Hashirama, Do You Deserve to Become Someone Like Lord Shirou?

Madara Uchiha... had taken the bait, hadn't he?

Black Zetsu, hidden underground, felt somewhat lost.

Shirou Emiya's lie had been far too clumsy, making Black Zetsu's heart twist as it hid belowground. Yet Madara Uchiha still seemed to have fallen for it, just as expected.

In truth...

Madara Uchiha did not feel that he had been deceived at all.

He even felt that he had gained a huge advantage. He had obtained such crucial information from Shirou Emiya and seen hope for realizing his ideals!

"What do you intend to do?"

Shirou Emiya seemed to see through Madara Uchiha's thoughts and asked seriously, "After awakening the Rinnegan, do you intend to use that technique capable of remaking heaven and earth to change the world?"

"That is only natural."

Arrogance returned to Madara Uchiha's face, as though he had once again become that peerless, solitary shinobi. "If one knows the answer to a problem yet chooses to do nothing, that would be a disservice to one's own life..."

After saying that, Madara Uchiha looked at Shirou Emiya again, intending to invite him to join forces. He knew that if Shirou Emiya was willing to join him, he would undoubtedly become a powerful aid in the future!

Simply being able to guide the way...

Was enough to make Madara Uchiha want to invite Shirou Emiya!

After all, Shirou Emiya knew many secrets about the Sage of Six Paths. He would certainly be able to guide him in using the technique left behind by the Sage of Six Paths to change the world!

"Lord Shirou..."

Madara Uchiha sincerely intended to invite Shirou Emiya to act with him. "Do you not think this era is terrible enough already? Come with me and change the Shinobi World..."

"In the future, I will possess the Rinnegan..."

"And you possess the wisdom of the Ancient Era..."

Madara Uchiha extended a hand, a cold smile on his face. "As long as we work together, we will surely be able to lead this world back toward... Hm?"

Madara Uchiha frowned. He seemed to sense something unexpected, and the words he had been about to say came to an abrupt stop.

Far away.

Within a valley.

The valley was surrounded by Konoha Anbu shinobi.

Within the valley, Hashirama Senju swung a shinobi blade, slashing apart the expressionless Madara Uchiha before him, only to watch him turn into wood.

"This is... a Wood Clone..."

A bead of cold sweat appeared on Hashirama Senju's forehead.

That Wood Clone of Madara Uchiha's reminded him of their previous battle, when he had used an almost perfect Wood Clone to deceive Madara Uchiha and believed he had killed him.

Now...

Madara Uchiha's Wood Clone had toyed with him just as thoroughly.

No...

When had Madara awakened Wood Release?

As Hashirama Senju instinctively pondered just how much stronger Madara Uchiha would become after gaining Wood Release, he suddenly realized that now was not the time to dwell on a Wood Clone!

"This is bad... I've been tricked!"

"Madara is with Lord Shirou!"

Hashirama Senju immediately realized the problem!

He had been fooled!

Madara had used a Wood Clone to lure him here, while his true objective was to meet Shirou Emiya. It was a diversionary tactic to lure the tiger from the mountain!

Hashirama Senju no longer dared to linger. He loudly ordered every Anbu shinobi to turn back at once. They needed to return along the way they had come as quickly as possible and reach Shirou Emiya's side!

It was not only Shirou Emiya who might be in danger...

Konoha's two most outstanding young shinobi were there as well!

"Looks like Hashirama has discovered my plan..."

When his Wood Clone was killed, Madara Uchiha realized that Hashirama Senju would surely see through his scheme. He could not help sneering. "Your movements when killing me are still as sharp as ever, Hashirama..."

"A plan?"

Shirou Emiya frowned.

"A small diversionary scheme."

Madara Uchiha chuckled, mocking Konoha. "Did Lord Shirou not notice that someone has been secretly following you all this way?"

"That sinister wretch Tobirama Senju had long guessed that I wanted to meet Lord Shirou. He secretly had Hashirama lead a squad of Anbu to follow Lord Shirou the entire time. They turned Lord Shirou into a trap to lure me out!"

"Lord Shirou."

"Do not be blinded by their hypocritical words!"

Madara Uchiha spread his hands and once more solemnly invited Shirou Emiya. "Come with me and change this world!"

"..."

Shirou Emiya fell silent for a moment.

The great figure from the Ancient Era slowly looked into the distance, toward the two boys who had been bound, blindfolded, and had their ears blocked.

They were none other than the young Sarutobi Hiruzen and the young Danzo.

Though Shirou Emiya did not mind the two children listening in, Madara Uchiha cared greatly about the two little brats.

If he were not worried that killing people in front of Shirou Emiya would displease him, Madara Uchiha would not have minded killing them to keep the secret.

"Having accepted another's request..."

"I still wish to find the materials to treat Hashirama first."

Shirou Emiya sighed. He seemed to value his promise immensely as he said softly, "Before you obtain the Rinnegan, quite some time remains..."

"During that time..."

"Only Hashirama can maintain peace in this world."

"..."

Madara Uchiha was persuaded by Shirou Emiya's words.

That reason...

Was one even he could not refute.

Madara Uchiha had not even thought of refuting it.

Although Madara Uchiha believed he no longer cared about his old friendship with Hashirama Senju, he did not mind letting his fated rival live. He would prove before Hashirama Senju that his path of ideals was the correct one!

"Actually, you are not the first person to persuade me to join this era. But I have thought about it many times, and I believe every generation has its own story."

"Perhaps my story should have ended long ago."

Shirou Emiya's attitude was more serious than ever. A leaf floated in his hand, swaying in the wind.

"The only thing I can do now is become a faint breeze lingering on in this era. The strength of a faint breeze can only barely make the leaves of this era sway."

"Those who can truly change the world..."

"Will forever be the winds that can turn windmills..."

"Lord Shirou..."

"Truly, a person worthy of respect..."

Madara Uchiha looked at Shirou Emiya and let out a long, quiet breath.

He realized that he could not persuade Shirou Emiya, and he understood just how broad Shirou Emiya's heart was, and why humanity had called him great for a thousand years!

Shirou Emiya...

No amount of respect would be excessive for such a man.

Even Madara Uchiha, arrogant by nature, had no choice but to acknowledge his greatness.

"..."

Only Black Zetsu, hidden underground, felt somewhat miserable.

Black Zetsu seemed to understand now why, when Shirou Emiya had refused and hoped Madara Uchiha would carry out the Eye of the Moon Plan, he had held such thoughts in his heart.

"Hashirama is coming."

Madara Uchiha knew he could not remain any longer. He could only prepare to leave regretfully. "I can only come again in the future to listen to Your Excellency's wisdom..."

As he said this, Madara Uchiha's expression gradually turned serious. "I know Lord Shirou is not skilled at deception or concealment, but I still hope that everything we discussed today can be kept as secret as possible, especially matters concerning that technique..."

"I understand."

Shirou Emiya nodded at Madara Uchiha and sighed softly. "You and Hashirama Senju walk different paths, but the destination you seek is the same. Only the way you travel differs..."

"Perhaps..."

Madara Uchiha let out a disdainful snort.

Though Madara Uchiha's words sounded somewhat awkward, he deeply agreed with Shirou Emiya. He and Hashirama Senju merely used different methods in pursuit of peace.

Come to think of it...

Talking with such a great figure was rather comforting.

Whether it was the wisdom one could learn from Shirou Emiya's words, the secrets one could learn from Shirou Emiya's mouth, or even merely exchanging a few casual words, he could see through people's hearts so thoroughly.

Hmph...

That idiot Hashirama...

Madara Uchiha recalled his first meeting with Hashirama Senju.

Since childhood, Hashirama Senju had regarded Shirou Emiya as someone to admire. Yet later, he had claimed that Shirou Emiya's Ninja Way could not save the world. Clearly, that idiot's brain simply did not work properly!

That idiot...

Did he deserve to look down on Lord Shirou's Ninja Way?

That idiot could never become someone like Lord Shirou in his entire life!

"I shall take my leave first."

After Madara Uchiha spoke, his figure instantly appeared beside the two boys in the distance. He raised his hand and removed the black cloths covering Sarutobi Hiruzen and the young Danzo's heads.

"Madara!"

The young Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice was somewhat tense!

"..."

A trace of fear even appeared on young Danzo's face!

"Hmph..."

"Are these the children that idiot Hashirama wants to protect?"

Madara Uchiha contemptuously examined the two boys and spoke coldly. "Brats, remember to go back and tell Hashirama that, as thanks to Lord Shirou, I will not start any war with him for the time being..."