"Damn it, that Murakami Clan's bastard really crossed the line! Sasuke, gather all our elders! We can't let this disrespect slide!"
Inside their home, Kosuke vented his frustration loudly, his anger boiling over like a volcano. He felt humiliated in front of his peers, and the embarrassment caused by a younger rival clouded his judgment as a leader. Instead of thinking clearly, he was consumed by a desire to retaliate or humiliate the other side.
"Dad! I really think it's time for you to step down! Your dramatic actions are only making our clan look worse!" Instead of obeying his father's commands, Sasuke let loose the bitterness he had been holding back, fueled by Kosuke's ineffective leadership.
How many sons and daughters of the Sarutobi Clan will have to bleed in the years to come?
How many clan members need to sacrifice themselves on the battlefield for this so-called 'noble' cause?
How many more resources will be wasted on his father's whims and attempts to gain favor with his counterparts?
"WHAT?! Are you serious, Sasuke?! I built this clan to survive in this brutal world, and now you're rejecting me?! I'll never step down, even if it costs me my life!" Overwhelmed by anger, Kosuke's fury led him to wreck some of the decorations in the room as he glared at his son with eyes full of rage.
As he witnessed his father's futile anger, Sasuke simply left the room, but his conviction was becoming clearer with each step.
'Don't blame me, father... This kind of cowardice doesn't have a place in the era of conflict!'
->->->->->->->->->
"Sir, there's urgent news! Sarutobi Kosuke has died!"
"What?! Let me see that scroll!"
The following day, the townspeople were stunned by the news, especially the clans who had formed friendships with Kosuke and his family. The autopsy revealed that he died from poisoning, but rumors spread beyond the Shinobi World like weeds in a damp forest, with Yoichi Murakami becoming the main suspect in many people's minds.
Some claimed that Yoichi had simply slipped through the clan's courtyard and staged the crime scene.
Others speculated, in a twisted way, that he must have had an accomplice who called for the assassination during the night.
"Puhahaha, that foolish old man poisoned himself! What a so-called elite shinobi! I won't deny it; if you think it was me, then sure. It's that straightforward."
Eventually, the noble clans confronted Yoichi at the Murakami Estate, but they had no concrete evidence against him. Moreover, Yoichi's brutal style seemed inconsistent with the sneakiness of poisoning.
Ultimately, no one suspected Kosuke's close relatives. After the funeral, Sasuke emerged as the new leader of the Sarutobi Clan and initiated some surprising changes.
He implemented a merit-based system that involved the other elders in the clan. However, Sasuke's firm hold on leadership deterred any opposition to the sweeping reforms, except for the elders, who benefited immensely by merely maintaining their positions.
In terms of clans, those aligned with the rebels departed the Land of Fire quickly and unnoticed. The Kaguya Clan was cast into the murky waters of the Land of Water, the Fuma Clan retreated to the Land of Rain, and the Hagoromo Clan escaped, eventually seizing control of the Land of Grass.
->->->->->->
Following that, the prestigious clans intensified their conflicts, engaging in numerous battles to seek honor and recognition. The rivalry between the Uchiha Clan and the Senju Clan became increasingly noticeable as members from each side suffered losses at the hands of the other.
After 10 years, the Shinobi World had entered a genuine Warring States Period. The economy and infrastructure suffered immense damage due to a lack of security.
Childbirth and death became closely linked as people faced many different causes of mortality. Meanwhile, society transformed into a restless force, with men impulsively fathering children amidst the chaos, using these intimate connections as a way to cope with the trauma and stress brought on by a constantly shifting world.
Several organizations with questionable intentions cropped up like mushrooms after rain, but there remains a guiding light for the people in these war-torn regions: Genesis Bank and their unwavering support.
Driven by a noble mission and abundant resources, Genesis Bank emerged as a powerful force. They provided shelter for those in need and nurtured exceptionally gifted young minds, leading to an unstoppable rise in their reputation.
Naturally, a few misguided individuals tried to take them down, rallying clans like the Hagoromo, Fuma, and Kaguya against the bank. However, the students and children associated with Genesis Bank stood firm, effectively blocking any threats. Rather than facing them directly, some resorted to sneaky tactics, but those were swiftly dealt with by Genesis Bank.
Yoichi is simply observing the nearby river when a black-haired boy seems to be having a great time tossing stones into the water.
"This time, I'm going to make it for sure!" The boy, filled with determination, prepared to throw when suddenly, someone else flung a stone that sailed across.
"Just aim a bit higher than you think you need to; that's the trick!" With a playful grin, a young boy in a green sleeveless haori made his appearance, prompting the black-haired boy to glance over at him.
"I don't need your advice! Who are you, anyway?!" The kid grumbled out of irritation, feeling a bit put down as he inquired about the other boy's identity.
"I'm Hashirama, but I can't share my last name for some reason." Hashirama scratched his head until he noticed the other kid's nod.
"Hashirama, huh? Check this out!" The kid took a strong stance and hurled a stone with impressive speed, showing he was no amateur.
'That throw... Is that a shuriken jutsu?' Hashirama squinted, watching as the stone bounced on the water's surface before disappearing beneath the river.
Madara: (O_O)
Hashirama: (￣ヘ￣)
"This is your fault! You were standing behind me on purpose and distracting me! I can't go when someone's right behind me!" Frustrated, the kid aimed his anger at Hashirama, who wore a surprised look that quickly shifted to disappointment, dark lines appearing on his face.
"My bad..." Sitting on the ground, Hashirama's eyes glistened with tears. "I didn't realize you were struggling with such intense self-diagnosed neurosis!"
"You! I can't figure out if you're a good guy or a bad one!" Hurt by the half-hearted apology, the kid pointed at him, allowing his anger to flare again.
Hashirama: HAHAHA! But there's no doubt that I'm better at skipping stones!
Madara: You want me to toss you out?
Amid their playful bickering, Hashirama noticed a lifeless body in the water, and Madara soon saw it too. As Hashirama walked through the water easily, Madara muttered:
"Are you... a shinobi as well?"
'This is the Hagoromo Crest...'
While examining the corpse, Hashirama looked back at Madara and said:
"We're going to have a battlefield here soon, so head home! Sorry, but I have to go... Uh..."
"It's Madara... Not using my last name has always been shinobi etiquette," Madara replied with a smirk, understanding Hashirama's situation.
"Just as I thought, you're a shinobi too... Take care..." With that, Hashirama departed, and Madara cast one last glance before leaving.
Unbeknownst to them, Yoichi observed their interactions, like he was watching a scene from an anime. It clearly illustrated the complex relationship between Hashirama and Madara.
"For now, I'll make another appearance later to share some tricks with them. I'm pretty sure they'll tell their fathers about me, but honestly, I don't care."
With that, Yoichi walked away, unconcerned as the world continued to revolve around these two legendary figures.