The air in the Hokage's office was unusually still, as if the entire village were holding its breath.
A silence settled between the four legendary figures seated within—Senju Hashirama, Tobirama, Uchiha Madara, and the enigmatic Wandering Sage, Kai.
Just an hour ago, Hashirama and Tobirama had returned from the Fire Daimyo's palace, where they'd scrambled to salvage diplomacy after Madara's unexpected annihilation of Iwagakure. The political fallout was spreading like wildfire, stoking fear in some countries and ambition in others.
And now, they were gathered again.
The tension, though momentarily subdued, was far from resolved.
Madara leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, face as cold as stone.
Tobirama shot him a wary glance. "You've set something in motion none of us are ready for."
Madara didn't respond immediately. Instead, he gave Tobirama a long, calculating look, then offered a faint smirk.
"You know," he said slowly, "it's impressive, really."
Tobirama frowned. "What is?"
"How thoroughly you've thought through every possible scenario. I'd almost believe you've had plans for fighting the entire ninja world for years."
The accusation was subtle, but the implication was clear.
Tobirama's spine straightened. "Don't twist this. I haven't planned any of that."
Madara's smile widened just a little. "But you've imagined it. Considered it. Prepared contingencies."
"I made theoretical assessments," Tobirama snapped. "It's called foresight. You should try it sometime."
Madara chuckled under his breath and turned away, apparently satisfied.
Hashirama sighed heavily and leaned forward.
"Madara, Tobirama's right, at least in part. We can't let our power dictate the world's future."
"The village… can't bear that burden."
Madara met his old friend's gaze, surprisingly calm. "Then the village shouldn't start what it can't finish."
Before Hashirama could reply, Kai spoke.
"No need to quarrel. Tobirama's scenario is the worst-case model—nothing more."
"But let's not pretend it's inevitable."
The others turned their attention to him.
"Konoha might be strong enough to face the world—and win."
The room fell still again.
Even Madara seemed slightly intrigued.
Tobirama, however, gave him a skeptical look. "You think we can fight the entire ninja world and win?"
Kai leaned forward, lacing his fingers.
"To be precise, Konoha doesn't need to. The rest of the ninja world isn't as unified or as formidable as you imagine."
"Politically fragmented. Economically strained. Militarily jealous of Konoha's strength. That's not a coalition—it's a collection of ticking time bombs. You just have to shake the ground."
Hashirama raised an eyebrow. "You're saying the world could collapse without a war?"
"I'm saying," Kai said, "there are many ways to win besides brute force."
"Divide them. Bribe them. Manipulate them. Steal their secrets. Use their pride against them. Trigger their own collapses. Orchestrate civil unrest. Cause famine, financial crisis, plague, rebellion."
"War is only one tool in a much larger set."
It was a terrifying thing to hear spoken so calmly.
Even Madara gave Kai a second glance. The man had all the cold logic of a warlord—without a drop of hesitation.
Hashirama's face darkened. "That's… too evil."
"Is it?" Kai asked. "Do you think those other nations won't use every trick they know against Konoha if they get the chance?"
"They smile at you because they fear you. They cooperate because you're stronger. But the moment they sense a weakness—"
"They will strike."
That part, no one could argue.
Hashirama slumped slightly in his seat. "Still… I didn't want this."
He looked up at Madara.
"I just wanted peace."
Madara didn't laugh. He didn't smirk. For once, he met Hashirama's gaze without a hint of mockery.
"And I wanted security," he said softly. "A place where our people wouldn't be slaughtered for someone else's war."
Kai stood slowly, walking to the window. Outside, the village bustled on, unaware of the strategies and secrets being discussed in its heart.
"I'm not asking you to conquer the world in a day," he said. "The opposite."
"What I want… is for Konoha to survive the storm that's coming."
"And if, on the other side of that storm, Konoha happens to be the only village left standing?"
He turned.
"Then so be it."
Hashirama was quiet.
So was Tobirama.
Because deep down, they both understood—what Kai was proposing wasn't evil.
It was inevitable.
And whether they wanted it or not, their decisions today would decide the fate of the ninja world.
Still, Hashirama tried to resist.
"This kind of forced unification… it won't bring real peace."
"It can," Kai said. "If it's done right."
"But peace built on fear—"
"Is still peace," Madara finished.
And for a moment, their eyes met again—two men with the same dream, divided only by the path they believed in.
Hashirama shook his head.
"I won't be the one to start that war."
"I know," Kai said simply. "You won't have to."
He turned to Madara, whose expression had sharpened again.
"I'll handle it. Slowly. Strategically."
"But first, we need to finish our last deal."
Madara's brows lifted. "Izuna?"
Kai nodded. "You upheld your end. You destroyed Iwagakure. Now I'll uphold mine."
Tobirama turned sharply. "Wait, what?"
Hashirama's head snapped toward him as well. "You… you can bring him back?"
"I can," Kai said. "But I'll need help."
Madara turned toward Hashirama with that glint of mischief in his eye.
"Hashirama."
The First Hokage blinked. "Yes?"
"Let me bite you."
The room went silent.
Tobirama's eyes widened.
Hashirama tilted his head. "You what?"
Madara smirked. "Don't make it weird."
"I need some of your blood. The closer to the source, the better."
Hashirama's mouth opened. Then closed.
Then opened again.
"You could've just asked for a blood sample!"
"Too easy," Madara said. "And I thought it might be fun."
Hashirama groaned. "You haven't changed at all."
But even as he spoke, he rolled up his sleeve and offered his arm.
"Here. Take what you need. But no biting!"
Madara sighed dramatically. "Fine."
He pulled out a small surgical chakra blade from a scroll and made a careful incision in Hashirama's forearm—just deep enough to extract a small tissue sample.
Hashirama winced but said nothing.
"You're lucky I trust you."
"I'm lucky you're a softie," Madara replied.
Tobirama leaned forward, staring at the sample with narrowed eyes.
"So you really plan to resurrect him…"
"Of course," Kai answered. "Izuna's death is the source of much of the bitterness between you two. If he lives again… a great many wounds might finally begin to close."
Hashirama smiled faintly. "I hope so."
Tobirama grunted. "I'll believe it when I see it."
Kai sealed the tissue away and nodded. "I'll begin the process immediately. It won't be easy. It won't be fast. But it will happen."
And with that, he vanished.
Madara remained silent for a long time, his eyes fixed on the window.
Hashirama reached for a bandage and wrapped his forearm.
"You okay?"
Madara didn't respond.
Finally, he said, "He's really coming back…"
Hashirama smiled. "Yeah."
There was something quiet in Madara's expression—something rarely seen.
Hope.
Hashirama stood and clapped a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"You've waited a long time, Madara."
He grinned.
"Let's not screw this up."