Peace Proposal on the Battlefield
A few days later, in the Valley of the End.
This place seems to have been carved by a divine axe. Flanked by sheer cliffs that reach into the clouds, waterfalls, like the Milky Way hanging inverted, thunder into the bottomless valley, stirring up clouds of steam. However, this magnificent natural wonder is constantly overshadowed by the even more violent chakra clashes, becoming the stage for the brutal battles between the supreme warriors of the Senju and Uchiha clans.
Today was no exception. A massive Wood Release creature, like an ancient forest god brought to life, brandished its dragon-like branches and, with overwhelming force, repeatedly struck the towering purple energy giant opposite—the Perfect Susanoo. Each collision erupted with a deafening roar, and the shockwaves spread out like a tangible ring, tearing apart the earth and sweeping up countless tons of rock and water. The earth shook, and the sky seemed to change color. Thick smoke and mist mixed together, obscuring the sunlight and making the battlefield appear even more eerie and terrifying.
Hashirama Senju stood atop his most powerful Wood Release clone, the Wood Dragon's head. His thick black hair danced in the turbulent air currents. His resolute face was stained with dust and sweat, but his eyes were as firm as a rock. Every time he formed a hand seal, it unleashed a surge of life energy, propelling new giant trees to attack the enemy.
Uchiha Madara, nestled within the diamond-shaped crystal on Susanoo's forehead, gazed coldly upon the battlefield from his crimson Mangekyō Sharingans, his gaze filled with the hatred and paranoia of countless years. He controlled Susanoo, wielding a massive chakra-powered blade, severing and shattering the attacking wooden dragons and wooden figures, sending ripples of purple energy and green sawdust flying everywhere. Their battle transcended the bounds of ordinary ninja, resembling the venting of the irreconcilable feud between two gods.
Each of them poured all their energy into this destructive clash, as if pouring all their resentment, ideological differences, and the pain of losing their kin and companions into this devastating confrontation, trying to prove the correctness of their own path by overwhelming the other. Valleys wailed, rivers changed their course, and this was a desperate cycle with no winners, only endless consumption.
However, after a particularly violent collision, the huge wooden dragon and Susanoo's sword pressed against each other tightly, the chakra surge reached its peak, and then both were shocked back by the huge reaction force, temporarily separating them.
Amidst the thick smoke and dust, Hashirama gasped violently, his chest heaving. He looked across at the purple giant opposite, a figure that, though slightly dimmed, still emanated a terrifying aura, and at the wicked eyes behind the crystal, a deep sense of exhaustion welled up in him. How much longer would this battle last? How many more lives would be sacrificed?
An idea he'd been mulling over for days, a gamble he'd had to make on his entire faith and the future of his family, became crystal clear and resolute at that moment. He had to try! For Tobirama's rare display of true love, for the Uchiha woman trapped in the maelstrom of fate, and for the countless ordinary people in both clans who yearned for peace!
He took a deep breath, suppressed the surging blood and energy, and mobilized his chakra, amplifying his voice to a level that could penetrate the roar of the battlefield. He shouted loudly, his voice loud and steady, with an unquestionable sincerity:
"Madara! Stop it! I'm not here today just to fight!"
Uchiha Madara controlled Susanoo and let out a low, sarcastic sneer, which came through the resonance of chakra and made the air buzz: "Hashirama, what else can we talk about besides fighting? Put away your clichéd and naive peace talk! This valley only recognizes blood and victory!" In his view, every attempt of Hashirama to negotiate peace was a blasphemy to the dead souls and a sign of weakness.
"No! This time is different!" Hashirama's eyes were as sharp as torches, fixed tightly on Madara's figure. His voice was firm and contained an unprecedented determination. "I'm here to tell you the news about Aoi! Your sister, Uchiha Aoi, is still alive!"
"What?!"
It was like a bolt from the blue!
Madara's Mangekyō Sharingan, once filled with murderous intent and indifference, suddenly shrank to the size of a needle tip! The massive Susanoo trembled violently, its concentrated energy momentarily becoming unstable and stagnant. The purple light around it flickered, revealing the immense shock its owner felt.
Aoi! His sister! The one who had been attacked on her way to her wedding, fallen off a cliff, the one he had sent out numerous elite search teams to find but to no avail, the one who was ultimately deemed by everyone to be in grave danger! This news was like a piece of driftwood suddenly grasped by a drowning man, and he could hardly believe his ears!
"What did you say? Aoi's still alive? Where is she?! Tell me!" For the first time, Madara's voice lost its usual coldness and control, carrying with it an incredible urgency and a barely perceptible tremor of extreme worry. Even through Susanoo, Hashirama could sense the sudden burst of anxiety that belonged to his brother.
Hashirama felt a sense of relief. Madara's reaction showed how much he valued his sister. He immediately seized the opportunity and continued in a clear and sincere tone, "She's fine, safe! Don't worry! She's in the Senju clan territory right now!"
"Senju?!" The hope that had just risen was instantly replaced by even greater shock and raging rage! Susanoo's energy surged again like a volcanic eruption, its purple light blinding the eyes and emitting an aura even more dangerous and violent than before! "How dare you imprison Aoi?! Hashirama! What have you done to her?! If Aoi comes to any harm, I swear I will destroy the entire Senju clan, leaving no one alive!" Furious roars echoed through the valley, filled with bloody murderous intent.
"Calm down, Madara! Listen to me!" Hashirama hurriedly explained loudly, his tone unusually sincere, even with a hint of soothing. "We didn't imprison her! We certainly wouldn't hurt her! You misunderstood! It was Tobirama! My brother Tobirama, who accidentally saved Aoi from falling off a cliff, and brought her back to the Senju clan to take good care of her! I swear on the honor of the Senju clan leader and on my own life, Hashirama Senju! Aoi received the highest level of courtesy in the Senju clan. She is safe and sound, and has not suffered any grievances or harm!"
Madara stared at Hashirama intently, his Mangekyō Sharingans darting frantically, trying to discern the truth from Hashirama's facial expression, the ripples in his eyes, even the subtle shifts in his chakra. Hashirama's gaze was as clear as a lake, without a trace of hypocrisy or cunning. Moreover, Madara knew Hashirama. The man might be ridiculously idealistic, but he would never deign to deceive him with such a despicable lie, especially when his life and family honor were sworn upon him.
The raging rage subsided slightly, but suspicion and vigilance still coiled in his heart like a venomous snake, lingering. He forced himself to calm down, his thoughts racing. "What exactly are you trying to do? Use Aoi to threaten me? Force the Uchiha to back down? Or... is there something deeper going on?" He absolutely didn't believe the Senju would be so kind, especially when it came to the renowned, cold-blooded Tobirama Senju.
Seeing that Madara was still skeptical, but at least willing to listen, Hashirama took a deep breath, knowing the crucial moment had arrived. He shook his head, his expression becoming extremely serious and solemn, as if he were announcing something fateful:
"Neither, Madara. This is not a threat, nor a conspiracy. This is a proposal, a proposal from the heart, a proposal that may break the decades-long cycle of hatred between our two races and open up a new future!"
He paused, his gaze piercing through space, staring directly into Madara's eyes, which were full of power yet also concealed deep pain, behind the Susanoo crystal, and said word by word:
"I hope that the Senju and Uchiha can truly end their hostility and move towards peace. As the strongest bond and symbol of this peace, I propose that my younger brother, Senju Tobirama, marry your sister, Uchiha Aoi."
silence.
Deathly silence.
It seemed as if even the roar of the waterfall and the sound of the wind blowing through the valley disappeared at this moment.
Madara froze, his mind briefly blanking. He almost thought he was hallucinating from the intense battle. A marriage? A Senju and an Uchiha? The Senju Tobirama who murdered Izuna was marrying his sister, Aoi? This was simply... absurd! Ridiculous! Incomprehensible!
"Marriage? Senju and Uchiha? Hashirama, are you crazy?!" Madara's voice was filled with extreme sarcasm and incredible sharpness, and Susanoo emitted a low humming sound. "This is impossible! Absolutely impossible! Are you humiliating the Uchiha, or are you just dreaming?! How could I hand Aoi over to you, the Senju?! Especially that Senju Tobirama!"
Faced with Madara's fierce reaction, Hashirama didn't flinch. Instead, he met his angry gaze with a tone filled with conviction and strength, and asked, "Why not, Madara? Ask yourself, aren't you and I truly tired of this endless war? Aren't we fighting to the death to secure a future for our people where we no longer have to fight?"
His words were like a key, attempting to unlock the door in Madara's heart, sealed by the rust of hatred. "Hatred only breeds new hatred! When will the cycle of revenge ever end? If our generation doesn't dare to make a change, then our descendants will continue to shed blood and sacrifice on this land! Perhaps the union of Tobirama and Aoi is fate's precious opportunity to break free from its shackles after countless bloody cycles!"
Hashirama continued to explain, his voice carrying a strange warmth that soothed hearts and ignited hope. "This isn't the cold, political marriage you imagine. Tobirama doesn't have no feelings for Aoi... Otherwise, he wouldn't have risked his life jumping off a cliff to save her under those circumstances! Nor would he have endured immense criticism and pressure within the clan to ensure she received the best protection and care in the Senju! And Aoi, I can assure you, she hasn't been mistreated in any way in the Senju clan; on the contrary, she's been well protected. If we can make this happen, unite the most core bloodlines of our two clans, become relatives, and then work together to build a village for all those who yearn for peace, so that our children can run and play in the sun, rather than pick up kunai and face death at a young age... Madara, isn't this the future you and Izuna have always hoped for?"
The vision of the future Hashirama painted, so beautiful it felt like a dream, and the news of Aoi's safety, like two distinct yet equally powerful forces, hammered home to Uchiha Madara. He was shocked by Hashirama's audacious proposal, furious that the Senju had dared to make such a request. Yet, deep within, his heart was stirred by a longing to protect his remaining family, a longing for his clan to escape the shadow of war and live in peace. He was especially moved by the news that Aoi was indeed alive and seemingly unharmed. His fiercest vengeful rage, driven by his sister's safety, softened slightly, and his long-lost rationality began to return with difficulty, overcoming his surging emotions.
He fell into a long silence. The massive Susanoo stood like a mountain, motionless, on the shattered battlefield. Only the wind in the valley continued to blow tirelessly, swirling the scent of smoke and dust as it swept past the figures of the two greatest warriors of the time. Hashirama waited patiently, knowing that for Madara, this decision hinged on the fate of his sister, the honor of his family, and his lifelong beliefs. It was as difficult as any life-or-death battle. He gave Madara time to think, and a chance for peace to germinate.
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