"Of course there is!"
"I know every piece of dirt on this naturally evil Senju old bastard!"
"What an outstanding descendant!"
Uchiha Izuna's gaze toward Uchiha Ren grew increasingly fervent.
As expected of an Uchiha descendant.
He had seen through Senju Tobirama's ugly true nature completely.
"Lord Izuna, back then, Senju Hashirama truly intended to pass the position of Second Hokage to Lord Madara."
"But Senju Tobirama obstructed him."
"His excuse was that the Hokage candidate had to follow the will of the Land of Fire and the village, and that the position had to be decided through a democratic election."
"Lord Madara understood perfectly well that this was merely another hypocritical political struggle, so he left Konoha."
"Not only that, Tobirama also spread claims that the stronger an Uchiha's hatred, the greater their ocular power became."
"He portrayed the Uchiha as dangerous individuals."
"According to him, Uchiha Madara could never become Hokage, and no Uchiha should ever be allowed to become Hokage."
Before Uchiha Ren could continue, Uchiha Izuna could no longer suppress his fury.
He interrupted Ren and began cursing Senju Tobirama directly.
Throughout his life, the only things he had truly loved were his elder brother and the Uchiha Clan!
Yet Senju Tobirama had constantly schemed to persecute Uchiha Madara and the entire clan!
"As expected, Senju Tobirama, you are nothing but a hypocritical villain!"
"You targeted my elder brother at every opportunity!"
"You targeted the entire Uchiha Clan!"
"Not a single member of your Senju Clan is good!"
"Descendant, you must never show them mercy!"
"Kill them all!"
Uchiha Ren glanced at Uchiha Izuna and suddenly felt that Tobirama's argument did possess a certain degree of logic.
The greater an Uchiha's hatred, the stronger their ocular power became.
And the reverse was also true.
This veteran from the Warring States era was still unbelievably extreme.
"Ahem…"
Uchiha Ren coughed several times without responding.
He had no intention of becoming entangled with Uchiha Izuna over this subject.
After all—
Uchiha Izuna was a stubborn extremist from the Warring States era who had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
He was carrying layer upon layer of dangerous traits.
Whenever Uchiha Ren encountered someone like that, he generally chose to agree with them verbally.
"Descendant, continue."
"Tell me how you became the Third Hokage."
"That requires a more detailed explanation."
"After Senju Tobirama drove Lord Madara away, he became Konoha's Second Hokage."
"For a time, he wielded absolute power in the village and covered the sky with one hand."
"There were brave members of the Uchiha Clan who opposed him."
"Some even attempted to launch a coup and overthrow his rule."
"Unfortunately, all of them failed."
"At the time, I was still weak."
"I understood early on that preserving oneself was the wisest course."
"Later, however, the situation changed."
"Senju Tobirama was ambushed and killed."
"Before his death, he directly appointed the next Hokage candidate."
"By then, he had already forgotten the rules he once established for selecting a Hokage."
"That so-called democratic election."
"As for his judgment…"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk."
"It was terrible."
"He did not choose a successor from the Senju Clan."
"Instead, he selected Sarutobi Hiruzen of the Sarutobi Clan to become the Third Hokage."
"Then I defeated Hiruzen with ease."
"Afterward, I defeated Uzumaki Mito as well, reopened the democratic election, and became Konoha's Third Hokage."
Uchiha Ren recounted his history of struggle with great passion.
He had endured humiliation, concealed his strength for years, relied on his system—
And seized the position of Third Hokage in a single move!
Truly inspirational!
Uchiha Izuna listened from the side and occasionally offered commentary.
When he heard that Senju Tobirama had been ambushed at the negotiation table, he immediately applauded.
He danced with joy while mocking Tobirama for lacking intelligence and failing to see through such an inferior trap.
One insult followed another.
The two quickly became embroiled in a fierce war of words.
When Uchiha Izuna heard that Tobirama had appointed Sarutobi Hiruzen as Third Hokage, the argument reached its climax.
He pointed directly at Tobirama's nose and mocked him for lacking the ability to judge people.
He had actually chosen a shinobi from a small clan to become Hokage!
"Tobirama, I truly overestimated you."
"You lived so long, yet somehow became more foolish with age."
"Did you have some unspeakable relationship with Sarutobi Hiruzen?"
"Is that why you chose him as Hokage?"
"Shut up, defeated loser!"
"So what?"
"My descendant is stronger than you!"
"From now on, the Senju Clan will remain beneath the Uchiha Clan forever!"
"Until the end of time!"
"AAAAAH!"
"I'll cut out your tongue with the Flying Thunder God Slash!"
"Come on!"
"Descendant, let's attack him together and teach Senju Tobirama a proper lesson!"
Their war of words quickly escalated into physical conflict again.
Uchiha Izuna immediately sent Uchiha Ren an invitation to form a team.
He could clearly feel how poor his current condition was.
If he fought Senju Tobirama alone, the result would be too miserable to imagine.
"Lord Izuna, calm down."
"I haven't finished exposing Senju Tobirama's dark history."
"For example—corruption and embezzlement."
"Uchiha Ren, shut your mouth!"
"Didn't we already make an agreement?"
"Neither of us would ever mention those ancient, trivial matters again!"
Senju Tobirama shouted furiously from the side.
He could not allow Uchiha Ren to reveal all of his humiliating history.
Otherwise, Uchiha Izuna would definitely use those matters to mock him endlessly in the future.
"Hmph."
"You dared do it, but now you're afraid of hearing it spoken aloud?"
"Senju Tobirama, you truly are a hypocritical villain."
"Descendant, let's attack together and teach him a lesson!"
Uchiha Izuna spoke with open disdain.
He had never been able to tolerate Senju Tobirama.
The greatest stain on his entire life was the moment he had carelessly lost to Tobirama's underhanded scheme.
Although his current condition was poor, it didn't matter.
Uchiha Ren was Uchiha Izuna's greatest source of confidence.
"Shut up, defeated loser!"
"Uchiha Ren is Konoha's Third Hokage."
"And I am Konoha's Second Hokage."
"The two of us cooperated and jointly created the prosperous Konoha of today."
"You're a dead man who cannot even be considered part of Konoha."
"The conflict between Uchiha Ren and me is, at most, an internal disagreement!"
"We do not need a defeated loser like you interfering and offering opinions!"
Senju Tobirama attempted to pull Uchiha Ren into his camp.
No matter what—
Both of them were Hokage.
Although Uchiha Ren was a black-hearted bastard, he was an exceptionally intelligent black-hearted bastard.
Compared with Uchiha Izuna, whom Tobirama had barely known, Tobirama was undoubtedly more important.
After all, he had served as Hokage and devoted his entire life to Konoha.
Even after death, he was still "voluntarily" working as a research beast of burden in the laboratory.
His contributions to Konoha could never be erased.
Uchiha Izuna, meanwhile, was nothing more than a reckless brute!
Whether in strength or intelligence—
He was inferior to Tobirama in every way!
Therefore—
The advantage was Tobirama's!
"Tobirama, I never expected to hear those words from you."
"You've made me see you in an entirely new light."
Uchiha Ren looked at Senju Tobirama with great interest and spoke slowly.
Tobirama was clearly desperate.
He had actually described Ren's one-sided exploitation as "mutual cooperation."
"Descendant!"
"Senju Tobirama will never treat an Uchiha as a comrade!"
"The instant he gets an opportunity, he will definitely act against the Uchiha Clan!"
"You must not allow yourself to be deceived by him!"
Uchiha Izuna anxiously tried to persuade Uchiha Ren.
His descendant absolutely could not be misled by Senju Tobirama!
"Tobirama, as Hokage, I am very pleased that you have finally awakened to the truth."
"However, I do not like the fact that you concealed research results."
Uchiha Ren's expression became serious.
"Uchiha Ren, you have to believe me!"
"I have never hidden any experimental results!"
"That investigation report is slandering me!"
"The words of those third-rate researchers outside cannot be trusted!"
"Hmph."
"What an eloquent mouth."
"You're still calling it slander."
Uchiha Ren felt somewhat helpless.
Senju Tobirama truly was stubborn.
Ren had already resurrected Uchiha Izuna, yet Tobirama still refused to admit anything.
"Senju Tobirama, if you are a hero and a true man, then admit what you did!"
"That investigation report already—"
Although Uchiha Izuna had no idea what had happened, he still joined Uchiha Ren's side.
He wanted to use Ren's hand to teach Tobirama a proper lesson.
"Did Uchiha Izuna leave you unable to answer?"
"I wasn't left unable to answer by Uchiha Izuna."
"I simply refuse to respond to this defeated loser!"
"All Uchiha Izuna has ever known is how to swing blades and throw punches."
"What does he understand about research?"
"And he dares bark like a rabid dog in this laboratory?"
Senju Tobirama wore a contemptuous expression and sneered.
"AAAAAH!"
"You bastard!"
"Descendant, hand Senju Tobirama over to me!"
"I have a way to make him confess!"
The moment Uchiha Izuna saw Tobirama's disdainful gaze, his anger exploded again.
He spoke furiously.
"Hmph."
"Uchiha Ren, all you want are research results."
"I have a good solution."
"Hand Uchiha Izuna over to me and make him my subordinate."
"With him beside me, my research efficiency will definitely increase."
"I guarantee that the number of research results I submit in the future will satisfy you."
As Senju Tobirama spoke, he stared at Uchiha Izuna with unmistakable malice.
"I become your subordinate?"
"Stop dreaming!"
"Isn't that right, descendant?"
The instant Uchiha Izuna heard such an absurd condition, he cursed Tobirama.
Uchiha Ren remained silent.
He looked at Senju Tobirama.
Then he looked at Uchiha Izuna.
His goal had always been to obtain more research results.
Although Tobirama still refused to admit anything, he was effectively lowering his head in another form.
He was willing to submit the research results he had concealed through a different arrangement.
The price, however—
Was Uchiha Izuna.
Uchiha Izuna was a senior of the Uchiha Clan.
He had gone through fire and water for the clan.
He was also Uchiha Madara's younger brother.
And allowing Tobirama to achieve his lifelong dream so easily would be far too generous.
"Descendant, you aren't seriously considering agreeing to Senju Tobirama's condition, are you?!"
Uchiha Izuna's expression immediately changed when he saw Ren fall into thought.
His descendant couldn't possibly accept such an absurd condition.
"Hahahaha!"
"Uchiha Izuna, let me tell you something."
"Uchiha Ren's bottom line is far lower than you imagine."
"His favorite activity is squeezing every last drop of labor from other people."
"My research results are the perfect example."
"And his heart is exceptionally black."
"Do not assume he will favor you merely because you are also an Uchiha."
Senju Tobirama spoke sinisterly from the side.
At the same time, he stared at Uchiha Izuna with undisguised desire.
"Descendant, Senju Tobirama is slandering you, isn't he?"
"I believe you are definitely not that kind of person."
"Of course."
"Lord Izuna is a senior of the Uchiha Clan."
"How could I force you to remain the subordinate of your lifelong enemy?"
Uchiha Ren nodded.
How could his moral integrity possibly be as low as Tobirama claimed?
This was pure slander.
Still—
For Konoha, there was nothing wrong with asking Uchiha Izuna to make a small sacrifice.
To Senju Tobirama, Uchiha Izuna was an excellent reward.
If Tobirama wanted temporary control over Izuna, Ren would not only establish extremely high performance targets—
The conditions would also have to be harsh.
And the duration of control had to be short!
"You heard him, didn't you?"
"Senju Tobirama, I knew you were merely trying to sow discord!"
Before Uchiha Izuna could finish speaking, Uchiha Ren continued.
"However, Lord Izuna, you are a senior of the Uchiha Clan."
"You surely would not mind making a small contribution for your descendants and enduring a little grievance, would you?"
"What do you mean?!"
Uchiha Izuna panicked.
His descendant suddenly no longer looked quite so trustworthy.
"The meaning is simple."
"Senju Tobirama is my excellent beast of burden—"
"Ahem."
"He is an outstanding contributor to Konoha."
"As Konoha's Third Hokage, I must consider the village in everything I do."
"Since Senju Tobirama wants so badly to become your direct superior, he should receive a small reward if he works hard enough."
"Tobirama, as long as the number of research results you submit each time reaches this amount and you maintain it for an entire year, I can arrange a duel."
"I will prepare sacrificial bodies of the same quality for both you and Lord Izuna."
"If you defeat Lord Izuna, I will transfer control of his Impure World Reincarnation to you for three minutes."
Uchiha Ren raised a finger as he stated his exceptionally harsh conditions.
He had already estimated Senju Tobirama's research efficiency.
The performance requirements were extremely high.
Even if Tobirama achieved them, he would still need to defeat Uchiha Izuna before obtaining those brief three minutes.
"These conditions are far too harsh!"
"Do you understand that scientific research requires inspiration?"
"Even I cannot guarantee that every month I can—"
"Enough nonsense."
"One sentence."
"Do you accept or not?"
"Oh, and the required number of submissions for this year will be doubled."
"As for the reason, I'm sure I don't need to explain it."
Senju Tobirama frowned.
He wanted Uchiha Ren to reduce the number of required research results, but Ren gave him no opportunity to negotiate.
The experimental results Tobirama had secretly hidden would barely be enough to meet the requirements for one year.
As expected of the black-hearted Uchiha Ren.
He had calculated everything perfectly!
All he knew how to do was exploit Tobirama's labor!
He had established such a harsh reward condition because he wanted to work Tobirama like livestock!
And even after fulfilling the performance requirements—
Tobirama would still need to defeat Uchiha Izuna.
Uchiha Ren was clearly making things difficult for him on purpose.
But—
The thought of being able to dominate Uchiha Izuna for three full minutes—
Filled Senju Tobirama's entire body with motivation!
Previously, Uchiha Ren had still worked him like a beast of burden.
Now, at least, there was a reward.
And the reward was extremely tempting!
This was extraordinary progress!
"Deal!"
After weighing the advantages and disadvantages, Senju Tobirama accepted the condition.
Even a beast of burden like Tobirama deserved to eat eventually!