Night gradually fell.
The sound of firecrackers began to echo outside the window, and all kinds of fireworks bloomed in the sky above Konoha on schedule.
Konoha, as a traditional military organization, had a curfew most of the time for security reasons, but the past few days were an exception.
The Uchiha clan members responsible for maintaining the village's public security also turned a blind eye to some of the villagers' out-of-line behavior.
After all, there were only a few days in the year when they could let loose and relax.
To promote consumption, the merchant groups in the village jointly hired a performance team at their own expense and began to perform. The children of Konoha were, of course, very happy about this and went to the venue early to feel the relaxed and lively atmosphere, and then took out the red envelopes given to them by the adults...
While it was extremely lively outside, the atmosphere inside Senju Hashirama's large villa was also hyped to its peak.
After a full meal...
Everyone chatted about everything at the dinner table. A group of people gathered together, and it seemed they had endless things to say.
Of course, they weren't talking about anything serious. No one would talk about village affairs at this time. After all, that would be too much of a buzzkill.
Senju Hashirama enthusiastically boasted about how he was as a child... In short, the core theme was that he had to beat Uchiha Madara at everything, even peeing contests.
Uchiha Madara, for his part, was extremely unconvinced. His face flushed with alcohol, he loudly debated with Senju Hashirama, and even wanted to drag him to the bathroom right now to compete.
It seemed that everyone had drunk a little too much.
Senju Morima, as a junior, was too embarrassed to interrupt his father Senju Hashirama's "fooling around." And Uchiha Makoto had no such scruples. He took the opportunity to stir up trouble, wanting to be a witness and a referee, looking like he didn't mind making a big deal out of it.
Uzumaki Mito chatted with the two women about family matters. Although she still looked like a young girl in her late teens, she had indeed already reached menopause... Being long-winded and gossipy were characteristics of women of this age.
"This is great... next year... we can all gather together like this..."
A smile appeared on Senju Hashirama's face.
Although there were some small incidents today that were different from what he had imagined... the result was good!
His best friend was by his side, the person he loved most was on the other side (Madara was directly opposite), and Konoha, which carried his dreams, was thriving... Everyone had a smile on their face. This was the happiest thing in the world.
Perhaps many years later, Senju Hashirama would still savor this lively scene.
Of course, not everyone was so happy.
For example, Senju Tobirama, who was hiding in the inner room, was listening to the laughter and chatter outside, and he was in a very bad mood.
This was clearly his home!
Now it felt like he was an outsider. He was inexplicably not at the dinner table during new year's eve dinner, forced to hide in his room and unable to get out!
Is there any justice?
Is there any law?
This is simply outrageous!
"Hmph... naturally evil Uchiha Madara... it's all your fault!"
"And that goddamn dog author... what kind of dogshit plot did he write? At a time like this, he had to make Uchiha Madara think of those old, rotten things... and we had clearly agreed to let bygones be bygones... bastard!"
"I don't even care about it anymore, but he's still so hung up on it... hypocrite!"
"Grumble, grumble..."
Just as Senju Tobirama was eavesdropping, his belly full of resentment, and complaining in his heart, it suddenly started to rain on his parade.
His stomach let out a mournful cry.
He had been busy all afternoon.
He hadn't eaten yet!
But...
In the current situation...
Senju Tobirama knew that if he went out now, the atmosphere would definitely become... putting himself in that awkward and tense atmosphere, and being stared at by Uchiha Madara from time to time, to the point where his heart panicked... he suddenly felt that it would be better to just stay in the room.
And so...
He quickly dismissed the idea of going out.
But at this moment, his stomach protested again. He had no choice but to rummage through the room, trying to find something to fill his stomach.
After searching for a while...
Senju Tobirama was extremely lucky to have found something—he found two soldier pills!
"Eating soldier pills with plain water... even the Daimyō is not as good as me..."
Senju Tobirama's tone was strange. He resentfully swallowed a soldier pill, then continued to mutter in his heart, cursing Uchiha Madara over and over again. Finally, he turned his grief into strength and ate the other soldier pill... It tasted so bad...
...
Uchiha Makoto felt that the atmosphere was good at this time.
Everyone had also had some wine.
So he immediately turned the topic to the children. Everyone naturally began to discuss the future of the children. The group in the room had high hopes for the new generation of the Uchiha and Senju clans.
"Lord Hashirama, are you interested in being my son's teacher? If you were to guide him, he would surely become an excellent ninja!"
As soon as Uchiha Makoto spoke, he immediately drew Uchiha Madara's dissatisfaction. Among those present, the most suitable person to be Uchiha Makoto's son's teacher, no matter how you look at it, should be Uchiha Madara.
No one understood the Uchiha better than him, nor the Uchiha clan's Sharingan. It could be said that Uchiha Madara's mastery of the Uchiha clan's inherited ninjutsu, genjutsu, taijutsu, and the use of the Sharingan had reached a level of perfection, unprecedented and unparalleled!
Of course...
Uchiha Makoto was saying this on purpose. He certainly knew that Uchiha Madara was more suitable to be his son's teacher, but Senju Hashirama's status... was the Hokage of Konoha... he was the Hokage!
If he directly asked Uchiha Madara and he agreed... then how could he get close to Senju Hashirama's tutelage!
An adult's choice is to have both... even if Uchiha Makoto knew that Senju Hashirama might not be able to teach his son for long, but even if it was only for one day, his son could go out and say—My teacher is the First Hokage!
"Of course, I have no problem... but Madara should be more suitable than me... your child... has the Sharingan..."
"Oh, look at me... I'm drunk... I'll punish myself with a drink... Lord Madara, are you willing to be my son's teacher... Lord Hashirama just said he had no problem, so he is also my son's teacher... If he can receive the guidance of both of you, his future will be truly limitless!"
"You're really greedy..."
"Hahaha... as a father, of course I have to find the best for my child!"
"That's right, that's right, Madara... we can compete to see who teaches better!"
"Alright then, I'm idle anyway."
Uchiha Madara was not as slow-witted as Senju Hashirama. He quickly saw through Uchiha Makoto's little scheme. But Senju Hashirama was really happy today and was urging him from the side, so Uchiha Madara did not refuse... his competitive spirit was aroused!
After talking about Uchiha Makoto's son...
Everyone naturally shifted their attention to the yet-to-be-born little Tsunade. Even if Tsunade was a girl, she was still Senju Hashirama's granddaughter. It was a certainty that she would become a ninja.
Senju Hashirama followed the topic and pulled Uchiha Madara, intending for him to also teach Tsunade. Amidst a burst of laughter, Uchiha Madara agreed without any hesitation.
"That's great... my son will have a companion... if the two of them spend their days together..."
"Lord Hashirama, why don't we arrange a betrothal."
Uchiha Makoto said, stating his ultimate goal!
Tsunade, be my daughter-in-law!
This was not just to find a beautiful, capable wife from a matching family for his son, but also for the long-term planning of Akatsuki Village.
Even if Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara disappeared from Konoha...
The great tree of Konoha was still frighteningly sturdy.
Even with the four great ninja villages of the world joining forces against Konoha, and Konoha's F4 constantly consuming the village's internal strength, Konoha could still fight three great ninja wars in a row, and be the victor each time... Considering Konoha's hard power, if Akatsuki Village were to use force to annex it, Konoha would be an extremely tough nut to crack.
And both Akatsuki Village and Konoha were in the Land of Fire, and they had the title of allies. Even if Senju Tobirama really succeeded in taking power in the future and became the Second Hokage of Konoha, completely controlling the village...
In the future, the two sides would at most just resort to various dirty tricks, playing the game of hitting someone when they're down. It was impossible for them to have a real falling out and have a large-scale hot war... Uchiha Makoto and Senju Tobirama were not stupid enough to choose their own territory as a battlefield.
So, to annex Konoha, the best method Uchiha Makoto could think of was peaceful evolution... just like how the eagle dealt with the bear!
If the two families were to have a marriage alliance, it would be the union of the Light Shadow's heir, of Uchiha blood, and the Hokage's heir, of Senju blood.
With such a banner...
The resistance within Konoha would be minimized. Even the Senju faction would have to pinch their noses and accept Uchiha Makoto, the Lord Light Shadow, as their unifier.
Uchiha Makoto would have a complete opportunity to play the game of the Tian clan replacing the Qi, under Tsunade's name.
The only obstacle to this script was actually Senju Tobirama. This guy would never accept such a thing.
But it didn't matter...
Uchiha Makoto could wait.
Once Senju Tobirama was dead, the overall situation of Konoha would be settled!
At that time...
Whether the Third Hokage was from the Uchiha faction or the Senju faction, they could not stop Uchiha Makoto's actions... Of course, Uchiha Makoto estimated that the Third Hokage would definitely still be from the Senju faction. That naturally evil old ghost of the Senju, Senju Tobirama, would not let the Uchiha faction control Konoha.
Hmm... Sarutobi Hiruzen... if he still became the Third Hokage...
Clear the shadow's side!
The supreme Lord Light Shadow descends upon his loyal Konoha!
...
After Uchiha Makoto finished speaking, his mind was racing.
"Hmm... a betrothal..."
Senju Hashirama couldn't help but mutter, a very interested expression on his face.
This was also thanks to the background of this era. The customs of the Warring States had been well-inherited.
The people present were not like modern people on Earth, who saw betrothals as feudal dross, advocated for free love, and respected the choices of the young...
The orders of parents and the words of matchmakers were the norm.
Especially in large families, when two families were joined, the first consideration was not the thoughts of the parties involved, but the status, position, and strength of the other family... They paid attention to matching like with like.
For example, Senju Hashirama and Uzumaki Mito had a family marriage alliance. Uchiha Makoto and Uzumaki Tsubaki also had one. Senju Morima and Senju Tsubaki were the same.
"That's right. This is a marriage alliance of the century between the Uchiha clan and the Senju clan. It represents the two families truly abandoning their past hatred, and the unbreakable friendship between Konoha and Akatsuki Village..."
Uchiha Makoto began to put a value on this betrothal.
His words made Senju Hashirama nod repeatedly. The Senju clan and the Uchiha clan had turned their weapons into jade and silk. The union of the younger generation of the two families would be a fine story to be told... A thousand years of blood feud, in their generation, it had really ended!
He was not opposed to this betrothal in his heart.
Uzumaki Mito was the same. She herself admired Uchiha Makoto very much, and Uzumaki Tsubaki was her own clanswoman. She also liked this clanswoman very much. If the children of the two families were to have a marriage alliance, it would be a match made in heaven no matter how you look at it... She did not object to this marriage!
Of course...
The ones who could ultimately make the decision were Senju Morima and Senju Tsubaki.
Although Senju Hashirama and Uzumaki Mito agreed, they still gave the decision to the couple... after all, Tsunade was their daughter.
Senju Morima considered for a moment.
Uchiha Makoto's status was the Light Shadow... was the Light Shadow... he was the Light Shadow...
Under the influence of the wine and the environment...
"Then it's decided, father-in-law!"
"Good, it's decided!"
Senju Morima raised his wine glass and readily accepted the betrothal. Uchiha Makoto immediately raised his glass in response.
Under the influence of the wine, Uchiha Makoto even took out a piece of paper and a pen, and the two sides drew up a marriage contract.
Everyone had drunk to their heart's content today. Tomorrow, when they sobered up, a single sentence of drunken nonsense and they might go back on their word...
But a written marriage contract was different.
In the laws of the Land of Fire, it had legal effect and could not be denied. And considering Uchiha Makoto's status, if they went back on their word later, it would be elevated to the level of insulting the Light Shadow and Akatsuki Village.
The atmosphere in the room became even more enthusiastic. In the future, they could truly be called one family.
A group of people chatted until very late.
Only then did Uchiha Makoto and Uzumaki Tsubaki leave Senju Hashirama's house and go to the guesthouse Konoha had prepared for them.
Uchiha Madara, on the other hand, went home alone... He could have stayed at Senju Hashirama's house. Hashirama had urged him again and again, but not letting this "wild man" stay in her house was Uzumaki Mito's last stand!
After Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Makoto had both left, Senju Tobirama came out of the room.
...
"Huh?"
"Uchiha Makoto has a son?"
"Brother agreed to take Uchiha Makoto's son as a disciple?"
"Ah???"
"And they arranged a betrothal???"
"I haven't agreed yet!!!"
Senju Tobirama was instantly dumbfounded.
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