Itachi stepped between them, throwing his arms out.

"Weren't we... just discussing a peaceful future... a village with clans banded together? No more fighting? No more... bloodshed?" He tried to hold the fighting at bay. His voice was breathy, but stern. He meant every word. "Madara, he was your friend until... you heard his family name! Hashirama, you trusted me... and I'm an Uchiha. Isn't that right?"

"What about our dream?!" The boy cried out.

"Yes..." Itachi echoed. "What about it? You... don't have to fight here... No one has to die!"