Early the next morning.
At dawn, Senju Tobirama hurried to the freshly built office that Senju Hashirama had raised with Wood Release. The moment he stepped inside, he saw a man with inky, nonconformist hair. At the same time, that man noticed Tobirama.
Tch. That innately evil Uchiha Madara.
Tch. That innately evil Senju Tobirama.
What a lingering specter. Why is he clinging to my big brother again.
What a lingering specter. Why is he pestering Hashirama again.
But since Hashirama was clearly biased and had already been taken in by that innately evil Uchiha Madara, Tobirama could only keep those words to himself. Madara did the same. For Hashirama's sake, he would endure Tobirama for now.
Both shot each other a stone-cold glance and nothing more. Tobirama walked straight up to Hashirama.
"Big Brother, these are the results of the questionnaire I collected over the past few days. Please take a look."
"Questionnaire?"
Puzzled, Hashirama reached out and took the thick stack. He began to read.
As expected, Madara leaned in as well. Whatever Hashirama looked at, even if it were a scrap of toilet paper, he would glance at it too.
Report on Public Opinion in Favor of Senju Hashirama Serving as Village Leader
The bold header laid Tobirama's intent bare.
Tobirama, however, felt no panic at Madara's sudden attention. Every answer had been spoken by Uchiha clan members themselves, and to enhance credibility, he had ordered the surveying onee-san to have every Uchiha sign their name beneath their responses.
The report was clean, an ironclad case that could stand the test of time. Flawless.
Since the innately evil Uchiha Madara was right here, he could witness Tobirama's method firsthand. Your clansmen have already been represented by me. This is the secret of statistics I have mastered. The leader's seat belongs to my big brother.
Madara, regret it. Curse the fate that didn't grant you a clever brain.
Thinking this, Tobirama allowed a confident, satisfied smile to surface. He even looked forward to Madara's expression when he saw the results. Surely it would be a contorted mask of fury and humiliation.
"I agree."
"Yes."
"I think it's fine."
Hashirama flipped page after page, astonished by the responses.
So I'm really this impressive.
It was only natural for Senju to support him, but the vast majority of Uchiha backing him as well was unexpected.
Madara's thoughts were simple. Hashirama truly is amazing. He had won over the Uchiha so quickly. The day when the Senju and Uchiha erased their ancestral hatred would surely arrive soon.
Time ticked by. Hashirama soon reached the final page.
According to the survey, Senju Hashirama has approximately eighty percent support. The facts prove that Senju Hashirama becoming the village leader is the will of the people.
This conclusion had been penned by Tobirama himself. In the coming days, this report and its conclusion would be circulated through both clans. He would build momentum for his brother and leave Madara no chance at the leadership.
Tobirama hid his smile, sharp light flashing in his eyes as he watched Madara's face closely.
Unfortunately, the reaction he wanted never came. There was no anger at all on Madara's face. If anything, there was the faintest hint of excitement.
It felt like punching cotton. How could this be.
By common sense, any clan head seeing such a report would rage. His own people had turned against him. For a seat as important as village leader, and they wouldn't even vote for their patriarch. Outrageous. Time for a heavy fist.
But then he remembered. The innately evil Uchiha never thought like normal people, especially those with the Mangekyō Sharingan. Madara's eyes were the Eternal Mangekyō, which made him even harder to predict.
And the unpredictable are the most dangerous. The Uchiha truly were too evil.
At least for now, everything still seemed under control.
Tobirama cleared his throat and turned to his brother.
"Big Brother, I said it already. You becoming village leader is the will of the people. No one is more qualified."
He flicked a glance at Madara out of the corner of his eye. Still no reaction. Madara remained stone-faced. He might agree that Hashirama could be leader, but he would never show a pleasant expression to the man who killed his brother.
"Madara, what do you think? I still believe you would be more suitable than me. Why don't you take the position."
Hashirama, as always, stood by Madara. You're more suited than I am.
"Big Brother, what are you even saying."
"The Senju support you. The Uchiha support you. Everyone believes in you, and still you…"
Before Madara could speak, Tobirama cut in, fraying at the edges. He was terrified that Madara would accept on the spot. Being a younger brother wasn't just cooking the meal for big brother. He had chewed it for him and was ready to feed it to him, and Hashirama was about to spit it into Madara's mouth. If you aren't hungry, at least let me eat it.
Exhausting. Soul-crushing.
Madara's expression remained calm, neither angry nor sad. If anything, it carried a quiet, indescribable disdain.