High-level questioning and rational bargaining chips
Sure enough, on the morning of the next day, when the news that "Tobirama was secretly hiding an Uchiha woman" spread like wildfire throughout the clan, causing all kinds of speculation and anxiety, an official summons from the clan leader, Hashirama Senju, was delivered expressionlessly to Tobirama's temporary residence where he was recuperating by Hashirama's close ninja.
By then, Tobirama, thanks to the meticulous overnight treatment of the clan's most skilled medical ninja, had effectively controlled the nasty lightning wound on his back and the internal injuries from the fall. While the wound still ached, and any slight movement caused discomfort, and the lingering fever had finally subsided, his consciousness was clear and his strength had returned somewhat. He had changed into the formal, dark, solemn attire of a high-ranking Senju clan member, meticulously combing his signature short silver hair, attempting to mask the fatigue and paleness of his face. Only his eyes, as deep as blood-red jade, had regained their usual calm and sharpness, even possessing a deeper, darker glint than usual, as if he had been thoroughly prepared for the coming interrogation.
He followed the messenger ninja, walking steadily (though each step required careful control to avoid agitating the injured area) through the heavily guarded alleys in the core area of the clan, heading towards the meeting hall, which symbolized the highest center of power for the Senju clan. The clan members he met along the way all saluted respectfully, but he saw the curiosity, worry, and even a hint of doubt in their eyes, but he ignored them all, his face as calm as water.
The atmosphere in the meeting hall was solemn, almost frozen. The heavy, dark wood absorbed most of the light, making the room seem dim even in daylight. Portraits of successive clan leaders and totems symbolizing the family's military might hung on the walls, adding a solemn touch under the flickering candlelight. Hashirama Senju—the current head of the Senju clan and Tobirama's older brother—seated himself at the center seat. His face was resolute, and while his expression held a familiar warmth, it now exuded the majesty and solemnity of a clan leader. On either side of him sat four of the clan's most respected and influential elders. They ranged in age, but without exception, their gazes, like those of experienced hawks, were sharp and measured, fixed fixedly on Tobirama as he slowly entered the hall. Their gazes held scrutiny, questions, expectations, and an invisible yet oppressive pressure, as if to dissect him thoroughly.
"Patriarch, elders." Tobirama walked to the center of the hall, paused, bowed slightly, and performed impeccable etiquette to the main seat and the elders present. His voice was steady, without a trace of emotion. He chose a formal address, indicating that this was a business occasion.
Senju Hashirama gazed at his brother's pale yet stubborn face, a subtle flicker of worry quickly eclipsed by the responsibility of clan leader. He cut to the chase, his deep, powerful voice echoing through the hushed hall, breaking the stifling silence. "Tobirama," his gaze fixed on his brother, "the Uchiha woman you brought back is causing widespread discussion within the clan, and people are unsettled. You need to give us, the entire Senju clan, a clear, unequivocal, and convincing explanation." His words were like hammers, each word carrying weight. "Why was she placed in your private compound, rather than the prison or detention center mandated by clan rules? Why did you order 'the highest standard of treatment'? You know better than anyone that the Uchiha clan and my Senju clan have a decades-long blood feud, a debt accumulating like a mountain of blood! Any unconventional actions involving the Uchiha, especially at such a sensitive time, could lead to unpredictable, even catastrophic, consequences! What are your reasons?"
As Hashirama finished speaking, an elder sitting at the head of the table to his right, with white hair and beard, a gaunt face, and unusually bright eyes, interrupted. His tone was relatively calm, yet a deep concern remained undimmed. "Tobirama, you are the most intelligent and calm pillar of our young generation. You always plan carefully before acting, always considering the overall situation. It is precisely because of this that your actions this time have caused us old folks to find us puzzling and worrying." He leaned forward slightly, looking at Tobirama intently. "Could it be that the Uchiha woman holds some secret intelligence concerning the survival of our clan, requiring this special method... 'heart-to-heart' incitement or interrogation?" He raised a relatively logical possibility, but then subtly shifted the subject, his tone becoming more meaningful. "Or... during this mission, something unexpected happened that we are unaware of, leading to your personal... some unnecessary 'attachment' to her?"
This last question was extremely subtle and euphemistic, but everyone present was a discerning person, and they instantly understood its deeper meaning—the elder was questioning whether Tobirama's personal feelings had clouded his rational judgment. This was undoubtedly an extremely sharp and dangerous question, directly pointing to Tobirama's reliability and motives as a decision-maker.
The gazes of the entire conference room instantly grew sharper, like countless invisible knives, focused on Tobirama, awaiting his response. The air seemed to freeze, and the gentle crackling of the burning candlelight was particularly clear.
Facing the barrage of pointed questions from his brothers and elders, including that sensitive question laced with accusation, Tobirama's face remained unfazed or agitated. It was as if he had anticipated this situation, perhaps even rehearsed these questions countless times in his mind. He slowly raised his eyes, his crimson pupils glowing in the dim hall as he calmly met the scrutinizing gazes of Hashirama and the elders.
He did not immediately refute the implied accusation of "personal ties" nor did he rush to express his loyalty. Instead, he began his statement in an unusually calm, even cold, tone of pure rational analysis, as if he was not talking about a living person but an object of great strategic value or a complex chess game.
"Clan leader, elders." Tobirama's voice was clear and steady, carrying an undeniable force of logic. "First, regarding the treatment of Uchiha Aoi—the name of the woman I brought back, Uchiha Madara's biological sister—my decision was not based on any personal feelings, but rather on a comprehensive and rational assessment of the current situation, her potential value, and the goal of maximizing the interests of the Senju Clan."
He first defined the issue, excluded "personal factors", and locked the issue firmly within the framework of "family interests".
"He was placed in my compound and given treatment beyond that of ordinary prisoners for the following reasons. Please allow me to explain them one by one." He spoke clearly, as if he was reporting a carefully calculated strategic plan.
"First, the unique nature of her identity and her immense value as a political bargaining chip." Tobirama extended a finger, his gaze sweeping over the assembled crowd. "Uchiha Aoi is no ordinary Uchiha. She is Uchiha Madara's only living relative, the de facto 'princess' of the Uchiha clan. You all know the feelings Uchiha Madara had for his brother, Uchiha Izuna. As his sister, Uchiha Aoi's importance to Madara, even if not as great as Izuna's, is certainly significant. It's widely believed that she died in the attack on the marriage party. If we know whether she's alive or dead, we hold an extremely powerful and hidden trump card against Uchiha Madara."
He paused briefly to allow this information to fully digest, then continued, "Keeping her under secret control, rather than publicly imprisoned, will give us absolute initiative in future negotiations or bargaining. We can flexibly utilize this card according to the needs of the situation—whether as a powerful bargaining chip to force Uchiha Madara to compromise on certain key issues, or in the most extreme cases, as a weapon to disrupt the Uchiha clan or even mentally attack Uchiha Madara himself. The 'courtesy' is to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of this 'card'. A healthy and relatively mentally stable Uchiha Aoi is far more valuable than a tortured prisoner with a suicidal mind. I believe the elders understand this."
The elders exchanged glances and nodded slightly. From a purely profit-oriented perspective, Tobirama's reasoning was indeed valid. A living, reasonably healthy sister of Uchiha Madara was indeed a valuable political asset.
"Secondly, security and information control are essential." Tobirama extended a second finger, his tone even calmer. "Uchiha Aoi's identity is too sensitive. If she were held in an ordinary dungeon, news would easily leak out. If Uchiha Madara were to know for sure that his sister was in our hands and in dire straits, given his personality, he would likely launch a frenzied revenge at all costs. He might even upset the delicate balance on the battlefield and lead to the premature outbreak of all-out war, which would bring enormous losses and uncertainty to our clan."
He glanced at the crowd and emphasized, "She will be placed in my private compound, under the strictest guard of my most reliable subordinates. A barrier will be set up to isolate all internal and external information to the greatest extent possible, ensuring that no information is leaked in advance. This buys us valuable time to assess the situation and formulate our next strategy. Furthermore, under my direct supervision, any potential suicide attempts or attempts to pass on information will be effectively prevented, ensuring that this 'card' is firmly in our hands."
This reason is equally impeccable, fully taking into account risk control and information confidentiality, and reflecting Tobirama's consistent cautious style.
"Third, the potential research value of the Uchiha Kekkei Genkai." Tobirama offered his third, more forward-thinking and "Tobirama-like" reason. A sharp glint of a researcher flashed in his red eyes. "The Sharingan is the source of the Uchiha clan's power, and its secrets remain undeciphered. Uchiha Aoi, as a direct descendant of the Uchiha clan, possesses the pure bloodline necessary to activate the Sharingan. Under the premise of ensuring absolute control, proper observation and research may provide us with an unprecedented opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the Sharingan's mechanisms, identify its weaknesses, and even explore the possibility of replicating its power. This may have immeasurable strategic significance for the long-term advancement of our clan."
This reason was clearly Tobirama's personal style—cold, utilitarian, yet cutting straight to the heart of power. Among the elders, two clearly placed great importance on increasing their power, their eyes revealing a look of deep thought and interest.
"To summarize," Tobirama retracted his extended finger and concluded, "I placed Uchiha Aoi in this position based on a comprehensive consideration of her political value, security risk control, and potential research value. This wasn't an impulse, nor was it motivated by personal feelings. Rather, it was the rational choice that best safeguarded and expanded the interests of our clan under the current circumstances. Treating her relatively well is a necessary cost to maintain her as an 'effective bargaining chip'; it's an investment, not a handout or preferential treatment."
His statements were logically rigorous and progressive, with each reason closely tied to the core of "family interests." He packaged what might have been considered "willful and reckless" behavior into a well-thought-out strategic layout.
A brief silence fell in the meeting hall as the elders digested Tobirama's words. It was undeniable that, from a purely rational, utilitarian perspective, his explanation was indeed highly persuasive. He had completely grounded a seemingly emotional action in a calm calculation of interests, even proposing a more ambitious direction for "research value."
Senju Hashirama's penetrating gaze lingered on his brother's face for a long time. He understood Tobirama's abilities and could discern the rigorous calculations behind his words. But precisely because he understood them, he was even more eager to explore his brother's true inner thoughts. After a long pause, he slowly spoke, his voice still calm, but the oppressive feeling from before seemed to have eased somewhat. "Your reasons do sound consistent with your usual style. However, Tobirama, the emotions within the clan need to be appeased, and there may be rumors from the outside world. Hiding such a sensitive figure within the clan for an extended period of time is not a foolproof strategy. Do you have a longer-term plan for this? Are you going to keep her like this forever?"
This was obviously to lead the topic to a deeper level, and also to test whether Tobirama had any unspoken plans.
Tobirama met his brother's gaze, his red eyes calm. He knew the crucial moment was approaching. He needed to seize the opportunity to propose a more impactful and potentially permanent solution to the current predicament. This required all the rational arguments he had just presented as a prelude.
He took a deep breath and replied in the same calm and clear tone, "Chief, please understand. 'Keeping her alive' is naturally not a long-term solution. My initial idea is that when the time is right, perhaps we can use this as an opportunity to attempt deeper... contact with the Uchiha clan. For example, in appropriate negotiations, we could make 'ensuring Uchiha Aoi's safety and granting her due status' a key condition in exchange for substantial concessions from the Uchiha clan on borders, resources, or other key issues. Even... in an extremely ideal situation, if handled properly, this might become a fulcrum for leveraging relations between the two clans and seeking some kind of... 'new balance.'"
He didn't directly mention the word "marriage," but his words clearly hinted at the possibility of using Uchiha Aoi as a bargaining chip, in exchange for greater political benefits, and even influencing the future of the two clans. This concept was much more ambitious and risky than simply holding her hostage, but correspondingly, if successful, the rewards would be immense.
As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of all the elders present changed subtly. No longer confined to the immediate issue of "hiding," they began to consider the bolder, more long-term, and even somewhat shocking possibilities implied by Tobirama's words. The atmosphere in the meeting hall shifted from simple questioning to a deep discussion of future strategy. And Tobirama, with his calm mind and powerful logic, successfully seized the initiative in this high-level questioning and laid the groundwork for even more astonishing proposals to follow. He skillfully used the armor of "rationality" and "interest" to cover up the complex emotions that may exist deep within his heart, which even he himself had not yet fully understood.
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