Chapter 2: remnants of soiled light

On the thirteenth of February, Sarutobi Sasuke reluctantly acknowledged Uchiha Madara as the first high advisor. With this appointment, the Uchiha clan leader's authority was significantly enhanced, no longer limited to that of a village-founding clan head within the Council Chamber. Later that afternoon, the newly appointed Second Hokage selected Senju Tobirama as his second advisor in front of the council. The once powerful position of Hokage's Strategist, established during the First Hokage's reign, was left vacant. The power of the Strategist was now divided between two high advisors, creating a balance of power between the Senju and Uchiha clans. Within the Hokage Tower, the eastern office served as Uchiha Madara's workspace, while the western office was designated for Senju Tobirama.

Sarutobi Sasuke remained a wise and discerning individual.

Konoha was a garbage dump.

Konoha had always been a garbage dump, a nauseating mess of hypocrisy, and with Hashirama's passing, it was not even worthy of being called trash. Konoha held no significance in Madara's eyes. Everything Hashirama and he had dreamed of seemed to had been destroyed in this village. Or perhaps it was just him— Hashirama had always believed he had achieved his dream in Konoha, proud of this village and protecting it until his last breath. Madara passed by extravagant structures, bustling neighborhoods, gardens, dirt roads under repair, lively restaurants, crowded stalls, - but it all meant nothing to him. It held no significance for him, even as it grew more beautiful and expansive, developing at an astonishing pace after a year of its establishment. Madara moved like a lifeless corpse as he inhaled the air amidst the villagers and shinobi who were chatting and laughing with each other, but casting sideways glances as he passed by. He had become the subject of gossip in the marketplace chatter and the clandestine meetings of the Council, orchestrated by Tobirama. He didn't care anyway - they were all just maggots.

The only thing of significance in this village is the eastern side of the cemetery. It was there that Hashirama and Madara had arranged for Izuna to be laid to rest, a plot of land large enough for the former Uchiha deputy clan head, a clean white tombstone amidst the lush grass, a kapok tree that would bloom with beautiful red flowers, its branches drooping towards his brother's resting place. Whenever he had a spare moment, Madara would come here to visit his brother. He walked along the cobblestone path, flanked by graves of varying sizes, their incense smoke swirling thickly in the air.

"Izuna, your elder brother has come to see you."

Madara knelt down and placed the freshly picked flowers on his brother's grave. Izuna had always appreciated beauty and could never tear his gaze away from the natural splendor found in fresh flowers. However, as Madara glanced to the left of the grave, he noticed a single fresh chrysanthemum flower neatly placed there. Who could have come to visit the grave so early in the morning? Could it be an Uchiha clan member who wanted to pay their respects to Izuna on his birthday? His hand gently caressed the gravestone, his eyes narrowing as they traced the inscription "Uchiha Izuna, heir, great commander of the Uchiha". A faint, peculiar trace of chakra lingered in the air- a delicate, cool, and refined presence, like a small stream trickling through a crevice in the rocks, like an icicle melting on a rooftop, like...

The white-haired Senju.

Senju... Tobirama.

Madara's mind was struck like a bolt of lightning, and his hands clenched into fists. The madness began - he gasped, struggling to regulate his breath. The murderer visited the grave of the victim. The demon appeared at the resting place of the victim it had devoured. That maggot, that scum Tobirama dared to prowl around the grave of Izuna, his beloved younger brother, his only family... Disgusting. This is what Madara felt. He wanted to tear Tobirama's body into a hundred pieces, hang that son of a bitch on the ceiling, slit his jugular vein and watch with delight as the blood dripped out, or chop off that sly white head and bring his head to Izuna's grave. He must do it. Tobirama should never have come to Izuna's place, never have come near Izuna. He was not allowed. If he was so brazen that he didn't fear Izuna's spirit rising from the grave to seek vengeance, then he should fear Madara.

"See you later." Rising to his feet, Madara cast one last lingering glance at Izuna's grave before striding away with a renewed surge of vengeance burning in his heart, passing by the red cotton tree and following the paved path. He needed to find that white-haired Senju bastard. That maggot must be holed up in the Hokage's office, surrounded by a pile of paperwork and a swarm of other maggots – those sycophantic shinobi maggots, waiting for him to hand out assignments, fawning over him, and laughing with him. If Tobirama wasn't in the Hokage's office, Madara would barge into the second advisor's room or head straight to the Senju compound to kill him. He feared no one, not even the current most powerful maggot, the Second Hokage Sarutobi Sasuke - if he could, he would slaughter the Hokage, the Senju clan, and bring the Uchiha to rule the world. Tobirama would surely weep tears of blood for daring to approach Izuna's grave and desecrating his brother's resting place.

Consumed by madness, Madara's mind had slipped beyond the realm of reason. He must retrieve his gunbai, his sickle, and his sword. He must initiate the war. Tobirama- Senju Tobirama, he would suffer today, no matter what it took.

Wait a moment, this is...?

Madara was about to leap away, but then he froze as a familiar surge of chakra brushed against the back of his neck. "There you are." A malevolent voice echoed within his mind. "I did not seek you out, yet you come to surrender your life."

Senju Tobirama's chakra was not far away, this time, it wasn't like a stream or an ice peak, it was far more chaotic and frigid than what Madara had sensed on Izuna's grave earlier. It was like a crashing wave or a raging snowstorm. Snow-wave, something like that. Madara slowly turned back, the maggot was moving very slowly- he seemed to be admiring the graves and the cemetery scenery. He couldn't wait for him to get closer. He would knock him away, gouge out his red eyes, and force him to kneel before Izuna's grave...

Tobirama's white head slowly emerged from behind the kapok tre. The murderer today was not wearing armor, but simply a plain black outfit. The gleaming happuri had been removed, causing his snow-white hair to fall in disarray, brushing against the corners of his eyes. His stern red eyes gazed towards the graves, oblivious to Madara's impending attack--

Well.

They said Senju Tobirama was the world's finest sensory ninja- but when he didn't use chakra to sense, that maggot didn't even know he was about to die-

Madara leaped into the air, unleashing a powerful kick with all his might into Tobirama's chest, sending the Senju man flying backward. His towering body was flung far away, crashing down onto the grassy ground and rolling into a gravestone. The Uchiha clan head sneered with delight, maniacally walking towards the spot where the killer of Izuna had been sent flying.

"You!" Madara hissed. "How dare you desecrate my brother's resting place, how dare you place flowers on his grave when you were the one who murdered him, you killer?"

Tobirama struggled to his feet, his red eyes flashing with a momentary flicker of panic. "What--?" The absence of either a sickle or a gunbai was no concern for Madara after all, this maggot wasn't carrying any weapons either, and he was confident he could leave him half-dead with nothing in his hands. No one could compare to him, except for Hashirama. Madara approached, lifting one foot to trample on the back of a bewildered Tobirama, who was struggling to crawl away from a tombstone. Overwhelming exhilaration coursed through him, making him tremble - he would slay this maggot - this thorn in his side, for daring to take away the one he loved most and then audaciously approaching the grave of that beloved...

"Does it hurt, you maggot?" Madara delivered another kick, sending Tobirama flying backward into a boulder. He crashed into the rock, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth and a bruise forming on his forehead, yet he uttered not a single sound. "You should remember that you're only alive now after killing Izuna because of your big brother. Now that Hashirama isn't here anymore, you're going to die by my hand, you little brat."

This time, he would deliver a kick to the head, then use his Sharingan to torment Tobirama for a while, followed by blows to vital points on his body. Even though Senju clan members were blessed with exceptional physical strength, if struck at the right vital points, not even Hashirama, let alone Tobirama, would be able to survive. Madara smirked, unleashing a kick aimed at the nape of the white-haired Senju man's neck. However, the moment he did, Tobirama vanished with a "poof" sound.

What?

His Sharingan spun rapidly, the crimson eyes with three fierce tomoes scanning the surroundings. Where was Tobirama? Had he been tricked?

Indeed, a cunning one.

Madara slowly turned his head back as he felt something cold touch his neck. Kunai. Tobirama's voice echoed coldly from behind him. "Stand still."

Substitution jutsu, was it? Madara sneered. "Oh, go ahead and run it across my throat if you wish."

"Genjutsu." Tobirama replied, his voice devoid of interest, as if he could read Madara's mind. "I have been on guard since I sensed your chakra from afar."

Very clever, using genjutsu on an Uchiha. Using genjutsu on Uchiha Madara. Uchiha Madara, the greatest genjutsu user to ever exist. His madness had clouded his judgment - how could he fall for such a pathetic genjutsu from this maggot? He should have activated his Sharingan sooner.

"Come on, Senju..." Madara sneered. "You should act quickly - this could be your last moment."

"To be honest, I don't think I would do that." Tobirama's voice was calm, laced with a hint of mockery. "Killing you, the Uchiha clan head and first advisor, is an act of reckless fools. Attacking me, the Senju clan head and second advisor, at this time, is an utterly foolish act."

He was talking as if Madara was a child. Or someone with an intellectual disability.

"Do you really think you're going to kill me with that dull kunai?" He burst out laughing. "Oh, you're really straining there, Senju-one-vote." Madara deliberately dragged out the last word. After all, humiliating someone like Tobirama, who had spent a long time amassing power, with the fact that no one voted for him was also a source of great amusement for him. "Just a little more effort and you might be able to lick the hem of your elder brother's robe. Hashirama will be very happy to see that his little brother has finally stopped being such a coward and is trying to use some cheap tricks to fight me instead of running away with... Flying Thunder God Jutsu, is it?"

The kunai pressed tighter against Madara's neck, and he could feel the pain and Tobirama's furious chakra surging through his back. "Don't use that filthy mouth to talk about Hashirama."

"He's dead," Madara roared. "And you dared to approach Izuna, so I have no reason to respect him. I'll drag you down to hell to meet your brother again. Thank me, Tobirama- dying by my hand is an honor for a filthy maggot like you."

Tobirama's chakra surged into his chest and neck. Madara instantly countered with his own immense chakra, creating a palpable tension that made the air between them crackle with energy.

With a chilling tone, Tobirama declared, "I didn't desecrate Izuna's grave. And you will not have the opportunity to do that."

"I'm afraid neither of you will have that chance."

A sudden surge of alarm rippled through Madara and Tobirama as they sensed three immense chakra signatures emanating from within the cemetery grounds. One source pulsed from near the kapok tree, another directly behind them, and the third from the paved pathway. The silhouettes of other cemetery visitors emerged. A woman with her hair tied up behind her head, long bangs obscuring one eye, her lips painted in a dark shade, dressed in a pale green kimono embroidered with the familiar vajra symbol of the thousand-techniques-clan, was intently observing the two Senju-Uchiha clan heads from the path. Her eyes were like cold, gleaming steel, her body solid and strong, her chakra so abundant and powerful that it seemed to constrict the breath of those around her. The woman was none other than Senju Toka, the Senju clan's deputy leader and Tobirama's right-hand woman. Despite her formidable aura, her dangerous presence was still more restrained compared to the other two. Despite his stylish high-collared purple shirt and neatly tied ponytail, Uchiha Hikaku couldn't mask the murderous intent emanating from his crimson Sharingan eyes, which were fixed piercingly on Tobirama's back. And by the kapok tree stood the current leader of Konoha, Sarutobi Sasuke. With his unruly brown hair and a muscular physique, he leaned against the tree trunk, arms crossed. A smile played on his lips, but his gaze towards the two clan heads was as sharp as a razor, his immense chakra swirled around him.

"Big Saru," Madara heard Tobirama's voice choke up. "He attacked me first."

"Put down your kunai, Senju!" Hikaku snarled, and Madara had never seen his trusted subordinate resemble a bristling porcupine more than now. "How dare you assassinate my clan head?"

"Don't act as if your clan head is any less guilty." Toka calmly stated. "Tobirama, put down your kunai. Madara, Lord Hokage is here, don't cause trouble."

"Are you ordering me around, Senju?" He spoke with a mocking tone.

"No, I'm merely reminding you not to do anything foolish, Lord Uchiha." The Senju woman sighed. "Both of you, please stop these petty conflicts- we all have clans and a village to take care of."

"Toka-san is right." Sarutobi Sasuke chuckled lightly. "Come on, comrades - relax. Otherwise, I'll lock both of your clan heads up together for the night. I think that's how friendships are built."

"Lord Hokage!" Toka and Hikaku shouted in unison, glaring at the large Sarutobi man.

Sasuke's brown eyes immediately fell. "I was just joking - I mean, on a beautiful morning like this, why should we fight and ruin the mood?" He sighed. "Come on, Tobi, my friend, you've always done the right thing. Madara-san, your junior Hikaku is watching you and learning from you, so please conduct yourself appropriately as a clan leader."

"Alright."

Madara felt the kunai leave his throat as Senju Tobirama nimbly leaped back onto the cobblestone path, standing beside his female clan deputy.

"Petty conflict? Your clan leader desecrated my younger brother's grave." He stated coldly.

"I didn't do it," Tobirama asserted, his red eyes scowled. "Such a foolish and unnecessary act, whoever wants to do it can do it. Not me."

"Everyone knows you were the one who killed Lord Izuna," Hikaku accused. "You have a prejudice against our entire family. You hate Lord Madara and blame him for the death of Lord First. What won't you do?"

"It seems that the one with the prejudice is you, Hikaku-san," Toka retorted sharply. "Firstly, on the battlefield, swords and blades have no mercy. The battle between Uchiha Izuna and Lord Tobirama was a fair one, where one of them would fall, no matter who it was. We all understand the rules of war, so don't blame Tobirama, it's ridiculous. Secondly, everyone knows that our Lord Tobirama was directly involved in the construction of infrastructure and the establishment of Konoha's institutions, including advising on the layout of this cemetery, and the clean, large, beautiful grave that Lord Izuna of yours has, who arranged that if not him? Who reserved such a beautiful plot for Izuna while there are so many great ninja from other clans needing good places to rest? If he truly harbored hatred and jealousy toward Izuna as you say, why would Tobirama go to such lengths, even to the point of graying his hair, to think about the cemetery?"

"His hair was already white," Hikaku said in exasperation.

"Oh." The Senju woman replied indifferently. "In short, Lord Madara, you must be under some kind of misunderstanding. Our clan head, who was raised as the young lord of the Senju clan, was well-versed in both literature and martial arts, and understood etiquette. He would certainly not do such a thing."

"After killing someone, you still have the gall to come to the victim's grave, how truly respectful." Madara said sarcastically. He could sense how furious Tobirama was - his eyebrows were furrowed and the corners of his red eyes turned up, his gaze fixed on him with burning hatred.

At this moment, Sarutobi Sasuke's voice rang out with amusement. "Oh, my friend Tobi, you even know how to pick flowers. I saw you in the field this morning and my eyes almost popped out of my head - how could you know how to pick flowers, and pick them so early in the morning, and for whom? I was so curious, I thought you were about to have good news. I never expected you to do this for the younger brother of the Uchiha clan leader." All four turned to look at their Hokage, who was gently stroking the chrysanthemum on Izuna's grave. "You may seem grumpy on the outside, but who knows, you might actually be a kind and gentle person on the inside! A storm must be brewing soon, Hashirama in heaven must be shedding tears like a downpour upon seeing his brother like this."

"Shut your mouth, Saru." Tobirama barked.

"No, I'm telling the truth, my friend." Sasuke said with emotion. "My dear comrades, I have known Tobi since he was a child, and he would never do such things as... picking flowers. And yet, today he did something he's never done before for Lord Izuna's birthday. That's out of genuine respect for Lord Izuna, of course. And I don't see any damage to your brother's grave. So saying that Tobirama was desecrating it is not the right way to put it, Lord Uchiha."

"Lord Hokage is right," Toka agreed. "If I go back and tell the Senju clan that Tobirama was picking flowers, they might demand that I tie him up because they're afraid he's an impostor."

"Lord Uchiha, the loss of a loved one is indeed a sorrowful matter. It's understandable that you're struggling to accept it right now." Sasuke spoke gently. "War is something that no one wants. But in those times, there was no other choice. At least there's a bit of peace now. Enjoy it, Madara. Don't stress yourself too much."

Madara glared at the swarm of maggots, who were echoing each other's words and defending each other, and found it ridiculous. There was no point arguing with these birds of a feather - they were too tightly united. Without a word, he turned towards Hikaku and glanced at him. The current Uchiha clan deputy immediately followed Madara, not forgetting to give Toka and Tobirama a glare as he passed.

"Senju Tobirama. If you ever dare to set foot near my brother's grave again, I swear I will kill you in the most barbaric way." He declared. "I am Izuna's family and brother, and I have the right to forbid a murderer like you from approaching his grave. Anyone can pay their respects, except you. Do you understand?"

Tobirama said ironically. "I wouldn't dare to again. Oh, by the way... I also forbid you from approaching my brother's grave. Everyone but you is welcome to visit my brother."

"How dare you?" Madara wondered how Tobirama knew about his frequent visits to Hashirama's grave, but was that Senju bastard forbidding him from doing so?

"What you did to Hashirama is worse than murder." Tobirama hissed. "You destroyed him from the inside out. And I have the right to forbid it. I am his biological younger brother, his only blood relative. Don't you dare go near Hashirama."

"I welcome the ban." Madara declared with arrogance.

"You just try it." The white-haired ninja threatened with determination.

"I have nothing to say about this matter." The Hokage sighed in resignation. "Just do as you see fit."

Frowning, the Uchiha clan head left the Hokage and the two Senju ninjas behind, and quickly exited the cemetery with Hikaku.