219. Konoha Founding

The Flying Thunder God Technique, a high-tier space-time ninjutsu, probably never imagined it would one day find its markings on... a toilet seat.

"I know you're all in a hurry, but calm down. There's only one toilet, so let the youngest go first~"

Uchiha Gin, who had just used the Flying Thunder God Technique to return from the seaside, appeared instantly on the toilet seat. He sensed three familiar chakras outside and frowned. After pressing the flush button and adjusting his pants, he pushed the door open, feigning surprise as he addressed the three people waiting outside.

"Huh? Are you... kidney deficient or something?"

Senju Itama, who had been arguing with Uchiha Hikaru moments earlier, froze in shock upon hearing Gin's voice behind him. Turning around with a guilty expression, his eyes fell on a dark water stain on the corner of Gin’s pants. His face twisted in disgust, and he took several steps back, covering his nose.

Following Itama's gaze, Gin looked down at the water stain on his pant leg and quickly deduced it must have come from Uzumaki Hanamichi, who had jumped out of the sea and accidentally splashed him earlier.

He never expected this sharp-eyed kid to notice it, let alone misunderstand it as a result of some leakage.

"Uncle can tolerate this, but Auntie absolutely cannot!" Gin muttered furiously.

"You little rascal, let's see if I don't...!"

Annoyed, Gin instinctively raised his hand, preparing to give the kid a solid flick to the forehead. But as his hand hovered in midair, he caught sight of Itama's delicate, familiar face. With a sigh, he lowered his hand and spoke instead.

"You brat, wandering around at this hour—do you want to go home?"

Looking past Itama's slender and curvaceous figure, Gin noticed someone in the distance. The person, with white hair, was gazing thoughtfully in their direction. Gin smirked and said softly, "Your brother keeps glancing over here. Aren't you going to join him?"

"Sh-should I go?"

Itama's spirits dampened instantly. His previously proud demeanor crumbled as his head drooped, his voice trembling with grievance.

"I respect your choice, but for personal reasons... I’d rather you stayed."

Seeing Itama's sudden mood shift, Gin scratched his head helplessly, stepped forward, and gently ruffled the boy's hair. Noticing the slightly white roots, he added,

"Stop dyeing your hair—it’s ruining the roots."

Then he patted Itama's trembling shoulder and smiled.

"Short hair suits you. Keep it that way, okay?"

Meanwhile, not far away, Senju Tobirama tugged at his brother's sleeve, whispering.

"Big brother, doesn’t that woman near Uchiha Gin look... familiar?"

"Huh? Why are you staring at some young girl? Wait... her?"

"Yes! Doesn’t she look familiar?" Tobirama pressed.

But Senju Hashirama, oblivious to any deeper meaning, laughed heartily. "Gin’s such a ladies’ man—surrounded by girls!" He gave up pondering and walked off toward Madara, leaving Tobirama to shake his head in frustration.

"Maybe she just looks similar. A coincidence," Tobirama muttered, deciding not to pursue the matter further. He turned and followed his brother, preparing for the upcoming alliance ceremony.

"Oi, Gin! Hurry up, the ceremony's about to start!"

Uchiha Hikari called out, sensing the odd tension between Gin and Itama. She wanted to break the silence before it grew awkward.

"Yes, Gin-san, the clan leader was looking for you earlier. He wants you in the front row for the signing of the alliance."

Uchiha Haruka chimed in with a radiant smile, clearly thrilled at seeing her best friend, Itama, recovering some spirit.

"Little Itama, you're one of my most valued comrades. We’re besties forever!"

"Ah, I can’t miss this!" Gin exclaimed before turning toward the main gathering.

"Madara, aren't you starting yet?"

Hashirama, who hadn't stopped smiling all day, eagerly asked Madara, who maintained his frosty demeanor.

"Not yet. Cousin Gin isn't here."

Madara refused to proceed without Gin, knowing the importance of having an elder present.

"You're right. Let’s wait. No rush," Hashirama agreed, feeling Gin's presence was essential to the event.



"Speak of the devil, and he shall appear." Barely a minute after they mentioned him, Uchiha Gin arrived at the scene, panting heavily. As he noticed everyone turning their gaze toward him, he hesitantly spoke, "Am I late?"

"No, you’re just in time," Uchiha Madara replied, a flicker of complex emotion crossing his eyes. He gave a nod to Senju Hashirama, signaling that the ceremony could begin.

"I, Senju Hashirama, representing the Senju Clan, swear in the name of our ancestors that from this day forward, with the Uchiha Clan..."

Hashirama, all smiles, pulled out a scroll from his sleeve. Unrolling it, his expression turned serious as he read aloud its contents in a booming voice.

"I, Uchiha Madara, representing the Uchiha Clan, swear in the name of our ancestors that from this day forward, with the Senju Clan..."

After Hashirama finished the grand declaration, Uchiha Gin coldly took out his own scroll, unrolled it, and solemnly recited its contents. Once the formal pledges were concluded, Hashirama eagerly extended his hand, a broad smile lighting up his face as he gazed at his lifelong friend, his eyes full of longing for their shared dream to come true.

"Congratulations, Hashirama, your dream is finally coming true," Madara said, his icy demeanor softening as he took Hashirama’s hand, a gentle warmth breaking through his usual stoicism.

"No, Madara, it’s our dream," Hashirama corrected.

At this moment, the two greatest powers in the Land of Fire laid down their centuries-old grudges and united as one. With the rising sun as a witness, a new era was dawning.


---

On a towering mountain overlooking a valley bustling with construction, two figures stood side by side, taking in the view of their dream village slowly taking shape. Senju Hashirama’s long black hair danced in the wind, inadvertently making Madara momentarily lose focus. Snapped out of his reverie by Hashirama’s question, Madara blinked.

"Madara, our dream is coming true. Which part of the village do you want for your clan?"

"Uh, I’m not good at this kind of thing. Let’s leave it to Gin," Madara deflected nervously, still trying to hide his distracted thoughts.

As if trying to change the subject, he caught a falling leaf, noticing a small hole in its center. Studying it, he spoke absentmindedly, "What do you think we should call our village?"

"Call it?" Hashirama, still lost in the excitement of their dream coming true, seemed to have forgotten the village lacked a name.

"I once thought dreams were just illusions," Madara murmured. Holding the leaf up and peering through the hole, he gazed at the nascent village below. After a moment of contemplation, he suggested, "How about Konohagakure, the Village Hidden in the Leaves?"

"Ha! That’s perfect! And the leader of the village will be called Hokage. What do you think?"

Hearing "Hokage," Hashirama’s joy doubled—it struck a chord with him instantly. Without waiting for Madara’s reaction, he cheerfully finalized the idea.

"As long as it makes you happy," Madara replied, suppressing a smirk. Deep down, he was thrilled—the title "Hokage," symbolizing fire, was like an homage to the Uchiha Clan’s legacy.


---

However, the bliss didn’t last. In the newly established office of the Hokage, Hashirama sat reviewing the numerous applications from other clans seeking to join the village. From prestigious names like Hyuga and Sarutobi to lesser-known ones, he wanted to accept them all. Just as he was about to do so, his younger brother, Tobirama, entered with a grim expression.

"Big brother, the funds are running out," Tobirama stated plainly, detailing the dire financial situation the village was facing.

"Are the Senju Clan’s funds depleted?"

"Completely. Even your son’s New Year’s money has been used up."

"Ah! Touka will kill me!" Hashirama wailed in despair, his dream village proving to be a financial black hole.

"Help me, Tobirama! You always have ideas," he pleaded, clutching his brother’s sleeve, tears streaming down his face.

Tobirama sighed but then spoke, "The Uchiha Clan seems pretty wealthy. Their compound construction is even more luxurious than ours."

"Madara has that much money? Go call him here!" Hashirama ordered, his eyes lighting up with hope.


---

Soon, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in!"

To their surprise, the visitor wasn’t Madara but Uchiha Gin. With his signature tired expression and a lazy yawn, he greeted them.

Tobirama frowned. "Where is your clan leader, Uchiha Gin?"


"Madara is currently meditating at the clan shrine. For now, I’m handling clan affairs," he explained, spreading his hands in a gesture of helplessness.



Shrugging, he added, "It’s all because of that fool Izuna. He’s too careless, always leaving things to me."