章 10: Chapter:10

Seeing the contents of the agreement, Uchiha Ishiki raised his eyebrows. "Compared to the conditions we previously proposed, this is significantly reduced, isn't it?"

Aside from the first article, which aligned with both parties' opinions, the second and third articles had clearly been shrunk. Full compensation was reduced to 20%, and the five-year truce was cut down to two years.

Senju Kawaragi snorted derisively. "I'm afraid you never thought you could achieve your conditions, right?"

Traditionally, war compensation has involved the loser paying the winner. Given that this battle could continue, it was clear it would end in a Senju victory. The Uchiha had simply gotten lucky by capturing Tobirama, yet they still expected full compensation? It was a pipe dream!

Uchiha Ishiki and the other hardliners wore grim expressions, and the Senju on the opposite side met their gazes with equal intensity. The feud that had lasted for centuries had stoked a desire for mutual annihilation, making a flare-up seem imminent.

"Twenty percent," Izuna interjected. "But the truce must be extended to three years."

"This..." Senju Kawaragi hesitated.

"Hashirama, what do you think?" Izuna turned his attention to Senju Hashirama.

While the truce duration seemed fair on the surface, the longer it was delayed, the more advantageous it would be for Uchiha. The damage from the battle had been more severe for them. Like two wounded beasts, the more injured one naturally sought a longer respite to recover for the next confrontation.

Senju Hashirama clearly hadn't expected Izuna to pass the ball to him. Just as he hesitated, Izuna suddenly pressed on, "You still remember what you and my brother said ten years ago by the lakeside, right?"

At this, both Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama's expressions shifted. They had met in the past without knowing each other's names and vowed to "build a village together." Now, they faced one another with swords drawn due to family feuds and the current war.

Ten years had flown by in an instant.

Senju Hashirama felt a wave of emotion rise within him. He took a deep breath, his eyes glimmering with resolve.

"Brother, don't be deceived!" Senju Tobirama shouted anxiously.

He was one of the witnesses, and he understood Izuna's manipulations all too well. This was a tactic to play on their emotions.

However, although such a ploy seemed foolish, it was perfectly suited to someone like Senju Hashirama. Sure enough, after his deep breath, Hashirama said, "I... agree with Izuna's opinion. Our clan also needs to cultivate and thrive."

"Lord Hashirama!" The ninjas on the Senju side erupted in protest.

Many looked furious, but Senju Hashirama shook his head. "I have made up my mind; don't say anything more."

Izuna smirked, declaring, "Senju Hashirama is true to his word. In that case, let's sign the agreement."

"You despicable guy, Uchiha Izuna!" Senju Tobirama gritted his teeth in anger.

Facing Tobirama's furious gaze, Izuna merely scoffed in disdain.

Senju Hashirama, now the second most powerful member of the Senju clan, spoke up. Despite Senju Kawaragi's desire to object, he recognized the determination in Hashirama's eyes. Not wanting to offend someone who would shape Senju's future, he acquiesced to Hashirama's decision.

With the deaths of Uchiha Tajima and Senju Butsuma, it naturally fell to the deputy clan leaders, Uchiha Ishiki and Senju Kawaragi, to sign the agreement.

Once both parties held the signed scrolls, Senju Hashirama eagerly exclaimed, "That's it! Let Tobirama go."

Normally, Izuna would insist, "You all exit the Mountain region first, then I'll release him." But considering he had just outsmarted Senju Hashirama, Izuna chose to give him face and immediately lifted the binding technique.

Senju Tobirama hurried back to his side, his expression dark. "I'm sorry, everyone." He felt responsible for his own capture.

"It's okay; anything can happen on the battlefield," Senju Hashirama comforted him.

"Return to the clan. I can't blame you this time, Tobirama. I can only say the enemy is too despicable," Senju Kawaragi added.

With the truce established, the two strongest ninja clans of the Warring States Period would find the next three years much quieter.

With the Mountain region now acting as a boundary, both clans began to withdraw to their respective territories.

The deaths of Uchiha Tajima and Senju Butsuma also meant that both clans would need to elect new leaders. While public expectation favored Uchiha Ishiki and Senju Kawaragi, it was uncertain who would truly step up.

In Uchiha's camp, ninjas cleaned the battlefield, transporting weapons, leftover food, cloth, and other materials back to the clan in preparation for the next inevitable war.

Among these tasks, they also transported the bodies of fallen clan members, returning them to their wives and children.

Izuna found Uchiha Madara and asked, "Brother, why are you here alone?"

Since the truce was signed, Madara had remained quiet, piquing Izuna's curiosity.

Madara glanced at Izuna, thought for a moment, and said, "Ah... it's nothing. I just didn't expect Hashirama to remember things from our childhood."

Over ten years had passed since then.

Izuna was taken aback, then shrugged and began to leave, expressing his reluctance to delve into the friendship between Indra and Asura, which had spanned generations.

But just as he turned away, Madara stopped him, asking, "Izuna, do you think it's possible to build a village where all ninjas can live together?"

That question seemed out of character for him.

Izuna almost blurted out a response but said half-heartedly, "Let's focus on eliminating the hatred between Uchiha and Senju first."

That alone was enough to give Madara a headache.

Eliminating the hatred between the two clans? Easier said than done. The animosity had accumulated over centuries; countless relatives had died at the hands of the other clan.

Noticing Madara deep in thought, Izuna turned and left, understanding that the storm initiated by his butterfly effect had begun to unfold.

At the very least, it was certain that in the original story, Uchiha had not been afforded this opportunity for recovery.

(End of the chapter).