After dealing with Black Zetsu, Takuya used Kamui to return to the ninja world. Madara was still waiting patiently. The moment Takuya appeared, Madara approached him.
"Takuya, how do you know all of this?" Despite knowing that Senju Takuya likely wouldn't tell him, Madara couldn't help but ask. He had always believed he understood everything about the ninja world, that he was the one pulling the strings. But now, compared to Takuya, he felt like a mere pawn. Even he had been manipulated by forces beyond his control.
"Madara, how I know isn't something you need to worry about," Takuya replied coolly.
Madara nodded silently, having expected such a response.
"Kid, can I ask you for a favor?" Madara's tone was unusually solemn.
"What is it?" Takuya asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Show me the current state of the ninja world," Uchiha Madara requested.
Now that he knew the goals he'd strived for were built on lies, Madara no longer sought to achieve peace through the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Instead, he wanted to witness the ninja world under Senju Takuya's rule. He was curious about what kind of peace someone as knowledgeable as Takuya had created.
"That can be arranged," Takuya agreed without hesitation.
"Husband, are you sure it's wise to indulge someone as dangerous as him?" Konan whispered from the side. After all, this was Uchiha Madara—one of the most feared men from the Warring States period. Even if he claimed to have abandoned his plans, there was no guarantee he wouldn't cause trouble in the future.
"Don't worry," Takuya assured her confidently. "As long as I'm here, Madara can't change anything."
Though Madara wielded the Rinnegan and Wood Release, putting him at the peak of power, there was still a vast gap between them—a gap that would only widen as Takuya continued to grow stronger. If Madara attempted anything, Takuya wouldn't hesitate to crush him.
Besides, with Orochimaru's research progressing, abilities like the Rinnegan and Wood Release would soon become standard among elite ninja.
"Girl, I'm truly sorry about Nagato. Once I've seen the current state of the world, I'll return these Rinnegan to him," Madara said softly, glancing at Nagato's lifeless body on the ground.
Now that the Infinite Tsukuyomi had been exposed as a lie, these eyes held no further use for him.
"Keep them, then. They were yours to begin with," Konan replied coldly, picking up Nagato's body.
"Husband, I need to take Nagato back," Konan said to Takuya.
"I understand," Takuya nodded.
With Madara no longer a threat and Black Zetsu trapped in a different dimension, Takuya wasn't concerned about Konan's safety.
"I'm leaving," Konan said, using her Paper Jutsu to lift Nagato's body as she flew towards the east.
"Madara, let's go," Takuya said calmly, watching Konan disappear from view.
"Senju brat, can I ask you for one more favor?" Madara asked again.
"Why not just ask everything at once?" Takuya said, a bit exasperated.
"Can you help me resurrect someone?" Madara's voice was firm.
"Who?" Takuya raised an eyebrow.
"Senju Hashirama," Madara stated without hesitation.
"Hashirama? You two... don't tell me..." Takuya was taken aback.
"It's not what you think. I just want Hashirama to see the world as it is now. Back then, we never finished our fight. He always believed I was wrong. Now, I want to show him that we were both wrong," Madara explained.
After all the years of suffering and fighting, the competition with Hashirama had been his driving force. Now that he had failed, it turned out Hashirama's ideals hadn't held up either. What was the point of living if Hashirama wasn't around to witness it?
"Fine. But I can only bring him back temporarily through the Impure World Reincarnation," Takuya said, his tone indifferent. The life force needed to fully resurrect Senju Hashirama was immense. While Takuya could do it, he saw no reason to go to such lengths.
"That's good enough," Madara agreed without hesitation.
Takuya found a nearby White Zetsu and used it as a sacrifice to perform the Reanimation Jutsu. A man clad in Sengoku-era armor slowly materialized. The next moment, the man opened his eyes.
"Where am I? Did someone summon me from the Pure Land? Is it Tobirama? No... this chakra feels different. Wait... Madara?!" Senju Hashirama exclaimed upon seeing Uchiha Madara in front of him.
Madara's face broke into a rare smile. "Hashirama!"
"Madara!"
"Hashirama!"
"Madara!"
Watching the overly dramatic reunion, Takuya couldn't help but feel speechless. The two of them were acting as if they were long-lost lovers.
Just as Madara's excitement peaked, Hashirama suddenly stopped and frowned. "Madara, why are you still alive? And your eyes... why do they look so... ugly?" Hashirama remarked, unimpressed.
"Hashirama, you're still the same. Did you really think I'd die by your hand? Keep dreaming," Madara scoffed, eager to recount the intricacies of his grand plan.
"Madara, I'm not in the mood for your stories right now," Hashirama cut him off, turning his attention to Takuya. "Young man, you brought me back from the Pure Land, right? Can you tell me what's happened?"
Hashirama looked at Takuya. Though he was excited to see Madara again, he needed to understand why the young man before him had resurrected him using the Impure World Reincarnation technique.
"Madara asked me to resurrect you, so I agreed," Takuya replied calmly.
"What?!" Hashirama stared at Takuya in disbelief. Madara, asking for help? It sounded like a joke. He glanced at Madara, who snorted arrogantly, his head held high. Seeing this, Hashirama knew Takuya was telling the truth. He was too familiar with Madara—denial from someone as prideful as him was as good as an admission.
Hashirama sighed deeply. If Madara had him resurrected for revenge against Konoha, the village could be in serious danger. He turned to Madara and spoke slowly.
"Madara, what's your purpose in bringing me back this time?"
"No specific purpose," Madara replied coldly, his arms crossed. "I just want you to come with me to Konoha and see the ninja world as it is now."
Hashirama sighed again. This was typical Madara—unchanged and just as stubborn as ever.
"Hey, what are you mumbling about? I didn't mean anything else," Madara said, noticing Hashirama talking to himself.
But Hashirama seemed not to hear him, lost in his own thoughts.
"Has the world improved?" Hashirama asked, turning his attention to Takuya. "Young man, I have to say, you're quite the genius. This level of improvement is remarkable. If my brother Tobirama were here, he'd be even more impressed. Madara, you really went to great lengths to find such a talent."But don't think you can use this technique to make me an enemy of Konoha."
Madara's anger grew as Hashirama's words became more and more off-topic. "Hey, have you been ignoring me this whole time? Didn't you hear what I said?" Madara shouted, his frustration boiling over.
"Madara, the Impure World Reincarnation may have been improved, allowing me to exert my full power as I did in life, but it also comes with great risks. With my strength, a mere forbidden technique can't control me. I'll stop you again if I have to," Hashirama declared coldly.
He could feel it—after this resurrection, he possessed all the power he had in life. Breaking free from the Impure World Reincarnation should have been simple for him.
Hashirama's chakra flared, and with a single step, the ground cracked and shattered like a spider web. A powerful wind whipped up around him.
Takuya made no move to stop him. He had cast a perfected version of the Impure World Reincarnation, far superior to the original. Not only did it allow the resurrected to use their full strength, but its control was also unbreakable. Even with Hashirama's immortality and limitless chakra, there was no way he could break free.
Just as Takuya had expected, Hashirama soon felt something was wrong. "What? Why?" Hashirama realized that his body's power was beyond his control. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't break free from the technique's grasp.
"Hashirama, don't waste your energy. With him controlling it, there's no way you can break free," Madara laughed, seeing Hashirama's futile struggle. Madara had already recognized Takuya's power, a force comparable to the Sage of Six Paths. Against such power, even he and Hashirama were powerless.
"Madara, someone like you, praising others? This young man must be truly terrifying!" Hashirama said in surprise, his open-minded nature showing as he accepted his situation without further resistance.
Madara rolled his eyes. "Of course, he's terrifying! Why else would I ask for his help?"
"But, young man, if you already possess such power, why aid Madara in destroying Konoha?" Hashirama asked, genuinely confused. With such strength, there should be no need to summon him.
"Hashirama-senpai, we have no intention of destroying Konoha," Takuya clarified.
"Ha? You don't plan to destroy it?" Hashirama asked, surprised.
"That's what I've been saying... You have been ignoring me this whole time!" Madara grumbled in annoyance.
"Hahahaha... is that so?" Hashirama laughed heartily, holding his waist.
"Idiot," Madara muttered through gritted teeth. Even after all these years, Hashirama was still the same, ignoring him and treating everything with a carefree attitude. It was infuriating!
"Alright, since you don't plan to destroy Konoha, tell me, Madara, what made you change your mind? I remember you as an incredibly stubborn person," Hashirama asked, focusing on Madara.
"Alas... Hashirama, I was wrong. It was all a conspiracy," Madara said, his voice tinged with sadness. After decades of striving towards his goal, discovering it was all for nothing was a heavy blow.
"That's more like it. I've been telling you for years that your idea was flawed, but you never listened," Hashirama smiled gently.
"Snort! Don't get too smug. Turns out your idea was wrong too. That's why I used the Impure World Reincarnation to bring you back—to make you see the truth," Madara retorted coldly.
"I see... I'm also curious to see how the ninja world has changed since my time," Hashirama said, rubbing his head thoughtfully before turning to Takuya. "By the way, young man, who exactly are you?"
Takuya couldn't help but feel exasperated. All this time, and only now did Hashirama think to ask who he was.
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