"Condition?"
(Daring to make demands? Don't tell me after getting the Rinnegan, you're getting cocky, huh?)
Madara seemed to sense Lux's doubt and quickly clarified, "This isn't a demand on you, but a request for that bastard Tobirama to agree to one condition of mine."
"Oh, I see."
"Alright, since the timing's right, you two should talk directly to settle this matter quickly."
With the decision made, Madara and Tobirama needed to speak face-to-face.
So, Lux was straightforward. He activated World Teleportation again, instantly "capturing" Tobirama, who had just retreated to Konoha!
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Tobirama was bewildered. He'd just returned to Konoha after a dozen teleportations, exhausted like a dog, with barely any chakra left.
Before he could sit for tea or have Kagami massage his feet, Lux snatched him up and brought him back to Kirigakure.
He appeared right beside the vile Madara, startling Tobirama immensely. He immediately worried—had he done something wrong, disappointing Lux? Was Lux planning to capture him and hand him to Madara to be killed for amusement or something?
"Lord, I…" Tobirama tensed, hastily stepping back from Madara to avoid being suddenly killed.
"Relax. With me here, you won't die."
"Come closer—Madara has something to discuss with you." Lux waved, signaling Tobirama not to be so nervous.
Tobirama frowned and shouted, "What could I possibly discuss with this vile guy?"
Madara, also displeased, frowned, "Hmph! Always calling me 'vile'—has the Tenseigan made you that arrogant? Beast Tobirama, don't forget who begged me not to kill you!"
"Huh? What did you say?"
"Called you trash, what? Not happy about it?"
"Vile Uchiha, I'll annihilate you!"
Meeting again, they couldn't resist trading insults. If Tobirama weren't exhausted, they might've started fighting again.
Seeing this, Lux stepped forward, stopping them. He brought them together to speed up Parallel World 2's unification, not to watch them bicker and curse.
Both suppressed their anger, and Tobirama relaxed slightly. With Lux present, Madara wouldn't dare do anything to him. Only then did he approach, formally negotiating with Madara.
In truth, Tobirama was just as cunning. Seeing the situation, he vaguely guessed this was likely a negotiation to resolve the world unification issue. After all, he and Madara had just fought to a draw—or rather, he was slightly weaker but not entirely defeated. Since the battlefield couldn't determine a winner quickly, negotiation was the only solution.
Was this why the Sage of the Six Paths grabbed him?
Thus, Tobirama felt a bit anxious, slightly regretting his earlier arrogance fueled by the Tenseigan's power, challenging Madara without preparation. Had he prepared better, defeated Madara in one fight, and impressed the Sage, there might not have been a negotiation after this draw!
No choice—he had to seize this negotiation opportunity, squeeze Madara hard, make him back off, and ensure he didn't touch Konoha!
What weaknesses could he exploit from Madara?
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Just as Tobirama began brainstorming, constantly thinking how to gain the upper hand in negotiations, Madara's opening salvo stunned him.
"Senju Tobirama, will you kill me?"
"Of course…" Tobirama instinctively wanted to admit it—he truly hated Madara.
But in front of the Sage, considering this rare negotiation opportunity, Tobirama held back, not answering immediately, instead seriously pondering the question.
After a moment, Tobirama gave his answer: "In the past, I might've, but not now."
"If I could defeat you, I'd only pluck out your eyes, seal your chakra, and let you live quietly."
"I think Brother wouldn't want me to kill you either."
Tobirama had changed much over time, especially after multiple encounters with Parallel World 1's Hashirama and Madara.
Though that Madara was also annoying, Tobirama at least saw a different future in him, realizing he wasn't born evil. With the right approach, that Madara could coexist with Konoha. This greatly reduced Tobirama's killing intent and malice toward Madara.
Moreover, if he truly killed Madara, it'd be hard to face Parallel World 1's Brother later. Plus, he owed Parallel World 1 Madara a favor, planning to repay it to this Parallel World 2 Madara. If he could defeat Madara, he likely wouldn't kill him, right?
Madara raised an eyebrow, then snorted coldly, "Hmph! As annoying as ever! But don't worry, you'll never kill me."
"What I really want to ask is, if I revive Izuna, will you kill him again?"
Tobirama was shocked: "Izuna? You plan to revive Izuna with the Rinnegan too?"
"Why? Not allowed?"
"Not that it's not allowed…"
"Reviving or not is my business. I'm just asking—after Izuna's revived, will you kill him?"
Tobirama pondered briefly, then continued, "As long as he doesn't harm Konoha, I won't kill him again…"
"Good, is that your promise?"
"Yes!"
"Then remember your promise. If you break it, I'll slaughter the entire Senju Clan!"
Madara swore solemnly. Tobirama didn't back down: "I promise you, but if he truly harms Konoha, I'll never let him off!"
"Hmph! I'll advise Izuna myself."
"But Madara, what's your point? Why ask this?"
"Nothing. I've promised this Sage to step back from conflict with Konoha. From now on, you and Konoha will handle world unification!" Madara answered sincerely, stunning Tobirama.
"What? You're giving up?"
"Yes."
"Why? Your ambition's greater than mine—how can you just give up?"
"Nonsense, I'm not like you! I don't crave eternal peace—that's Hashirama's wish. I only want to achieve or surpass his ambition…"
"Sss—! That's nonsense too. Don't you have the power to achieve it now?"
"It's no longer important. I just want to revive my brother and Hashirama."
"What?!!! You want to revive Brother too?"
"Why, not allowed?"
"Allowed, of course allowed!" Tobirama's eyes sparkled. He deeply wished for Brother Hashirama's revival.
Had the First Ninja World War not caused Tobirama's sudden death, he might've spent his life researching true resurrection forbidden jutsu…
"Your pathetic face reminds me of when you obediently followed Hashirama…"
"Brother deserves my wholehearted support!"
This was the only time Tobirama didn't retort to Madara's mockery. After all, his entire life, he only bowed to his Brother—no one else! Except, of course, the Sage…
"Forget it, Hashirama doesn't need your approval. Just agree to my condition and fulfill the Sage's request."
"You're really willing to step back voluntarily?"
"Of course, but there's one final condition."
"Speak!" Tobirama grew serious, knowing Madara's final condition wouldn't be easy. But with Konoha's safety and future on his shoulders, as long as it wasn't too outrageous, Tobirama was willing to agree.
Though his mouth was tough, he lacked absolute confidence in defeating Madara. If Madara attacked Konoha, with Tobirama's current strength, he couldn't protect the entire village.
So, if peace could be achieved, halting war and conflict, that was best. With Lux as witness, he wasn't afraid the other side would break their promise.
"Final condition: After Konoha completes world unification, I want you to choose an Uchiha ninja to inherit the next Hokage position!" Madara stated his last condition.
"What?!"
"You want me, after unifying the world, to choose an Uchiha to inherit Hokage?!!"
"No way, I'll never…" Tobirama overreacted, nearly jumping in opposition.
Handing the Hokage position to an Uchiha—wasn't that pushing the village into a fire pit? With the Uchiha Clan's stubborn and impulsive nature, how could they manage the village, or even the world in the future? Absolutely not!
"Oh? You disagree?"
"Pick another condition—this is impossible!"
"Then there's nothing to discuss. Let's resume the war. I'll head to Konoha and personally destroy it!"
"Wait! That won't do either…" Tobirama panicked, quickly softening.
"This is my final condition—agree or not, your choice!" Madara remained stubborn, being the stronger party in the negotiation.
"This… as long as it's an Uchiha, anyone's fine?"
"You can choose anyone, but they must be Uchiha!"
"Otherwise, you know the future—if you let your bastard disciples keep ruling, the Uchiha Clan will face a crisis of destruction sooner or later!"
Madara's honest words left Tobirama speechless.
"…"
Tobirama fell silent for a long time, his heart churning repeatedly. But after weighing the pros and cons, he chose to agree. After all, other Uchihas aside, he had the loyal and valuable Uchiha Kagami!
Choosing him to inherit Hokage in the future wasn't unacceptable. Kagami was an Uchiha and his trusted disciple, truly capable of fostering reconciliation and trust between Konoha and Uchiha—far better than appointing another Uchiha.
"Fine! I agree!"
"Hmph! You finally made a rational decision. I hope you, the bastard, don't break your promise later."
"With Lord as witness, I'll never break it! It's you I'm worried about, maybe secretly scheming again…"
"Tch! You're not worth my scheming."
"Bastard!"
"Trash!"
And so, amidst Madara and Tobirama's bickering and insults, the two greatest powers representing Parallel World 2 finally reached a reconciliation and merger. It was also confirmed that Tobirama and Konoha would lead the unification of Parallel World 2! Even the future Fourth Hokage's successor was secretly decided by the two.
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Meanwhile, someone currently serving as Konoha's spy in Parallel World 2's Sunagakure, manipulating events behind the Kazekage's scenes, was completely unaware of this, still toiling tirelessly in Sunagakure!