearing the weight of their clan's leadership.
Hashirama hadn't forgotten his childhood dream.
Neither had Madara.
And so, the two most powerful clans of the Warring States era joined forces.
More and more clans followed suit…
And that's how the Hidden Leaf Village was born!
Lost in thought, Hashirama picked up another pebble and tossed it into the river.
"Madara… do you think the choices I made back then were really a mistake?"
Madara had been standing quietly behind Hashirama the whole time, and Hashirama knew he was there.
"Maybe we both made some mistakes back then…"
Hashirama blinked in surprise. Madara, admitting a mistake?
Madara, the proud, insanely proud Uchiha, who'd never admit to being wrong, no matter what?
And yet, he just…
"Hashirama…" Madara stepped forward, sitting beside him. He picked up a pebble and tossed it into the water, just like Hashirama.
"Go on, Madara. I'm listening."
Madara stared at the ripples on the water's surface, speaking slowly.
"I know you value the Hidden Leaf Village above everything else. It's not just your dream—it's mine too.
Do you remember why we founded the village?
Do you remember what we wanted it to be?
Is the Hidden Leaf Village today still the one we dreamed of?!"
Hashirama's body trembled slightly at Madara's words.
He was right… The Hidden Leaf was supposed to be a thriving tree, sheltering the new buds of the next generation.
That was the dream he and Madara had always chased.
But the village now? It had strayed so far from their vision…
When Sarutobi was young, he was a good kid—a promising new bud.
But now? Sarutobi had grown corrupt.
"Madara… you know, I've never liked war."
"Of course I know, you idiot! You think I like war?!"
"Madara, could you stop calling me an idiot already?! I'm not dumb at all! Most of the time, I'm sharp as a kunai!"
"Yeah, right! Sometimes I wonder if your head's just full of Wood Release instead of a brain!"
At that, both Hashirama and Madara burst out laughing together.
"Madara, wouldn't it be great if things could stay like this forever? Everyone living happily, no wars, no deaths…"
"That day will come. And we'll see it with our own eyes."
"Madara… I've got a question I've always wanted to ask."
"What?"
"Do you really believe in Hirofumi that much? Do you honestly think he can do what neither of us could?"
Madara's lips curled into a slight smirk.
"Hashirama… that's a pointless question. If you didn't believe in him, why'd you take him as your student? And don't give me that 'I just wanted to one-up you as his master' excuse! Like you said, you're not dumb—you're sharp as a kunai most of the time!"
Hashirama grinned knowingly.
Then, in one swift move, he threw his arm around Madara's shoulders.
"Whoa, Madara! I can't believe it—you actually complimented me!! Heh heh, come on, say it again! Say 'Hashirama's the smartest' just one more time! Please, I'm begging you!"
Madara's face flushed as Hashirama rubbed against his tattooed shoulder.
"Ahem… fine. Hashirama's the smartest. Happy now? Let go of me already!!"
The gloom that had weighed on Hashirama vanished, and he tackled Madara in a full-on hug.
"I knew you were the best, Madara!!"
Thwack!!
"Get off, you idiot!!"
"Ow, Madara! Stop hitting my head! I'm finally getting a bit smarter—don't knock it out of me!"
"You're an idiot whether I hit you or not!"
Madara took a deep breath, his gaze softening as he looked at Hashirama sitting beside him.
"Madara… why're you staring at me like that?! Your eyes are so weird—it's giving me the creeps!"
"Tch!! You idiot!
Can't you be serious for once?!
You're Hirofumi's master, and yet you're picking up all his weird nonsense, aren't you?!
I was this close to telling you about my eyes, but if you're not interested, forget it!"
Madara huffed, turning his head away with a proud scowl.
Hashirama's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Madara! Madara! I wanna hear! I'm all ears!! I knew there was something up with those eyes of yours you weren't telling me!
Hmph! If you don't spill, I'm gonna be mad! I won't talk to you anymore!
And… you better get me a pair of those eyes too! Otherwise, I'm done with our peeing contests!!"