Emiya Shigen agreed.
Under Tobirama Senju's moral pressure, Emiya Shigen had little choice but to go along with the plan—especially since Tobirama's arrangement worked to his advantage.
After all…
Setting aside Black Zetsu's interference, the two young shinobi accompanying him were destined for extraordinary futures.
Emiya Shigen's gaze swept over the two boys before him, particularly mindful of how their futures were intricately tied to the contingencies he had set up long in advance.
"Looking forward to working with you," said a cheerful Sarutobi Hiruzen, beaming with enthusiasm.
"…Looking forward to it," Shimura Danzō replied stiffly, his face incapable of forming a proper smile.
"Let's get ready, then," Emiya Shigen said with a faint, compassionate smile. He gently patted Hiruzen on the head like an elder guiding a child. "Come with me to pick up some supplies in the village today. We'll leave tomorrow."
"Yes!" the two boys responded quickly.
As Emiya Shigen led the boys away, Hashirama Senju watched his departing figure with reluctance in his eyes.
"What a shame…" Hashirama sighed. "I didn't think the time for parting would come so soon."
"It's only a temporary separation," Tobirama Senju replied, his tone turning colder as he brought up another pressing matter. "There's something else we need to discuss, big brother…"
"What is it?"
"It's about Uchiha Madara."
Tobirama narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening dangerously. "If my predictions are correct, once Madara hears that Lord Emiya has left Konoha, he'll try to meet him."
"…" Hashirama fell silent.
"This is an opportunity for us," Tobirama continued, unconcerned by his brother's lingering friendship with Madara. His voice grew sharper as he explained, "We've been secretly searching for Madara's whereabouts for a long time but haven't found him. We know, however, that he's lurking somewhere in the shinobi world, waiting for the right moment."
"And now…"
"This is his moment."
"If Lord Emiya heals Madara's blinded Sharingan, that man will regain the confidence and power to attack Konoha."
"…" Hashirama remained silent, deep in thought.
"Big brother," Tobirama pressed, his voice heavy with urgency. "We can't miss this chance. If we don't eliminate Madara now, he will destroy Konoha sooner or later. After your last battle with him, his hatred for Konoha has only grown stronger."
"I understand," Hashirama finally said, letting out a long sigh. Deep down, he had already accepted his brother's reasoning. "Don't worry. This time, I won't let Madara escape."
"However…"
Hashirama hesitated, his face clouded with displeasure. "This feels like we're using Lord Emiya…"
"For Konoha, this is a necessary step," Tobirama replied, his voice firm and persuasive. "Big brother, do you really want someone like Madara to deceive Lord Emiya?"
"…" Hashirama looked away, guilt washing over him.
If Madara truly manipulated Emiya Shigen, it would only deepen Hashirama's shame, considering how indebted he already felt to Shigen.
"Alright," Hashirama said at last, his reservations finally put to rest.
The next day.
At the entrance of Konoha.
A crowd gathered to bid farewell.
Notably absent, however, was the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
Tobirama explained his brother's absence by saying that Hashirama couldn't bear the pain of parting and had chosen not to show up.
But this excuse…
Seemed rather flimsy.
Even though Hashirama was known for his emotional nature, he was never one to shy away from challenges. Avoiding a simple farewell? That didn't seem like him.
Not that anyone dwelled on it for too long.
After all, the main focus was on Emiya Shigen and the two young shinobi accompanying him.
"Hiruzen," Sarutobi Sasuke said, placing a firm hand on his son's shoulder. "You must take good care of Lord Emiya. Make sure nothing goes wrong."
"Don't worry!" Hiruzen replied confidently, puffing out his chest.
"You don't need to worry," Emiya Shigen interjected, his face radiating kindness. Smiling like a benevolent elder, he reassured Sarutobi Sasuke and the others, "I'll look after these two youngsters."
"My apologies," Sarutobi Sasuke said sheepishly, scratching his head with an awkward laugh.
"…"
Tobirama didn't say much, his stern gaze fixed on Hiruzen and Danzō. He silently willed the two boys to carry out his plans without fail.
Compared to the situation with Emiya Shigen…
It was another individual who occupied Tobirama's thoughts.
Outside Konoha.
Hashirama Senju stood atop a tree, fully armed in his red battle armor and carrying a massive sealing scroll on his back. His gaze was fixed on the village gate in the distance.
Nearby, a team of Anbu ninjas stood silently atop neighboring trees.
These Anbu had two critical tasks.
The first was to assist the First Hokage in locating Uchiha Madara. The second was to secretly eliminate any shinobi from other villages who tried to approach Emiya Shigen.
But the first task was the priority.
Uchiha Madara remained Konoha's greatest threat.
The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.
No…
Perhaps the cicada had long since noticed the mantis's presence.
Uchiha Madara had been hiding near Konoha all along.
He was waiting for the right opportunity to meet Emiya Shigen, hoping to persuade him to join his side and uncover secrets from the ancient era.
So when Hashirama and the Anbu mobilized, Madara immediately sensed their presence. He concealed himself, carefully observing the group from the shadows.
Under a massive tree at the edge of the forest…
Madara leaned lazily against the trunk, his cold gaze fixed on the distant Konoha ninjas and their leader, Hashirama. It was as though he had anticipated their every move.
"Hmph…"
"This sort of deployment…"
"Hashirama…"
"This doesn't seem like your style," Madara muttered to himself, his tone dripping with disdain. "It must be that conniving Tobirama. He must've figured out my plan to meet the great Emiya Shigen, so he sent you to ambush me, didn't he?"
If this were Hashirama's doing…
Madara knew his old friend well enough to be certain that Hashirama would've come alone if he intended to kill him. He wouldn't have brought a group of Anbu.
Just as Tobirama believed he understood Madara's true nature, Madara was equally familiar with Tobirama's cunning tactics. He knew this was all orchestrated by Tobirama.
"What a shame…"
A gentle breeze blew through Madara's hair, revealing his blind, pale-gray eye hidden beneath the unruly strands. The sight of it added an eerie intensity to his presence.
It was unfortunate.
Madara knew he couldn't fight Hashirama now.
Even with the cells he had transplanted from Hashirama, which granted him Wood Release and powerful regenerative abilities, he stood little chance without his other Sharingan. He would likely be killed outright.
"So then…"
"I'll use a little trick," Madara said, raising his fingers to form a hand sign. A chilling gleam flickered in his one remaining eye. "Hashirama, during our last fight, your Wood Clone deceived my eyes. Let's see if you can see through mine this time…"
With a series of hand signs, the tree behind him began to grow. From its trunk, a wooden clone emerged, identical to Madara in appearance and radiating a cold, murderous intent.
"Go," Madara commanded. "Keep Hashirama away from the man I need to meet."
As his wooden clone vanished into the forest, Madara leaned back against the tree, his expression growing contemplative.
"Now comes the real challenge…"
"How do I persuade that man?"
Madara frowned, knowing he couldn't resort to violence. Emiya Shigen was no ordinary opponent—he had already learned that the hard way.
During their last encounter, Madara had attempted to subdue Shigen with genjutsu, only to have his mind utterly overwhelmed by Shigen's divine-like spiritual energy. The resulting backlash was more devastating than anything he'd ever experienced.
Convincing Emiya Shigen through words alone would be no easier.
Madara was acutely aware of his own shortcomings. He had never been skilled at persuasion; he was more accustomed to being the one on the receiving end of impassioned speeches.
As his gaze drifted toward the village gate, he caught sight of Emiya Shigen leaving Konoha with two young shinobi by his side.
"Guess I'll have to try deception…" Madara murmured.