Just a day had passed since the alliance agreement between Senju and Kaguya was signed. Unlike Izuna's earlier raid on the Uzumaki, this time, Senju Hashirama had quickly returned to the Land of Whirlpools with the assistance of Senju Tobirama's Flying Thunder God Technique.
However, after completing the negotiations, he had decided to stay the night in a nearby town, intending to resume the journey back to the Senju clan the following morning.
As dusk fell, Hashirama found a random inn and settled in for the evening. Just as he began to relax, a sharp knock on his door broke the stillness, accompanied by a voice full of urgency.
"Clan leader! Something terrible has happened!"
Hashirama leapt from his bed and opened the door to find his subordinates standing with a Kaguya ninja clad in white, his hair tied back at the sides—a distinct trait of the Kaguya clan.
"Who is this?" Hashirama asked, his brows furrowing.
The Kaguya ninja introduced himself, "Clan leader Hashirama, I am Kaguya Take Hikari, a special jounin from the Kaguya clan. I am here to seek your assistance!"
"Assistance?" Hashirama's expression grew serious. "What happened?"
Kaguya Take Hikari quickly recounted how Uchiha Madara, accompanied by ten Uchiha jonin, had launched a surprise attack on Kaguya Village early that morning.
"What!?" Hashirama's face darkened. "He dared to attack Kaguya Village with just ten people?"
Realizing who they were talking about, Hashirama shook his head and let out a bitter laugh. "No, of course, Madara would do such a thing."
Hashirama immediately understood the reasoning behind Madara's actions. Still, even with his insight, he couldn't help but feel shocked by the audacity.
"Although I don't think Uchiha Madara can destroy our clan, we fear the heavy losses he might cause. Please, Clan Leader Hashirama, we need your help!" Kaguya Take Hikari pleaded.
Hashirama nodded resolutely. "I understand. I will leave at once."
One of the Senju ninjas asked, "Shall we gather our forces, clan leader?"
"No, you wouldn't be able to keep up with me," Hashirama replied. "I will head to Kaguya Village immediately. Follow as quickly as you can."
Understanding the urgency, the Senju ninjas could only watch as Hashirama vanished into the distance, his form a mere afterimage.
Night had fallen, but the flames engulfing Kaguya Village painted the skies red.
The village lay in ruins, and the once-proud clan found itself on the brink of collapse.
Amid the chaos, an Uchiha jonin fell to the ground, pierced by three Kaguya ninjas' bone spears. His body hit the dirt, lifeless. Having already used Izanagi twice, he had exhausted his final chance at survival.
In the heart of the destruction, Madara stood hunched over. His armor was in tatters, and his chakra reserves were dangerously low. His sage mode and Susanoo had long since dissipated, leaving him exposed.
The soreness and swelling in his eyes made it difficult to see beyond a few paces. Still, he remained defiant, a shadow of the once-proud leader who had charged into battle.
More than ten hours had passed since the attack began.
Kaguya Manro, bloodied and coughing, turned to a subordinate. "How many casualties have we suffered?"
The ninja hesitated before answering. "The exact number is unclear, but… more than 200 of our combatants are dead."
Manro's face twisted with rage and grief. With only 800 fighters in total, losing 200 was catastrophic—a devastating blow for a clan already small in size.
"Uchiha Madara!" Kaguya Manro roared. "I swear you will die here today!"
Despite his condition, Madara chuckled. "Hahaha! Does it hurt, old man? Don't worry, you'll be joining them soon enough!"
Kaguya Butori, leading a new wave of attackers, sneered. "Your arrogance will be your undoing."
Three remaining Uchiha jonin gathered around Madara, one of whom had lost an eye to Izanagi.
"Clan leader, we'll protect you at all costs!" one of them declared.
"Can you?" Kaguya Butori mocked.
The Kaguya ninja unleashed a flurry of Ten Finger Drilling Bullets, forcing the Uchiha to scramble to defend themselves.
"Cover the clan leader!" one of the jonin shouted as they intercepted the bone bullets. Despite their best efforts, some found their mark, piercing one of the Uchiha's bodies.
"Siege them!" Kaguya Butori ordered.
Hundreds of Kaguya ninjas closed in from all directions, weapons raised.
"Take the clan leader and go!" the one-eyed jonin yelled. Forming seals, he created a desperate opening as the other two hoisted Madara by his arms and leaped into the air.
A rain of bone spears followed, piercing through their bodies.
But in the next instant, all four figures disappeared, their bodies reduced to nothingness.
Izanagi.
A plume of smoke burst in the air as a summoned ninja eagle appeared, carrying Madara away.
Below, the one-eyed jonin remained, his body bloodied and broken. He turned to face the Kaguya ninjas, his blind eyes staring into the void.
"Even if I die, I'll make sure to drag some of you down with me," he said, his voice cold.
With his remaining strength, he unleashed a final attack.
"Chidori Stream!"
End of the Chapter.