Ever since that day, Xuan and the others began meeting up much more frequently.
The three of them would spar using Ninjutsu and discuss the current political landscape of the Warring States. Among the three, Uchiha Madara possessed the best Taijutsu. Thanks to the constant pressure Xuan applied, Madara's current strength was far higher than in the original timeline, often allowing him to completely suppress Hashirama in a hand-to-hand fight.
However, Hashirama's rate of improvement soon left the two Uchiha absolutely astounded. It was as if the guy had a cheat code activated. Every time he got thoroughly thrashed, his strength would visibly increase by the next day. Eventually, after a month of this, his Taijutsu had nearly caught up to Madara's.
"You definitely have Saiyan blood in you. Otherwise, how the hell do you have this broken setting where your combat power spikes after a near-death experience? Actually, wait—you haven't even been near death!"
Faced with Xuan's bizarre complaints, Hashirama just scratched his head in utter confusion.
Naturally, through sparring with the two of them, Xuan's own Taijutsu improved by leaps and bounds. Furthermore, because he possessed the Flying Raijin Jutsu, he often played the two of them like fiddles. Eventually, Madara and Hashirama got so annoyed that they threatened to never spar with him again if he kept spamming that shameless Jutsu. Xuan met their threats with a deadpan silence.
The three of them also ranked their seniority by age. Upon comparing birthdays, they discovered that Uchiha Madara was actually exactly one month older than Senju Hashirama. Thus, with a highly smug smile, Madara claimed the title of "Eldest Brother," Hashirama became "Second Brother," and Xuan was forced to settle for "Third Brother."
For some reason, every time Xuan heard the title "Third Brother," the image of a dark-faced, bearded brute popped into his head. He vehemently protested the title, so eventually, the three of them just went back to calling each other by their names.
One day, after finishing their sparring session, the three sat cross-legged on a large boulder. In front of them sat bamboo tubes filled with fresh water. Xuan took a sip and immediately spat it out in disgust. "You call this drinkable? You're way too half-hearted, Hashirama."
Hashirama had been the one to fetch the water. Hearing the complaint, he snorted, naturally refusing to accept the criticism. "Drink it or don't. Unless you can pull out something high-class, shut your mouth." Having grown close to them, he was becoming much more casual and blunt.
Xuan just smiled smugly and snapped his fingers. Instantly, a pristine wine jug and three small cups materialized out of thin air and dropped onto the boulder. Madara immediately snatched the jug and popped the cork. The rich, intoxicating aroma of aged wine wafted into the air, causing Hashirama to secretly gulp.
"Hmph. This is a premium vintage from the Uchiha clan cellars. It cost me a fortune to get my hands on it." Xuan tilted his chin up, looking at the two boys frantically pouring themselves cups as if they were uncultured country bumpkins.
A few seconds later, he realized something was wrong. The two of them showed absolutely zero intention of stopping. Cup after cup, a full third of the jug was already gone.
"Holy crap, you two bastards! Leave some for me!"
Amidst the laughter and shouting, the three of them completely polished off the jug of premium wine. Madara let out a satisfied hiccup, his eyes narrowed in pure enjoyment. Most of the jug had ended up in his stomach.
Rubbing his belly, Hashirama let out a long breath. "We keep saying we want to change the world, but the problem is how exactly we're supposed to change the current reality. We need a concrete plan for the future."
Madara thought for a moment before replying, "First, we have to solidify our resolve. Then, we have to make ourselves strong. No matter how loud a weak dog barks, it's completely useless."
Hashirama strongly agreed. "Yeah. If we can master all sorts of Ninjutsu and become truly powerful, the adults won't be able to ignore our opinions anymore."
"Which means we have to overcome the Ninjutsu we're bad at and eliminate our weaknesses," Madara said, standing up. He looked back with a confident smirk. "Though, when it comes to that, I already don't have any so-called 'weaknesses'." With that, he began walking toward the edge of the cliff overlooking the river.
Xuan shook his head, sighing internally. Two idiots living in their own little world. Still, you have to respect their spirit.
"Hm?" Hashirama looked up and saw Madara standing near the edge. A wicked, devious smirk crept onto his face as he began sneaking up quietly behind him.
Xuan's eyelid twitched violently. He rubbed his forehead and followed after them. Hashirama definitely remembers Madara saying he can't pee if someone stands behind him. How devious is this guy, really?
The view from the cliff was incredibly expansive. Looking out, a vast, endless sea of lush green forest stretched out in every direction, making them feel as if they were suspended right in the heart of the woods.
"You can overlook the entire forest from up here," Hashirama said, his mood visibly lifting.
"Heh. Our Sharingan can see further than anything," Madara boasted proudly.
"You guys have already awakened the Sharingan?!" Hashirama asked in absolute shock. During their spars, he had never seen either of them use it.
"Of course we have. We're the geniuses of the Uchiha, after all." Madara's nose was pointed so high it was practically aiming at the sky.
"That's amazing!"
A gentle breeze brushed past the three boys. Staring out at the breathtaking scenery before them, a profound sense of awe washed over them.
"It's decided. We'll build our village right here!" Hashirama declared, his face flushed with excitement. The sunlight caught his features, granting him a unique, commanding charisma. "In this village, children won't have to kill each other. We'll build a school to train them, let them grow up and get strong. Everyone will be able to choose missions based on their own strength and abilities. We'll have superiors who properly grade the difficulty of missions. It will be a village where we never have to send children to the frontlines to gamble with their lives."
Xuan stood slightly to the side, watching Hashirama gesture wildly. What was going through his head right now? Was he just relying on hot-blooded passion to change reality, or did he truly, firmly believe that hard work could change everything? Regardless, Hashirama probably couldn't imagine that one day, this wild dream of his would actually become reality.
Konoha, huh... I'm actually looking forward to it a bit, Xuan thought, lowering his gaze and looking back out over the sea of trees, imagining what the future Hidden Leaf Village would look like.
Madara turned his head and laughed. "You're the only one who would say something that stupid."
Hashirama completely ignored the jab, fully immersed in his own vision. Excitedly, he asked, "What do you guys think?"
Madara blinked in surprise, then smiled broadly. "Not bad."
"I'll be waiting for that day," Xuan answered with absolute, unwavering conviction. Even Hashirama was taken aback, not expecting such a definitive, positive response. A wave of deep emotion and boundless motivation surged in his chest.
"We can do it! As long as the three of us work together, we can definitely build the village of our dreams!" Hashirama secretly clenched his fists, an overwhelming surge of heroic ambition filling his heart. "Then it's settled."
Madara seemed infected by the energy. Smiling, he said, "If we really build this village, I'm going to bring my little brother and everyone I cherish here, to this place overlooking the forest, and protect them properly."
Hashirama laughed heartily, and Madara joined in the joyous mood. Xuan watched it all with a faint smile. At this exact moment, aside from Xuan himself, the other two likely still viewed this promise as a distant, unreachable dream, not truly believing that one day they would actually build such a village.
These peaceful days continued for a little while longer. One afternoon, after they had finished hanging out, the three of them stood on opposite banks of the river.
Four skipping stones were lightly tossed out, bouncing across the water in opposite directions. They reached the opposite banks and were caught cleanly by hand. Hashirama caught one in each hand and smiled. "Let's call it a day here. See you later!"
Madara and Xuan, gripping the stones they had caught, waved back and smiled as they bid him farewell.
As they parted ways, Xuan glanced down at the smooth stone in his hand and silently tucked it into his robes. If he wasn't mistaken, this carefree friendship was destined to end by tomorrow. Next came the truly cruel, bloody path of the Warring States Era. And as for himself... it was time to step onto the grand stage of this world.
Madara and Xuan returned to the clan compound. Just as they were about to wave goodbye and head to their respective homes, their vision blurred. Three figures suddenly materialized out of nowhere, completely surrounding them.
Xuan's gaze swept lightly over the three men. Recognizing them as Uchiha Tajima's personal Shadow Guards, he discreetly released the one-handed hand seal he had instinctively formed inside his sleeves.
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