Wood Release: Wood Wall Jutsu!
Hashirama easily blocked the fireball, and Madara immediately flashed over to interrupt Izuna's hand seals and restrain him.
"Let go of me, damn Tobirama Senju! What kind of evil technique did you use to control Nii-san?"
"That's enough, Izuna. Calm down. I am not being controlled." Madara explained gently, "Here's what happened..."
A moment later…
"What?! We lost? You agreed to cooperate to protect the clan, successfully ended the warring era, and founded Konoha? The Senju withdrew from the core? The Uchiha clan was given preferential treatment, and you became the First Hokage?"
Izuna was struck dumb by the shock, frozen in place, no longer resisting.
"Do you understand now? The concept of clans is a thing of the past. Other countries are also imitating us by establishing ninja villages. A war between nations is coming, and we are currently planning to seize power!"
"..."
Hashirama also tried to persuade him, "Many members of the Senju clan also died at your hands, but for the sake of peace and for the children, we chose to let go, because hatred only breeds more hatred!
Let it go, Izuna. Think about Madara. Think about the children."
"Madara, take Izuna to see the village. There are some things he needs to experience for himself."
Madara, however, sneered at Tobirama, "Tobirama Senju, don't think I don't know what you're plotting. Izuna won't be controlled by you."
Then he turned and, without another word, took his brother away: "Come with me."
Only Hashirama and Tobirama remained on the scene.
"Are you satisfied now?"
"Not bad. It's a shame they didn't end up fighting."
Hashirama's eyes showed sincerity and determination, "As I said earlier, it's for the children, and for peace!"
Tobirama shrugged. "I know. What are you planning to do now, Brother?"
"Has the Daimyo's envoy arrived? How are the preparations?"
"He arrived today. Everything is ready."
"Good…"
The next day!
When the time came, Izuna was reincarnated again using the Impure World Reincarnation.
Because he had experienced the harmonious atmosphere in the village yesterday, and at the secret Uchiha meeting, every clan member had expressed their longing for peace, he didn't act rashly this time. Instead, he followed behind Madara with a cold expression.
This time, he planned to help Nii-san with political affairs and, incidentally, expose the Senju's political schemes.
"I knew there was no such good thing. Those resources and that power are almost entirely monopolized by Tobirama Senju and his allies!"
"We only have authority over the rule of law and the police force?"
Madara said indifferently, "Izuna, with me as Hokage, they're just working for me—no, they're all working for the village's development. Besides, we have a lot of our people in the Elder Council."
"Nii-san, you've been deceived by them! They're trying to sideline you!"
"Enough, I know what I'm doing. Didn't you say you wanted to help me?" Madara pointed to the mountain of bamboo scrolls piled on his desk. "Here. They're all yours."
With that, he turned and walked away, ignoring his brother's reaction.
"Huh?! Me alone? What about you? Don't go, Nii-san!"
"Bang!" The door slammed shut.
"Damn it! I see. Damn Senju, you're trying to work Nii-san to death, aren't you? But you miscalculated! I have limitless stamina and energy. As long as I take his place, your schemes won't succeed!"
After muttering to himself, Izuna plunged headfirst into the work.
As for Madara, he had practically fled the Hokage's office, heading outside the village…
At that moment, he felt incredibly fortunate and thought to himself, "Don't blame me, Izuna. You were the one who said you wanted to help."
Soon enough, he witnessed an excellent show beginning to unfold.
Outside the village, the scorching sun baked the earth. The crack of a whip against a commoner's back produced a dull thud, beads of blood mixing with sweat as they seeped into the soil.
The commoner being whipped endured it, not daring to make a sound.
In a field of good farmland, commoners knelt all around. In the center stood a man who looked like a noble.
He wielded a whip.
"Speak! Who told you to pay less tax?"
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Even though his back was torn open by the whip, the commoner still didn't answer, silently enduring.
An emotion called anger was beginning to spread.
"Fine. Won't talk, huh? Go ahead! The women are yours to play with; kill the men."
Immediately, over a dozen guards appeared beside him.
There were chunin and samurai among them. They walked menacingly toward the wretches.
"Lord Envoy, why bother with these commoners? Lord Hashirama is waiting for your esteemed arrival." A jonin from the village appeared, trying to politely interrupt their violence.
"Hmph, don't you know the reason? A failed, rejected man still dares to try and curry favor with me. Where is your Hokage? Tell him to come out!"
Unexpectedly, the Daimyo's envoy didn't care about Hashirama at all and even demanded Madara come out to greet him.
Hidden in the shadows, Madara's eyes narrowed, a fierce glint flashing within them, though it quickly disappeared. He curled his lip in disdain.
In his heart, he had already sentenced this insignificant ant to death.
In the field, the Daimyo's envoy continued to vent his dissatisfaction, even ordering his men to continue abusing the commoners.
Just as the jonin was troubled and unsure of what to do,
An overwhelming aura came from behind, pressing down on him uncomfortably. The envoy's guards had it even worse,
They were all forced to cough up blood from the pressure.
A deep voice rang out: "Envoy, this is Konoha. We have the right to protect the safety of any villager. Madara is busy. If there's an issue, you can speak with me."
Hashirama stood there in red armor, a spring-like breeze in his demeanor, smiling cheerfully, though his gaze was deep.
"Senju Hashirama, are you trying to rebel? I will report your actions to the Daimyo!" The envoy said disdainfully.
"When the Daimyo deducts your supplies, that will be your fault."
Hearing the threat of supplies being cut, Hashirama's expression turned grim, and his tone lost some of its confidence: "Envoy, I was the one who ordered the tax reduction. I willingly accept punishment, but please do not cut Konoha's supplies."
With that, he signaled his men to bring two chests in front of the envoy and slowly opened them…
Inside, golden light radiated; they were filled with gold, silver, jewels, and large amounts of paper money.
The contents of both chests were identical.
"One is for the Daimyo, and the other is a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it, Lord Envoy."
The envoy's fat fingers pinched the jewels, sweat stains leaving clear marks on the gold leaf. The guards beside him looked on with greedy, lip-licking gazes.
"All high-quality goods. I didn't expect such sincerity from you. Not bad, not bad."
"I will raise the taxes now. I hope the Envoy will put in a good word for us when speaking with the Daimyo."
"Hmm… Don't say I'm making things difficult for you. Before I left, the Daimyo specifically instructed that Konoha's taxes must be increased by thirty percent. So, you understand."
Upon hearing this, a surge of inexplicable rage welled up in the hearts of the kneeling commoners. That was actually ten percent more than before!
Some people slumped to the ground in despair;
Some resented Lord Hashirama;
But more clenched their fists, filled with unwillingness and hatred.
Hearing this, a knowing, ambiguous smile appeared on Hashirama's face. He pretended to struggle unwillingly for a moment.
The envoy's reaction was as expected—there was no room for negotiation.
Finally, Hashirama had no choice but to agree. He also proposed that he would accompany Madara to the Daimyo's capital to personally apologize to the Daimyo.
The envoy arrogantly stated that they could go, but they could only bring ten—no, five—guards, and they were not allowed to bring any weapons. When they met the Daimyo, their attitude must be respectful.
Hashirama readily agreed.
Satisfied with this, the envoy followed Hashirama's arrangements and guidance to a place prepared for them, where they could properly relax.
"Hmph! How utterly disgusting." Madara, who had witnessed the whole scene, commented with disgust. "I could never do something like that. You really have it tough, Hashirama."
Afterwards, he went again to the Hokage Rock, standing atop his own sculpted head.
He silently looked down upon the village.
"Peace, is it? It's not far now…"