"Second Grandfather!" Facing Uchiha Madara as he charged toward Masahiko, Hashirama and Tobirama both turned pale in alarm and prepared to intervene. But then they saw Madara slam on the brakes and look up.
Masahiko had already flown into the air. He teased, "Madara, can't hit me? Mad?"
Madara was furious. His Sharingan began to spin, and he was about to activate Susanoo.
"Stop, Madara!" Hashirama came to his senses and stepped in front of Madara.
Madara glanced at Hashirama. "Didn't you want a truce? Fine! Either kill your younger brother, or let me kill this old man."
Masahiko staggered in midair and nearly fell.
"What kind of joke is that?!" Tobirama roared from the side. "Big Brother, stop hoping for anything from him. Let's kill him together!"
Yet Masahiko wore a thoughtful expression in the air. If Madara, now that he has the Nine-Tails, fights Hashirama... the outcome really would be hard to predict... If I...
As he thought, Masahiko spoke up. "Madara, are you saying you can kill me whenever you want? You didn't get much of an advantage in our last two fights!"
At the mention of their previous two battles, Madara's fury surged forth. "The current me possesses the power Izuna left me, the hatred he left me. An old man like you, hmph..."
"Then come on. Let me fight you one more time... After this battle, all grudges will be settled!" Masahiko said with a smile.
"Second Grandfather..." Hashirama was about to dissuade him, but Masahiko stopped him with a wave.
"Hashirama, I'm different when I can fly. Don't worry, I won't use that jutsu..." Masahiko explained.
Hashirama hesitated, then said no more. He merely resolved to rescue Masahiko immediately if things went wrong.
Madara waved a hand at the clansmen behind him. "Fall back!"