Madara, Madara, Madara—It's Always Madara!

"Feel it."

Shirou Emiya casually left a pitch-black Curse Mark on Tobirama Senju's arm, even shaping it into the whirlpool emblem of the Konoha Ninja.

"Chakra..."

"As expected, I can't activate it."

Tobirama Senju raised a finger. When he tried to use Chakra, the Curse Mark on his arm slowly flowed through his body like warm water, sealing off his Chakra and even making his body stiffen.

However...

Tobirama Senju was undeniably a genius in ninjutsu research.

The Hokage Assistant of Konoha Village immediately realized that he could not fight against the Curse Mark's energy. Instead, he took the initiative to guide its power into merging with his own Chakra.

"This power..."

A flicker of surprise crossed Tobirama Senju's face.

Once this Curse Mark, which contained Natural Energy, fused with Chakra, it truly provided a considerable boost to a ninja's strength.

Tobirama Senju had to admit that Lord Shirou's concern—that spreading Curse Marks would bring new conflict to the Shinobi World—made perfect sense!

If an ordinary ninja gained the power of a Curse Mark, they could even obtain Chakra comparable to that of a jonin through its enhancement. With further training, they would become a combatant capable of playing an important role on the battlefield!

The only trouble was...

The power of the Curse Mark was not so easily controlled.

Tobirama Senju knew perfectly well that only his understanding of ninjutsu principles had allowed him to learn how to guide the Curse Mark so quickly. Even so, he still could not control it perfectly.

Unfortunately...

He had promised Lord Shirou that he would not use the Curse Mark for conflict.

Tobirama Senju could only hope that Konoha would remain peaceful forever, and that he would not need to use this power when he faced a desperate situation in the future.

"I'll help you undo the Curse Mark."

Shirou Emiya wanted to help Tobirama Senju release the Curse Mark. It seemed he had merely wanted Tobirama Senju to experience its power, with no intention of using it to restrict his movements.

As Shirou Emiya slowly formed hand seals, he explained, "Such a crude application of Natural Energy is far too easy for others to grasp. I only hope this power won't bring new war to this world..."

"Lord Shirou."

Tobirama Senju reached out and gripped Shirou Emiya's wrist. In a deep voice, he said, "There is no need to undo the Curse Mark so quickly. I need to judge, based on the changes in the Curse Mark energy you placed within me, how long this energy can seal my brother's Chakra..."

This Medical Ninja from the Ancient Era was a little too innocent.

Perhaps because he had lived in that Ancient Era, when powerful figures emerged in abundance, he believed the Shinobi World of this age was likewise full of geniuses?

Natural Energy...

How could it possibly be so easy to master?

It was not as if Tobirama Senju had never encountered Natural Energy.

Tobirama Senju had a close relationship with his elder brother, Hashirama Senju. He had personally watched Hashirama Senju master Natural Energy and cultivate the powerful Sage Mode. He had also been curious about Natural Energy, but he could not precisely sense the energy of nature.

Tobirama Senju understood very clearly how precious this Curse Mark containing Natural Energy was, and a fleeting trace of guilt rose in his heart.

The Curse Mark was power.

For a ninja like Tobirama Senju, who had survived the Warring States Period, power meant a longer life.

Power...

Meant that he could exert more complete control over the situation.

Whether it was his brother's injuries, the turbulent public opinion within Konoha, or the hostile ninja villages outside Konoha watching them like a pack of wolves, none of it made Tobirama Senju willing to give up this power that could make him stronger.

Tobirama Senju could only silently promise Shirou Emiya, whom he was deceiving, that he would use this power only at the most critical moment of his life.

Of course.

He certainly could not tell the other man that.

What Tobirama Senju had said was also true. He really did need to use the Curse Mark energy within his body to determine exactly how long it could seal his brother's Chakra.

"You really are close to your brother..."

Shirou Emiya shook his head. Perhaps because he had witnessed brotherly conflicts in the Ancient Era, he still seemed unable to understand Tobirama Senju's actions. He could only remind him helplessly, "If you don't undo the Curse Mark, then your movements during this time may..."

"There's no need to worry."

Tobirama Senju raised his arm. The mass of Curse Mark energy on it flowed slowly like water, yet it still did not hinder his movements.

If nothing unexpected happened...

He would be able to completely control the Curse Mark today.

"I already understand its principles."

Tobirama Senju looked toward his brother on the hospital bed, swiftly intending to skip over the subject. "Apply the Curse Mark to my brother first. He has mastered Sage Mode, which allows him to use the Curse Mark more perfectly. Perhaps he will quickly absorb the Curse Mark for his own use..."

"I'm worried about that too."

Shirou Emiya shook his head and sighed. He extended a finger and touched Hashirama Senju's arm, leaving a pitch-black Curse Mark behind.

As expected.

The Curse Mark quickly disappeared.

The Natural Energy within the Curse Mark was instantly absorbed by the body.

Hashirama Senju's body was extremely sensitive to Natural Energy. Upon encountering it, his body rapidly converted it into Sage Art Chakra, quickly causing him to enter Sage Mode.

On the hospital bed.

A trace of Sage Mode markings appeared on Hashirama Senju's face.

The First Hokage lying in bed seemed to sense the change in his body. Pain appeared on his face as he murmured the first words he had spoken since falling unconscious.

"Madara..."

"..."

Tobirama Senju's face darkened.

At a time like this!

Why was his brother still muttering about Madara Uchiha?!

He was even muttering about Madara Uchiha while unconscious!

That bastard had controlled the Nine-Tails in an attempt to destroy Konoha, and had even wounded you so badly that it damaged your lifespan. Why were you still muttering about that bastard?!

"If nothing unexpected happens..."

"The patient will wake up soon."

Shirou Emiya let out a breath of relief and explained, "Although my Curse Mark did not achieve the intended effect, his body automatically absorbed Natural Energy and entered Sage Mode. Sage Art Chakra's recovery ability is also remarkable, though it may continue damaging his lifespan..."

"But it doesn't matter."

"As long as the patient does not use the Chakra within his body for a while after waking up, and keeps his body's self-healing ability under control, he can avoid greater harm..."

After saying this, Shirou Emiya casually added, "As for the damage to his lifespan from before, I'll have to think of another method and see whether it can be remedied. Since I obtained Yang Power in that era, I became accustomed to using Yang Power to heal patients, so my research into medical techniques has fallen somewhat behind..."

"Thank you."

The worry in Tobirama Senju's eyes gradually faded.

It had really worked.

Shirou Emiya had awakened his brother.

Tobirama Senju recalled leading the Anbu to the battlefield, bringing back Madara Uchiha's corpse and his brother, grievously injured from head to toe. The moment his brother returned to the village, he had fallen unconscious.

Even the finest Medical Ninja in the village had been helpless before his brother's injuries. They could not even accurately predict when he would wake up...

No matter what...

This kindness was worth remembering.

Tobirama Senju truly felt deeply grateful.

Moreover, Shirou Emiya did not mind that Tobirama had disturbed his soul's peace. He was even willing to take the initiative to help find a way to make up for the damage to his brother's lifespan.

"I can't thank you enough."

With a solemn expression, Tobirama Senju thanked Shirou Emiya once more and took the initiative to praise Shirou Emiya's contributions. "Lord Shirou should not belittle yourself. Without Lord Shirou, there would be no Medical Ninja in this world willing to heal and save others..."

After saying that, Tobirama Senju did not wait for Shirou Emiya to be modest. He immediately revealed his true purpose. "My brother's life is tied to Konoha's peace and everyone's hopes for the future. In the future, we will have to rely on Lord Shirou."

This was Tobirama Senju's selfish desire.

In truth, Tobirama Senju was also unwilling to undo the Impure World Reincarnation.

After all, by reviving Shirou Emiya, he had learned many secrets of the Ancient Era and even obtained a Curse Mark capable of utilizing Natural Energy.

Shirou Emiya...

He was truly a treasure trove.

If Shirou Emiya had no way to deal with the damage to his brother's lifespan, Tobirama Senju could only find a way to stall for time, see whether he could learn more information, and only then undo the Impure World Reincarnation so Shirou Emiya's soul could return to the Underworld...

But...

This Medical Ninja from the Ancient Era was truly as great as the stories passed down for a thousand years had described, so selflessly wanting to resolve his brother's problems!

This truly...

Made Tobirama Senju feel that they were perfectly aligned.

Tobirama Senju carefully considered how he should arrange Shirou Emiya's place so that the other man would not feel he was being treated poorly despite being a respected senior, while also keeping Shirou Emiya's identity secret within the village to prevent others from making wild guesses...

"..."

Shirou Emiya also felt that they were perfectly aligned.

It was just that Shirou Emiya still had to maintain the manner of a Medical Ninja. He looked at the First Hokage on the hospital bed with concern and softly reminded Tobirama Senju.

"The patient is waking up."

Everything was exactly as Shirou Emiya had said.

Hashirama Senju, who had been lying on the hospital bed, furrowed his brow as the Sage Mode markings on his face rapidly faded!

The First Hokage's body suddenly shot upright from the bed. As if he had just awoken from some terrifying nightmare, he cried out his best friend's name with a face full of terror!

"Madara!"