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Chapter Text

Uchiha Madara collapsed to the ground, defeated. He had failed again. Even with the eyes gifted by his brother, he couldn't defeat Hashirama. Lying in this position, Madara could see the vast blue sky, as clear as when he first met Hashirama. He had longed so much for Izuna to live freely and peacefully under such a sky. Now, he wanted to follow Izuna to the Pure Land.

Hashirama continued to whisper words about peace in his ear, but Izuna, the source of all his struggle, was no longer in this world. What meaning did such peace hold? Moreover...Madara looked at the white demon standing beside Hashirama. The person Hashirama wanted to protect, Izuna of Senju, the culprit behind his brother's death, is still alive. How could Hashirama possibly understand his feelings?

So Madara asks the impossible question. He knows that Hashirama would never harm his brother, and this was primarily to make Hashirama give up.

However, Hashirama's choice is beyond his expectations. Despite the Senju Tobirama's scolding of his brother, Madara tried to find a trace of insincerity on face of Hashirama, but all his efforts are in vain. Hashirama was still the innocent boy by the Naka River, kind, sincere, and always considerate of others. Madara's heart, frozen since Izuna's death, is warmed again.

Hashirama, the embodiment of his dreams, the object of his childhood love, had once reached out to him when he was lost, reminded him that there were people holding the same idea with him in the world, and now, he is giving him hope to live again.

Well, even though they were both alphas, Madara still loves Hashirama. He has never had the chance to express this love, even contemplating burying it forever. Yet, despite the pressure from the elders to marry and have children, he remains single. Now, is the Sage giving him another chance? Perhaps Hashirama shared similar feelings? Maybe, after his brother's death, Madara could still find a place of emotional connection.

__

"Madara-sama, hello."

At the alliance signing ceremony, a woman appeares beside Hashirama, one Madara has never seen before. She gracefully extends her hand to him.

Such vibrant red hair, and appearing on the Senju side, could she be one of Hashirama's Uzumaki cousins?

"I am Senju Hashirama's wife, Uzumaki Mito."

"So, you've been married for a long time?" Madara asks, straining his nerves to avoid looking too pale.

"Yes," Hashirama replies briskly, embracing his beautiful wife and kissing her cheek. "Mito is my cousin. We've known each other since childhood, and our family arranged our marriage."

Then, Hashirama seems to understand what Hashirama means. "Oh, sorry. As you know, our two clans were constantly at war, so naturally, I didn't tell you about this. Mito has mostly lived in Uzushiogakure, but because we need the Uzumaki clan to build our village, she moved here to reunite with me. As a friend, I apologize for not telling you before..."

Is this the apology he needs? Madara wants to yell, but he couldn't do that now, at the alliance ceremony. He couldn't even flee. After all, besides Hashirama, there were other powerful figures from the two families. He simply couldn't afford to flee.

Just standing there took all his energy. His head aches, and his vision feels like it was back to before Izuna's transplant, with double vision. He doesn't want to look at Hashirama and his wife, so he looks away. What is that pesky white demon saying to Hikaku? He couldn't possibly hurt him at the alliance ceremony.

"Madara-sama, are you okay?"

Thankfully, Hikaku has caught him in time; otherwise, Madara feels he would have collapsed. Madara wipes the sweat from his forehead and managed to say, "I'm fine."

"You don't look okay," Hikaku says, a worried look on his face. "Do you want to get some rest?"

Before Madara could object, his cousin preemptively instructes the elders to give Madara some time, as he looks like seriously ill. Only when he is helped out of the meeting room by Hikaku did Madara feel a sense of relief.

Izuna, Madara thinks his younger to brother encourage himself. "Although you disapprove of my brother's peace talks with the Senju clan, now that our clan has been defeated, this is a way to both preserve our members and fulfill my dream. I hope you understand and support me in the Pure Land." If he doesn't think so, Madara feels he wouldn't be able to make it back to the Uchiha clan and lie down.

The news of Hashirama's marriage, at worst, could only have these negative consequences.

__

No, it could be even worse.

Madara sits expressionlessly in the clan leader's seat in the meeting room. The elders, knowing Hashirama is married, seem to have ample reason and motivation to urge him to quickly find an omega (or at least a beta) to marry and produce a worthy heir to the Uchiha clan.

"Madara-sama, you can't fall behind Hashirama Senju in this regard," says Elder Tekari, a look of disappointment. "I don't know why not getting married and having children makes me inferior to him."

Elder Asama, the only female omega among the Uchiha clan's upper echelons and a close friend of Madara's mother, says bitterly, "So who do you plan to pass the title of clan leader to?"

"I think Hikaku is a good choice." Madara crosses his legs, nonchalant. If it weren't for Izuna, he wouldn't even bother to acknowledge them. He never understand why his younger brother was so willing to sacrifice everything for the clan. "Hikaku is indeed a fine warrior, but his talent is far inferior to yours," Elder Asahi, Elder Tekari's younger brother, earnestly explains to Madara, "How can we expect his children to rival Hashirama's? Ultimately, the Uchiha Clan needs a strong leader."

Hearing their insincere mention of Hashirama, Madara feels his anger growing even more intense. He says somewhat self-deprecatingly, "Then why not? I believe the Uchiha Clan can survive even in this situation."

"Yes, we admit that the Uchiha Clan may be able to survive," Elder Mamiya, currently the oldest of the Uchiha Clan, stares at Madara with his eagle-like eyes and offered a reason Madara found difficult to refuse. "But the Uchiha Clan's century-long glory, the thing your brother cares about most, are you going to let it all go to waste?"

"How dare you mention Izuna like that in front of me!" Madara nearly slamms the table in anger, but Hikaku restrains him. Elder Mamiya continues to stare at Madara fearlessly, clearly realizing his tactic is working. "I don't mean to bring back those sad memories, but I simply want you to reflect on whether you can truly let go of the matter that Izuna-sama cares so deeply about."

Madara sits back down in frustration, knowing full well that Elder Mamiya is right; he couldn't do it.

Since Hashirama is already married, he probably wouldn't find love again. Marrying just any omega wouldn't be that hard to accept. After all, the Uchiha clan had a history of political marriages. The question is, who would be willing to marry an omega to the notorious Madara?

Suddenly, an idea struck Madara.

The attendees stare at the strange smile that spread across his face, unsure of what he was up to.

"Sir, so what are your plans for marriage?" Elder Mamiya asks again.

"Indeed, I should definitely find someone to marry," Madara leans back in his chair. This statement relieved the elders. Just as they are about to discuss who would be Madara's bride, Madara revealed his choice.

"I remember Senju Tobirama is an omega, right? I think he's quite good, perfect for solidifying our alliance with the Senju."

"What?" Hikaku suspects he'd misheard.

"I'm saying, Hashirama's omega brother, the white demon, Senju Tobirama, is a good candidate for a marriage, isn't he?" Madara glances around the meeting room.

"He's the right age, and he holds a high position in the Senju. Marrying him would also help consolidate the hard-earned peace we've achieved."

"Madara-sama, there's no need to sacrifice your own happiness like this..." Elder Asama, like Madara's deceased mother, cares for him. Unlike the others, who suspect Madara is suggesting this to completely scuttle his hopes for marriage. "Let's try proposing to the Senju first," Madara grins. "To show our sincerity. There's no harm in trying. Even if we're rejected, we can always find someone else."

The elders exchange glances. Okay, what Madara said seems fine, but...

"Then it's settled." Madara stands up and leaves the meeting room without a backward glance.

Of course, he knows Hashirama wouldn't marry his beloved brother to him. He wouldn't sacrifice his brother's happiness for the sake of peace. Madara simply wants to delay his wedding as long as possible and, by the way, disgust his brother's murderer.

__

So, is the entire Senju clan unhinged? How could they truly agree to let a precious omega enter into a marriage that would never bring happiness?

Standing in his black kimono at the shrine, Madara hasn't yet figured out these questions.

When the Senju messenger delivered the documents approving the marriage, every Uchiha leader (except Madara) could see that they were internally celebrating that their clan leader had finally found an omega willing to marry, even if that omega was the infamous White Demon within the Uchiha clan. They frantically prepared for the wedding, so quickly that Madara felt like he'd barely recovered from the shock before he'd already arrived at the ceremony.

Dressed meticulously for his brother's wedding, Hashirama looks incredibly handsome. He indeed appears at Madara's wedding, but in a persona Madara has never imagined. Seeing him like this, Madara still feels a pang of pain.

"You look great!" Hashirama praised loudly.

That won't make you fall in love with me.

"I know this is primarily for peace and politics, but you must treat Tobirama well!" Hashirama whisperes to Madara as the groom, approaching the bride's brother.

"If it were truly for peace, you shouldn't have let your brother marry me," Madara mutters to himself.

He reluctantly takes his new wife's hand. As an omega, Tobirama naturally wore a white kimono. Even Madara, who dislikes him so much, has to admit that the attire suited the white-haired man perfectly. If Tobirama has looked at Madara with less fierceness, he might have looked even more beautiful in his bridal attire. Under the gaze of Amaterasu, Madara is about to marry his brother's murderer. With every step he took through the shrine, Madara silently begged his brother for forgiveness.

__

"How did you force Hashirama into agreeing to marry you and me?"

After the lengthy ceremony concluded and Madara and his wife are escorted to the bridal chamber, and after ensuring no one else was around, Madara fiercely questiones the other person sitting on the bed.

He doesn't believe Hashirama would agree to sacrifice Tobirama for the sake of peace. It had to be Tobirama, that mechanical, old-fashioned, and boring omega, who had persuaded his brother to agree to Tobirama's sacrifice for peace.

"I am also going to ask you if you offered to marry me to avenge Izuna," Tobirama says bluntly, discarding the polite smile he'd forced on his face.

"Marrying you would only make my brother sad," Madara angrily retorts. "I'm only doing it for peace, that's all."

"Really? Then Touka might even be better than me." Tobirama clearly doesn't believe Madara's words. "You know you killed my brother," Madara glared at Tobirama.

"Since you know, don't mention it again. I promised Hashirama that I won't do anything to you. So don't mess with me."

Tobirama snorts and doesn't respond.

"I'll sleep on the floor." Madara pulls the prepared bedding from under the bridal bed.

Tobirama seems hesitant, but he acquiesces to Madara's actions. After all, there was no way they could consummate their marriage.

Chapter Text

Sleeping on the floor isn't a good idea. Perhaps he should get a guest room later. As Uchiha Madara awake from the hard tile floor, his aching back forces him to consider this problem.

He straightens up and found his new wife sitting in bed, watching him. He haS clearly been up for a while.

Madara, still completely unaccustomed to being stared at so closely by a dangerous MAN, deliberately turned his head before asking, "Since you're already up, why aren't you leaving?"

"Given that we're already married," Senju Tobirama says sternly, "I think it would send a bad signal to the outside world if a wife left his husband alone in the room to do her own thing on the first day of marriage."

"For example?"

"For example, is there a risk of the Senju-Uchiha alliance fracturing? And for example, I believe the Uchiha elders want you to marry an omega for more than just a decorative purpose, so what do you think they'd think if I just left?"

Tobirama's words do have some truth to them.

Madara still hasn't answered, Tobirama couldn't help but press on, "So you really haven't considered marriage and the issues beyond marriage?"

Madara unwittingly detected a hint of sarcasm in the question. He mentally reiterated several times, "I promised Hashirama I'd take good care of his brother," before suppressing his anger and negotiating with Tobirama,"According to common marriage conventions, we can sleep in separate rooms except during our respective mating seasons."

Tobirama shakes his head: "Madara-sama, if you truly haven't considered these matters, I can return to Senju..."

"That's not necessary," Madara interrupts hastily. The mere thought of the elders urging him to marry at the meeting gave him a headache. If his wife moves back to his parents' home right after their wedding, the marriage wouldn't even be able to fulfill its most basic purpose: to satisfy the elders. "Just do as I say."

Although marrying Tobirama Senju is beyond his wildest dreams, he has to accept the situation and move on. At worst, he could sleep in the office more often, which would reduce the frequency of seeing him. "And you don't have to call me sama." Madara's previously meager vision of his future marriage has absolutely no intention of his wife addressing him with a title of honor, even if that wife is the Senju white demon.

After this negotiation, the two emerge from the bedroom together, like a normal couple.

-

Madara is wrong again.

He has thought marriage would be the end of everything, the ultimate way to silence the elders, but it turns out to be the opposite. Not long after the wedding, they find something else for Madara to do.

"I think I has handed this diplomatic matter over to Hikaku." Madara feels distraught at the sight of communicating with other ninja. He has never been good at interacting with anyone other than Hashirama and Izuna, and in the past, Izuna has always smoothed things over with his flawless smile and words. Now, facing this, Madara couldn't help but think of his younger brother. The attendees exchange bewildered glances, their gazes finally landing on the usually gentle Elder Asahi. After a long moment of staring, he reluctantly explains to Madara, "I believe you should understand that Hikaku-kun is merely your cousin, unqualified to represent the Uchiha Clan."

He speaks as if stating a truth universally acknowledged.

"After all, we founded the village together with the Senju," Elder Asama adds. "We still need to recruit some allies to help us navigate future affairs with greater confidence, and such matters clearly require your involvement."

"Why haven't you mentioned this before?" Madara doesn't respond directly. "This..." Madara snorts coldly and pointed out bluntly, "Just because I'm actually getting married, you think putting pressure on me will work? Am I the head of the Uchiha clan, or are you? I say that Hikaku can represent me on this mission. Before I have children (the thought of possibly having children with Tobirama give Madara a chill), Hikaku, like Izuna once was, is the heir to the Uchiha clan. Why can't he represent me?"

"Then tell me, what can you do?" Elder Asama sounded anxious and sad. "You're the head of our Uchiha clan."

"That's not a question for you to ask." This implicit accusation of Madara's incompetence infuriates Madara. If it hadn't been Elder Asama who speaks, Madara would have definitely taught him or her a lesson.

The chakra Madara radiated silenced the entire conference room. He sneers, "I believe you have no objections now."

With that, he slams the door and leaves.

"I thought, I thought..." Elder Asama looks like she is about to take a quick-acting heart pill to save her life.

Hikaku seems more distressed than crying, but still tries to comfort everyone: "I hope everyone will try to understand and sympathize with Madara-sama. I will also do my best to assist with this diplomatic matter..."

"Why didn't you tell him about the Hyuuga family's offense against you earlier?!" Elder Mamiya, who had been silent before, now turns to Hikaku and questions, "Only Madara-sama could possibly convince such a proud family?"

Elder Tekari, stroking Elder Asama's back in comfort, sighs, "We originally thought that his agreement to marry would mean he had somehow gotten over the loss of his brother, but it seems he hasn't."

"Perhaps asking him to marry Senju Tobirama is too much of a burden for him." Elder Asama takes out a handkerchief and wiped away her tears. She still couldn't bear to blame Madara; after all, he is the child she has watched grow up.

"No." Elder Asahidake's face is bleak. "Even if he married the best omega in the world, I don't think the situation would improve much. After all, he's never cared about such things. I suspect that in his eyes, the entire Uchiha clan is nothing more than a derivative of Izuna-sama's worth."

Sometimes harsh words reveal the truth. As soon as Elder Asahidake finishes speaking, no one in the meeting room contradicts him.

After a long silence, someone asks, "What should we do next? The Senju have already contacted many clans."

Uchiha Hikaku stands up, and everyone's attention focuses on him. "I will." he says firmly.

-

Just rushing out, Madara is also feeling uneasy. During the Warring States Period, as the eldest son with great power, he had only learned how to fight, and he had always excelled in this art, with only Hashirama to rival him. He has lived in this comfort zone for over twenty years, until that day when Izuna was on the verge of death. Only then did he realize for the first time that there were things in the world he couldn't do.

After Izuna's death, more things Madara had never considered before surfaced, chasing after him like a hunter chasing its prey, reminding him of his own incompetence. He took to blaming this frustration on Senju Tobirama, as if if Tobirama hadn't killed Izuna, certain truths would never have been revealed, would never have existed. He could only dump these irritations on the Hikaku, who at least seemed better at solving trivial problems than he was.

Today, the words of Asama and the others once again starkly reveals Madara's failure in certain areas.

Father, every time this happens, Madara can't help but think of Tajima. Why didn't you teach me that life has so much more to offer besides constant battles?
So distracted, Madara lost his gaze on the road.

"I'm sorry, Madara-sama. I didn't mean to." The little boy couldn't stop crying. Madara takes a closer look at the little face. It was Uchiha Kagami, the grandson of Elder Asama. Thinking of Elder Asama's behavior just now, Madara couldn't help but feel angry again. Even when facing a child, he is not in a good mood: "Am I very young? Can't you see the road at all?"

"Kagami, come here!" Uchiha Akiko called her son's name, apologizing profusely to Madara. "Madara-sama, I'm so sorry. Kagami is only three years old. Please don't blame him."

Because of Asama's friendship with Madara's mother, Madara and her daughter Akiko has grown up together. When he sees Akiko's fearful expression, Madara realized what he did and quickly restrained his terrifying chakra.

But the incident had already happened. Even though Madara apologized for his rude behavior, Akiko holds little Kagami protectively in her arms, looking at Madara as if he were the demon who forced her brother to surrender his eyes, as the tribe has recently said.

Madara knows these rumors of course, but he has never taken them seriously before. But Akiko's behavior at this moment makes Madara realize more clearly than ever how he is perceived by the tribe. Madara has to admit that he isn't entirely without responsibility for the situation.

"I don't mean to blame Kagami." With these words, Madara strides off.

But leaving the Uchiha courtyard and stepping onto the newly rebuilt Konoha, Madara saw only another group of Konoha villagers who are just as terrified of him as his own tribe.

Madara hasn't forgotten what happened with that little girl.

Where else can he go?

Hashirama. Madara's first thought is, no hesitation, Hashirama, who has always understood him. Like a child seeking shelter, he rushes to the Senju residence.

-

After their wedding, Madara and Tobirama lived separately as agreed, always moving independently. As a husband, Madara often had no idea of ​​his wife's whereabouts. Furthermore, with Konoha still newly established, new problems arise everywhere for Tobirama to deal with. Sometimes, Madara goes a whole day without even speaking to Tobirama. Previously, Madara has been thankful that this isolation had prevented him from seeing Tobirama. But now, he wonders if he had known Tobirama would also come to see Hashirama today, he definitely wouldn't have come to the Senju household.

Tobirama's words doesn't surprise Madara. He certainly isn't naive enough to assume that marrying him would mean he'd speak well of him, though his harsh comments still angers him. What truly hurt Madara is that during the Senju brothers' discussion about the position of Hokage, Hashirama actually agrees with some of Tobirama's views.

"I think you'd be more polite when you speak of him after you married Madara," Madara hears the childish Hashirama say. What? Does Hashirama really think a simple engagement would transform the White Demon into a completely different person?

"I'm just stating the facts, Anijia," Tobirama's tone remains unchanged. "Besides, you should give more thought to your dreams."

The subtext is that if Hashirama truly cared about Konoha, he wouldn't have allowed Madara to become leader. Madara really doesn't want to hear any more. As he slips away, Uzumaki Mito reappears before him. Madara's pain deepens at the sight of the beta woman's blissful smile.

Somehow, Madara's thoughts drifts to the stone slab beneath the Uchiha Shrine.

After gaining newfound power through Izuna's gift, Madara sees more information on the slab, describing the Sage of Six Paths and the dream of eternal peace. At first glance, it seems absurd—who would pin their hopes for worldly happiness on an eternal dream? But, reflecting on the current situation, Madara couldn't help but smile wryly. Perhaps achieving the Infinite Tsukuyomi would be easier than dealing with these mundane matters.

Thinking this way, Madara unknowingly arrives before the slab. Having arrived, he simply sits down, staring at the words. They seemed to hold a certain magical power, drawing Madara in, making him unwilling to leave. Of course, perhaps it is all the other things pushing him away, making this ordinary slab seem all the more alluring.

After Madara sits there for an unspecified amount of time, a voice he has only just heard today echoed from the basement. "I really don't know what it is that attracts you here."

Madara subconsciously shields himself with the stone slab and looks at the newcomer.

Senju Tobirama is standing at the basement entrance, watching him.

"What are you doing here?" Seeing Tobirama almost stepping into the basement, Madara is inevitably furious. He has already been filled with anger today because of him. "I don't think you're qualified yet!"

Tobirama looks at him with a look that seemed to accuse Madara of being an idiot, prompting him to add, "Even if we were married, you know it's just a simple political marriage. If I say you're not qualified, then you aren't!"

Tobirama rolls his eyes. Before he could make another remark similar to his earlier criticism of Madara to Hashirama, Hikaku comes out from behind him and looks at Madara apologetically. "Madara, my cousin, I'm so sorry. It is my invitation."

Seeing Madara still looking at Hikaku with confusion, Tobirama explains unhappily, "Hikaku-kun wants to discuss something with you, but doesn't know where you were, so he asked me, a sensor, to come find you."

His eyes clearly read, "I'm not interested in your Uchiha shrine. Don't overthink it." But with Hikaku present, Madara couldn't react.

Madara nods stiffly at his cousin, "I understand. You may leave."

Hikaku seems uneasy about leaving Madara and Tobirama alone, but at Madara's insistence, he walks away.

As soon as the Hikaku leaves, Madara rushes forward. "After saying that to piss me off, you're playing the innocent good guy in front of others?"

Tobirama looks completely confused by what Madara is talking about. The pheromones released by the Alpha make him cough violently, but he remained fearless. After a moment, he realizes, "So, you are eavesdropping on me and Anijia today?"

"That's not eavesdropping. You couldn't have failed to sense it."

"Why would I go out of my way to sense it in my brother's house?" Tobirama retorts confidently. "Besides, do you think I'd say bad things about you behind your back?"

"What else?"

Tobirama sneers, "Of course not, because I'd say the same thing to your face."

This truly infuriates Madara, and he lifts the omega's collar: "You'd better be respectful."

Tobirama, however, looks infuriated. "If you really want me to be respectful, you shouldn't be speaking harshly here. Uchiha Madara, I've only been married to you and moved to Uchiha territory for a little over a month. I doubt your clan members will reveal anything about the Uchiha clan to me. But even so, everything that's happened here, and the rumors circulating in Konoha Village, are enough to let me know how you treat your responsibilities as clan leader and your fellow clan members.

"So, you're going to tell Hashirama all this?"

"What else?" Tobirama persists. "I think the Hokage should at least learn to be responsible for Konoha, and you can't even manage your own clan!"

"If you continue to spread such rumors, it will only worsen my relationship with my clan members and the villagers!" Madara shouts, tightening his grip on Tobirama's collar.

Tobirama,a little balloon, finally deflated. Resignedly, he pressed Madara's hand, "So you should find a way to correct your mistakes. If you don't know anything, you should go learn instead of hiding in some basement and daydreaming."

Madara doesn't really listen, thinking his wife is finally giving in. Considering the Hikaku is undoubtedly still waiting outside, Madara self-righteously let his wife go and walked out, silently making a mental note.