The plan Uchiha Gin had laid out—while rough—wasn't without merit. Still, suddenly adding a position equal in power to the Hokage wasn't something Hashirama and the others could decide with a few words.

It needed approval from the Daimyo above, and recognition from the clans and villagers below. Tobirama decided to record it for now, then refine it before announcing it publicly.

"I was just talking nonsense. If it doesn't work, forget it."

Seeing Tobirama remain silent, Gin assumed his half-baked idea had stunned White Hair into silence. Scratching his curls, he chuckled awkwardly.

"Gin-dono, your idea is fresh. I think it's good."

Hashirama smiled warmly, but his eyes slid toward Madara, his little scheme obvious.

"Hmph~"

Madara straightened his back, smirking under that gaze.

"Creating another leader role so suddenly is too hasty. This plan still needs careful thought."

Tobirama jotted down notes, frowning as he looked at Madara. His words neither supported nor opposed.

"Ah! Then what about my prison job? Can that be settled now?"

Gin's hands rubbed together like a buzzing fly, eager.

"Go home and wait for news."

"Alrighty~"

Happily taking that as confirmation, Gin left—dragging along his hardworking cousin Madara.

"Let's go, I'm in a good mood. I'll treat you to a feast!"

As Madara followed, he glanced at Gin's back. His normally cold eyes softened with a flicker of gratitude. After a long pause, he whispered:

"Cousin… thank you."

To Madara, the plan Gin had offered seemed tailor-made for him—because Gin feared Madara might never become Hokage. Creating another role meant he still had a place.

"We're brothers. No need for thanks!"

It was just a meal—why so serious? Madara was acting out of character.

"I'll do my best!"

Moved, Madara clenched his fists, swearing to repay this kindness.

"Huh?"

Does this brat want to eat me into poverty?

Baffled by Madara's odd behavior, Gin frowned, then marched him into a noodle shop.

"Welcome~!"

"Boss, one miso ramen!"

Gin waved generously. "This is my new discovery! Eat as much as you like!"

"…Alright."

Madara glanced at the barren menu and could only order the same.

"No narutomaki? Their toppings are pretty good."

"I hate narutomaki."

…

Back in the Hokage office, after Madara and Gin had left, the Senju brothers sat down again.

"Tobirama, do you think Gin-dono's idea could work?"

Hashirama's tone was serious now, his eyes fixed on his brother.

"…To be honest, there's some merit."

Tobirama nodded. With two leaders, there would be disagreements, but also less chance of one man ruling arbitrarily. And if disaster struck, the other leader could stabilize things.

"Good! Then draft a full proposal quickly. I'll take it to the Daimyo!"

Hashirama leapt up, eyes shining.

"Calm down. First, have you decided who would fill this 'Village Secretary' role?"

Tobirama's sharp eyes locked on his brother.

"Of course it's Madara!"

One in charge of military, one in charge of civil—he and Madara would be unstoppable together.

Tobirama sighed, shaking his head. "I knew it. You're completely blinded by that man."

"I—I am not!" Hashirama flustered, but couldn't meet his brother's gaze.

"Brother, leadership takes more than talent. It requires strength of will and charisma. Does Madara truly have those?"

Tobirama's distrust of the Uchiha ran deep, even if his student Kagami was different.

"Tch… But I believe in Madara."

Hashirama lowered his head, struggling—then raised it, resolute.

"Belief isn't enough. What contributions has he made to Konoha?"

"Plenty! Didn't he help capture the Bijuu?"

"That was for his own ambition."

"He helped me carve the Hokage Rock!"

"That was personal, not village business."

"He funded the Hokage building!"

"…Let's talk charisma instead."

Tobirama nearly choked, quickly changing the subject.

"I guarantee, Madara is upright! As for charm, he's one of Konoha's most admired men."

Indeed, Madara ranked near the top of the village's "Most Handsome Shinobi" list, adored for his cold beauty.

"…Handsome list?" Tobirama blinked.

"Yup. And you're on it too." Hashirama nodded seriously.

"…I'm on it? Show me!"

Tobirama's curiosity flared.

Grinning sheepishly, Hashirama pulled out a copy from his drawer. Tobirama skimmed it.

"Hah, they put you first. That makes sense."

But when he saw Madara at second, his eyes narrowed. "Rigged! Definitely rigged!"

"…And me?" he asked, flipping further.

The next few were well-known shinobi. Then—Izuna.

"That brat in the top ten?! Worthless ranking!"

"Oh, Izuna's popularity shot up recently after his new style makeover," Hashirama explained.

"Hmph. Cheap tricks."

Jealousy gnawed at Tobirama. He flipped further, but still couldn't find himself.

"Didn't you say I was on it?"

"Ah, check the back."

"The… back?"

Turning the page over—finally, his name.

[No. 250: Senju Tobirama]

"!!!"

SLAM!

"This was made by the Uchiha, wasn't it?!"

Red-eyed with fury, Tobirama slammed the list on the desk, cracking the wood.

"I'll find whoever made this and spiral-water-jutsu his entire clan!!"

"Wait, calm down. Look—Gin-dono's here too."

[No. 249: Uchiha Gin]

"…WHAT?!"

Tobirama roared, veins bulging. "Why is that curly-haired freak ranked above ME?!"

Just then—

"What's with the noise? I heard you from outside."

Madara, belly full of ramen, had returned.

"Nothing! Just warming up his voice," Hashirama said quickly, shoving the list away.

"Oh? I didn't know Tobirama was an artist."

Madara blinked. As a dancer himself, he respected artistry.

"…What?"

Tobirama froze, bewildered. He did like music, but he'd never shared it openly.

"Shh~ singing, dancing, rap, even basketball—all extra points! If you market it, your rank will soar." Hashirama whispered conspiratorially.

"…Cough. Yes. I practice in my free time."

With Hashirama's encouragement, Tobirama straightened, pride glinting in his eyes.

Madara looked impressed.

Feeling smug, Tobirama couldn't resist showing off:

"Yi xi dang nian lei bu gan~"

…

Days later, with Gin's plan fully drafted, Tobirama led a team to the Fire Daimyo's palace.

"Oi oi oi, why didn't the Hokage come?"

The pale-faced Daimyo tapped his chin with a fan, curious.

"The Hokage was attacked outside the village. To keep Konoha stable, he's remaining there."

Tobirama's tone was steady.

"What?! Assassination? Was he hurt?"

"Just scratches, my lord."

Not a lie. Clothes torn = scratches.

"I see. Then your purpose today?"

"Please review this."

Tobirama presented the scroll.

Suspicious, the Daimyo unrolled it—then blinked in surprise.

"Your Hokage is… truly admirable."

Sharing power? Who did that?!

"This is for Konoha's growth. And we have the talent to sustain it."

Indeed, strong leaders abounded. Unlike the Wind Country, where once Gaara was kidnapped, they could only drag out Baki.

"…I approve."

The Daimyo nodded. As long as missions were done and taxes collected, he didn't care.

"As for who fills it—that's up to you. As long as the Hokage's seat remains."

With the Daimyo's seal, Tobirama raced back to Konoha.

"Brother, I have it!"

He held out the appointment before Hashirama and Madara.

"Well done, Tobirama!"

Hashirama grasped it with emotion.

"No more than my duty."

Tobirama's gaze slid to Madara, dark.

"Wonderful! Madara, look!"

Hashirama waved the decree.

"But now we must decide the candidate."

Looking at the blank space, he lifted a brush—ready to write Madara's name.

Only for Tobirama's hand to slam down.

"Brother, isn't this too rash?"

"What's rash? Who could be more fitting than Madara?"

"Appointing another leader so suddenly won't convince the clans."

"Then what do you suggest?" Madara snapped.

"Convene a meeting."

And so—the first Konoha Representative Conference was called.

…

"Why has the Hokage summoned us?"

On the road, Shimura Kenichi asked his friend Sarutobi Sasuke.

"I don't know. But not war, I think."

Sasuke frowned.

"I heard rumors~"

Akimichi Shinji waddled over, with Yamanaka Minako at his side.

"They say the Hokage feels overworked, so he's creating another leader equal in rank, but with separate duties."

"Sharing power? Hokage sure has a generous heart."

Nara men muttered at the back.

"Impossible. Who gives up power?" Kenichi scoffed.

"Where'd you hear this?"

"Eh? From my cousin, who heard it from his teacher."

"…Not from ours."

"Then they weren't paying attention!"

"…Wait till I get home and deal with him!" in stereo

…

Meanwhile, in the Uchiha compound:

"Big cousin, the Hokage's called a meeting. Will you come?" Izuna asked.

Meeting? Had his plan already passed?

"They didn't say the subject?"

"No. Just for every clan to send a rep."

In the clan, Gin was the most respected. Naturally, Izuna thought of him first.

"Let's go."

Gin smirked. He loved a good drama.

"Yo~ Isn't that Tenyo? Long time no see—hairline's running away, eh?"

Gin waved to a pale-eyed youth approaching.

"Gin-san. It has been some time."

Hyuga Tenyo had lost his arrogance. Hearing Gin's lazy tone, he even smiled faintly.

"You going too?"

"My father is unwell. He sent me."

Gin had met the old man once—already a candle in the wind. Probably wouldn't last till winter.

"Gin-sama! Long time no see!"

A joyful voice rang out. Sarutobi Sasuke and the Alliance members waved from ahead.

Gin's eyes twitched. Seeing Sasuke's monkey-like face stirred guilt.

"Sorry, Sasuke. The offer from Iwagakure was… too much to refuse~"

(End of Chapter)

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