"This is troublesome. Madara Uchiha alone is enough of a headache, and now there's an even stronger Hashirama Senju, plus Tobirama Senju with the Flying Thunder God Technique. This is downright deadly."
Land of Fire battlefield, southern forest.
Before Takenaka finished muttering to himself, two men with immensely powerful presences were already rushing toward him. Judging by their attire and faces, they were unmistakably the brothers Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju from his memories.
Across from him, Madara Uchiha had long since noticed Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju's arrival. He had merely wanted to finish Takenaka Kaguya with a single move.
Unfortunately, that move had still been blocked.
Takenaka remained outwardly calm as he considered whether to use his means of escape now. But after thinking it over, countless people could only dream of meeting Hashirama Senju once in their lives. Now that the man had come personally, it would be too much of a regret not to exchange a few words with him.
Wasn't there an Akatsuki member in the original Naruto who had only dared to throw two shuriken from far away, yet claimed he had fought the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju, and scared off who knew how many people?
Of course, never mind whether he had actually faced Hashirama Senju head-on. Did he throw shuriken at Hashirama or not?
Kakuzu curled his lip. "Come on, come on. I'll give you my ID. Just read from it."
So with such an opportunity before him, he naturally could not let it pass.
Hashirama and Tobirama moved swiftly. In only a few seconds, they had arrived.
"Hahaha, I wondered what kind of person could make Madara use Susanoo. I never expected such a handsome young man!"
The moment Hashirama stopped, his gaze traveled up and down Takenaka's body. After glancing at Madara Uchiha, who was still controlling the Perfect Susanoo, he burst into laughter.
Atop Susanoo's head, Madara snorted helplessly. He then dispelled Susanoo, slowly descended from the air, and landed beside Hashirama. With an extremely displeased expression, he asked, "Hashirama, Tobirama, why are you here?"
It had to be said that only in front of Hashirama could one see the famously proud Madara Uchiha reveal such a tsundere expression.
"Hahaha, we were resting at headquarters when we suddenly sensed you using a ninjutsu like Susanoo. Just as we set off, we sensed an unfamiliar Sage Chakra as well, so we came specifically to take a look." Hashirama laughed and looked directly at Madara without hesitation.
At this, Tobirama snorted. "Against a mere child, you actually used a ninjutsu like Susanoo, and still failed to deal with him. Madara, you truly disappoint me."
"What did you say?" Madara roared furiously. His powerful Chakra erupted once more, and he looked ready to fight Tobirama Senju.
"Enough, Tobirama. Shut your mouth."
Standing between them, Hashirama turned and shot Tobirama a glare. Then, smiling again, he looked at Madara Uchiha and said, "For this young man to make you use Susanoo, Madara, he must be very strong.
"Combined with the intelligence from these past few days, if I'm not mistaken, he is the one who intercepted the thirty-six groups of men we sent out, one after another, isn't he?"
"That's right. If he had not seemed to be deliberately waiting for us here, I'm afraid even I wouldn't have been able to find his trail." Madara nodded. There was no trace left of the tension from his confrontation with Tobirama just moments ago.
All that could be said was that before Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju fought at the Valley of the End, their relationship was like brine meeting tofu—one thing always kept the other in check.
As for Tobirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, Madara's younger brother Izuna Uchiha had died at Tobirama's hands. Madara had been deeply devoted to his brother. If not for Hashirama's presence and his pursuit of his own ideals, he would likely have hunted Tobirama Senju down long ago.
"Hahaha, truly, heroes emerge in youth. I never expected the Land of Water to produce such an exceptional rising talent.
"Compared to him, the younger generation of our Land of Fire falls somewhat short." Hashirama laughed heartily as he looked at Takenaka.
Hearing this, Takenaka smiled. He then cupped his hands toward Hashirama Senju and said, "Thank you for your praise, God of Shinobi."
"Hahaha, it is not praise. I am merely speaking the truth.
"However, if I remember correctly, the Land of Water signed a peace treaty with our Land of Fire half a month ago. Yet you are still slaughtering Ninja of the Land of Fire. Did you do so deliberately, or were you unaware of this?" Hashirama waved his hand with a laugh. A moment later, his eyes held a probing look as he addressed Takenaka again.
Takenaka's brows immediately furrowed upon hearing this, and anger even appeared on his face.
He had no reason to doubt the truth of Hashirama Senju's words. That meant he had either lost contact with the people of the Land of Water—or been abandoned by the Land of Water.
Watching Takenaka remain silent, the corners of Hashirama's mouth lifted slightly.
Before he could speak, Tobirama Senju beside him called out to Takenaka, "It seems you did not know that the Land of Water signed a peace treaty with our Land of Fire. In other words, there is a good chance that the Land of Water abandoned you."
As soon as those words fell, a sharp glint flashed through Madara Uchiha's eyes as he stood beside Hashirama, though he said nothing.
Across from them, Takenaka gave the matter some brief thought before a bitter smile appeared on his face.
Seeing this, the corners of Tobirama's mouth rose slightly, as though he were about to witness the emotional collapse of a genius youth.
However, at that moment, the bitter smile on Takenaka's face vanished in an instant, replaced by resolve.
Whoosh!
The Black Bone Blade swept out, its tip pointed directly at the three of them. A faint smile appeared on Takenaka's resolute face as he said, "I had been wondering why I could not contact the Ninja of the Land of Water. So they had already signed a peace treaty with your Land of Fire.
"This war has lasted for many years. With peace about to arrive, that is a good thing. It means I no longer have any concerns holding me back.
"Hahaha, come on. I have long heard of the great names of the three of you. Now that such a wonderful opportunity has come, I cannot let it slip away so easily."
Once he finished speaking, surprise appeared on the faces of Madara Uchiha, the Senju brothers, and even the Ninja of the Land of Fire surrounding them and blocking his retreat.
After a moment, Hashirama laughed. Then he shook his head and sighed. "Though I admire your courage, you are still too young. Your life has only just begun; there is no need to bury it here.
"You want to challenge us? Fine. Perhaps you might have a chance of winning ten years from now. But challenging us blindly now will cost you your life.
"So I will ask you one last time. Are you certain you wish to challenge the three of us?"
Before you continue