"Lord Tobirama, if you have something to say, just say it. There's no need to circle around it."
Uchiha Ren waved his hand, still wearing that composed, elegant smile.
"I think you just want an excuse to insult me."
He didn't take the mockery seriously.
After all—
He was the victor.
And Tobirama Senju?
A prisoner.
Dragged back into this world through Edo Tensei, bound and controlled.
A defeated dog's barking was nothing more than noise.
The more helpless the rage—
The more ridiculous it looked.
"Hmph! Insolent brat!"
Tobirama's gaze grew colder.
"When seeking guidance from your elders, don't you even know to ask properly?"
That smile—
The more he looked at it, the more it felt like silent ridicule.
And that tone—
Unrestrained. Disrespectful.
It had been a long time since anyone dared speak to him like this.
In the Senju clan.
As Hokage.
Everywhere—
He had been treated with reverence.
And now?
Reduced to this.
A fallen tiger mocked by a mere Uchiha.
Utter humiliation.
"Fine, fine."
Ren sighed lightly.
"Then I humbly ask Lord Tobirama to enlighten this junior."
Even as he said it, there was a trace of helplessness in his voice.
Tobirama…
Really wouldn't give an inch, even verbally.
"Hmph. Since you're asking so sincerely…"
Tobirama's expression eased slightly.
"…then I'll graciously enlighten you."
Even knowing the boy was pretending—
It still felt good.
Some habits never changed.
"Tell me—"
He stared directly at Ren.
"Do you know how Konoha was founded?"
"Of course."
Ren answered without hesitation.
"Back then, the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha fought to a draw."
"Unable to defeat Madara, the First Hokage had no choice but to pull out a kunai—"
"And threaten him with his own life."
"He begged Madara to reconcile, to unite the Uchiha and Senju and build Konoha together."
"Otherwise, he would kill himself right there."
"In the end, Madara softened and agreed."
"And thus—Konoha was born."
…
Silence.
For a brief moment—
Everything froze.
Then—
"You're spouting absolute nonsense!!"
Tobirama exploded.
"Who told you that garbage?!"
"That's complete distortion!"
"Madara was utterly defeated by my brother!"
"He was flattened!"
"It was only because my brother was too kind—too unwilling to kill him—that he spared his life!"
"And you call that a draw?!"
"And what is this nonsense about threatening him with suicide?!"
"When has my brother ever been so pathetic?!"
Ren continued speaking casually—
But the more he spoke—
The more Tobirama lost control.
And when it reached that part—
Where Hashirama supposedly held a kunai to himself—
Tobirama snapped completely.
What the hell are you saying?!
…Why does it sound so accurate?!
Inside, he was already cursing.
Madara, you bastard!
You actually spread that story?!
And "draw"?!
What kind of shameless embellishment was that?!
You were beaten into the ground!
You couldn't even stand up!
If not for his brother's compassion—
He would have personally sent Madara to join Izuna Uchiha long ago.
These damned Uchiha—
Their ability to twist truth and fiction was infuriating.
Tobirama mentally added another mark against the Uchiha.
Another reason—
To eliminate them.
As for the part where Hashirama had indeed raised a kunai to himself—
To atone for Izuna's death—
Tobirama conveniently ignored it.
That was different.
Completely different.
His battle with Izuna had been fair and square.
A clean kill.
A Mangekyō Sharingan user—
Defeated one-on-one.
That was undeniable.
And yet Madara dared bring it up like that—
Shameless!
Ren listened patiently to the entire outburst.
Then—
Smiled.
"…You're getting worked up?"
The mockery in his eyes was unmistakable.
"…I'll work you—!"
"*&%$#@—!"
"Uchiha Ren, you—!!"
One simple line—
And Tobirama snapped again.
He had never despised an Uchiha this much.
Not even Madara.
Not even Izuna.
"Alright, alright. Calm down."
Ren stepped in lightly.
"We're both Hokage here. People of status."
"How can you be throwing insults like that?"
"The world is such a beautiful place, Lord Tobirama—yet you're so irritable."
"That's not good. Not good at all."
Tobirama took several deep breaths.
Only then did he force himself to regain control.
"Hmph… I won't lower myself to your level."
"You wicked Uchiha brat."
He had lost composure.
Again.
That alone made his expression darken further.
This boy—
With just a few words—
Had shaken his mind.
Impossible.
He was Tobirama Senju.
Calm. Rational. Unshakable.
How could he be influenced so easily?
…The Sharingan.
It had to be genjutsu.
Yes.
That was the only explanation.
Otherwise—
He would never lose control like this.
Tobirama's evaluation of Ren rose sharply.
A silent genjutsu—
Without even the slightest trace.
Terrifying.
From now on—
He had to remain absolutely calm.
Only by staying composed could he find an opening.
Only then—
Could he escape.
"Listen carefully."
Tobirama spoke again, this time cutting off any chance for interruption.
"The founding of Konoha—"
"Was meant to break the barriers between clans."
"To make them set aside hatred."
"To understand each other."
"To coexist."
"And to create—"
"A truly peaceful world."
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