White bone spikes shot through the air, gleaming with a cold, white light. Madara Uchiha's eyes widened in shock as he froze, staring blankly at the tall, familiar figure standing before him.
"Hashirama..."
Hashirama Senju had stepped in front of him, and there was a white bone spike piercing his chest, radiating an icy cold light—it was Kaguya's All-Killing Ash Bones.
"You fool," Madara's heart shook, and it took him a moment to regain his senses. He then raised his head and shouted angrily at Hashirama, "Who asked you to save me? Stop acting like a self-righteous hero."
"I'm sorry, Madara."
The sudden apology stopped Madara in his tracks, leaving him momentarily speechless.
"It's been so many years, and I've always regretted not trying harder back then," Hashirama said softly, a slight smile on his lips.
"Trying harder?" Madara was momentarily stunned.
"If I had tried harder back then, maybe I could have kept you here," Hashirama said, turning to smile at Madara.
"What a joke," Madara laughed, "You just want to preserve what you built. Besides, it was my choice to walk this path; it has nothing to do with you."
"I was too careless, not paying attention to how you felt," Hashirama lowered his head, speaking softly, "I'm sorry, Madara."
Madara raised an eyebrow, about to say something, but Hashirama interrupted him.
"My greatest regret is not that our dream of a peaceful world wasn't realized," Hashirama said with a gentle smile, "But that I couldn't bring you back, and that's what led you down this wrong path."
His body was gradually breaking down, large chunks of earth crumbling from him, falling to the ground and turning to dust.
"You bastard, don't act so sentimental. I don't need your help..." Madara's voice abruptly stopped. As he reached out to grab Hashirama's shoulder, he grasped only a handful of dirt. His pupils shrank as he realized Hashirama's form was dissolving.
"Why that expression? I'm just going back to the other world," Hashirama smiled, his face beginning to crumble. "Madara, don't rush over too soon. Live on to protect our world."
"Hashirama..." Madara's eyes widened in desperation as he stretched out his hand, trying to catch Hashirama's hand, but it had already turned to dust.
The gentle breeze whispered, carrying the dust into the air, swirling and dancing until it vanished into the horizon.
"What a meddlesome guy. Protect the world? What a joke," Madara gritted his teeth, clenching his fists, a flash of red flickering in his eyes as he gazed at the silver-haired girl in the distance.
"But you've made me angry now."
In a strange white space, two girls stood facing each other. If you looked closely, you would notice how similar they looked. Yet, no one would guess that these two were engaged in a life-and-death battle.
As Kaguya was about to be devoured by the silver-haired girl before her, her heart sank to the depths. Her mind raced, frantically searching for any means she could use, but after a moment, she was discouraged to realize that she was powerless.
Was this the end for her?
Just as despair was about to take over, a strange purple light emanated from Kaguya, halting the spread of the white light.
"Hmm?" For the first time, the silver-haired girl showed an expression of surprise. She seemed to recognize this purple light.
The purple light gradually spread, intertwining with the white light in a tug-of-war, each attempting to consume the other. For a moment, neither side could gain the upper hand.
Kaguya recognized this power—it was the Dragon Veins Chakra she had absorbed. She hadn't realized it had such a peculiar ability. It felt like a lifeline to her, and she desperately tried to harness the Dragon Veins Chakra within her, battling against the white energy trying to assimilate her.
For some reason, despite the vast amount of Dragon Vein Chakra within her, it felt dormant. No matter how much she tried, she could only mobilize a small fraction of it.
Upon seeing the purple light, the silver-haired girl's face turned frosty as if she had encountered her nemesis. The white energy pouring from her arm doubled, flooding into Kaguya's body like a torrent.
Kaguya's limited control over the purple energy was quickly overwhelmed. Under the intensified assault from the silver-haired girl, the white energy spread rapidly, soon reaching Kaguya's chest.
It seemed it wouldn't be long before Kaguya was consumed.
"Boom!"
Madara Uchiha was sent flying, blood streaming from his nose and mouth, crashing to the ground.
Evidently, his anger couldn't compensate for the gap in power. The difference in strength was too vast. Kaguya's Truth-Seeking Balls had rendered Madara powerless. Even Madara's Susanoo melted like butter under Kaguya's pale hands.
However, Madara had achieved his goal.
"Hurry!" Madara said with difficulty, his body covered in wounds. His limbs were broken, and his body was fractured in many places, twisted unnaturally, with blood soaking him.
"But..." Konan bit her lip, her expression conflicted as she hesitated.
"Hurry!" Madara shouted loudly.
"Don't worry," Black Zetsu's voice reached Konan's ears, "This won't kill Mother."
Hearing this, Konan paused briefly, then lowered her gaze, biting her lip and quickly weaving hand signs.
"Dance of the Shikigami: Paper Person of God Technique."