The moment Kyusei arrived, he immediately set Menma down to the side, then rushed straight toward Nao, who was resting on Kaoru's lap.
"…You did well."
Looking at her battered state, his expression darkened.
Nao didn't say anything. She simply forced out a faint smile.
All this time, she had been trying to grow stronger.
Yet that lingering helplessness—
The feeling of being weak—
Had always followed her.
Even if she never said it out loud, deep down, she always carried a faint sense of inferiority when facing Kyusei.
At first, she could ignore it.
Convince herself it didn't matter.
But comparison—
Was cruel.
Kaoru's presence placed an unspoken pressure on her.
Strong.
Beautiful.
Gentle.
The only thing Nao could match her in—
Was appearance.
And that realization—
Was unbearable.
A mere ornament.
A "pretty vase."
When had she become something she despised?
She refused to accept it.
Now—
With power in her hands—
She was willing to give everything.
"Kaoru, set her bones."
At Kyusei's command, Kaoru quickly repositioned and stabilized Nao's fractures.
Nao clenched her teeth—
Not making a single sound.
Kyusei rolled up his sleeve, revealing a bloodied wound that had already begun healing.
He had cut himself earlier—
To feed Menma.
But Nao wasn't in that state.
Holding her gently, he brought his wrist to her lips.
"…Bite."
Nao understood immediately.
Without hesitation—
She bit down.
At that moment—
The Uzumaki clan's strongest bloodline ability activated.
Her injuries—
Her chakra—
Recovered rapidly.
Tobirama, watching from the side, narrowed his eyes.
…Uzumaki.
Same ability as his sister-in-law.
And that chakra…
At this distance, he could clearly sense it.
Massive.
Almost rivaling his brother.
…So he's one of them.
The Flying Thunder God formation—
Required immense chakra.
This boy was one.
Then the other…
His gaze shifted to the unconscious Menma.
Even now—
His chakra rivaled Kyusei's.
Two Uzumaki.
Yes—
That explains it.
Tobirama felt a rare sense of satisfaction.
Konoha…
Had grown.
Far beyond his era.
Hiruzen…
You did well.
Meanwhile, Hashirama wasn't paying attention to his brother at all.
His eyes were fixed on the distance.
A small black dot—
Approaching.
"…Madara is here."
The words sent a ripple through everyone.
The strongest enemy—
Had arrived.
And both Hashirama and Tobirama—
Were only at half strength.
Whether they could stop him—
Was uncertain.
Not to mention—
Nagato would return soon.
With his constitution—
Recovery wouldn't take long.
"…That is…"
Walking beside Madara, Hikari squinted.
She had recovered her chakra through White Zetsu—
But not her ocular power.
Using it recklessly now—
Could cost her sight.
"…An old acquaintance."
This Madara—
Was from a time shortly after leaving Konoha.
His resentment toward Hashirama—
Still burned.
As they approached—
Hashirama stepped forward, leaving the palace.
Fighting here—
Would destroy everything.
"…Madara."
"We meet again."
Madara smirked, seeing the cracked Edo body.
"…So this is Tobirama's jutsu?"
"Even you were dragged from the afterlife."
"How fitting."
Mockery dripped from his voice.
Hashirama said nothing.
Tobirama's personality—
He knew well.
But this—
Was Hiruzen's doing.
And despite everything—
Konoha had flourished.
"…Madara."
"I know you're not from this world."
"This world has nothing to do with you."
"If you leave now…"
"I'll let you go."
He chose negotiation.
He needed time.
Once Kyusei finished—
Nao would recover—
And they could fight.
"…Let me go?"
Madara's expression darkened.
"You think that broken body can defeat me?"
"No."
Hashirama shook his head.
"We can negotiate."
"Whatever Akatsuki promised—Konoha can match it."
Madara paused.
…Different.
This Hashirama—
Was not his.
Similar—
But not the same.
This one—
Thought.
His Hashirama—
Was a fool.
But a pure one.
"…No need."
"I take what I want."
His voice turned cold.
"…Then why involve yourself?"
Madara stepped forward, aura erupting.
"…Because I feel like it."
"Stop stalling."
"You're not my Hashirama."
"He wouldn't play such obvious tricks."
Hashirama sighed.
…Guess that didn't work.
"Then…"
"Sage Art—Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Madara didn't even react.
Weak.
This wasn't the God of Shinobi.
"…Then I'll defeat you."
"And kill that Nine-Tails brat next."
Just as he prepared to move—
A figure appeared beside Hashirama.
"…Didn't expect to meet my ancestor here."
Sasuke scratched his head.
Even with Eternal Mangekyō—
He felt the pressure.
He didn't want to get involved.
But now—
He had no choice.
"…Hey."
He pointed his blade at Hikari.
"You. Fight me."
Hikari's expression darkened.
Her ocular power was nearly gone.
She couldn't win.
But Sasuke didn't care.
To break Kotoamatsukami—
She had to die.
He moved instantly—
Lightning flashing—
But—
A figure blocked him.
"…Brat."
"You think I'll let you?"
Madara intercepted him with his war fan.
"…Hmph."
"Relic of the old era."
"Don't embarrass yourself."
Sasuke shot back coldly.
His Eternal Mangekyō spun.
Purple skeletal arms formed—
Striking down.
Madara responded instantly.
Blue skeletal Susanoo—
Clashed head-on.
Hashirama took the opening.
His forest surged toward Hikari.
"Hashirama!"
Madara roared.
But Sasuke pressed him.
His Susanoo expanded—
Complete form.
A massive blade—
Swept across the battlefield.
No restraint.
Hashirama didn't even look back—
Charging straight for Hikari.
"…Damn it!"
Madara's eyes burned.
Against a complete Susanoo—
Only another could match it.
A blue giant rose—
Blocking the strike.
"…Tch."
Hikari gritted her teeth.
"…Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
Flames surged—
But—
A voice followed.
"Wind Release: Gale Annihilation!"
Wind amplified fire—
Creating an inferno.
Uchiha Yūgen had arrived.
But—
His Sharingan—
One eye—
Was gray.
He had used—
Izanagi.
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