---
Madara POV
That dense chakra surge of fire nature—is it the Third Hokage dealing with Takigakure? It seems he isn't half bad.
Let's see whether you can dance, Hokage, Madara thought, amused by the unexpected power display.
His amusement soon shifted to seriousness as he muttered, "It seems he has sensed my presence—not bad, Hokage."
Without hesitation, Madara sped up, his Sharingan glinting dangerously. After a few moments, he noticed the chakra signature vanish.
His brow furrowed. Is he fleeing from me? he wondered, but nonetheless increased his speed.
Ten minutes later, he reached a plateau, where an imposing figure awaited him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat calmly on a throne made of crystal, a regal presence in his white, tree-patterned kimono.
His long hair flowed gently behind him, and despite his youthful appearance, an air of wisdom and immense power surrounded him.
Resting his chin on his fist, he smiled as though he had anticipated Madara's arrival.
Madara's lips curled slightly in amusement. "So, you didn't flee after all, Hokage. I admire your courage."
Hiruzen seated, his gaze steady.
"I was wondering whose chakra presence it was. It turns out to be the legendary Uchiha Madara. Should I be flattered by your visit, or perhaps ask how you're still alive after being killed by the First Hokage?"
Madara chuckled, clearly entertained by Hiruzen's boldness.
"You don't fear me, Sarutobi Hiruzen. It seems you've grown quite strong during your tenure as Hokage. I never expected a nameless man to rise to such heights."
Hiruzen smiled faintly. "I'll take that as a compliment, coming from you, Uchiha Madara—someone who recognizes true strength."
"Indeed," Madara acknowledged. "I am a man who always respects power."
Hiruzen's expression became serious. "Why are you here, then? If you've remained hidden for so long, why reveal yourself now?"
Madara's eyes gleamed with intent. "You are a threat to my plan for world peace. That's why your time has come."
"Oh, I see," Hiruzen replied thoughtfully. "And what kind of plan are we talking about? surely you who attacked konoha 3 times wouldn't justify that as peace seeking would you?"
"No," Madara admitted, "my plan is different now. What Hashirama failed to accomplish, I will finish. Had you been an ordinary Kage, I wouldn't have bothered. But you've crossed a threshold, and now I must act."
Suddenly, Madara's aura surged, and waves of dense blue chakra erupted around him, flattening the ground. "Enough talk—it's time for you to die."
---
Hiruzen's POV
As Hiruzen remained seated on his crystal throne, he carefully observed Madara's approach.
The elderly Uchiha, came into view, standing against the backdrop of the ocean. He wore a black kimono, his white hair flowing, and his wrinkled face showing the effects of time.Yet, despite his age, he radiated a presence that Hiruzen had only felt during the legendary battle at the Valley of the End. However, the pressure now seemed even greater.
He's stronger than I anticipated, Hiruzen thought. There's no sign of Zetsu, and the space isn't locked. Why is that?
He continued to analyze the situation as Madara's chakra flared. The sheer density of it was overwhelming, but Hiruzen remained unfazed.
Rinnegan has the property of seven chakra nature changes, and the sheer density of his chakra... I must say, few understand that the more types of nature transformation you master, the denser and more powerful your chakra becomes. My chakra density is already beyond all the tail beasts. I can even materialize chakra and impact the surroundings with it. It seems his life level is at the third or even fourth stage. Mine is only at the third due to not realizing Yin-Yang nature transformation. Rinnegan is like a cheat that boosts life levels by at least two stages. Truly enviable, the Uchiha and Senju clans. If I didn't have the talent of comprehension, creation, and assimilation, I couldn't match them at all.(A/N: First level is mastering all five chakra nature transformation, Second level is mastering seven chakra nature transformation or Kekei Genkai, Third is pushing chakra nature changes to absolute limits or Kekei Tota, Fourth level is mastering yin-yang chakra nature transformation. Fifth level is mastering Kekei Mora also know as Bloodline Harvesting or Bloodline Gathering.)As the chakra wave neared, Hiruzen felt its heaviness but didn't falter. Standing up, he stepped forward, and the crystal throne behind him cracked under the pressure of Madara's chakra. "I see, so you believe you can defeat me. Well then, let's see if you still amount to anything in your old age," Hiruzen said, his tone calm yet firm.Releasing his own chakra, Hiruzen's aura erupted with black and red waves, cracking the ground within a hundred-meter radius.
The collision of their chakras created a powerful shockwave that rippled across the plateau.
Madara's expression shifted slightly. "You are powerful—very powerful. I can say with certainty that Hashirama's chakra didn't have this intensity. Have you mastered all seven chakra natures?"
Hiruzen replied with a confident smile. "Yes. While clans like the Uchiha, Senju, Uzumaki, and Hyuga are born with extraordinary bloodlines and kekkei genkai, we ordinary ninja can't match them in that way. So, I pushed the limits of chakra and ninjutsu to the ultimate level—a level this world has never seen and perhaps never will. In sixteen years as Hokage, I didn't focus much on Konoha's governance but instead pushed ninjutsu to its ultimate limits, creating more than 10,000 jutsus. I can say that no one in this world will match me in ninjutsu, not even the Sage of Six Paths himself, because I will break the limits of ninjutsu and chakra to an unparalleled domain."As he finished his words, his rising momentum turned into a domain. His aura surged, and the sky itself seemed to split as clouds were torn apart by his black and red chakra waves, akin to a conqueror's haki burst.Madara, visibly impressed, smiled for the first time.
"Well said, Hiruzen Sarutobi. You've surpassed almost every ninja in this world, and your ambition is remarkable.
No one before has truly sought to push ninjutsu to such an extreme. Let's see if your strength is as great as your words."
Madara began walking toward Hiruzen, then picked up his pace, breaking into a run. Hiruzen also charged forward as well. As they clashed, a fierce hand-to-hand battle ensued.Hiruzen's movements were extremely fast, almost blurring. He began gaining the upper hand, landing blow after blow.
Even as Madara found himself at a disadvantage, his Sharingan kept up with Hiruzen's movements.
"Your taijutsu is unique," Madara commented as he deflected another strike. "Is it a new style you developed?"
Hiruzen replied, "Yes. This is the Shadow Limitless Style—limitless arts derived by myself. It incorporates techniques from the Senju, Uchiha, Uzumaki, Hyuga, and even Kumogakure and Kirigakure, especially the Four-Finger Nukite and Hell Stab of Kumo along with all of Konoha clans. It has already surpassed the level of S-rank taijutsu, reaching SS-rank."Madara, intrigued, asked, "Very impressive indeed. And what is this SS-rank you speak of?"
"It's a classification I use for techniques that surpass traditional ranks." Backing up ten steps, Hiruzen explained. "Just like you and the First Hokage were more powerful than all five Kage combined, breaking the boundary of Kage-level shinobi. I call such individuals Super Kage-level, or SS-rank shinobi. The same applies to these arts."Madara nodded thoughtfully. "An interesting classification. And who would fall under this category?"
"You, the First Hokage, Lady Mito, myself, the Third Raikage—who could battle the Eight-Tails single-handedly—and Tobirama Senju, master of forbidden jutsu."
Madara pondered this information before nodding in agreement. "Your classification is well-deserved. Is there a level beyond SS-rank?"
"Yes," Hiruzen replied. "I call it SSS-rank or Six Paths Level."
Madara's eyebrows raised in curiosity. "The Sage of Six Paths—isn't he a myth?"Hiruzen, smiling knowingly, replied to Madara's inquiry,"How can he be a myth? The Sage of Six Paths lived a thousand years ago. The four old families of Konoha have thousand years of heritage and even the Sage's tools still exist. How could he be a myth? I'm someone who believes in history. Just because no one has reached that level doesn't mean it doesn't exist. I, on the other hand, not only believe in it but strive to reach that level. That's why I dislike war and governance. If I weren't Hokage, I would have had to follow orders and wouldn't have had the time to study ninjutsu. That's why I dealt with the four villages—so I can have more than ten years of peace to study."Madara was intrigued by Hiruzen's pursuit of knowledge and power. If he truly seeks such heights, perhaps he could aid me in achieving Infinite Tsukuyomi.
"I acknowledge your dream, Hiruzen," Madara said, his tone genuine.
"I offer you a chance to join me in creating a peaceful world where you can pursue your ambitions without interruption. No more wars, only time for your studies."
---