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Half a month ago.
In a lavish room within Nadeshiko Village.
A man with white hair glanced at the beauty sleeping soundly beside him, a flicker of reluctance in his eyes. He rose from the bed without a sound, picked up his clothes, slipped on his wooden sandals, and began tiptoeing toward the door.
"My love… are you going to disappear without a word again?"
A gentle voice came from behind him. The white-haired man's figure stiffened, freezing in place.
"Haha, Amane! You're awake! After all that… training last night, I thought you'd sleep in today."
The man—Jiraiya—turned around with an awkward laugh, scratching his messy mop of hair, trying to cover his embarrassment with a crude joke.
Damn it, he thought. I've gotten soft. The Great Jiraiya, master of the clean getaway, actually got caught.
"…"
Nadeshiko Amane ignored his jest. She just stared into his eyes, her beautiful pupils rapidly misting over.
"…Sigh."
Jiraiya saw the tears welling in her eyes and let out a long breath. The frivolous smile vanished from his face as he dressed, his expression turning serious.
"Amane, I know I promised you I'd stop meddling in the shinobi world's affairs. But this time… it's different. The one trying to overthrow everything is a figure of legend."
"Even with that kid Qianyu there… I'm his teacher. How can I just sit back and do nothing?"
"I know, my love. I knew from the moment I gave you that information that you would go."
Amane bit her lip. She rose gracefully from the bed, letting the covers slip away, and walked to Jiraiya without a shred of reservation. She wrapped her arms around him tightly.
"Promise me. Promise you'll take care of yourself. That you'll come back to me safe. Okay?"
Looking at Amane's tender, pleading gaze, Jiraiya's heart clenched. A wave of pure, unadulterated happiness washed over him.
To have a wife like this… what more could a man ask for?
"Hahaha! Of course! We still have to make a whole bunch of fat, healthy babies! I swear it. When I get back this time, I'm settling down in Nadeshiko Village for good. We'll have that big family."
Jiraiya laughed loudly, breaking free from Amane's embrace. Then, without looking back—he couldn't afford to—he turned and strode from the room, leaving Amane alone, gazing wistfully at his retreating back.
"My love… please come home safely."
(Tobirama: Remembering the past, the tears never dry…)
Back to the present.
On the battlefield, the indescribable Ten-Tails writhed within the Four Red Yang Formation. A Susanoo wielding dual blades clashed fiercely with a roaring Wood Golem, sending splinters flying with every strike.
Beneath these monstrous titans, nearly a hundred elite shinobi from the Four Great Villages fanned out, closing in on the Susanoo's position.
Ugh. I really don't know how I'm going to face Tsunade after this.
Sandwiched between the two Senju brothers, Qianyu sighed inwardly.
Out of selfishness—no, out of necessity—he hadn't brought Tsunade or the others. Before departure, he'd even been forced to knock out a stubbornly insistent Tsunade and restrain her with his Earth Grudge Fear tendrils.
Not that anyone could complain. Konoha was fielding four Kage-level combatants. If other villages wanted to gripe, they should try fielding four…
Wait. Four?
Qianyu blinked, turning his head to look behind him. Only then did he notice the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, hadn't followed. The old man was still standing motionless by the barrier.
What are you looking at me for? I'm not a freak like you lot who can maintain a Four Red Yang Formation with a mere shadow clone.
Noticing Qianyu's stare, Hiruzen shrank his neck into his collar, shamelessly pretending he saw nothing. He'd shown up to the fight. He was contributing. That was enough.
His prime was long past. Just maintaining the barrier was taking everything he had!
That old bastard. I'm giving him the worst assignments when we get back.
Qianyu grumbled internally, then pushed the thought aside. His expression turned grave as he focused on the figure across from him: Madara Uchiha.
"Shadow Clone — Susanoo!"
Glancing dismissively at the ants swarming below, Madara willed it. Four more towering, sky-blotting deities of chakra solidified around him with a deafening roar, their massive forms stomping toward the surrounding shinobi.
Whoosh!
Madara's figure leaped from the cockpit of his Perfect Susanoo. He executed a dizzying 720-degree spin in mid-air before landing coolly on the shoulder of Hashirama's Wood Golem.
Scythe in one hand, gunbai war fan in the other, he became a blur, charging straight toward the three figures atop the Golem's head.
"Hmph. Bring it on!"
Tobirama snorted coldly, shooting forward to meet Madara head-on. Qianyu and Hashirama followed close behind, ready to give Madara a taste of triple trouble.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Knowing about Madara's Sealing Technique Absorption Seal in advance, Tobirama didn't use his signature Water Style. Instead, he drew two Flying Thunder God kunai and met Madara in close-quarters combat.
The Wood Golem's head was massive, like a wooden platform. Tobirama and Madara's figures weaved and clashed, their blades meeting in a rapid-fire dance of steel. The air around them grew hot from the friction.
"Give it up, Madara! Don't persist in this folly!"
A moment later, Hashirama appeared at Madara's side, throwing a heartfelt punch aimed squarely at his old friend's face.
"Don't get full of yourself, Hashirama! You're the one who's blind! I alone can bring true peace to this world!"
Madara roared. Purple light flashed in his eyes.
Almighty Push!
A terrifying force of repulsion exploded outward, hammering into the three of them.
Whoosh!
Having learned his lesson, Tobirama grabbed his brother. They vanished in an instant.
Qianyu, however, anchored himself with Earth Grudge Fear tendrils. He gritted his teeth and rode out the blast, his super armor holding firm against the damage.
The moment the repulsive force faded, Qianyu yanked on the tendrils. His body shot forward like a stone from a slingshot, hurtling toward Madara.
"Brat!"
Madara saw Qianyu charging at him, and his blood pressure spiked.
Sure, Qianyu's betrayal was expected. But this little punk had the audacity to show off like crazy right in front of him, the King of Badasses! Unforgivable!
…Ah. Got it.
A thought flashed through Madara's mind. A wicked smile touched his lips. He'd just thought of a perfect way to mess with the kid.
Ding!
In that split-second, a profound purple gleam flashed in Madara's eyes.
He unleashed a genjutsu. At full power. Directly at Qianyu.
Qianyu: ???
With a half-Ōtsutsuki bloodline and the ocular power of the Mangekyō Sharingan, Qianyu wasn't about to be controlled.
But the Rinnegan was called the "Eye that Governs Life and Death" for a reason. Under Madara's full-powered assault, Qianyu's movements still hitched—just for an instant.
His Mangekyō Sharingan flared to life uncontrollably. Two pitch-black, intricate patterns spun wildly in his crimson eyes, pushing back against the Rinnegan's invasive power.
And wouldn't you know it…
Tobirama and Hashirama, having just reappeared via the Flying Thunder God Technique, landed right behind Madara.
Their eyes met Qianyu's glowing, Sharingan-red gaze.
Hashirama: ???
Tobirama: ???
"Tobirama… didn't you say this child was…"
"YOU'RE A GODDAMN UCHIHA?!"
Before Hashirama could finish his hesitant question, Tobirama beside him had already exploded, his voice a venomous snarl. His gaze toward Qianyu turned murderously cold.
Not only was the brat connected to the Uchiha… he'd even awakened that cursed eye, just like the evil Madara and Izuna!
"BASTARD!"
Tobirama glared at Qianyu, teeth grinding so hard sparks might fly. His silver hair practically stood on end with rage.
The great Tobirama Senju, a master judge of character, had been played! Hoodwinked by some snot-nosed brat!
"Uh… Lord Tobirama… maybe let me explain? I mean, defend myself?"
Feeling the killing intent radiating from Tobirama, Qianyu shivered. He shook off the last of the Rinnegan's influence and spoke, his voice trembling slightly.
So the kid awakened the Mangekyō… well, with all that Ten-Tails chakra he absorbed, it's not surprising…
Heh. Now this is getting interesting.
Nearby, Madara was in no hurry to attack anymore. A deeply amused, utterly malicious smile spread across his face. He crossed his arms and settled in to enjoy the show.
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