"Who are you calling a plagiarist?!"
Tobirama Senju's face turned iron-blue as he roared in fury.
These strategic plans concerning Konoha's future were the result of days of isolation and intense contemplation. He had even prepared most of the execution framework already.
Plagiarism?
Every single word in those proposals had been written by his own hand!
If anything, others were plagiarizing him!
And as a top-tier researcher, Tobirama absolutely could not tolerate plagiarism.
He hated plagiarists.
Especially the Uchiha clan—those born-evil people who relied on their Sharingan to copy techniques others had painstakingly developed.
Shameless beyond belief!
And now they dared to accuse him of plagiarism?
Utter hypocrisy!
Madara Uchiha—don't think your Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan makes you untouchable!
My brother is still right here!
"I'm calling you a plagiarist."
"Can't you hear?"
Madara slammed his hand on the table and stood up.
Normally, he despised verbal sparring. When conflicts arose, he preferred to settle them with fists—it was faster and more honest.
But Tobirama's status was… complicated.
For Hashirama's sake, Madara restrained himself.
But—
Damn it!
Izuna. My Izuna.
It was Tobirama Senju who led to your death!
My brother couldn't avenge you.
But now that I have a chance to humiliate Tobirama—
I won't let it pass.
Madara stood there coldly, staring down at Tobirama with aristocratic disdain.
"Say it clearly."
"Who are you accusing of plagiarism?"
"You Senju accuse us of theft when it's your own techniques our Sharingan copies? Now you're crying thief first?"
Tobirama shot back without backing down.
In his eyes, Madara was clearly picking a fight on purpose today.
The atmosphere instantly became explosive.
The pressure in the conference room thickened.
The clan heads felt a wave of panic.
What if they actually start fighting here?!
"Let it go, let it go!"
"It's hard for everyone!"
"Let it go, let it go! Tobirama-sama, you really can't beat Madara-sama anyway—just admit it, it's all for Konoha! No one will blame you!"
Several clan leaders hurriedly stepped in to mediate, fearing open combat.
"Yes, little brother," Hashirama Senju also joined in quickly, trying to calm things down.
"Madara doesn't mean any harm—he just… likes telling uncomfortable truths."
Madara didn't continue arguing.
Because justice lived in people's hearts.
Konoha's clans had been closely monitoring Akatsuki Village's movements. They all knew very well—
Tobirama Senju really did look like a shameless plagiarist.
"You— I didn't plagiarize!"
Tobirama felt a tightness in his chest, nearly gasping for breath from anger.
How could he plagiarize?
And from that born-evil Makoto Uchiha, no less?!
And big brother—why don't you believe me either?!
"Hmph."
Madara snorted coldly.
Seeing Tobirama in such a disheveled state brought him immense satisfaction. The corner of his mouth lifted, and he even let out a quiet, pleased hum.
As Tobirama gradually calmed down, his intellect reclaimed the high ground.
With a grim expression, he began questioning the details.
"Makoto Uchiha also created a secret assassination force? Coincidence—just coincidence!"
"What? He founded a ninja academy too?"
"He even came up with a Light Will?"
"…"
Tobirama fell silent.
He hadn't expected Makoto Uchiha's ideas to align so perfectly with his own.
Unlike his monstrously powerful brother, Tobirama knew his own limits.
As Konoha's shadow Hokage, he needed a force that answered directly to him.
And ideology—ideology was equally essential.
Thus, the Will of Fire.
And to ensure a steady supply of loyal strength, a ninja academy was unavoidable.
Whether these institutions existed or not marked the difference between a fledgling village and a mature one.
"Makoto Uchiha…"
"He's a truly terrifying opponent."
Tobirama raised Makoto's danger rating yet again in his mind.
Second only to Madara Uchiha among the clan.
Then—
A far more horrifying realization struck him.
If Makoto's ideas matched his own and Makoto had acted first…
Then Tobirama really had become the plagiarist.
In matters of innovation, whoever is slower becomes the copycat.
No matter how he tried to explain it—
He was finished.
The room went deathly silent.
All eyes focused on Tobirama.
Whether imagined or not, he felt mockery, disdain, and pity in those gazes.
He wanted to flee.
But he couldn't.
Running now would make everything worse.
A leader may be brutal, weak, or even stupid—
But he must never become a clown.
I didn't plagiarize.
I truly didn't.
My conscience is clear—why should I be afraid?
After several seconds of internal struggle, Tobirama finally spoke:
"I did not plagiarize. These are merely coincidences."
Tobirama-sama's mouth is really tough.
Caught red-handed and still refusing to admit it—impressive.
The clan leaders thought this silently.
Though Tobirama's stubbornness was almost comical, none of them laughed.
They were professionals.
And besides—
Whatever the case, Tobirama-sama was doing this for Konoha.
Understandable. Completely understandable.
"Big brother," Tobirama said urgently.
"Do you believe me?"
Seeing the room remain silent, Tobirama turned instinctively to Hashirama.
These past days of seclusion—his brother knew about all of it.
Surely his own brother would trust him.
Hashirama raised his head.
Could there really be such perfect coincidences?
Three times in a row?
Little brother… even if you copied, as long as it's for Konoha's future, copying good ideas isn't a crime.
Why insist on being so stubborn?
…Never mind.
As your brother, I'll back you when it matters.
"I believe you."
Hashirama's voice was slow, calm, and resolute.
Tobirama was deeply moved.
Big brother—
Even though you're always hanging out with that born-evil Madara,
Even though it gets me scolded by my sister-in-law,
Even though sometimes I genuinely suspect you're an idiot—
You're still my good brother.
"Yes, yes—coincidence!"
"Lord Hashirama is right!"
"I also believe Tobirama-sama!"
"I've always believed in Tobirama-sama!"
Voices of agreement immediately followed.
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