The Senju clan's territory.
Butsuma presided over the funeral of the fallen clansmen.
Three boys stood beside him.
Tobirama had bandages wrapped around his lower back, his face pale, but his expression was calm. Only his furrowed brow betrayed his inner rage.
He had gone to war with Kawarama and returned together, so he naturally already knew of his brother's death.
And the murderer—that Hagoromo brat—was deeply etched in his mind. He vowed to take revenge!
The remaining two boys, having stayed behind to guard the clan's territory, were only now learning of Kawarama's death.
To Tobirama's right, Itama, with his dark hair, couldn't stop the tears from streaming down his face. He kept wiping them with his sleeve, his sobs filled with grief.
To Tobirama's left, Hashirama, sporting a mushroom-shaped haircut and dressed in simple attire, stared in disbelief. "Kawarama..."
Hearing Itama's sobs, Butsuma, with a white cloth wrapped around his head, felt a surge of irritation. "Ninjas don't shed tears! Ninjas are born to die in battle. We should be grateful that Kawarama's body was brought back!"
He paused, then looked at Kawarama's coffin. "This time, the enemy isn't just the Hagoromo clan. The Uchiha have suddenly intervened. We must show them no mercy!"
As he spoke, Butsuma solidified his resolve to annihilate the Hagoromo clan.
This time, not only was the First Elder leading forces to the Hagoromo territory, but the Sarutobi and Shimura clans were also providing assistance.
At this moment, the Hagoromo clan's Grand Elder had been severely injured in a sneak attack by the two clan leaders, Sarutobi and Shimura. Only Reiryū and Ryūga remained among the Hagoromo's patriarch-level powerhouses.
With the combined forces of the Senju, Shimura, and Sarutobi, their three patriarch-level fighters, plus their numerical advantage, the Hagoromo clan's chances of surviving this attack were virtually zero.
Hashirama, listening to Butsuma's words, was utterly unable to accept it, his face growing increasingly grief-stricken.
He couldn't help but shout at his father, "Kawarama was only seven years old! How long will this conflict continue?!"
Butsuma's face remained unmoved. "Creating a peaceful world is no easy task—not until all enemies cease to exist!"
The Uchiha, Hagoromo, and Kaguya clans—rival ninja clans—and even the Hyuga, Ino-Shika-Cho, Sarutobi, and Shimura...
Only when all enemies were defeated by the Senju would the conflict end.
Then peace would arrive.
Butsuma's words didn't persuade Hashirama. Instead, they fueled his desire to rebel.
His face darkened, his eyes filled with anger and resentment. "Even at the cost of a child?"
Butsuma's aura instantly hardened. He turned and glared at Hashirama, punching him squarely in the face.
Bang!
Hashirama was knocked to the ground. "You're not allowed to insult him! Kawarama died on the battlefield as a capable ninja, not some child!"
After saying this, Butsuma glared at Hashirama, then turned and slowly walked away.
Tobirama and Itama bent down to help Hashirama up.
"Brother, are you alright?"
"You know the consequences of disobeying Father, don't you?"
Hearing their pleas, Hashirama couldn't accept such explanations.
Why do people fight each other? Can't they understand one another?
He stood up defiantly, his voice brimming with fervor. "What kind of 'Love of the Senju Clan' is this? What kind of capable ninjas are they? It's just that the adults started the war and then drove the children to the brink! How are we any different from the Uchiha?!"
Butsuma turned his head. "This is respect for the enemy!"
It was precisely because the Hagoromo were strong enough to be considered a top-tier ninja clan that the Senju were willing to exterminate them.
He looked at Hashirama. "Even children, as long as they carry weapons, will be seen as enemies. To raise children to become capable ninjas—that is the love of parents for their children."
This was Butsuma's understanding of the "Love of the Senju Clan."
Faced with his father's explanation, Hashirama clenched his fists, refusing to back down. "Your so-called 'standing alone' means sending us to our deaths?!"
He grew increasingly agitated. He recalled his encounter with Madara—they had exchanged names, but because of their ninja status, they couldn't reveal their surnames.
He felt that this world was a mistake!
Hashirama glared at his father, his neck stiff with anger. "When will this endless cycle of fighting and killing end! In the end, even revealing our surnames is incredibly dangerous!"
Fueled by resentment and rage, he roared, fist raised. "This ninja world is a complete mistake!"
Hearing such blasphemous words, Butsuma's fury flared, and his chakra erupted uncontrollably.
"How could I have raised such an unfilial son!" He roared, throwing a punch at Hashirama.
"Father!"
At the crucial moment, Tobirama spread his arms, shielding Hashirama. "Brother is in a bad mood today. Forgive him."
Looking at Tobirama, Butsuma lowered his fist.
Tobirama was calm, wise, and exceptionally talented. He still held this boy in high regard.
"Calm down, Hashirama."
Butsuma tossed out those words and turned to leave the cemetery.
Under the setting sun.
The three brothers sat on a very thick tree root.
Young Hashirama, facing his brothers, revealed his naive thoughts. "The adults are all fools. If they want to end the war, why not just sign a treaty with the enemy to stop it?"
Sitting on the edge of the tree roots, Itama turned around and offered a different opinion. "But what about our family members who were killed? How will we avenge our comrades?"
Hashirama fell silent. After a long while, he looked at Itama. "If you keep saying things like that, you'll be next. You and the adults are acting too impulsively."
Itama was his only remaining younger brother, and he didn't want him to lose his life because of hatred.
However, that Hagoromo brat—I will avenge Kawarama!
Tobirama silently made a vow in his heart.
Itama lowered his head. "I'm sorry..."
Tobirama's red eyes looked at him. "From now on, ninjas should restrain their emotions, establish rules and strictly abide by them, avoiding pointless wars."
This was also Tobirama's understanding of peace.
Hashirama lowered his head upon hearing this, murmuring softly. "A true agreement, an alliance... can it work?"
Itama was somewhat puzzled. "A true agreement?"
At the same moment, the main force of the Hagoromo clan returned to their territory.
Among the crowd, Kazuki, his left arm bandaged, looked at the gates of the Hagoromo clan territory, a complex expression in his eyes.
Finally, they were back!