Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. However, I am willing to buy... for the right price.


Prologue: Unnamed village, shortly after the Senju/Uchiha treaty:


Madara Uchiha groaned as he cracked his eyes open. Despite years of conditioning to become instantly alert upon waking, his irritated eyes, upset stomach, throbbing headache, and general feeling of malaise delayed an assessment of his situation for an uncomfortably long moment. His confusion only grew as he woozily became aware of his surroundings. Unfamiliar room, strange bed, no clothes, and a nubile young redhead curled up against his chest. He groaned in pain and confusion. 'What the hell happened last night?'

Slowly Madara assembled his foggy memories of the previous night. The beginning was fairly clear; he had gone to Hashirama's engagement party. It was a massive affair arranged by his Uzumaki fiancée's insane relatives who couldn't resist the opportunity to throw a gigantic party during their visit. He initially did not intend to stay longer than necessary as socialization was not his forte, and the less time he spent around Tobirama the better. However, Izuna's killer was not present, and despite himself he actually started having a good time. Part of it was being able to spend time with his best (only) friend without Tobirama around, but it also helped that the majority of the crowd was Uzumakis who hadn't been directly involved in their theater of the clan wars. In fact, most of the idiot savant seal masters had no idea who he was, which combined with their raucous, friendly, and extremely extroverted natures made him feel more welcome and at ease than he had since Izuna died.

Madara's memories became a lot more disjointed after his first drink, prompted by Hashirama insinuating he was a lightweight who wouldn't be able to keep up with his "superior Senju body." The subsequent hotly contested drinking games flashed through his mind. As far as he could recall he had given as good as he got. He also hadn't smiled so much in years. His memories after that were even hazier; he had a faint recollection about Hashirama and his fiancée Mito going off to "talk," followed by drunken conversations with several similarly inebriated Uzumaki, one of which had persuaded him to use Amaterasu to set various things on fire to the glee of a dozen maniacal redheads, then… oh…

Shinobi as a rule were never supposed to reveal their innermost thoughts, let alone to someone they had just met at a wild party. Not only was it highly unprofessional, it gave potential enemies an advantage. Madara was no exception to this rule, yet in an entirely out of character booze fueled moment he had started spilling out all his fears and frustrations with his current situation (little brother killed by only friend's brother, war embarrassingly lost, own clan mistrustful, probably going to start killing each other again, etc…) to the pretty young redhead who had persuaded him to set things on fire.

He couldn't clearly remember her exact response, but it hadn't been what he expected. There was no false sympathy or vapid platitudes, instead the woman had gotten quite enraged and smacked him on the head. The subsequent diatribe had certainly presented a different perspective on events; he couldn't deny that if he had listened to Hashirama in the first place Izuna would still be alive, or that it would take some time to rebuild his bonds with his clan. Perhaps she and Hashirama were right in supporting the village. While it may be beyond anyone to completely end all conflict in the world in a single lifetime, if the clans could put aside their hatred to join as a village perhaps those villages would someday be able to live at peace with one another.

Only flashes of the next events remained; exceedingly loud and wild music, Hashirama and Mito doing a highly suggestive dance amongst a crowd of other couples, his new female companion pulling him onto the dance floor, and them doing some very stimulating and enjoyable movements loosely classified as dancing. A blush rose to Madara's face as he recalled flashes of the giggling dash to her room and the other activities which had lead to his current situation. What was that phrase Hashirama had used? The 'wonders and horrors of alcohol' indeed. Nothing in Madara's experience had prepared him for this sort of situation. As the woman began to stir towards wakefulness he broke in to a horrified cold sweat. After all that had happened, he couldn't even remember her name! This was going to be awkward.


Some months later:


"Madara a father?!" the normally unflappable Tobirama exclaimed in horrified surprise. "You know I was only trying to make a joke when I said he needed to get laid. You weren't supposed to take it seriously, or to poison me so you could get him out without me around," he said with a glare.

"It was a brilliant idea," Hashirama replied with a grin. "Madara's the happiest I've seen him in years. Married life can be good for you! Speaking of, I should try to find you someone to help correct your personality flaws."

"What flaws?" Tobirama replied nonplussed. "Compared to Madara I'm the epitome of mental stability. The poor kid will probably grow up traumatized, not to mention the mother."

Hashirama frowned at his brother. "You don't know Madara like I do. He may not be the best parent or husband, but he knows how to love his family and would do anything to protect them, just like he would the village."

"Speaking of Madara and protecting the village brother, I heard about your intention to make him 'Hokage.' You can't just go and appoint him our leader on your own! Recommending him as a candidate is fine, but that sort of decision should lie with the village people. You can't just go around deciding things like father did!"

"But-"

"Furthermore, there's no way in hell Madara would be elected. Everyone knows that you were the one who brought us together, over Madara's objections! Even the Uchiha would prefer you," Tobirama overrode his brother.

"I'm still going to recommend him," Hashirama replied defiantly. "Nobody would be more devoted to protecting the village."

"True or not, that doesn't mean anything if the people won't support him." Tobirama retorted. "Even if you were to make him Hokage, the people would distrust him and still look to you for leadership. He would be little more than a figurehead, and how well do you think he'd react to that?" Hashirama frowned at the disturbing though. "Speaking of, there's an ugly rumor going around... that the power of an Uchiha's Sharingan is directly related to the amount of hate they possess. They'll always be unpredictable, and for the sake of the village..."

"That's enough Tobirama!" Hashirama replied angrily. "We all possess hatred after the wars, Uchiha and Senju alike! What's important is building towards a future without it. The village may not trust Madara now, but given time I'm sure they'll see him as I do and then-" Hashirama stopped and looked at the open window nearby. "Feels like someone was here just now, did you sense anyone?" he asked as he leaned out the window.

"Nah, wasn't using my chakra. And don't change the subject." Tobirama replied with a scowl.

Hashirama looked down on the roof. Sitting there were two leaves, one with the hole Madara had made looking at Konoha. As he picked them up a breeze wafted through the room and the leaf with the hole fluttered, but remained intact with the support of the second.


In Spite of a Nidaime: Chapter 1


A visitor from an alternate universe where Madara Uchiha abandoned Konoha would have found the present chaotic situation oddly familiar. A trio of snakes had broken through the village walls, only to be crushed by a white haired super-pervert leading a contingent of defenders against the combined Sand-Sound invasion. Meanwhile, a certain blonde orphan who also happened to be the jinchuriki for a nine-tailed demon fox struggled against a demented boy from Sunagakure with his teammates, the last Uchiha and a pink haired girl. Near the center of the village, in the arena used for the chunin exams, Konoha's copy ninja and green beast stood back to back as they decimated their many opponents.

Such a visitor would not find much different until he came to the roof of said stadium where the Sandaime Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, was facing off against his former student Orochimaru. Outside the barrier raised by the sound four a squad of ANBU watched impotently as the Sannin summoned two coffins. The ANBU gasped in surprise as two figures emerged.

"It can't be!" One of them exclaimed in shock.

"That summoning... who are they?" Another asked.

"This is really bad," the first replied. "Those two are the strongest shinobi of their time, perhaps of all time! The Shodai Hokage Hashirama Senju, and the Nidaime Hokage… Madara Uchiha!"

Inside the barrier the Sandaime regarded his predecessors with horrified surprise. Not only would he be fighting against his old teachers, but the fight would be far more difficult if their reanimated bodies possessed even a fraction of their monstrous strength.

"Long time no see Monkey-boy." Madara said, unfazed despite the strange situation. "So this kid used the Edo Tensei to revive us?" he asked as he saw Orochimaru. "It's called the forbidden scroll for a reason you know!" he said with a mock glare at the Sandaime Hokage.

Hiruzen looked away shiftily. "Well, it seemed like a good idea at the time."

Meanwhile, Hashirama scrutinized the elderly Hokage in confusion, then perked up as he recognized his former student. "Oh, it's you! You've certainly grown old Hiruzen!" The Shodai quickly surveyed the situation and as much of the village as he could see. As he saw the Hokage monument however his head drooped with a near visible air of depression. "So you became Hokage Madara?" he asked dejectedly.

"What, you were the one who wanted it in the first place!" Madara barked in irritation.

"It's just that your statue is so much better than mine," Hashirama wailed.

"Did you think I'd hire that idiot who messed up your head to do mine?" Madara replied sarcastically. "Unlike you, I made sure that my statue properly depicted my stunning good looks."

"A-hem," a voice from behind them interrupted. "How about we leave off the old folk's reunion and get started?" Orochimaru asked.

"No matter how much the world changes there is always conflict," Hashirama remarked sadly.

"Such is the nature of the Shinobi world... or perhaps of humanity," Madara replied.

Orochimaru chuckled as he approached the two Hokage with the control talismans. "You like the idea, don't you!"

"Making tools of the dead," the Sandaime growled angrily."Nothing good will come from such a despicable act!"

Orochimaru merely laughed. "Well then, shall we begin?" he asked as he inserted the tagged kunai and activated them with a hand sign.

The Sandaime watched in alarm as all traces of emotion left his predecessors faces and their bodies steamed. "They look even more like they did in life," he said sadly. Inside, the Sandaime was frantically recollecting what the forbidden scroll had said about the technique and how to counter it. 'They'll be weaker than in life, but by how much? I could seal them, but they need to be restrained first and I don't have the proper sealing technique prepared. If I could blow them away before they get stronger I may be able to take out Orochimaru while they regenerate…'

Orochimaru laughed sinisterly. "Complete! Do you know the joy and sense of accomplishment you get when you hurt the one you called master?" he asked with a wicked grin. "I thought I'd have you experience that, so I prepared this situation for you. Please, enjoy yourself sensei!"

Sarutobi gritted his teeth and ran forward. The time for talking was over. 'Start with a fire element…' His hands moved through the seals at breakneck speeds, but across from him red eyes opened on the Nidaime's face as Madara's hands copied his student.

"Katon, Fire Dragon Napalm!" two voices rang out in unison. Two streams of white hot flame flew out and crashed in the middle.

'Not good! I can't waste chakra trying to overwhelm him.' The Sandaime jumped to the side, and in the instant before Madara corrected his aim managed to perform a counter. "Doton, mudslide barrier!" A large earthen wall rose, protecting him from the flames.

Safe behind the wall Sarutobi wasted no time in preparing his next jutsu. He sped up as he sensed Madara's attack end and Hashirama building up a large amount of chakra. Seals finally done he bit his thumb and slapped his hand on the ground, and yelled out "Kuchiyose no jutsu!" just as a forest started erupting from the wall and ground.

A very surprised Monkey King Enma appeared just as the foliage reached them, and joined Sarutobi in leaping up the rapidly growing trees. "Sarutobi, what the-"

"No time, just transform!" the Sandaime yelled as he saw a shadow rapidly approaching.

Enma quickly obeyed and transformed into a black adamantine staff, which Hiruzen swiftly grabbed and used to beat back the prying green tendrils. He then pivoted around it to avoid Madara, who had jumped over the wall and attacked while he was occupied with Hashirama's jutsu. The two exchanged a brief flurry of blows, with Madara's Sharingan countering Hiruzen's weapon and slight edge in speed. The dojutsu wasn't quite enough to overcome the difference though, and the Sandaime caught his predecessor with a mighty blow with the staff which launched him back clear through the forest and mud wall towards Orochimaru.

The Sandaime breathed heavily as he leapt through the hole to confront his predecessors and former student. He was already feeling his age despite the battle's short duration, and worse yet none of his opponents had even begun to cut loose. As he stepped forward, Sarutobi had a sinking feeling than even if he managed to defeat his foes he would not walk away from this battle.


Days after the attack, all Konoha's shinobi mourned on the top of the Hokage tower. Even the weather was mourning, with dark clouds pouring tears of rain on the black clothed crowds. Naruto stood in front of the coffin and shrine with his friends from the academy and chunin exams and their sensei. Nearby, Iruka consoled the sobbing Konohamaru.

Naruto looked on somberly at the Hokage monument and his precious people. This was his first experience with the death of someone close to him, and it wasn't a pleasant experience. Even though the Hokage had died a hero protecting the village from Orochimaru, he couldn't help but feel empty inside. "What's the point of it all?" He asked Iruka. "Is life just that simple?"

Iruka looked back sadly. "When someone dies they lose everything. Your goals, friends, plans, or anything don't matter to it. It is that simple. But everyone here knows that the most important way you can die is for a cause. "Family, friends, lovers, the villagers… those are the most important people to me, and they are my cause. The Sandaime and his predecessors also felt that way, and over the years they developed strong bonds of trust and mutual support with this village. Everyone with this headband knows that what you leave behind is more important than anything you could take with you."

"But death is still painful." Naruto replied looking at the memorial.

"The Hokage wouldn't think so," Kakashi replied from behind. "We all want to protect our precious people from harm, and he passed on entrusting his hopes and dreams to us younger generations. But it will still hurt even if you do understand."

"Right!" Naruto said with a smile. "But knowing is better than not knowing!"

Iruka smiled slightly at the sight. Despite their sorrow, all the ninja of the new generation from the brooding Sasuke to the slowly recovering Rock Lee felt the same determination. Even though it was still small, the will of fire burned brightly in this generation. Iruka had little doubt that just as the Sandaime had inherited the will of his predecessors, the current generation would likewise inherit his will to protect their comrades and build a better world.


Author's Note: As you may have gathered from the title, this story leans heavily on the "In spite of a nail" trope. Despite Hashirama being a much better wingman than in cannon and consequently keeping Madara in the village, almost everything has occurred identically to cannon since Madara became Nidaime. This allows me to keep the main characters around and in character (I assume that like me you don't enjoy original or out of character characters), and to skip the frequently repeated Academy, Wave, and Chunin Exam arcs.

However, there are differences between this AU and cannon which will be revealed as the story progresses. Although the Akatsuki are still trying to gather the Biju to cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi, they have a different leader and slightly different membership. Before you start worrying, let me reassure you that there will be no original characters in this story besides Madara's nameless plot device of a wife who will never appear again (if you want to read a story about some doe eyed Mary Sue winning his heart I'm sure there are dozens out there). The story will loosely follow Shippuden's, with Orochimaru and the Akatsuki being the main antagonists and everything culminating in a bigass war. I intend to use the butterflies in the storyline and the different final villain to make Shippuden in general and the Pain invasion and War arcs in particular more intense and realistic, while remaining thematically consistent. It will be grimmer, darker, and more serious than cannon, but not to the extreme.

To give you an idea about the style of story, the following are a few specific things I intend to do or avoid. Power levels won't exceed cannon, and based on how they are currently skyrocketing may even be lower. More focus will be given to the rookie 12, but not at the expense of the main plot. I'm going to try to keep the tone similar to the series; a mixture of lighthearted fun combined with more serious themes. However, there will be character deaths. I'll try to avoid character bashing, flanderization, and completely OOC characters. Pairings are not the focus of this story; there will be some romance but it will be kept similar to cannon (no crack pairings, yaoi, or harems) and developed at around the same rate. Don't expect any confirmed couples until the end.

About the usage of honorifics and Japanese; as far as I can tell Kishimoto plays fast and loose with them in the manga. I'm going to stick to this; they'll be used only to emphasize when someone's being polite, or when used habitually by a character in the manga. Don't read too much into them, or their lack. Japanese words will only be used for proper nouns (Konoha, Sandaime Hokage, etc...) and common jutsu (Rasengan, Kage Bunshin, etc…). Beyond these, random insertion of Japanese words will be avoided at all costs.

Thanks for reading, and please review!