Uchiha Madara departed with remarkable ease.
At this moment, Madara truly felt free—he had discovered his path, a road significant enough for him to cast aside all remnants of the past.
However...
The mood among the Konoha shinobi was far from good.
Take, for instance, the two young boys who had been shaken by Madara's presence. For Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo, this encounter was the closest they had ever come to death.
Even as Emiya Shigen untied the ropes binding their bodies, he could still see their limbs trembling with fear.
"Today's events…"
"…must be reported to Lord Hokage," Hiruzen said, slowly regaining his composure.
The young boy recalled how his father, Sarutobi Sasuke, had been severely injured by Uchiha Madara in the past. He now fully understood why his father had been defeated.
In front of that man…
Even the idea of staying calm was a luxury.
Madara didn't need to release any chakra or display any aura—just his presence alone was enough to unsettle the heart.
Let alone fighting him under such pressure.
"We…"
"…should return to the village…"
"…and report everything to Lord Tobirama," Danzo stammered, still shaken.
Although he tried to act composed, it was obvious he was rattled. His trembling hands, barely able to grip his ninja blade, betrayed his internal struggle.
This reaction wasn't surprising.
Konoha's shinobi had always feared Madara.
Even when Madara was one of the founders of Konoha, children in the village were terrified of his perpetually stern and cold face. And now, as Konoha's most formidable enemy—a man even the First Hokage couldn't kill—his mere image had become synonymous with dread.
After losing an eye…
Madara's appearance became even more fearsome.
"You don't need to worry too much," Shigen said casually, trying to soothe the boys. His gaze drifted into the distance. "If I'm not mistaken, the Konoha shinobi should be arriving here soon."
As Shigen spoke, it was as if he were oblivious to the fact that Senju Hashirama and a group of Konoha ANBU had been covertly following them. He sighed lightly. "Madara told me there's been a team of Konoha shinobi shadowing us since we left the village."
"!!!"
Danzo's heart skipped a beat, his nerves tightening once more.
This was bad…
Lord Tobirama's plan had been discovered!
How were they supposed to continue their mission now?
Wait…
Did this mean Madara hadn't killed the ANBU?
If so, why hadn't the ANBU continued to follow them? Could it be that their presence had been neutralized, or had Madara simply allowed them to live?
Even without Madara, this mission was bound to be dangerous. Small villages like Takigakure had already sent shinobi to attack them, and Shigen, despite being a renowned medical ninja, didn't seem to possess formidable combat prowess. After all, Takigakure's ninja had pierced his chest with a single strike.
Now Danzo was stuck with a dilemma: should he stay or leave?
He feared for his life if he stayed but didn't want to appear cowardly by retreating to the village.
Fortunately, Danzo didn't have to make the decision himself.
Senju Hashirama arrived with a team of ANBU, cutting short any debate. Danzo could only stand silently, waiting for orders.
When Hashirama saw that Shigen and the two young boys were unharmed, he finally relaxed.
But his relief was short-lived.
When Hashirama heard from the two boys that Madara had indeed been here and had even made a promise not to wage war for now, his expression grew serious once again.
"He said he wouldn't wage war for now?"
Hashirama couldn't make sense of Madara's words.
Although he was glad that Madara was willing to maintain peace for the time being, it seemed like Madara's intention was only to delay the inevitable.
"This temporary peace…"
"…is likely until his eye fully recovers," Shigen interjected, speaking frankly. "Madara's blind eye still needs some time to regain its sight."
"That's… not good," Hashirama muttered, his heart once again weighed down by worry.
If Madara's eyes recovered, he would regain his peak power—or even surpass it, especially with the addition of his newfound Wood Release abilities.
At that point, if Madara reignited the flames of war against Konoha…
Even without the Nine Tails at his side, Hashirama knew just how dangerous Madara could be.
"You don't need to worry…"
Shigen noticed Hashirama's unease and tried to console him. "The situation isn't as dire as it seems."
"Oh?"
Hashirama's anxiety lessened slightly.
"Relax," Shigen said, patting Hashirama on the shoulder. "For that blind eye to fully recover… it'll take at least another twenty years."
"…"
Hashirama's hopeful expression immediately crumbled.
This wasn't comforting at all!
In fact, it only deepened his concerns about the future of Konoha!
Hashirama had hoped for a concrete solution, but all he got was reassurance about events decades away.
How could he not worry?
Hashirama was well aware of the current state of powerful shinobi in the world. Once he passed away in ten years' time, there might not be anyone left capable of stopping Madara.
"I'll go track Madara," Hashirama said, pressing his palm to his forehead. His fingers dug into his hair as he wrestled with the weight of Konoha's future. "No matter what, I have to find him and stop him within the next ten years."
This was his only option.
Hashirama trusted his successors to protect Konoha.
But Madara…
Madara was a threat only Hashirama could handle.
And so, the First Hokage resolved to spend his remaining years hunting down his old friend, determined to prevent him from reigniting the fires of war.
"We'll return to Konoha first," Hashirama declared, preparing to discuss his departure with Tobirama.
He turned to the two boys, Hiruzen and Danzo.
Shigen's gaze also fell upon them. "I thought this era would at least show some respect for medical ninjas. But it seems that shinobi today act without any regard. I fear the journey ahead will be fraught with danger…"
"I'll become stronger to protect Lord Shigen!" Hiruzen said, brimming with youthful energy. He nudged Danzo with his elbow. "Right, Danzo? You're not going back with Lord Hokage, are you?"
"You don't need to tell me!"
Danzo snapped back, his face flushing with frustration. "I haven't even completed my mission! I'll become stronger too—to protect Lord Shigen!"
Though Danzo was still uncertain, he couldn't let Hiruzen make him look like a coward. If Hiruzen stayed, there was no way Danzo would retreat.
"They're such good kids…"
Hashirama ruffled their hair with a smile, but his tone turned serious as he addressed Shigen. "I'll leave these two boys in your care…"
"For ten years," Shigen replied, nodding. "If I don't find a way to extend your life within that time, I'll personally bring them back to Konoha."
Thus, the ten-year promise was made.
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Powerstones?
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