After quickly finishing breakfast, Kakuzu reminded Kosuke to focus on his studies before heading out with Nara Shoroku. As part of the Nara Clan, their compound in Konohagakure had already been constructed, and Shoroku had moved there with his clan. Fortunately, their clan's territory wasn't far from Kakuzu's home. The two often collaborated on traditional medicine, maintaining a good relationship.
As they stepped outside, two familiar faces awaited them. Kakuzu waved in greeting.
"Chotaro, Shikame, long time no see."
"Kakuzu-san, good to see you!"
"Kakuzu, you've become quite the celebrity in Konoha, haven't you? Haha!"
Akimichi Chotaro and Yamanaka Shikame returned his greeting with laughter. The four men, chatting and joking, made their way to the Hokage Building.
Soon, Senju Momoka came out to greet them.
"Gentlemen, I appreciate you taking the time to come here, especially on your day off."
"Oh, it's no trouble at all, especially with Miss Momoka accompanying us. All fatigue just evaporates."
Kakuzu's casual comment drew hearty laughter from Nara Shoroku and the others, while Senju Momoka shot him a disapproving look. Ordinarily, she would have responded with a genjutsu to teach Kakuzu a lesson, but today wasn't the time. With a small huff, she regained her composure and smiled, leading Kakuzu and the leaders of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans into the largest conference room.
This was Kakuzu's first time attending a meeting of Konoha's highest officials. Expecting something formal and prestigious, he was stunned when the doors opened.
Clamor.
Laughter, chatter, and boisterous conversations filled the air.
'What is this, a marketplace?!' Kakuzu muttered to himself.
For a moment, he thought they had entered the wrong room, but a closer look confirmed otherwise. It made sense, given the number of people present.
On the left side of the room sat the head of the Inuzuka Clan, marked by the red facial markings and the loyal dog at their side. Beside them was the head of the Aburame Clan, wearing a coat and sunglasses, fully covering themselves.
In the center were two middle-aged men enjoying tea and deep in conversation—Sarutobi Hiruzen's and Shimura Danzo's fathers. Their camaraderie seemed to reflect the bond between their sons.
In a more isolated corner sat someone keeping a deliberate distance from the crowd. One look at the distinct white eyes revealed their identity—a member of the Hyuga Clan. However, this wasn't Hyuga Tennin, the current head of the clan, who was stationed on the front lines. Instead, it was his son, Hyuga Ryuten, a young man barely in his twenties.
In another section, a group of unassuming elders caught Kakuzu's attention. Akimichi Chotaro leaned in to explain.
"These are the taijutsu masters of Konoha. Most of the village's current training techniques come from them."
Kakuzu nodded thoughtfully. The sheer diversity in the room underscored how many clans had joined Konoha. It wasn't surprising to encounter unfamiliar faces, given that this story took place decades before the events of the original series.
Seating was meant to be casual—Senju Hashirama's way of fostering unity and breaking down barriers. Only the two seats at the very front were reserved for specific individuals. Kakuzu and Shoroku chose seats closer to the front and began chatting with others.
More representatives from various clans trickled in as the meeting progressed.
Then, the room fell silent as the doors opened again with a resounding bang.
Silver-haired and exuding an air of authority, Senju Tobirama entered, his sharp eyes scanning the room. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
"Well, it's been a while since I've seen everyone gathered like this. It's a pleasure to be here today."
The room erupted in enthusiasm.
"Haha, Tobirama-sama, come join us!"
"Good to see you again, Assistant Hokage!"
"As expected, Tobirama-sama truly has the aura of a Hokage."
Tobirama's demeanor relaxed as he exchanged greetings and made his way to a seat in the front row, directly across from Kakuzu and his group.
Once the pleasantries ended, Kakuzu leaned toward him with a curious question.
"Hey, why aren't you sitting up there?" Kakuzu gestured toward the two seats at the front.
It was customary for the Hokage to sit in the main position, with Tobirama as the assistant in the adjacent seat. Tobirama's decision to join the regular seating struck Kakuzu as odd.
Tobirama shrugged nonchalantly.
"No idea. I was only informed about this meeting last minute. It's my brother's arrangement."
"Is that so?" Kakuzu exchanged a glance with Shoroku, both of them puzzled.
There was a faint sense of unease and doubt in those words, but it quickly dissolved.
Bang!
The doors were pushed open again, and another presence stepped in—a powerful one. Clad in a simple purple robe, with wild, explosive hair, a towering figure, and a gaze that commanded attention—Uchiha Madara had arrived.
This was no ordinary meeting in Konoha. Representatives from the various clans were present, and naturally, the founding clans couldn't be excluded. The arrival of Uchiha Madara brought the entire hall to a standstill. Conversations ceased mid-sentence, and some even held their breath.
As dozens of pairs of eyes locked onto him, Madara experienced a rare and unusual sensation. As the Uchiha clan head, he was accustomed to the gaze of his kin. Be it dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of eyes, it never fazed him. But today was different. These gazes carried a distinct weight—a meaning that diverged from the love and pride of his clan.
Some looked on with hostility, others with caution, and still others with scrutiny. A myriad of emotions swirled in the room. But none of these people shared the same blood, the same passion for the Uchiha name, as his own kin did.
Madara's hands, hanging at his sides, tightened slightly.
He wasn't a fool. He understood perfectly well the intent behind those stares. These clan leaders were observing him, waiting for Uchiha Madara to make his stance known before they decided on theirs.
If he were to act rationally, Madara knew he should raise his hand, flash a polite smile, and greet the assembly amicably. He even tried, for a fleeting moment, to lift his hand. But it felt impossibly heavy, as if it were weighed down by lead.
Tick. Tock.
Time dragged on. The pride and honor of the Uchiha demanded action. As clan leader, he couldn't just stand there indefinitely. Gritting his teeth, Madara prepared to make a decision.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of a few pairs of eyes filled with unbridled hostility.
In that instant, something clicked.
Uchiha.
There was no need to bow, no need to pander to others. The Uchiha only needed to be true to themselves—to see the path ahead with clarity, using their own eyes. Why should he lower himself to win their approval?
"Hmph."
Madara let out a soft chuckle, almost inaudible, as he began to stride forward.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The sound of his footsteps echoed in the silent hall.
Whoosh.
Reaching the front, Madara pulled out a chair and sat down.
His choice of seat—right beside the Hokage's—caused Senju Tobirama's brow to furrow slightly. The other clan leaders exchanged subtle glances, their expressions shifting.
Did this mean that today's meeting had been jointly convened by Uchiha Madara and the Hokage?
No one dared speak. Instead, they communicated through fleeting looks. Kakuzu, however, remained silent, his gaze fixed on Madara, who now sat with his eyes closed, seemingly lost in thought.
For a moment, Kakuzu felt that Madara resembled someone else in the room.
He let out a quiet breath and shifted his gaze to Senju Tobirama.
These two men, he mused, were cut from a similar cloth.
Madara, however, was stronger—a fact heavily influenced by the indomitable will of Indra's spirit. This strength and arrogance made him an undeniable force, yet it also condemned him to a life of unease in a world built on human connections.
Tobirama, in contrast, lacked the overwhelming strength of his elder brother. Deprived of such power, he'd resorted to becoming a master manipulator, working from the shadows.
In times of peace, Madara's unyielding strength ironically placed him at a disadvantage.
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