251. Susanoo’s Sculpted Rock Statue

Morning.

The warm sunlight awakened the slumbering villagers of Konoha, marking the beginning of a brand-new day.

Today was a day to remember. Having received the news in advance, the villagers dressed in their best and headed to the streets to witness a spectacle unique to Konoha.

On the bustling streets, the slowly moving crowd seized the rare leisure time to gossip:

“Did you hear that strange noise last night?”

“Yeah, I did. I wonder which family was doing renovations so late.”

“Hehe, I thought it was an earthquake and almost jumped over the wall to escape!”

“Where were you last night? Spill the details!”

As they chatted, their tone was filled with frustration about the unknown noise from the previous night.

Suddenly, the person leading the group stopped in their tracks, causing those behind to come to an abrupt halt.
“Why did you stop?”
“Hurry up, or we’ll miss the inauguration ceremony!”
“Look!”

The villager in front tilted their head back, eyes wide with astonishment, trembling as they pointed toward the top of Konoha’s cliffs.

The others, confused, instinctively followed the direction of their gaze.

“What are you talking about?”

In the next moment, all their expressions became uniform, their mouths agape with only two words escaping:
“Holy crap!”


---

Temporary Konoha Office.

Senju Hashirama, dressed in his red ceremonial robe, leaned by the window, gazing at the cliff above Konoha with a look of delight.

After admiring it for a while, he reluctantly turned his gaze away and called out to his busy younger brother, Senju Tobirama:
“Tobirama, did you see it? Madara made me look so handsome in that sculpture!”

“Can’t you lend a hand? Today is your Hokage inauguration, and you’re slacking off like this. Is that appropriate?”

From behind a towering pile of documents, a white-haired Tobirama poked his head out, glaring with tired eyes rimmed with dark circles, a clear sign of his recent sleepless nights.

“Come on, that’s what little brothers are for, isn’t it?”

This was advice Madara had once shared with Hashirama.

Hearing this, Tobirama grew angrier. Tossing the documents aside, he grabbed a stack of complaint letters and shoved them into Hashirama’s face, yelling:
“This is all your fault for indulging him! Look at what Uchiha Madara did last night! The complaint box is overflowing!”

“Madara meant well,” Hashirama said, still smiling brightly despite Tobirama’s outburst.

Seeing his fuming brother, Hashirama played his trump card:
“Tobirama, think about it—carving a Hokage monument is expensive. The money we saved can fund several of your research projects!”

“Hmm.”

Hearing this, Tobirama, who had been simmering with anger, began to reconsider. He looked at the complaint letters in his hand and promptly tossed them into the trash.

“Ahem, let’s set that matter aside for now. Are you ready, big brother?”

Tobirama cleared his throat, choosing to ignore the complaints as he turned his focus back to the day’s important event.

“Madara hasn’t arrived yet.”

Hashirama’s gaze had lingered at the window for a long time, hoping to see someone who never appeared. His face showed a hint of disappointment, and his eyes seemed lost in thought.

“Time’s almost up. Don’t keep the villagers waiting. As Hokage, you need to set an example for everyone.”

Checking the time, Tobirama patted his older brother’s shoulder and urged him forward.

“Alright, let’s go.”

With a serious expression, Hashirama nodded, picked up the Hokage’s hat from his desk, examined it for a moment, and then placed it on his head. He opened the door, stepping into the radiant sunlight toward his destined stage.


---

“He’s out! Lord Hokage is here!”

As Hashirama’s tall figure appeared, the waiting villagers erupted into waves of cheers, raising their hands in admiration.

Years of hard work had finally culminated in this moment. Overwhelmed with emotion, Hashirama spread his arms wide, his deep voice amplified by chakra so it could be heard by all:
“Thank you, everyone.”

At the front of the crowd, representatives of each major clan stood in neat rows. Among them, the Hyuga clan patriarch, an elder with calm white eyes, sternly reminded his son:
“Tenya, remember this: no matter the situation, never act impulsively unless absolutely necessary.”

“Yes, Father. I will remember this,” Hyuga Tenya replied, beads of sweat forming on his brow as he felt the weight of his father’s calm yet oppressive presence.


---

Elsewhere, Danzo Shimura tilted his head curiously at his father, who seemed to be searching for someone.
“Father, what are you looking for?”

Shimura Kenichi, ignoring his son, frowned and nudged Sarutobi Sasuke beside him.
“Why is only the Uchiha deputy clan leader here?”

“Maybe Uchiha Madara worked too late last night,” Sarutobi Sasuke replied, glancing at Uchiha Izuna standing at the forefront of the Uchiha clan.


---

On the Hokage Monument.

The bustling scene below contrasted starkly with the quiet solitude of the monument.

Perched atop the head of the newly carved Hashirama statue, Uchiha Madara sat alone, one hand supporting his face, his expression unreadable. His gaze remained fixed on Hashirama, who was smiling and waving to the crowd below.

His eyes reflected a mix of emotions—jealousy, sorrow, unwillingness, or perhaps...gratification.

“As I thought, he’s more suited for this than I am,” Madara muttered, his mind drifting to past memories.

He recalled the time a frightened girl in the village burst into tears, only to smile brightly after seeing Hashirama’s reassuring grin.

Madara had once practiced smiling himself but had been harshly ridiculed by a relative: “That’s just creepy!”

With that memory in mind, Madara tried to mimic Hashirama’s sunny smile once more, only to hear a mocking voice from above:
“Ugh, that’s so creepy!”

Madara froze mid-motion, his face blank as he lowered his hand. Looking up, he saw a curly-haired figure peering down from the cliff’s edge.

“What are you doing here?” Madara asked, frowning.


"I was worried you'd work through the night and drop dead, so I came to check on you."

Uchiha Gin, perched on the cliff, rolled his eyes with a tone full of exasperation. Then, with a graceful leap, he landed on the head of the Hashirama statue.

"Wow~ The view here is fantastic. No wonder That Ludo likes sneaking up here to hang around."

After scanning the scenery, Gin realized that this spot offered a panoramic view of the entire village of Konoha. Enlightened, he nodded to himself.

"That Ludo"? What nonsense are you spouting now?"

Madara, sitting off to the side, barely reacted to Gin's sudden arrival. He simply raised an eyebrow and casually retorted.

"Nothing important. Here, I brought you breakfast."

Ignoring the banter, Gin reached into his bag, pulled out a few buns, and tossed them over.

"Uh, thanks."

Catching the still-steaming meat buns, Madara’s gaze softened slightly, and a faint warmth spread in his heart.

"We’re brothers; no need for formalities. Save the lemons for someone else," Gin replied dismissively, waving off Madara's thanks. He then pulled out a foldable stool and sat down beside him. Gin avoided sitting directly on the ground—he didn’t want to risk becoming "a hemorrhoid guy."

"Tsk~ You’ve really outdone yourself this time. Staying up all night using Susanoo to carve a rock statue—truly an eye-opener."

Ignoring Madara, who was wolfing down his breakfast, Gin admired the freshly carved Hokage monument. The lifelike features left him clicking his tongue in amazement.

"Hmph, I’ve always said that I, Uchiha Madara, could have been an artist!"

Finishing his last bun, Madara patted his now-full stomach, raised his head proudly, and declared. After all, he had once been a genius at carving apples into bunny shapes.

"Perfect, now you can pursue your artistic dreams!"

Gin glanced over at Hashirama, who was beaming with joy, and casually remarked,
"But that’s just the First Hokage. There’s still the Second, Third, and so on."

Madara froze for a moment, his gaze becoming slightly evasive. After some hesitation, he slowly admitted his hidden ambition.

"You’re really taking that seriously, huh?"

Gin was speechless. He’d only mentioned the Second Hokage as a joke to tease his cousin. Who knew Madara would actually consider it?

"Who else but me deserves the title of Second Hokage?"

The mere mention of the Hokage title had Madara puffing out his chest, his face brimming with seriousness. He patted his chest confidently as he declared to Gin.

This won’t do, Gin thought, shaking his head. It seemed Madara hadn’t been tempered by reality enough to give up on such a lofty idea.

"Alright, you do your best. If you need any help, let me know. Your big cousin’s got your back."

Sighing inwardly, Gin couldn’t bring himself to burst Madara’s bubble. Seeing his cousin’s enthusiasm, he nodded in encouragement.

"I don’t need help. I already made arrangements with Hashirama. I’ll be assisting in his office soon to familiarize myself with the workflow."

Hearing this, Madara, moved by the gesture, shook his head gently.

After losing to Hashirama in the battle with the Tailed Beasts, Hashirama had specifically invited him to participate in the village’s governance.

"Huh? You’re going to be his assistant?"

This isn’t good! That damn Hashirama must be abusing his power, trying to coerce Madara into submission!


"Huh? No, he said he wanted me to assist as an advisor to the Hokage."

Heh, who would have thought that even the seemingly upright Hashirama Senju could learn to play mind games? With just a few words, he had Madara completely wrapped around his finger.

"Be careful, though. Whatever tea Hashirama offers you, don’t drink it!"

Seeing his cousin’s determination, Uchiha Gin had no choice but to relent. However, concerned for Madara’s dignity, he couldn’t help but warn him.

"Uh, got it."

Although he found it odd that his older cousin was so insistent, Madara could tell his concern was genuine. He nodded, promising not to consume anything offered by Hashirama.


---

A Few Days Later – Hokage’s Office

In the Hokage’s office, Hashirama Senju was trembling, caught between two opposing forces. His dark eyes were filled with inner turmoil.

To his left was his biological younger brother.

To his right was the man he considered his lifelong friend.

Both were dear to him, but now they were glaring at each other with such intensity that sparks seemed to fly. Sandwiched between them, Hashirama couldn’t help but shrink back.

Finally, unable to bear the suffocating atmosphere, he mustered his courage and tried to speak.

"You guys—"

"Shut up!" Both of them shouted in unison.

The simultaneous response was so synchronized that it was almost comical.

"Hmph! Big brother, there’s no way the Tailed Beasts can be handed over to the Uchiha clan!"

Crossing his arms, Tobirama’s crimson eyes gleamed with vigilance as he stared at Madara. His tone was sharp and unyielding.

"Heh, do you think the Uchiha clan wants this mess? I only volunteered to help because Hashirama has too much on his plate!"

Madara sneered, glaring back at Tobirama with equal hostility.

"Don’t fight, please!"

Hashirama’s weak attempt to mediate fell flat as the two continued their heated exchange.

The topic of contention? The handling of the Tailed Beasts.

Previously, during their battle for the title of Hokage, Hashirama and Madara each captured four Tailed Beasts, essentially monopolizing all the free-roaming beasts in the ninja world.

Although the winner of their duel was determined, the question of what to do with the remaining Tailed Beasts lingered unresolved.

Apart from the Nine-Tails, which Hashirama had promised to someone, the other seven beasts were currently confined in the forests outside Konoha. However, maintaining control over so many was proving difficult, even for Hashirama.

In the original timeline, the Uzumaki clan’s assistance allowed Hashirama to manage the beasts with ease, eventually distributing them to other nations. But in this altered timeline, relations between Konoha and the Uzumaki clan were strained.

This left the Uchiha clan as the only other group capable of controlling the Tailed Beasts. Yet, this suggestion was met with fierce opposition.

"The Tailed Beasts are Konoha’s assets and cannot be entrusted to any single clan—especially not that clan!"

Tobirama, too busy with his brother’s administration, had not yet begun his own experiments on the Tailed Beasts. He had intended to study them later but was now alarmed by Madara’s sudden proposal to take control.

"Who are you calling crazy, you obnoxious white-haired jerk? Come fight me if you’ve got the guts!"

Furious, Madara rolled up his sleeves, ready to brawl.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Before the situation could escalate further, an urgent knock at the door interrupted them. All three turned to look.

"Who is it?"

"Lord Hokage, an urgent document!"

"Come in!"

Hashirama’s demeanor changed instantly. The meekness from earlier vanished, replaced by a serious expression. Madara and Tobirama also temporarily set aside their argument, avoiding eye contact.

"This is... Haha! I knew my approach was right!"

After reading the document carefully, Hashirama’s tense face broke into a wide smile. Waving the paper triumphantly, he addressed his two most important companions.

"What does it say?"

Curiosity piqued, both Madara and Tobirama asked simultaneously, staring at Hashirama’s uncharacteristically cheerful expression.

"Ninja clans in other countries are following our example and establishing ninja villages!"

Excitedly, Hashirama walked to the window, looking out at the peaceful residents of Konoha. Turning back, he announced the news with pride.

"What?!"

Tobirama was taken aback. The other countries had acted quickly, managing to replicate Konoha’s system in less than a year.

"They must have seen the peace in the Land of Fire and been inspired to emulate our system!"

Hashirama, whose life goal was to achieve peace, viewed this imitation as a validation of their efforts rather than an act of plagiarism.

"Hmph, that’s not necessarily true."

Madara, equally surprised, crossed his arms and furrowed his brows in thought. Looking at Hashirama’s naive excitement, he coldly interjected.

"Exactly. Those nations likely realized how much stronger the Land of Fire has become under this system. Out of fear of falling behind, they’ve chosen to imitate us."

For once, Tobirama agreed with Madara, nodding slightly. His crimson eyes glimmered with a trace of mockery as he explained to his idealistic brother,

"Once their strength develops, it will inevitably lead to wars between nations."

Before the establishment of villages, other countries were plagued by internal clan wars, much like the Land of Fire. But now, with centralized systems in place, the absence of internal enemies would shift their focus outward.