"In that case…"
"Tobirama, make sure you work hard."
"The kind where you don't stop for even a single second out of twenty-four hours."
"I know!"
"Stop emphasizing it over and over, you black-hearted bastard!"
The two happily reached an agreement.
Uchiha Ren obtained more research results.
Meanwhile, the nuclear-powered donkey known as Senju Tobirama finally had a bright red carrot dangling before his eyes.
At last, his days had something to look forward to.
Everyone won!
"Enough!"
Watching the two of them reach an agreement, Uchiha Izuna suddenly roared.
At the same time, sorrow surged through his heart.
A member of his own clan had betrayed him!
And now that traitorous descendant wanted to hand him over to that bastard Senju Tobirama!
"Traitor!"
"Villain!"
"Shameless bastard!"
"You disgrace to the Uchiha Clan!"
"I'll kill you!"
Murderous intent filled Uchiha Izuna's eyes as he shouted and charged toward Uchiha Ren.
Unfortunately—
All of it was futile.
Uchiha Ren skillfully seized control of Uchiha Izuna's body.
"Lord Izuna, Senju Tobirama has already shouted those exact insults at me countless times."
"I'm tired of hearing them."
"As you can see, I'm still alive and well."
"And as a fellow member of the Uchiha Clan, I've already taken excellent care of you."
"Senju Tobirama has to work hard for an entire year, meet an extremely demanding performance target, and then defeat you before he can obtain control of your body."
"And even then, he only gets three minutes."
"Even if you truly lose to Senju Tobirama again, it will only last three minutes."
"Three minutes passes very quickly."
Considering that Uchiha Izuna was a fellow member of the Uchiha Clan, Uchiha Ren patiently tried to enlighten him.
He hoped Izuna would accept his fate.
"AAAAAH!"
"You naturally evil—"
"Let go of me!"
"What did you do to my body?!"
Uchiha Izuna continued cursing without pause.
Senju Tobirama watched as control of Izuna's body was stolen and Uchiha Ren manipulated him however he pleased.
It was like looking at his former self.
Back then—
He had also been so wild and unyielding.
But for Konoha—
He had submitted beneath Uchiha Ren's tyrannical power and worked like cattle in the laboratory!
Now the wheel of fate had finally turned.
It had landed on Uchiha Izuna.
This was simply…
Simply…
Amazing!
Uchiha Izuna, you have days like this too!
"Defeated loser, stop struggling!"
"The technique Uchiha Ren used on you was originally developed by me while I was alive."
"Later, that brat refined it until it became practically flawless."
"Even I cannot break free from his control!"
"And let me tell you something, defeated loser."
"Uchiha Ren is the most evil, shameless, and black-hearted Uchiha I have ever met."
"He only cares about profit and has absolutely no bottom line."
"So from now on—"
"You're going to stay here and keep me company forever!"
Senju Tobirama gloated from the side.
His mood had reached unprecedented heights, and he could no longer suppress the grin tugging at his lips.
At last—
He was no longer suffering alone!
Uchiha Izuna had come to accompany him!
"Ahem."
"Tobirama, I'm nowhere near as terrible as you claim."
"I am the Third Hokage."
"Everything I do is for Konoha!"
Uchiha Ren's expression darkened as he hurriedly defended himself.
That naturally evil Senju old bastard actually dared throw dirt onto his reputation.
Everything he did was for Konoha!
Calm down.
Uchiha Izuna finally stopped shouting and tried to steady his mind.
His intelligence, which was in no way inferior to Senju Tobirama's, began operating at full speed.
His current body was unbelievably weak.
Less than one percent of his former strength remained.
His chakra was feeble, and its circulation was sluggish.
Strange seals also restrained his body.
There was no possibility of overturning the situation through direct force.
He needed help.
He probably could not rely on the current Uchiha Clan.
This rebellious descendant was the clan head, and judging from the situation, his prestige among the Uchiha was extremely high.
Sigh…
Could he only place his hopes on his elder brother?
Uchiha Izuna felt increasingly despondent.
After thinking it through, only one person remained who might extend a helping hand to him—
Uchiha Madara.
"Hey, Uchiha Ren!"
"Where is my elder brother?"
"Is he still alive?"
Uchiha Ren was about to answer and explain Uchiha Madara's story when Senju Tobirama interrupted him.
"Don't tell him!"
"Uchiha Izuna is trying to extract intelligence from you!"
Senju Tobirama immediately saw through Izuna's intentions and warned Uchiha Ren not to reveal any information about Uchiha Madara.
"Go to hell, Senju Tobirama!"
"Why are you involved in everything?!"
Uchiha Izuna shouted furiously.
Senju Tobirama was as hateful as ever!
"Tobirama, it seems Lord Izuna is exactly like you were back then."
"He's completely focused on escaping."
"You must have tried every imaginable method, right?"
"Unfortunately, all of them failed."
"You've already been trapped in this laboratory for four or five years."
"And another year is nearly over."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk…"
Uchiha Ren looked toward Tobirama and spoke teasingly.
"Bastard!"
"Shut up!"
Senju Tobirama's expression darkened.
That black-hearted brat always brought up the most painful subjects.
Layer after layer of commands had been placed upon his body.
That evil little girl had also branded him with some unknown mark.
The laboratory's sealing techniques and barrier formations overlapped endlessly.
Forget Tobirama—
Even if Uchiha Madara died and was resurrected through the Impure World Reincarnation, Uchiha Ren would still be able to keep him here and force him to work like cattle.
"Lord Izuna, Lord Madara is already dead."
"After defecting from Konoha, Lord Madara used the ocular power of his Mangekyō Sharingan to capture the Nine-Tails."
"He brought the Nine-Tails back to Konoha to seek revenge against Senju Hashirama."
"That battle shook mountains, split the earth, and transformed the heavens."
"It surpassed every battle before or since."
"Only Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama stood between heaven and earth."
"In that era, among all the heroes beneath the heavens, only Hashirama and Madara truly mattered."
"In the end, Lord Madara fell slightly short."
"He was defeated by Senju Hashirama and died at the Valley of the End."
Uchiha Ren deliberately held something back.
He told Uchiha Izuna about Madara's battle with Senju Hashirama at the Valley of the End.
But he did not reveal that Uchiha Madara had faked his death.
"Impossible!"
"My elder brother could never lose!"
"He could never die!"
"…"
Uchiha Izuna lost control of his emotions once again and began shouting.
Tears actually flowed from his Impure World Reincarnation body.
The elder brother doted on his younger brother.
The younger brother worshipped his elder brother.
What touching brotherly affection!
Uchiha Ren felt somewhat moved.
Senju Tobirama, meanwhile, forcefully suppressed the smile trying to rise at the corners of his mouth.
He watched with great interest as the pitiful Uchiha Izuna was manipulated within Uchiha Ren's palm.
"My condolences, Lord Izuna."
"Let me tell you something that may make you feel better."
"In that battle, Lord Madara severely wounded Senju Hashirama."
"Not long afterward, Senju Hashirama also died."
Uchiha Ren comforted Uchiha Izuna from the side.
And surprisingly—
It worked.
After hearing that Senju Hashirama had also died, Uchiha Izuna remained deeply grieved, but his mood clearly improved.
Senju Tobirama's face immediately collapsed.
He stood behind Uchiha Ren, glaring at him with overwhelming resentment.
He desperately wanted to rush forward and drive an elbow into Uchiha Ren's face.
Uchiha Ren's heart would always be black!
After venting for a while, Uchiha Izuna's expression gradually turned icy.
His elder brother was dead.
Senju Hashirama, the man who killed his elder brother, was also dead.
He didn't even know whom he was supposed to seek revenge against.
"Lord Izuna, is there anything else you would like to know?"
"As an Uchiha descendant, I will do my best to satisfy you."
"How is the Uchiha Clan now?"
Uchiha Izuna asked about the clan.
It was the only concern left in his heart.
"I am Konoha's Hokage!"
"The Uchiha Clan is Konoha's foremost clan."
"It is currently flourishing, filled with vitality, and advancing on every front."
"It seems you are at least a decent clan head."
"However, I still hate you."
"Do not let me find an opportunity."
"Otherwise, I will definitely make you regret this!"
Uchiha Izuna spoke viciously.
He still could not forgive Uchiha Ren's actions.
Ren had actually sided with Senju Tobirama in front of him!
It was unforgivable!
"Lord Izuna, you have to understand me."
"I have my own difficulties."
"Senju Tobirama controls Konoha's core technologies."
"His brain is genuinely useful."
"Konoha's current development truly cannot continue without him."
"The Uchiha Clan's development also depends on him!"
Uchiha Ren began pouring out his grievances.
He emphasized both his own difficulties and Senju Tobirama's importance.
Tobirama's research achievements supported Konoha's current prosperity.
Uchiha Ren took a report from the previous year out of a sealing scroll.
Then he pulled out a pen and marked the market value created by Senju Tobirama.
The instant Tobirama saw Ren take out a report concerning Konoha, he tried to move closer and look.
But Uchiha Ren would never allow that.
He waved his hand dismissively and told Tobirama to get lost.
This was Konoha's highest-level confidential information.
Only Uchiha Ren and a few Hokage aides were qualified to see it.
"I am Konoha's Second Hokage!"
"What is wrong with wanting to understand Konoha's current condition?!"
Senju Tobirama complained furiously.
"Correction."
"You are Konoha's dead Second Hokage."
"A dead man should work underground twenty-four hours a day."
"You don't need to concern yourself with the affairs of the living."
Uchiha Ren immediately countered without the slightest courtesy.
"Go to hell!"
"Just because someone is dead, you think they deserve to be exploited by you?"
"Hm?"
"What gave you the illusion that I don't exploit the living too?"
"You will suffer divine retribution sooner or later!"
Senju Tobirama's face turned red with fury.
He had already lost count of how many times he had wanted to beat Uchiha Ren to death tonight.
However, when he saw Ren's hands preparing to form seals, Tobirama could only stand to the side and sulk obediently.
Uchiha Izuna accepted the report and began examining it carefully.
During the Warring States era—
Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, as the elder brothers of their respective clans, had unquestionably served as their greatest sources of military strength.
They specialized in charging into battle and leading from the front.
Senju Tobirama and Uchiha Izuna had served as their deputies.
Like reflections in a mirror, they both possessed extraordinary intelligence and administrative ability.
They had supported their elder brothers from behind.
Therefore, like Senju Tobirama, Uchiha Izuna was highly proficient in practical affairs.
After taking the report—
Uchiha Izuna studied it seriously for a while.
At last, he gained a rough understanding of the Konoha Uchiha Ren had described.
Konoha was a colossal superpower!
It was a force far beyond anything he had imagined.
It possessed vast territory, an enormous population, and tens of thousands of shinobi.
"This is Konoha?"
Uchiha Izuna's voice carried disbelief.
"Yes."
"This is Konoha."
"A Konoha led by the Uchiha Clan."
"The Uchiha Clan controls this immense power."
Uchiha Ren smiled proudly.
Open your eyes, old man from the Warring States era.
The times have changed!
"All right, brat."
"My hatred toward you has decreased slightly."
Uchiha Izuna looked at Uchiha Ren and suddenly found him somewhat more pleasing to the eye.
One of his wishes from life had been fulfilled.
The Uchiha Clan had achieved unprecedented prosperity.
Soon, Uchiha Izuna's expression changed again.
He saw Konoha's terrifying cash flow—
An amount far beyond anything he could imagine.
The endless string of zeroes made his head spin.
Uchiha Ren smiled and pointed toward the Technology Department's ability to generate revenue.
The section he had circled represented Senju Tobirama's contribution.
It occupied more than half of the total.
Once again, Uchiha Izuna found himself staring at a dizzying line of zeroes.
"Senju Tobirama truly created this much value?"
"One person can earn this much money?"
The corners of Uchiha Izuna's mouth trembled.
He clearly could not believe Tobirama was capable of generating such enormous wealth.
"Defeated loser, do you finally understand the difference between us?"
Senju Tobirama could not see the report.
However, from Uchiha Izuna's expression, he could easily infer the scale of his own contribution.
He immediately began showing off.
Tobirama would never miss an opportunity to strike at Uchiha Izuna!
"Of course, this is not solely his accomplishment."
"Every person in Konoha contributed to it."
"However, Lord Izuna, contributions differ in scale."
"It cannot be denied that Senju Tobirama's contribution was crucial."
"All these industries were built upon the foundation of his research achievements."
Uchiha Ren spread his hands helplessly.
Normally, he could oppress Senju Tobirama and squeeze every last drop of labor from him.
But in terms of status—
The two of them were ultimately equals.
Even if Tobirama slacked off, wasted time, or secretly concealed research results—
Uchiha Ren first had to find evidence and apply pressure.
But Senju Tobirama was extremely stubborn.
He refused to admit anything.
There was no other choice!
Uchiha Ren could only resurrect Uchiha Izuna through the Impure World Reincarnation.
Half threat.
Half temptation.
Step by step, he forced Tobirama to yield indirectly, hand over his hidden results, and agree to a fixed number of future submissions.
Uchiha Ren had worked for so long just to achieve this objective!
That was the price of relying on someone who controlled core technology.
"But that still does not justify you conspiring with Senju Tobirama and standing beside him!"
"You are the head of the Uchiha Clan!"
"Yet you discussed how to deal with me directly in front of my face!"
"Are you still an Uchiha?!"
Uchiha Izuna's expression hardened as he glared viciously at his rebellious descendant.
"I am an Uchiha."
"But I am also Konoha's Third Hokage!"
"This is my duty!"
Uchiha Ren declared righteously.