The Land of Fire's Three Strongest Warriors

"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 practically fatal."

Land of Fire battlefield, southern forest.

Before Takenaka finished muttering to himself, two men with immensely powerful auras were already rushing toward him. Judging by their attire and appearances, they were unmistakably the Senju brothers from his memories—Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju.

Across from him, Madara Uchiha had long since noticed Hashirama and Tobirama's arrival. He had simply wanted to finish Takenaka Kaguya with a single move.

Unfortunately, that move had still been blocked.

Takenaka remained calm on the surface, though he considered whether to use his escape method now. But then he thought about it. Countless people wished for a chance to meet Hashirama Senju and never got one. Now that the man had come personally, it would be too regrettable not to exchange a few words with him.

After all, in the original Hokage story, an Akatsuki member who had only dared to throw two Shuriken from far away claimed to have fought the God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju. Who knew how many people that had intimidated?

Of course, never mind whether he had actually faced Hashirama head-on. Just tell me—had he thrown 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 an opportunity like this before him, he naturally could not let it pass.

Hashirama and Tobirama were extremely fast. In just 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 swept Takenaka up and down. After glancing at Madara, who was still controlling the Perfect Susanoo, he burst into hearty laughter.

Atop Susanoo's head, Madara snorted helplessly. He then dispelled Susanoo, slowly descended from the air, and landed beside Hashirama. With obvious displeasure, he asked, "Hashirama, Tobirama, why are you here?"

It had to be said that only in front of Hashirama could one see the famed Madara Uchiha wearing such a tsundere expression.

"Hahaha, we were resting at the main camp when we suddenly sensed you using a ninjutsu like Susanoo. Just as we set out, we felt an unfamiliar surge of Sage Chakra as well, so we came to take a look." Hashirama laughed and looked directly at Madara without hesitation.

At that moment, Tobirama snorted coldly. "You used a technique like Susanoo against a mere child and still failed to deal with him. Madara, you truly disappoint me."

"What did you say?" Madara roared furiously, and his powerful Chakra erupted once more. He looked ready to fight Tobirama to the death.

"Enough, Tobirama. Shut your mouth."

Standing between them, Hashirama turned and glared at Tobirama. Then, smiling again, he looked at Madara and said, "For this young man to make you use Susanoo, Madara, his Shili must be extraordinary.

Combining that with the intelligence from the past few days, if I'm not mistaken, he is the one who intercepted the thirty-six groups 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 probably would not have been able to find any trace of him." Madara nodded. There was no longer any sign of the tension between him and Tobirama from moments ago.

All that could be said was that, before Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju fought at the Valley of the End, this was a case of one thing keeping another in check.

As for Tobirama and Madara, Madara's younger brother, Izuna Uchiha, had died at Tobirama's hands. Madara had shared a deep bond with his brother. If not for Hashirama's presence and his pursuit of his own ideals, he would likely have hunted Tobirama down long ago.

"Hahaha, heroes truly emerge from the young. I never expected the Land of Water to produce such an outstanding rising star.

Compared to him, the younger generation of our Land of Fire is somewhat lacking." Hashirama laughed heartily as he looked at Takenaka.

Hearing this, Takenaka smiled. He then cupped his hands toward Hashirama and said, "Thank you for the 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 have continued slaughtering Ninja from the Land of Fire. Did you do so deliberately, or were you unaware of this?" Hashirama waved his hand and laughed. A moment later, an assessing look appeared in his eyes as he looked at Takenaka again.

Takenaka's brows instantly furrowed at those words, and anger even appeared on his face.

He had no doubt whatsoever that Hashirama was telling the truth. Which meant he had either lost contact with the people of the Land of Water—or the Land of Water had abandoned him.

Seeing Takenaka remain silent, the corners of Hashirama's mouth rose slightly.

Before he could speak, Tobirama called out to Takenaka, "It seems you did not know that the Land of Water had signed a peace treaty with our Land of Fire. In other words, there is a strong chance that the Land of Water abandoned you."

As soon as those words fell, a gleam flashed through Madara's eyes as he stood beside Hashirama, though he said nothing.

Across from them, Takenaka thought for a moment, then revealed a bitter smile.

Seeing this, Tobirama's lips curved slightly, as though he were about to witness a genius youth suffer a complete mental collapse.

However, at that moment, the bitter smile on Takenaka's face vanished in an instant, replaced by resolve.

Whoosh!

The Black Bone Blade swept through the air. Its tip pointed directly at the three of them as Takenaka smiled faintly, his face resolute. "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 lingering concerns.

Hahaha, come, then. I have long heard your great names. Now that such a fine opportunity has presented itself, I cannot let it slip away so easily."

When he finished speaking, surprise appeared on the faces of Madara Uchiha, the Senju brothers, and even the Land of Fire Ninja surrounding them and blocking his escape routes.

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 wish to challenge us? Fine. Perhaps in ten years, you might have a chance to win. But now, a blind challenge will cost you your life.

So I will ask you one last time. Are you certain you wish to challenge the three of us?"