Chapter 31

As the sun rose, Senma Senju headed towards the Uchiha clan's base, his mind quietly pondering the matter at hand. He placed more importance on the last sentence in the invitation from Madara, which mentioned that there was something to discuss. This was the reason he had volunteered to go to the Uchiha clan.

"I'm probably the first ninja from the Senju clan to ever step into the Uchiha clan's base," Senma Senju said with a self-deprecating smile.

After running for a while, he had already left the Senju clan's territory. Just as Senma Senju was about to continue, he suddenly stopped and looked at the nearby forest, saying calmly, "Come out!"

A young boy with a bowl cut emerged from behind a large tree, lifting his delicate face to look at the surprised Senma Senju and said with a smile, "Uncle Senma, I've been waiting for you for half a day. If you hadn't come, I would have gone by myself."

"Hashirama? What are you doing here?" Senma Senju asked in surprise.

"Of course, I'm going to the Uchiha clan with you to attend Madara Uchiha's succession ceremony," Hashirama Senju said with a smile, but his words made Senma Senju turn pale.

"Nonsense, are you crazy? Go back right now," Senma Senju said with a dark face. He wasn't afraid to go to the Uchiha clan alone; even if he didn't return, it wouldn't matter. But if Hashirama died at the Uchiha clan, he would be a sinner in the Senju clan for all eternity.

"Uncle, I remember three years ago when you told me about Madara Uchiha. At that time, I admired him a lot. I never thought the Uchiha clan had such a loyal person, and I always looked forward to meeting him. Recently, when I was resting by the river, I met a black-clothed boy about my age. He told me his name was Madara," Hashirama Senju said with a deep gaze. That day, when he returned home, he had already remembered the name Madara, but he wasn't sure if the black-clothed boy was Madara Uchiha. However, as news about Madara spread, especially his handsome appearance, which was unforgettable at first sight, he was certain.

Hashirama Senju was sure that the person was Madara Uchiha, and he believed that Madara Uchiha had known his identity at that time but didn't attack him.

"You've met Madara Uchiha? Did you fight?" Senma Senju asked, somewhat disbelieving.

"No, his strength is definitely greater than mine, but he didn't attack. And from his expression, it seemed he knew my identity, which puzzled me," Hashirama Senju said thoughtfully.

"So that's why you want to see him?" Senma Senju felt the situation becoming more complicated. Although he had mentioned his nephew to Madara Uchiha three years ago, Madara had never met Hashirama, so how could he recognize him?

"I want to see the new leader of the Uchiha clan. He can sacrifice his life for his clan, which I deeply admire, but he also killed his own father, which surprises me. I need to understand what kind of person he is," Hashirama Senju said with a maturity that didn't match his age.

"No!" Senma Senju firmly rejected his nephew's request.

"Uncle Senma, if you don't take me, I'll go by myself. My strength now is such that even you might not be a match for me. Attacking me won't help," Hashirama Senju said with a playful smile.

"Kids these days are all so arrogant," Senma Senju laughed. In a flash, he appeared behind Hashirama Senju, about to knock him out, but suddenly felt his limbs immobilized. Looking down, he saw four wooden strips emerging from the ground, binding his feet and hands.

"Wood Release — Binding Technique," Hashirama Senju made a hand sign, turned around, and saw the shocked Senma Senju, saying with a smile, "Uncle, don't underestimate kids."

"What... what kind of jutsu is this? It can control wood?" Senma Senju was greatly surprised.

"Well, you can consider it a new elemental jutsu created by combining earth and water, or a bloodline limit. I call it Wood Release," Hashirama Senju scratched his head, explaining.

If Madara were here, he would be speechless. Hashirama Senju, who was about the same age as him, had awakened Wood Release. Was it the butterfly effect, or was Hashirama Senju's talent just as monstrous?

"Wood Release!" Senma Senju's eyes flashed with a sharp light. A burst of chakra erupted from his body, instantly shattering the wooden strips binding his limbs. Before Hashirama Senju could react, Senma Senju appeared behind him and struck the back of his neck.

Bang!

Hashirama Senju fell to the ground, unconscious.

"Hashirama, you truly are the first genius of the Senju clan. This jutsu is incredibly powerful, but precisely because of that, I can't let you come with me and take the risk," Senma Senju sighed, picked up Hashirama Senju, and intended to take him back to the clan.

"Uncle Senma, where are you going with my wooden clone?" Another person emerged from behind the tree, smiling at Senma Senju.

"Hashirama?" Senma Senju's pupils constricted. He turned his head and found that the Hashirama Senju in his arms had turned into a wooden figure.

"Is this a clone jutsu?" Senma Senju asked in surprise. He had clearly attacked Hashirama Senju, and normally, a clone would disappear upon being hit.

"Wooden clone. It can be created using a part of my chakra, possessing all of my abilities. I believe no one can tell the difference," Hashirama Senju said with a smile.

"Such a powerful Wood Release." Senma Senju put down the wooden figure, his face showing admiration. The power of the Wood Release jutsu exceeded his imagination.

"Now, can I go with you to the Uchiha clan, Uncle? If we encounter danger, I can create wooden clones of both of us, and we can use Earth Release to escape easily. No one will notice," Hashirama Senju looked at Senma Senju with hopeful eyes.

"Am I really getting old, unable to even defeat my young nephew? Kids these days are incredibly strong. Seeing Hashirama and Madara, I feel like I've wasted my life," Senma Senju felt somewhat dejected. He was a renowned elite jonin in the Senju clan, once feared by the Uchiha clan's ninjas.

But compared to the current Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, he felt his past achievements were worthless.

"I guess your father will skin me alive when he finds out I took you to the Uchiha clan," Senma Senju said with a bitter smile, seeing the bright look in Hashirama's eyes.

"Don't worry! I won't tell him. I already told Tobirama that I was going to train by the river this morning," Hashirama Senju said with a joyful smile. Without waiting for Senma Senju to respond, he eagerly jumped onto the tree and ran ahead, saying without looking back, "Uncle, let's go! This is the first time a Senju clan member is entering the Uchiha clan's base. We can't be late."

"Ah!"

Senma Senju sighed, without further thought, caught up with Hashirama Senju, and they both headed towards the Uchiha clan.