Half an hour later, both sides were exhausted from fighting.
For that half an hour, both sides engaged in high-intensity clashes, exchanging blows, with all their focus on finding weaknesses.
They fought until neither could raise their hands, yet no victor was decided.
However, both sides had held back; for instance, Rosen hadn't used his Tenseigan Chakra.
And Senju Tobirama also had many killer Moves he hadn't revealed, such as Flying Thunder God Slash.
Flying Thunder God Slash could even kill Uchiha Izuna, who had awakened his Mangekyo, so its lethality goes without saying.
Also, the Super Strength of the Senju Clan, he hadn't used it at all.
And the Ice Release, a combination of Great Cold Energy and Water Release, he hadn't used that either.
They were just sparring, not fighting to the death.
After a round of sparring, the two sat by the lake, enjoying the night scenery.
"Rosen, your strength has improved quite a bit over these years."
Back when he and Rosen sparred, aside from a few times he was tricked by Rosen, most of the time he could easily overpower Rosen.
Over several years, his Great Cold Energy had greatly improved, boosting his own power by nearly three times.
But in this spar, he found that Rosen's improvement far exceeded his imagination, making the fight very difficult.
Rosen took out a greer stone and threw it to Senju Tobirama.
Senju Tobirama looked at the greer stone in his hand with surprise.
"What is this?"
"This is called a greer stone. You can absorb the Sage Chakra within it, but be careful, there are some Impurities in it, so when you absorb it, you need to add a procedure to remove the Impurities. One greer stone can equal a year of Cultivation."
Senju Tobirama's spirits immediately lifted upon hearing this: "Do you have any more?"
"I have Ten Rings," Rosen said.
Senju Tobirama suddenly looked at Rosen with burning eyes: "Is your strength improvement over these years due to this greer stone?"
Rosen nodded: "That's right, I bought this from a merchant caravan. Through these greer stones, I have already achieved Perfection in three of the twenty-four solar terms."
Senju Tobirama's face was distorted with Envy: "Then give me the rest."
"What about mine?"
"Tomorrow, I'll give you the Cultivation method for Super Strength, and also a set of Gale Stream Swordsmanship."
Senju Tobirama roughly assessed Rosen's foundation and combat weaknesses.
However, in his opinion, Rosen shouldn't focus his energy on Body Refining.
He felt that Rosen, with his three solar terms, would get a greater boost to Ninjutsu, so he should focus his energy and time on Ninjutsu Cultivation.
But since Rosen needed it, he could only abide by the terms of the trade.
The next day, Rosen successfully obtained the Cultivation method for Super Strength and the Gale Stream Swordsmanship.
Super Strength is a unique secret technique of the Senju Clan, but it's not restricted by bloodline, just like Sakura Haruno in later generations also Cultivated Super Strength.
However, in terms of Body Refining, Shadow Demons couldn't help.
But Shadow Demons could help with the Cultivation of Gale Stream Swordsmanship.
The Cultivation of Gale Stream Swordsmanship involves experience, techniques, and application methods, all of which could be shared with Rosen.
However, Body Refining couldn't be shared. Shadow Demons don't have the attribute of physique; no matter how they Move, they only consume Rosen's stamina.
Over the next few days, Rosen began Cultivating Super Strength.
Super Strength wasn't difficult to master, and with Senju Tobirama's guidance, he quickly got the hang of it.
But Super Strength doesn't require technique, but rather continuous training.
...
After Uchiha Madara returned to the Clan, he became even more unwilling.
As long as he sat in the courtyard, he could recall every little detail of Izuna.
His hatred for Senju Tobirama also grew day by day.
At the same time, Uchiha Madara's ocular power also increased daily amidst his hatred.
However, his strength was always a notch below Senju Hashirama.
As long as Senju Hashirama was there, he would never be able to avenge himself.
Uchiha Madara summoned the Clan Elder, Uchiha Tenka.
"Tenka, I want to kill Senju Tobirama. What do you think I should do?"
Uchiha Tenka lowered his head and pondered for a long time. He had always fought alongside Uchiha Madara, so he also had some understanding of Senju Hashirama's strength.
Uchiha Madara's best record was a draw with Senju Hashirama.
Therefore, trying to kill Senju Tobirama right under Senju Hashirama's nose was almost impossible.
Finally, Uchiha Tenka looked up: "Clan Chief, I have an idea."
"What idea?"
"Challenge Senju Hashirama to a duel."
"Are you suggesting I decide Senju Tobirama's fate during my duel with him?"
"No, I mean to lure the tiger out of its mountain lair."
Uchiha Madara's expression became conflicted. He wasn't afraid to fight Senju Hashirama.
But to break his word to Senju Hashirama, he was extremely reluctant.
"Clan Chief, this is the only way to get revenge."
Uchiha Madara was never afraid of Senju Hashirama, and he knew that once he issued a challenge, Senju Hashirama would surely accept and come, so this plan was bound to succeed.
But to break his word to Senju Hashirama like this, he was unwilling in his heart.
Uchiha Madara silently raised his head, and a terrifying killing intent emanated from him.
His hatred finally overcame his friendship with Senju Hashirama.
Senju Tobirama must die!
"Go and send a duel invitation to Senju Hashirama. The location... the location will be Sengokugawa River."
Sengokugawa River was a place far from the Senju Clan, and even for Senju Hashirama, it would take three hours to travel there and back at full speed.
And three hours would be enough time for him to kill Senju Tobirama.