Chapter 53: Looking Out for Each Other (End of Volume)
With the battle between Masahiko and Madara, the curtain fell on the Warring States Period. Masahiko also gained another 20 Witness Points.
Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama, having agreed to a reconciliation, each led a portion of their clan's ninja to form an organization. This was the very beginning of Konoha.
"Great-Uncle, can't the Uzumaki clan really join Konoha?" Hashirama asked.
Masahiko smiled bitterly. "Really, we can't."
Over the years, the Uzumaki had become the undisputed "largest" clan of the Warring States. With a population of one million and nearly ten thousand ninjas, plus more and more children being born every day, Masahiko was starting to consider implementing a "one-child policy."
"If the Uzumaki joined Konoha, you wouldn't be building a village; you'd be building a country..." Masahiko explained.
"Hmph! Old man, Konoha is better off without you!" Uchiha Madara interjected hatefully from the side.
Masahiko was speechless. He really didn't know what he had done to offend Madara this much.
"I'll go back and talk to my 'big nephew.' The Uzumaki will be eternal allies with Konoha." Masahiko said, then glanced at Madara. "Once Konoha is built, I'll visit often. A village without war is the perfect place for retirement."
Madara snorted coldly. "Old man, I think your days are numbered. Retire well!"
Masahiko ignored him and asked Hashirama, "Where's Tobirama? Why haven't I seen him lately?"
"Ah, haha... Tobirama is back at the compound arranging the relocation," Hashirama laughed awkwardly.
Masahiko chuckled inwardly and shook his head. "Found a best friend, forgot your little brother... Poor Tobirama."
"Alright, I'm heading back!"
Masahiko bid farewell to Hashirama and headed back to the Uzumaki clan.
Upon returning to the Uzumaki compound...
Masahiko stared blankly at the exceptionally noisy clan grounds.
"I almost forgot. There are only three days until the New Year!"
"Sensei! You're back!" A familiar voice called out. Masahiko turned his head, his mouth twitching as he looked down...
"Kento, why are you talking to me while doing a handstand?"
"Sensei! I'm going to walk around the entire Uzumaki compound on my hands! It's special training!" Kento shouted back.
"Fine, go ahead..." Masahiko turned and walked away. Having taught Kento to be like this felt a little embarrassing. He didn't even think about how large the Uzumaki compound was now, or why he had to choose such a crowded day.
"Oh!" Kento agreed.
"Wait, come back! Where's Yiko?" Masahiko stopped Kento and asked curiously.
"Oh, right, I almost forgot!" Kento replied. "She's with Nanako..."
Masahiko waved his hand. "Got it!"
Walking through the increasingly broad streets of the Uzumaki compound, Masahiko's thoughts began to drift.
"Eight years ago, that little girl who threw a bucket of water on me is about to become a mother? Time flies..." Masahiko thought, then shook his head. "Why am I getting so sentimental and nostalgic lately? Am I really getting old?"
" come to think of it, 24 years in my past life, 66 years in this one... I'm technically 90 years old. A full lifetime for an ordinary person..."
"Why am I thinking about this? I can live for who knows how many more 90 years! I, Uzumaki Masahiko, am no ordinary person!"
Thinking random thoughts all the way, Masahiko arrived at the Clan Head's main hall without realizing it.
"Second Uncle, you're back? I heard that Hashirama defeated Uchiha Madara in the war between the Senju and Uchiha?" The Clan Head asked upon seeing Masahiko.
Masahiko's face darkened. "It was me who fought Madara!"
"Second Uncle... everyone saw the towering Wood Release and the giant light-blue giant." The Clan Head clearly didn't believe him.
Masahiko's face grew even darker. Madara's giant was clearly fighting him, and Hashirama's Wood Release was just protecting the Senju compound.
Thinking about it, Masahiko decided not to explain. A peerless master hidden behind the scenes... thinking about it made him happy.
"Yes, Hashirama won. Now the Senju and Uchiha have united to create a village called Konoha."
The Uzumaki Clan Head's expression changed. As a politician of over twenty years, he instantly realized all the implications of this event.
After Konoha was established, even if Hashirama became the leader, he couldn't maintain such a close relationship with the Uzumaki, because the village's high command would definitely include the Uchiha and other large and small clans.
"Quick reaction!" Masahiko chuckled. "So, although we can't all join Konoha, we must nominally belong to Konoha, and we need to have our own branch family within the village."
The Uzumaki Clan Head fell into hesitation...
"Er, big nephew, you're not still considering founding a nation, are you?!" Masahiko scratched his head.
The Clan Head smiled sheepishly, silently confirming it.
"Is being a Clan Head not enough for you? Do you want to be a Daimyo?" Masahiko scoffed. "You're over fifty. How many more years can you work..."
The Clan Head looked at Masahiko.
"Er, your Second Uncle is special!" Masahiko glared at him.
"After Konoha is established, the other great nations will establish their own villages one after another. If we don't tie ourselves to Konoha, we're doomed."
After much persuasion, Masahiko finally dispelled his big nephew's unrealistic idea.
Actually, it wasn't entirely unrealistic. With Masahiko's current strength, he wasn't afraid of anyone coming to destroy the Uzumaki clan. But there's no defense against a thief who's constantly thinking about stealing. There would always be places Masahiko couldn't cover. And Masahiko didn't want to be tied to the Uzumaki clan forever.
After the New Year, Masahiko walked the familiar streets, thinking about Konoha being built at high speed. "This year can be called the last year of the Warring States..."
Warring States Year 67. Masahiko had lived the first 48 years in dire straits and the last 19 years in busy activity.
"After Konoha is established, I can probably settle down, leech some Witness Points, and meet the characters I was so familiar with in my past life..."
Konoha was being built much slower than he imagined. Hashirama and the others had many things to do: contacting the Daimyo, arranging the relocation of ninja clans, dividing clan territories, attracting civilians to move in... The easiest part was actually constructing the buildings.
After a whole year of busy work, Masahiko occasionally went to check on the construction progress. Being able to fly was very convenient...
The four sides of Konoha were occupied by the Senju, Uchiha, Uzumaki, and Hyuga, respectively. The other small clans were interspersed between their four territories.
The Uzumaki secured a good territory thanks to Masahiko and their numbers. The Hyuga relied on their good relationship with the Daimyo...
"Thinking about it now, Hyuga Tenjin really had foresight!" Masahiko would occasionally sigh.
Coincidentally, the clans living on either side of the Uzumaki were the Sarutobi and the Shimura. This might have been specially arranged by Hashirama out of consideration for Masahiko.
As the end of the year approached, Tobirama came to the Uzumaki clan again. In addition to the news that Konoha would hold its founding ceremony on the first day of the New Year, he also brought a treaty: "Looking Out for Each Other."
After signing the treaty, Masahiko flew a thousand meters into the sky.
Using all his strength, he shouted:
"THE WARRING STATES PERIOD... IS OVER!"
His voice resonated through the clouds...
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