"You should have a good talk with Hashirama. I'll go and teach Tobirama a lesson." Su Xiuyu disappeared in an instant.
Madara let out a breath of relief and came to a halt, causing Hashirama to stop as well.
"Madara, let's have a proper discussion. The incident with Tobirama was our Senju clan's fault," Hashirama said, his voice calm yet laced with anticipation. He could feel it—his dream was closer than ever.
Madara scoffed. "So what? Even if Izuna had died, would you have Tobirama exchange his life for his?" His words dripped with sarcasm.
"I'm sorry, Madara. I can't sacrifice Tobirama for Izuna. He's my brother," Hashirama admitted. "But I can offer my own life in his place."
He took a deep breath and continued, "I only ask that after I die, you lead our clans to form an alliance and create a peaceful village."
With that, Hashirama pulled out a kunai and drove it toward his heart.
Madara's eyes widened. Reacting on instinct, he flicked a shuriken, knocking the kunai from Hashirama's grasp before it could pierce his chest.
Madara stared at him, his expression unreadable. He hadn't expected Hashirama to act so decisively. The thought that Hashirama would rather take his own life for the sake of peace… it shook him. His anger dulled slightly—after all, Izuna wasn't dead. No irreversible tragedy had occurred.
"Hashirama, do you really believe we can build a peaceful village together?"
"Yes, I always have," Hashirama said firmly.
Madara looked at his lifelong rival, his emotions complex and conflicted. Finally, he sighed. "Fine. I'll let Tobirama go this time. But make no mistake—Xiuyu is still going to teach him a lesson."
"It's okay," Hashirama replied, grinning. "As long as you don't kill me, hahaha!" He had relaxed again, slipping back into his usual carefree nature.
From a distance, the faint cries of Tobirama could be heard, pleading for help.
Hashirama, however, pretended not to hear. He knew that if Tobirama wasn't taught a lesson this time, the Uchiha wouldn't be able to move past this, and the alliance would be impossible. This time, Tobirama had to take the fall.
"Stop shouting, Hashirama's not coming," Su Xiuyu said flatly, looking at Tobirama, who was struggling. "Just give up. Besides, even if he did come, I'm not weak."
Tobirama's heart sank. He wasn't afraid for his life—he could tell Su Xiuyu didn't intend to kill him. But hearing him say he was on par with Hashirama only deepened his regret. He should have finished off Izuna when he had the chance.
"Izuna isn't dead, is he?" Tobirama asked, unwilling to accept the truth.
"No, he's not," Su Xiuyu replied coolly. "With me around, there was no way he wouldn't survive."
Tobirama clenched his jaw. Damn it. I should have found a way to get rid of Su Xiuyu first.
"You're thinking something rude, aren't you?" Su Xiuyu smirked. "Seems like I need to teach you a proper lesson. Surrender now, or don't blame me for what happens next. Don't worry—I won't kill you. Hashirama wouldn't like that."
Tobirama gritted his teeth and teleported away using Flying Thunder God.
But before he could get far, a blazing wall of fire erupted around him.
Uchiha Fire Barrier.
Tobirama was trapped inside.
"Don't bother struggling," Su Xiuyu said lazily. "I know all about your Flying Thunder God Technique, and it's not perfect yet. All of your marked kunai are within the barrier. No matter how much you try, you're not getting out."
Tobirama cursed under his breath. He hadn't expected this level of preparation. He needed to improve Flying Thunder God further—if he didn't, he would be vulnerable again.
Even so, sitting still and waiting to be captured wasn't his style.
Water Style: Water Severing Wave!
A high-pressure stream of water shot toward the flames, creating a thick mist—but the barrier didn't even flicker.
"Give it up, Tobirama," Su Xiuyu said, watching him struggle. "Even your brother can't break this barrier yet. Just surrender, and I might go easy on you."
"Hmph. Typical of the evil Uchiha clan," Tobirama muttered.
Su Xiuyu smirked. "Gotcha."
In the next instant, Tobirama found himself ensnared within the barrier. If Su Xiuyu weren't holding back, he would have used large-scale jutsu to incinerate the entire area. But this wasn't about killing—it was about punishment.
Five Elements Seal!
Four Symbols Seal!
With those two sealing techniques, Tobirama felt his chakra get locked down. He was completely immobilized.
Tobirama's eyes narrowed. "Where did you learn those seals, Uchiha Su Xiuyu? The Uzumaki clan? Don't tell me they've allied with the Uchiha!"
Su Xiuyu chuckled. "Mito taught me, if you must know. The Uzumaki clan is neutral—they haven't allied with us. So relax, they're not targeting the Senju either."
Tobirama glared at him but said nothing.
"You nearly killed Izuna, you know. If it weren't for me, he'd be dead. He went through hell because of you," Su Xiuyu continued. Then, without waiting for Tobirama to respond, he delivered a brutal punch.
Tobirama didn't flinch. He gritted his teeth and took the beating in silence.
Su Xiuyu frowned. "Still acting tough, huh?" He cracked his knuckles and struck him again—this time, directly in the face.
Over and over, Su Xiuyu landed blows until Tobirama's face was swollen beyond recognition.
Finally, satisfied, Su Xiuyu dragged the battered Senju toward Madara and Hashirama.
Madara and Hashirama were in the middle of their alliance discussion when Su Xiuyu arrived, throwing Tobirama onto the ground.
Hashirama's eyes widened. "Xiuyu, don't you think you were a little too harsh? Why did you only hit him in the face?"
"Brother, shut up," Tobirama muttered, his pride shattered. He just wanted to crawl into a hole.
Madara looked at Tobirama's bruised and swollen face and smirked. "Serves him right."
Su Xiuyu dusted off his hands. "Listen up, Hashirama. This is the last warning. If Tobirama ever dares to attack us again, I won't hold back next time." He turned to Tobirama. "I placed two seals on you. You won't be able to use chakra in battle for at least half a month. Keep him under control."
Hashirama sighed but nodded. There was no point in arguing—it had to be done.
Madara accepted the outcome as well. With this, the Uchiha and Senju had finally reached the foundation for an alliance.
The next time they met, it would be to formally establish their village.
Madara and Hashirama led their respective people away.
And so, the future of the Shinobi world was set into motion.
-----
"Izuna is awake! Izuna is awake! Patriarch! Master Xiu Yu!"
With Izuna's awakening, the entire Uchiha clan seemed to come alive again. Everyone knew that their clan had risen to prominence in the ninja world largely due to the power brought by Madara, Xiu Yu, and Izuna.
Back when Tajima led the Uchiha, they were only on par with the Senju clan—one of the two most powerful ninja clans in the Land of Fire. But now, the Uchiha were showing signs of becoming the dominant force in the entire ninja world.
For the clan, Madara, Xiu Yu, and Izuna were all indispensable leaders, guiding them toward an unprecedented era of strength.
"Izuna, don't push yourself too hard," Madara said, concern evident in his voice.
"I'm fine, brother. Xiu Yu," Izuna replied, though his voice was still weak.
"Don't worry," Madara reassured him. "Xiu Yu and I have been holding things down. We even fought the Senju in a major battle. I went toe-to-toe with Hashirama, and Xiu Yu gave Tobirama a lesson he won't forget anytime soon."
"That's right," Xiu Yu added with a smirk. "I beat Tobirama so bad he looked like a swollen pig. Want me to show you my transformation jutsu to recreate the scene?"
Izuna chuckled, then winced in pain. "Alright, alright, if you keep joking like that, I'll laugh myself into reopening my wounds."
Madara and Xiu Yu exchanged glances, satisfied that their friend was still in good spirits.
"Izuna, we've made a decision," Madara said, his expression turning serious. "I've spoken with Hashirama. We're really going through with the alliance."
"So, the peace we've been dreaming of… it's finally within reach," Izuna murmured, clenching his fist
But then, Xiu Yu's tone shifted. "Izuna, there's something Madara hasn't told you yet."
Madara's eyes narrowed. "Xiu Yu, now's not the time. Izuna just woke up—"
"Brother," Izuna cut him off, his gaze sharp. "You're going blind, aren't you?"
Madara froze.
"I figured as much," Izuna sighed. "It's the side effects of the Mangekyō Sharingan, isn't it?"
Xiu Yu nodded. "Yeah. This last battle with Hashirama took its toll. Tobirama landed a surprise attack on Madara, and at one point, Madara's Susanoo suddenly deactivated mid-fight. That wasn't normal, was it, Madara? Your eyes couldn't handle the strain anymore, could they?"
Madara's expression turned bitter. "You noticed that?"
"Of course, I did. I had one of my clones shadow you during the fight. Susanoo doesn't just vanish unless the user loses control. That only happens when the side effects of the Mangekyō become too much to suppress."
Izuna's jaw tightened. "Then there's no question. You need my eyes, brother. You have to transplant them."
Madara's head snapped up. "Absolutely not! I refuse to take your eyes!"
Izuna's resolve didn't waver. "My eyes will be of greater use to you. With them, you'll be able to lead the clan to new heights. And besides, I won't die from an eye transplant—I'll still be alive."
Madara clenched his fists. "An Uchiha who loses his Sharingan is as good as dead!"
The room fell into silence. One brother willing to sacrifice, the other refusing. If things had played out as they were meant to, Izuna would have died from Tobirama's attack and entrusted his eyes to Madara before passing. But now, with Izuna still alive, Madara refused to take them.
The situation had reached a stalemate.
"Alright, listen to me," Xiu Yu said, breaking the tension. "Remember when I told you to preserve the eyes of the previous clan leader, Uchiha Tajima? We can transplant Izuna's eyes to Madara—but in exchange, Izuna will receive Tajima's eyes. That way, both of you keep your strength without any major losses."
Both brothers froze, realization dawning on them.
"Xiu Yu…" Madara muttered. "You planned for this from the start, didn't you?"
Izuna's eyes widened. "That's why you insisted on keeping father's eyes. You saw this coming, didn't you?"
Xiu Yu gave them a knowing look. "Let's just say I had a hunch. The Sharingan is a reflection of the soul, right? Each Mangekyō has a unique ability tied to its user's emotions and desires. My ability lets me glimpse the future."
Madara and Izuna exchanged glances, finally understanding.
"And that's why I advised you to keep Tajima's eyes safe," Xiu Yu continued. "Now, you have a way forward without unnecessary sacrifices."
To further prove his point, Xiu Yu activated his own Susanoo. A skeletal warrior formed beside him, its golden chakra radiating an aura different from Madara's or Izuna's.
Madara and Izuna stared at him in disbelief.
"You can manifest Susanoo… with just three tomoe?" Madara asked, stunned.
Xiu Yu shrugged. "What can I say? Guess I'm just talented."
Madara sighed. "Fine. I'll transplant father's eyes instead."
Xiu Yu shook his head. "No, you should take Izuna's eyes. Trust me—when you do, you'll unlock the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. That means no more blindness, no more limits on your power."
Madara narrowed his eyes. "You're certain?"
"I've seen the future, Madara. With the Eternal Mangekyō, you'll awaken the true power of the Uchiha clan. You're the patriarch—you need to stay at full strength to lead the clan through the battles ahead."
Madara remained silent, deep in thought.
Xiu Yu smirked. "And don't get cocky. Do you really think Hashirama was fighting you at full strength?"
Madara's pupils shrank.
"What are you saying?"
Xiu Yu's expression was dead serious. "I mean that the battle you had with Hashirama? That wasn't even him at his full power. If you think you can challenge him without unlocking the Eternal Mangekyō, you're a fool."
Madara's hands tightened into fists. The implications were clear—if Hashirama had been holding back, then Madara was nowhere near his true level.
"Brother, trust Xiu Yu," Izuna said firmly. "I believe in him. And if what he says is true, then the only path forward is clear."
Madara exhaled slowly, finally making his decision. "Alright. I'll do it."
And with that, the course of Uchiha history was set into motion.
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