Chapter 51: The Truce Agreement
When Masahiko learned that the final decisive battle between the Senju and Uchiha was about to begin, he was thrilled.
He packed his bags early, waiting for Tobirama to come and "trick" him into going to the Senju clan, as was the custom.
Unexpectedly, a week passed, and Masahiko realized he was being overly sentimental...
"Tobirama doesn't know my current strength. It's normal that he didn't come to find me..." Masahiko could only comfort his narcissistic heart with this thought.
After waiting another three days, Masahiko finally gave up on being invited.
"I'll just go myself..."
Masahiko bid farewell to his "big nephew" and his three disciples, heading once again to the Senju territory.
This time, however, he refused to let his three disciples follow. The final battle wasn't a place for them to practice. In front of the current Hashirama and Madara, Masahiko wouldn't have the time or attention to protect them.
Upon arriving at the Senju clan, the guards recognized Masahiko's face and let him pass without question. Masahiko headed straight for the Clan Head's hall, sensing that both Hashirama and Tobirama were there.
Entering the room, Masahiko asked directly, "Tobirama, I heard you're going to war with the Uchiha again. Why didn't you come to find your Great-Uncle?"
Tobirama didn't speak, but Hashirama did. "Great-Uncle, who said we're going to war with the Uchiha? I just sent them a truce agreement!"
Masahiko froze, then scrutinized Tobirama carefully. The air in the room grew heavy until Tobirama became uncomfortable under Masahiko's gaze. Only then did Masahiko speak.
"This is the real Tobirama... If you sent a truce agreement without attaching his head, how could Uchiha Madara possibly agree?" Masahiko said with a grin.
Tobirama: "..."
Hashirama laughed awkwardly at first, then fell into deep thought.
"Hey, brother! You're not actually considering it, are you..." Seeing this, Tobirama glared at Masahiko.
Hashirama shook his head and said to Masahiko, "Great-Uncle, do you mean to say that Madara won't agree to a truce?"
"Of course not. If Madara killed Tobirama, would you agree to a truce?" Masahiko retorted.
Hashirama pondered for a moment, then actually nodded.
"Hashirama, you're going to lose your brother like that..." Masahiko said helplessly.
"Ah... I didn't mean that. I was nodding to say I understand that Madara won't agree to a truce," Hashirama hurriedly explained.
"Brother, you two talk. I'm going to check on the injured clansmen." Tobirama felt he couldn't stay any longer; these two were giving him a headache...
After Tobirama left, Masahiko looked at Hashirama. "You have injured clansmen? Need me to help heal them?"
"No need, Great-Uncle. They were injured over ten days ago and have mostly recovered. I don't know why Tobirama suddenly decided to go visit them again," Hashirama said, scratching his head in confusion.
Masahiko almost burst out laughing. Don't you have any idea why he suddenly decided to leave?
After calming down, Masahiko finally asked what he wanted to know. "How was your battle with Madara a few days ago? He's gotten a lot stronger, hasn't he..."
"Ah... yes. I almost lost." Hashirama looked like he still had lingering fears.
Masahiko's expression changed. "What happened?"
"I don't know when, but Madara captured the Nine-Tails. He armored the Nine-Tails with Susanoo, increasing the power of his jutsu immensely..." Hashirama slowly recounted the battle.
Masahiko's expression shifted multiple times as he recalled his conversation with the Uzumaki Clan Head.
"The battle altered the terrain for a hundred miles... I thought he was exaggerating, but it turns out Madara got the Nine-Tails early!"
"In that case, will the Battle of the Valley of the End happen early?"
Masahiko was worried, but he smiled at Hashirama. "It's fine. Next time, your Great-Uncle will help you."
Hashirama shook his head. "Great-Uncle, my mastery of Sage Mode improved after this battle. I can defeat him myself next time. You shouldn't use that jutsu lightly!"
"My jutsu?" Masahiko was puzzled. "How did you know I learned Dust Release?"
"What Dust Release?" Hashirama was confused. "I'm talking about the jutsu that restores your youth."
"Oh..." Masahiko mentally slapped himself. Becoming young is a special jutsu! Remember that!
After scolding himself, Masahiko looked up and saw a bamboo scroll on the table in front of Hashirama.
"Hashirama has a bamboo scroll!" Masahiko muttered, feeling inexplicably amused.
Hashirama, used to Masahiko occasionally entering his own little world, tossed the scroll over.
Masahiko opened it and laughed even harder.
The gist was: "Ideally to build a harmonious world, realize the dream of One Country One Village, and eliminate the hatred of ninja, the Senju are willing to set an example and cease hostilities. Hope Uchiha Madara will not forget his original intention and fulfill our childhood dream." It was signed by Senju Hashirama and a crookedly signed Senju Tobirama.
Seeing Masahiko laugh, Hashirama asked doubtfully, "Great-Uncle, this is the draft of the truce agreement. Is there a problem?"
"No problem, it's just that... oh, never mind." Masahiko thought about it but didn't know how to explain.
This truce agreement read a bit like the mediation letters for mother-in-law/daughter-in-law disputes he had seen in his past life, but he couldn't explain that joke to Hashirama.
"When was the truce agreement sent?" Masahiko asked.
"Er, this morning," Hashirama replied hesitantly.
"Right. Based on the distance, tell the Senju clansmen to prepare. The Uchiha should arrive by tomorrow..."
Hashirama: "..." Although he really wanted to say he sent a truce agreement, not a declaration of war, the words stuck in his throat because he felt Masahiko was right.
"Alright, I'll tell the clansmen to prepare..." Hashirama slumped into his classic depressed pose, making Masahiko want to laugh.
Saying goodbye to Hashirama, Masahiko settled into the familiar guest room.
Alone, Masahiko's expression turned serious.
"Madara got the Nine-Tails early. Is Black Zetsu interfering? Speaking of which, now that I have the Mind's Eye of the Kagura, I wonder if I can detect Black Zetsu..."
"What should I do? If the Valley of the End happens early, the entire Naruto plot might change completely, and my Witness Points will be gone..."
"Should I sneak attack Madara during the fight? That feels a bit treacherous!"
Masahiko thought wildly but couldn't come up with a perfect solution.
"Forget it. I'll take it one step at a time. Maybe Madara will turn out to be a push-over? Hashirama also said he had a breakthrough, so he might not be seriously injured..."
The next day, just as Masahiko predicted, the Uchiha clan's troops arrived near the Senju territory. Calling it "troops" was generous; there were fewer than a hundred people behind Madara. It seemed the Uchiha truly had their backbone broken by the Senju.
Seeing Madara, Hashirama was about to step forward and try to persuade him, invoking their shared childhood memories...
But Madara's expression changed rapidly, and he gritted his teeth.
"Old man! Why aren't you dead yet?!"
Saying this, he charged straight at Masahiko.
Masahiko was shocked. He never expected this development.
Madara! What are you doing?!
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