After returning to the camp, although everyone greeted Hashirama as usual, he felt that those people were slightly different from before.
After careful consideration, it became clear that these ninjas, who originally had the confidence to "be happy at the mention of war," seemed to have lost their courage after this battle.
Hashirama, who had been fighting for many years, knew very well that if he could not boost the morale of these ninjas, they would be able to exert, at most, 70% of their full strength when they fought the Uchiha again in the future.
Thinking of the consequences of this situation, Hashirama couldn't help but quicken his pace. He now just wanted to find Mito and see if Akira had left any countermeasures.
However, as soon as Hashirama entered the main tent, a group of clan leaders from small tribes immediately surrounded him.
"Lord Hashirama, you should at least give us an explanation for Lord Akira's mistake this time."
"Yes-we lost so many people, but your Senju clan suffered basically no losses. Even the Uzumaki clan didn't have a single injured person. How do you explain this?"
"That's right. Akira made a huge mistake as soon as he came back. Perhaps he's actually an Uchiha spy. This is your Senju clan's responsibility. Our losses should naturally be borne by you."
Looking at the clan leaders from the small ninja clans who were talking over each other, Hashirama couldn't help but feel angry. After victories in past battles, these clans had been the loudest in celebration. Now that there were mistakes, they were also the loudest with their accusations.
"Did Akira lose the battle just to show me the true faces of these people?"
Thinking this through, Hashirama did not respond immediately but instead looked first at Tobirama and then at the patriarchs of the larger clans who remained silent.
"Tobirama is the one who led this battle, so it's difficult for him to explain. Afterall, it's hard to offend everyone at once. These smaller ninja clans are probably being used as mouthpieces by the larger clans to test my limits. If this matter isn't resolved today, the whole Senju Alliance may be in trouble."
"Akira… you've really given me quite the problem."
Although he understood the cause, Hashirama had no solution for now. However, Akira had discussed this problem with him before and promised he had prepared for it.
Therefore, the person Hashirama most wanted to find now was Mito-the one closest to Akira.
"Everyone, after I investigate your concerns, I will give you a satisfactory answer. Also, if you are questioning Akira, I hope you will refrain from speaking carelessly."
Although these people rarely acted without benefit in mind, Hashirama's influence remained strong-especially after he demonstrated ninjutsu powerful enough to reshape terrain. That alone silenced many clan leaders looking for personal gain.
Seeing no objections, Hashirama exhaled deeply in secret. Had he truly been forced to handle it alone right now, he wouldn't have known what to do.
Passing by those leaders, Hashirama stopped before Tobirama.
"Where's Mito? I have to speak with her."
Tobirama looked up at his brother in surprise but quickly understood what he was thinking.
"She was sent back by Akira's people."
"Bring her back. I have things to discuss with her."
"Okay."
After Tobirama gave his orders, the tent fell silent again. Though no words were spoken aloud, every leader present was thinking intensely. Everyone was aware of Mito's relationship with Akira. Hashirama's attitude toward Mito now would reveal his stance on Akira from this point forward.
Would it be "brothers crossed by betrayal" or "unity in suppressing dissent"?
Either way-it would affect how each ninja clan related to the Senju in future negotiations.
Mito had been insisting on returning to the front but rushed back with excitement after receiving orders to return.
When she arrived at the command tent, she found everyone looking in her direction.
At the center of the tent was empty space; tables and chairs lined either side with three seats positioned up front. Hashirama and Tobirama were already seated-the leftmost chair was empty.
Mito had certainly seen her share of big scenes before. However, today's audience consisted of elite clan heads or people with great power or influence. Fresh off the battlefield, each one exuded intimidating pressure that made her instinctively want to flee.
She looked around once-but Akira's seat remained conspicuously empty.
"Where is Brother Akira?"
Her question surprised both Tobirama and Hashirama. Her expression didn't seem faked-if even Mito didn't know what happened to Akira, then perhaps she wasn't told anything either… or perhaps Akira himself hadn't expected to be taken away?
Or… perhaps he really was Uchiha's spy and intentionally disappeared following their victory?
Only Tobirama seemed inclined toward that theory-but with previous speculation about Akira already circulating… it was impossible not to imagine it now.
Hashirama kept some hope alive and asked again-
"Did Akira say anything to you earlier?"
"Explain?"
Mito tilted her head in confusion-then brightened suddenly with realization.
"Oh yes!"
Everyone present held their breath at once-shock visibly passing across their faces.
"This Senju's foresight… was this battle part of his plan too?"
As awe began spreading across those gathered, Mito spoke again-
"I remember-he once said that if he died-I had to revive him!"
Silence descended on the tent again-and some leaders began wondering if they were reading far too much into things. No one could really plan that far ahead… could they?
Hashirama clung to optimism and asked again-
"Anything else? About… about today?"
"Anything else?"
Mito tried remembering-then clapped her hands excitedly.
"I remember! There really is one!"
Everyone sat upright at once-
"He told me this morning not to eat the snacks he hid…"
Bang!
"Enough!"
Anger burst from one leader-the loud slam rattled dishes nearby.
"The Bamboo Cutter Clan has lost three hundred people-and now you're wasting our time with these childish stories? If we don't get answers now-we're withdrawing from the alliance!"
At another time-those words might have drawn condemnation instantly-but today… no large tribe responded defensively. The other small clans also stayed silent.
They needed answers now-not just stories from some little girl telling jokes around war tables.
Mito grew confused as tension thickened around her. She thought she had made things better-but clearly hadn't helped at ALL…
Hashirama didn't know where to look either-this mess wasn't just about Akira anymore-it could end up dragging Tobirama down too. If word spread that Tobirama had been solely responsible for commanding… he might even end up facing punishment himself.
For once-even Hashirama felt trapped.
"Akira's not even here-can we just dump responsibility on him for now? We'll compensate later when he returns… surely he'll understand…"
Just as he steeled himself-
Rustle-!
One of his personal guards burst into the tent with urgency in his steps.
"Master Patriarch, Master Akira is back!"
Hashirama & Tobirama: "…??"
Other people: "…?!"
Mito: (^_^)
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