Chap-41 The Dragon King

Hashirama had been nervously pacing in his room with his siblings watching him worriedly. They had won the Capital and now the city was theirs. Many good men and women died for that but the Daimyo was a prisoner now alongwith his wife and daughters, the fire lord's son's chose to die fighting than let their father be overthrown. Hashirama was too late to stop them from dying...

He had watched Naruto unleash the Biju against the royal army and Nara's...

Hashirama had dreaded that the boy would wipe out all those people mercilessly like any Uchiha would. What happened next was not something Hashirama had expected from any Uchiha, much less Naruto...

The boy gave the enemy a chance to surrender saving thousands of lives and in doing so preserved the future of all the millions of families of those royal soldiers. He made the Uchihas back down and even got them into a room to negotiate peace with the Senjus...

But now he was worried for the boy. Hashirama knew what kind of man Tajima was and many lords who followed him were just as ruthless and vicious, they could very well kill the boy for robbing them off their revenge. The only thing that gave Hashirama hope was Madara's presence in the room, as long as Madara was there nobody would dare lift a finger at his only surviving brother.

He was brought out of his thoughts when the door of his room was slammed open, his siblings unleashed their weapons when they saw the Senju guards outside had dropped unconscious as the striking form of Madara Uchiha approached towards them.

Hashirama could not help but feel happy and even more worried at the same. It was so good to see his old friend but one look in his furious eyes was enough to make Hashirama tense.

Without warning, Madara cast a scathing glance at Tsunade and Itama.

"Get Out!"

The two Senjus blinked at the audacity of this Uchiha but Hashirama saw how tense his friend was and if disobeyed then he might very well resort to violence to make that happen. So he curtly gestured to his siblings to comply, they grumbled but obeyed his commands and walked outside the room. But Hashirama knew they were not far away, waiting to come to his aide if Madara turned hostile...

"It's good to see you, Madara" said Hashirama with a true smile,

"Wish I could say the same" grunted Madara, as he deactivated his sharingan.

Hashirama silently waited as he saw Madara pace across the room without speaking. This went on for a few long moments before the Uchiha looked at him seriously...

"My brother is a good man, Hashirama" said Madara, and was surprised when Hashirama nodded with an even wider smile.

"He's the best of your people" praised Hashirama, which only made Madara grimace.

"Good men don't survive in this world, Hashirama. Only the worst do..." replied Madara sadly, as the faces of his dead brothers flashed before his eyes.

"Not if they have the support of others..." countered Hashirama, earning a bittersweet chuckle from his dark haired friend.

"Neither of us have changed. We are like Ice and Fire..."

Hashirama froze as realization struck him.

The Uchiha's were always like the Fire: Dangerous, swift and all consuming. Their love was as fierce as their hatred, their sanity as great as their madness, their courage as great as their arrogance.

The Senju's on the other hand were like Ice: Long lasting, enduring and unending. Their silent fury as great as their gentle hearts, their calmness as dangerous as their ability to create storms.

The savior shall be born by the joining of two ancient elements...

Hashirama still remembered that old toad's prophecy revealed to him a few years ago. The frog had been vague and smiled at him when Hashirama said he didn't understand. The only thing the geezer had told him to not fight fire with fire but calm it with ice. Hashirama hadn't understood then...

But he did now.

"You once told me there is nothing in this world more precious to you than your last brother" said Hashirama seriously,

"It was then and it remains the same now" agreed Madara, despite the tense situation. This Uchiha had many faults but if one thing Hashirama had always admired about Madara was his love for his siblings. There was not anything this man would not do for them.

"If we fight then your brother's life will be in danger. You may have the Biju on your side, but you know what I am capable of" said Hashirama gravely,

Madara chuckled.

"Now who's being cocky?" asked Madara amusedly, it had always been Hashirama teasing him about the same thing and now that man was doing the very same thing himself.

"I'm serious, Madara"

The Uchiha stopped laughing and looked at his friend. There was no doubt in Hashirama's eyes, his face set in stone.

"I'd like to take my chances" challenged Madara with a dark grin, just like fire.

"I have three siblings left, Madara. By the time we are done you'll have none..." warned Hashirama, his voice as cold as ice.

Madara paled and his eyes widened as he saw an image of Tobirama plunging his sword into Naruto's heart. His brother coughed, his eyes wide in shock and pain. Madara ran to him and caught him in his arms, watching his last brother gurgle painfully before falling silent forever.

Time stopped for him as he kept on looking at that pale face of the jovial and sarcastic boy he had loved his entire life. A boy who meant everything to Madara, one who had two little girls waiting for him but would never see him again.

He was brought out of his thoughts when he felt a gentle hand placed on his shoulder. Dazed, he looked up to see his old friend staring at him with a knowing and sympathetic look in his eyes.

"I know how you feel, Madara. Our families have torn each other apart for thousands of years and it will go on until we stop this madness. Don't make peace for me or anyone else either, do it for your brother" urged Hashirama,

"My people already declared me Hokage, Hashirama. Do you still want peace after that?" asked Madara skeptically,

"I'll admit it will be difficult to make my people accept peace with you as Hokage. But they will accept it" said Hashirama with conviction burning in his eyes,

"Why?" asked Madara hesitantly,

"Because I believe in you"

Madara looked at this man in disbelief. His throat felt dry, his lips trembled, and his wide eyes could only stare at this man with shock. In him, he saw that young boy with whom he had played stone throwing across the river, the same boy whom he had shared his desire for peace, the same person with whom he had wanted to create a new world where his brother and family would remain safe.

"What about the leadership of the Land of Fire? Who will replace the Daimyo?" asked Madara worriedly,

"What do you mean? Aren't you supposed to lead now that you are named Hokage?" questioned Hashirama in confusion,

Madara sighed.

"I am not a politician, Hashirama. I am a ninja, ask me to defend these lands against armies and I will gladly do so. I might even excel every single time but ask me to discuss trade and politics, and I'll make a spectacle of myself. I rarely compromise or negotiate, I command" explained Madara honestly,

"And I am too soft hearted which might work well in maintaining relations but disastrous when it comes to ruling" admitted Hashirama, receiving a disbelieving look from his friend.

"The people love you, Hashirama. They'll accept you as their new Daimyo and I will support you if you let me be Hokage. I'll keep command over the military forces while you make sure that our lands and people prosper" offered Madara honestly,

"Your father will never agree to this..." pointed Hashirama worriedly,

Both of them became silent as their dilemma hanged over their heads like a sword. They were glad to put their differences aside for the sake of their family but to make their people not just see reason but accept it was a grave challenge. There were hard liners on both sides who wanted war and would use the first chance to start it.

How to arrive at a solution that would be acceptable to all if not welcomed?

Hashirama was surprised when Madara smiled a little.

"What is it?"

"I think I have a solution which will be acceptable to my Father. But I might need quite a lot of help from you..." said Madara hesitantly,

Hashirama gave his friend an unwavering nod as he replied,

"Whatever you need to make this peace, Madara"

The large courtroom that once belonged to the Fire Daimyo and his advisers was currently packed with almost every ninja lord of the country. Great and minor clans all were here representing the two most powerful factions of the world. Kurama couldn't even remember the last time there was such a gathering except for the sole purpose of killing each other.

On the right side of the large hall sat Tajima Uchiha alongwith several clan heads representing Namikaze, Shimura, Aburame, Kurama, Yuhi, Hatake, Yamanaka and several minor ninja clans. Together, they made up the largest military alliance in the elemental nations.

On the left side of the large hall sat the tall figure of Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, Itama Senju alongwith their various allies representing Sarutobi, Inuzuka, Akimichi, and many other minor clans. Together, they were the most wealthiest and influential faction in the world.

In the center of the hall were seated the Nara clan head and various former royal army commanders alongwith Naruto Uchiha. The said boy had decided to sit away from his people considering they were angry at him, to make him not feel alone both Kurama and Tsunade had joined him much to his surprise. Following their example, the Kinsguard had also taken positions with their leader rather than their faction.

It was more of a shouting match and insult trading than any formal negotiations. Old feuds and rivalries could be seen openly with various clan heads trying to insult one another.

Tsunade was more than pleased to see her brother released from captivity. At first the Uchiha's were reluctant as they wanted to have more leverage, surprisingly it was Naori Uchiha who reminded her people that the Senjus had honored their vow to return Dawn and they must honor their side of the bargain. It was not welcomed, but Tsunade had seen the power Naori wielded as she made sure Tobirama was released. It would seem Naruto was not the only Uchiha who really wanted to try for peace because that action had removed some of the bitterness between their factions. It was not much but it was a start...

The arguments were going nowhere and the atmosphere was getting more heated until Naruto got up from his chair. He made sure to released a considerable killing intent that made everyone shut up one after another and look at him.

"My lords and ladies, all of us are missing the fact that together we overthrew a dynasty that had lasted for centuries. We did it because we were together and we can do more for our lands and people; but not if we try to kill each other rather than work together" urged Naruto, and was not surprised when one of his own bannermen presented his objection to the cause.

"The Daimyo is defeated, our war with the royals is over. We have a Biju that you can command to fight for us and defeat the Senjus once and for all. Fuck the peace!" said Tobi Shimura passionately, earning cheerful nods from his allies and curses from the Senjus.

Not surprisingly again it was a Senju ally who gave a befitting reply to that threat.

"Bring it on, you prick! We have defeated your kind for thousands of years and we'll do it again with Hashirama and his family. Biju or not, we can kick your arses back to the shitty holes you came from!" barked Sasuke Sarutobi, earning loud roars of approval from his side.

The main Uchiha and Senju families could only grimly watch as their supporters viciously attacked one another with more and more sharp words. The situation was about to go haywire until Daen Nara stood up, despite being a former enemy the Nara's were respected as worthy foes by both factions and was the reason as to why everyone became silent and stared at the scarred clan head.

"Neither side will win if you continue to war. Even if some manage to survive on both sides, by that time the Land of Fire will be ruined. The civilian population will revolt against your atrocities and let me remind you they outnumber us 500 to 1. I don't know about you but against those many numbers none of my ninjas will survive!" warned Daen seriously,

Tsunade was surprised when the man actually got the full attention of not just Hashirama or Madara but that of Tajima Uchiha as well. From what she could see Daen was not taking any side but only pointing out the outcome if the continued their war now that the Daimyo was not there to control the civilian population.

Seeing that his audience were paying rapt attention, Daen decided to intensify his efforts to make these fools see reason.

"Both Uchiha and Senju alongwith their allies have forgotten their true purpose the Sage of Six Paths wanted you to do. But the Nara remember!" said Daen honestly,

He looked at the formal royal army commanders and when they all nodded their consent, Daen turned back towards the two factions who now looked very interested in what he had to say.

"The Sage taught us Ninshu so that we can maintain peace across the elemental nations and not wage war. The Nara have never allied with either side because you never serve the well being of the people. We chose to serve the Daimyo because he atleast tried to give peace to all those who couldn't raise their voices against shinobi atrocities. The Daimyo maybe gone now, but the Nara clan and the former royal army commanders and soldiers are still duty bound to protect those people" explained Daen loudly for everyone to hear,

"Neither The Uchiha or the Senju clan heads or as a matter fact any other ninja clan have any right to claim leadership over people you have never thought about in your entire lives. But there is one person in this room who remembered the duty the Sage wanted us to do"

Tsunade's eyes widened when she saw not just Daen but all the former civilian army commanders rise from their seats and step before Naruto.

"The One Who Cared about the lives of people he didn't even know. The one who chose to do the right thing no matter how hard it was, the one who chose mercy and compassion over brutality. We don't care who he is or what his past was, we don't know what the future holds for us all but he's our leader from this day till the end of time. THE DRAGON KING!" declared Daen proudly,

Naruto's heart stopped beating and his face turned extremely pale when Daen and all the civilian army commanders unleashed their swords and knelt before him.

Shock rippled through the hall and everyone nearly started panicking but were fortunately stopped when Hashirama got up from his seat making everyone go silent gain.

"I never thought one day there could be a chance for peace between our two factions. Both sides have done inhuman things to each other in the past, yet I took a chance upon Naruto Uchiha. I trusted that man with not just my family's future but that of this country because I knew he was a good and honorable man. I gave him the hand of my sister in marriage because I knew he has the courage to do the right thing, even if it meant giving his life. That is the kind of man who should not just lead us but this country and world towards the future the Sage wanted us to develop. Naruto Uchiha brought an end to this war. He is THE YOUNG DRAGON..."

Hashirama unleashed his sword pointing it straight at Naruto with pride and conviction in his eyes as he knelt declaring the words that would be forever remembered in history.

"THE DRAGON KING!"

Tajima and Naori alongwith their allies were hardly able to believe the words Hashirama had just said about Naruto. Most of all none of them were ever prepared to watch the first Senju in history to willingly kneel before an Uchiha and swear fealty to their rule. Tajima's jaw nearly dropped to the floor as he glanced at Hashirama and saw nothing but pure conviction in his eyes as he made his decision. Majority of the Senju allies were also shocked and moved by their leader's declaration.

The Uchiha patriarch glanced at his youngest son who was as pale as ice as he watched not just Hashirama but Daen Nara and all the civilian army commanders still kneeling before him with their swords. He had done the impossible...

A boy who was destined to be nothing more than a spare heir had made two of the most ancient and noble clans who had never knelt before the Uchiha's to do the impossible thing.

No, they are not kneeling to the Uchiha clan. They are kneeling to him...

Tajima's lifelong dream was to see the Senju's kneel and accept the Uchiha as their rightful rulers. If they didn't then he would exterminate them to the last man, it would be costly and devastating but he had prepared for that his entire life making alliances and creating the single largest military faction.

Yet a boy who had no great social standing, armies, wealth or influence had accomplished a feat Tajima could only dream of.

Most of all he did it with his pure heart.

I am your son, Father. I am more like you than you think...

You're no son of mine.

Naori watched as a lone tear fell from Tajima's eyes even as Madara got up with a determined look in his eyes. Both brothers glanced at each other, one with shock and the other with pride.

"Am I your brother?" asked Madara simply,

"Always" whispered Naruto in a choked voice,

Naori gave a tearful smile when Madara unleashed his sword and pointed it at his brother with a smile,

"My sword is yours, now and always" promised Madara, as he too joined in kneeling beside Hashirama.

Kurama could hardly believe the dream of his creator could very well be realized today. It had taken a very long time and could yet again fail as he watched Tajima rise from his chair. The Uchiha leader looked fierce and cold as he looked at his son, but there was also warmth and regret in those cold eyes.

"I could never fully believe in you and I will regret that until my last day. A father is supposed to nurture their sons to become great men but I failed in the task yet even so you became the man you are today because of your own actions" said Tajima honestly,

Naruto got up from his chair and looked at his father. Tajima Uchiha was a proud man and to admit his mistake in front of all these people was not something to be taken lightly. Most of all he saw the regret and apology alongwith pride in those dark eyes, no matter their differences or what people thought of this man if there was one thing clear to Naruto was the fact that he loved his Father.

"It's all in the past, Father" whispered Naruto with a smile, even as his eyes became moist.

Tajima nodded in relief as he got the message before he steeled himself and not just looked at his own bannermen but those of the Senju's as well. He cast one last glance at his sister who stared at him with tearful eyes as she gave him a proud nod.

I can never truly believe in any of these people. But I can believe in my sons...

"The future is uncertain for us all. However, The Uchiha Clan shall devote itself to the well being of this country as we have for thousands of years" pledged Tajima fiercely,

Every person watched in pure shock as Tajima unleashed his sword before locking his eyes firmly with his youngest son.

"And I will stand behind my son"

Silence reigned across the hall as the Uchiha clan head knelt side by side with Madara and Hashirama beside him. Kurama could only watch with an overjoyed heart as the three most powerful men in the world yelled in one voice...

"THE DRAGON KING!"

Naruto could only watch in awe and shock as every ninja lord from both factions rose up and unleashed their swords. Together, they all knelt before him as one single call was declared for the first time in history of the elemental nations.

"THE DRAGON KING!"

"THE DRAGON KING!"

"THE DRAGON KING!"

The declarations were getting louder and more passionate with every passing second as every person in the room took a leap of faith. In their eyes there was hope for a better future and they were entrusting him with it. Suddenly, he felt overwhelmed by this new mantle but as he glanced at Tsunade she gave him a supportive smile. Most of all, he saw belief in her eyes for him.

A lone tear fell from his eyes as he saw Kurama smile before the beast also knelt and joined all the ninja lords proclaiming Naruto as his leader. The Biju's lifelong dream finally realized after thousands of years...

In a way, history had unknowingly corrected a wrong done thousands of years ago. Even though every ninja lord declared for Naruto, it didn't change the fact that he was Indra's descendant. Through this declaration, the Dragons had achieved their lifelong dream of making the Senjus submit.

At the same time, the Senjus had managed to not only secure peace for themselves but also managed to make themselves vital to the success of this new regime through the marriage of Tsunade to the Dragon King. Through her, the sons of Ashura would always play a vital role in the ruling of the elemental nations even if they officially didn't have one of their own as the supreme leader.

Tsunade widely smiled as she watched all the ninja lords still proclaiming her future husband as their King. Not only did she feel happy for Naruto but for herself as well because the war was finally over and if things worked out then soon she would no longer be a Princess in name but an Actual Queen herself.

She looked at Naruto and saw he was still trying to accept what was happening before his eyes. For one who had no claim to power, he was now perhaps the most powerful leader in history after the Sage of Six Paths.

However, her smile faltered as she caught a pair of eyes that were full of resentment and bitterness. Even as all the ninja lords were making their declaration clear again and again, Tsunade didn't miss several bitter people flocking around that one person who was glaring at Naruto murderously. His lips said the words but the tone of his voice left little to imagination about his feelings towards his new leader...

"THE DRAGON KING!"