The high-intensity clash between Uchiha Isamu and Senju Hashirama continued.
Two minutes later, even the Ninja World itself could no longer withstand the sheer scale of their power. Space began to crack apart around them, forming unstable rifts that threatened to swallow everything—but just as quickly, they sealed themselves and vanished.
Meanwhile, Senju Hashirama, who had originally been evenly matched with Isamu, began growing stronger and stronger. Gradually, the attacks of the Beast of Salvation were pushed back.
Isamu's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Damn it! What the hell is going on? Why is Hashirama getting stronger?! Even after absorbing that much Chakra, he shouldn't be this strong!"
His expression darkened.
"You really think I'm that old Madara you can push around? I'm not him. Even if I burn every last drop of my Chakra, I'll take you down with me. Die!"
Just as Isamu prepared to unleash everything in one final attack, an invisible force descended from above and suppressed him completely.
In that instant, not only could he no longer control his Chakra—his remaining power was being drained away.
"What the hell is happening?!"
Isamu stared at his trembling hands, fury filling his eyes.
"Why can't I control my Chakra? Why is it disappearing?!"
On the other side, the situation was the exact opposite.
Empowered by the very force of heaven and earth, Senju Hashirama's strength surged continuously.
Seeing victory within reach, he roared:
"Uchiha Isamu! This is the power of bonds! Feel its true might!"
The True Several Thousand Hands unleashed its full force.
Countless wooden palms obliterated every attack from the Beast of Salvation. As they closed in, the colossal construct was finally overwhelmed.
"No… this can't be!!!"
The Susanoo armor shattered under the relentless barrage. Isamu's voice was drowned out as the attack descended completely.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
A massive cloud of dust erupted, marking Hashirama's complete victory in that exchange.
As the dust slowly settled, the Nine-Tails reappeared—but it had shrunk back to its original size. The Susanoo armor was gone.
And Isamu… had vanished.
Moments later, his figure appeared at the center of a massive crater.
He lay there, staring upward in disbelief.
"I… actually lost… Even the Beast of Salvation… lost to Hashirama…"
"Pfft—!"
He coughed up blood, clutching his chest in pain.
"This time… I really messed up… Half my ribs are broken… damn it…"
On the other side, Hashirama knew the battle wasn't over yet.
Seeing the Nine-Tails alone, he moved in to capture it once more.
The Great Buddha extended its massive hand.
At that moment, Isamu's eyes sharpened.
"You still think you can take my Nine-Tails? Dream on!"
He quickly formed hand seals.
"Summoning Technique—Release!"
With a puff of smoke, the Nine-Tails vanished.
Feeling it return safely, Isamu let out a quiet breath of relief. He still needed it for the Ten-Tails—he couldn't afford to lose it here.
With the Nine-Tails gone and his power exhausted, the Great Buddha collapsed.
BOOM!
The impact scattered the remaining dust.
As the battlefield cleared, Isamu's battered figure stood revealed—bleeding, barely holding himself upright.
Across the battlefield, the Shinobi Allied Forces erupted in cheers.
"We won! Uchiha Isamu can't fight anymore!"
"Finally… after everything, we actually won!"
"It's over!"
In contrast, the Uchiha Clan members stood frozen in despair.
They had believed their leader was invincible.
Yet even he… had fallen.
Inside the cave, Uchiha Madara watched in silence.
"The Beast of Salvation… defeated again…"
A bitter smile formed.
"Is this fate? Must the Uchiha always lose to Hashirama… even across generations?"
For once, doubt crept into his heart.
Beside him, White Zetsu unexpectedly spoke:
"Madara-sama, don't lose hope. With the Rinnegan, once your plan succeeds, defeating Hashirama will be certain."
Madara didn't respond.
His gaze remained fixed on Isamu.
A sharp pain suddenly gripped his chest.
"…So this is what it feels like…"
He pressed his hand against his heart.
"I thought I'd never feel this again…"
Watching his son gravely injured… it reminded him of losing Izuna all over again.
That same helplessness returned.
Back on the battlefield, Isamu suddenly felt something.
He turned his head toward the distant White Zetsu observing him.
Heh… old man… you felt it too, didn't you?
Even in defeat, his eyes still burned with defiance.
I lost this round… but I'm not done yet.
The observing White Zetsu shivered.
Why is he still staring at me like that…?
No way… I'm not getting involved in this. If Hashirama notices me, I'm dead.
Meanwhile, Senju Hashirama approached slowly.
He wasn't rushing to kill him.
He still believed—
That Isamu could be different from Madara.
Seeing him approach, Isamu straightened his back despite the pain.
Even if he had lost…
He would not lose his pride.
No matter what happens… I won't let him look down on me.