To those ignorant, Butsuma died surrounded and outnumbered by a group of shinobi from the Hagoromo Clan. Those that know better, however, would be able to pick out the small inconsistencies. Too bad none of these people where ever allowed to see Butsuma before the man had already been prepared for burial.
Butsuma had, in actuality, drowned. A strange thing, considering he was so far from any water source.
The Senju heirs were less than heartbroken. Tobirama hardly reacted to the news, beyond a slight tightening of his lips, while Kawarama had merely snorted in disgust, holing himself up in the house of the clan head. A title which, at that point, fell to the young Hashirama.
Tobirama took over much of the clan's operations, dealing with the Elders and the machinations that keep the clan running. Too many adults slink away when he comes near, too many suspect him of foul play. Not that they can act on their suspicions, when the clan begins to do so much better under the leadership of the two eldest brothers.
Itama knows. Tobirama does nothing to dissuade his youngest brother from the truth, though he never says an incriminating word.
Butsuma died to the Hagoromo, after all, and what could Tobirama possibly know about that?
An offer of peace is drafted. Tobirama's words with Kawarama's writing, Itama's suggestions and additions, and Hashirama's signature. Simple and unassuming, just a few hopeful overtures of peace from a clan head too young to lead. It's delivered by summons; Tobirama's to be exact. None of the brothers trust their Elders enough to deliver it in any other manner.
It's a treaty declined, Tajima too untrusting to ever believe the words of a Senju, no matter the age or personality. Tobirama runs his fingers through his summon's fur as Kawarama reads the rejection. He pretends not to notice Itama's sharp worry, focusing solely on his Anija's crushing disappointment. In the distance, fiery chakra flickers at the edge of his senses, enticing him to follow.
Tobirama changes strategies.
The Elders watch considerately as their ghost of an heir starts to push. They had thought that, with the death of Butsuma, their clan would weaken, would stop growing and taking. They think now that perhaps they were wrong. Itama watches, biting his tongue as his brother works towards a goal he doesn't understand. Kawarama and Hashirama continue on in blissful ignorance.
Uchiha and Senju child killers alike begin to die horrid, bloody deaths, their bodies left only as warnings (Madara doesn't mention the unnatural grey on them).
Uchiha child-soldiers return home with whispers of angels and avenging spirits, like whirlwinds in the trees (again, Madara leaves out his soulmate's touch).
Togakushi, second youngest of the Uchiha heirs, is saved from death and returned to them with a message of peace (Madara wonders at his soulmate's actions and motives and says nothing, his silence weighing heavily on him).
Tajima grows only more paranoid and pushes more violently at the Senju border.
As such, it is no surprise that the clans are pulled into a full battle once more. Tajima stands at one side of the field, the Uchiha at his back and Madara a step behind him. Hashirama and Tobirama stand side-by-side on the other, Touka behind them like a wraith and the Senju looming like a forest.
The battle starts in a rush of noise. No one ever mentions the sheer deafening noise of battle when telling tales of their conquests. Hashirama clashes with Tajima, Touka with Madara. Tobirama disappears in the chaos. The fight seems almost... halfhearted.
The battle ends with grey blood and grey water and Tajima on his knees, a sword through his chest. Tobirama stands above him like a colourless demon. A dragon of water curls around him and Tajima allowing no one, not even Hashirama, to come near.
"Peace was never an option," the boy had murmured and his voice had carried to every shinobi with the same clarity as if he had been shouting. "It was a demand."