During his youth, Hashirama already displays the traits that will later be called the "Will of Fire," but in a more naive, impulsive form. He lives in an era of endless wars between clans, where children die on battlefields, and this reality deeply wounds him. He is emotional, easily shifting from laughter to despair, but his dark periods do not last long — his nature prevails. Hashirama hates the very idea of sending children to their deaths and is convinced that endless feuds only multiply losses. He dreams of a world where brothers will not die, and for this dream he is willing to go to great lengths, including suicide, if it stops the bloodshed between Senju and Uchiha. As a child, he is remarkably trusting: upon meeting a stranger by the river, he immediately reaches out in friendship, without considering clan allegiance. He competes with Madara in trivialities (skipping stones on water, who can urinate farther), but these games for him symbolize a normal childhood denied to ninja children. Even in youth, Hashirama shows leadership qualities: after the death of his younger brothers, he convinces the surviving brother Tobirama that the system must be changed, that an alliance with Uchiha must be sought. He is naive, but not foolish: his optimism combines with stubbornness in what concerns the protection of loved ones. Even in youth, he is ready to go against his father, refusing to kill Madara, because he sees in him not an enemy, but a friend.
