"Don't you think what you're doing is beneath your status?"
Land of Fire battlefield.
As Madara Uchiha's disdainful words fell, the battle between Hashirama Senju and Takenaka also came to a halt.
Everyone's gaze fell upon Tobirama Senju. Madara Uchiha's undisguised contempt and scorn made Tobirama even more displeased.
"Hmph, what's inappropriate about it? He's an enemy. Since he's an enemy, what's wrong with ambushing him?" Tobirama Senju snorted coldly, then prepared to bypass Madara Uchiha and attack Takenaka again.
With the Flying Thunder God Technique enhancing him, his speed reached its peak. In the blink of an eye, he had arrived before Takenaka.
As he looked at the special Kunai about to pierce his chest, Takenaka narrowed his eyes slightly. Though Hashirama Senju's Wood Human Technique had severely wounded him, he would not be dealt with so easily.
Yet, to everyone's surprise, before Takenaka could counterattack or evade, a tall figure suddenly appeared between him and Tobirama Senju.
"Smack!"
A hand clamped tightly around Tobirama Senju's wrist and snatched away the special Kunai in his hand.
"Big Brother, what are you doing?" Tobirama Senju was somewhat angry. He had been absolutely certain of success just now, yet Madara Uchiha had stopped him.
And now, he clearly had the confidence to kill this kid, but unexpectedly, his own big brother had stepped in to stop him again.
"What are you doing?" Hashirama Senju's expression was stern as he glared at Tobirama Senju and demanded.
Was Takenaka his match? Clearly not. That had been obvious from their battle just now.
Likewise, did Takenaka know that continuing to fight him would likely mean death? He did.
Yet he had still drawn his blade against him without hesitation. Even Hashirama Senju, who had seen death countless times, deeply admired such courage.
"He's an enemy! How many elite Ninja of the Land of Fire did he kill before this? Now that I want to kill him, what's wrong with that?" Tobirama Senju said angrily.
Hashirama Senju froze at those words. But behind Tobirama Senju, Madara Uchiha also appeared. He seized Tobirama's other hand and said coldly, "Hmph. This is why you will never measure up to me and your big brother—because your heart is too narrow, Tobirama Senju!"
As his words fell, Tobirama Senju fell silent, and even the strength of his struggles diminished considerably.
At this moment, Takenaka, who stood closest to Hashirama Senju, only needed to thrust the Black Bone Blade in his hand forward to pierce the heart of Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi.
But he did not do so. Instead, he retreated several steps and cupped his hands toward Hashirama Senju. "I lost. Therefore, this life of mine belongs to you, God of Shinobi."
After saying that, he directly threw the Black Bone Blade in his hand onto the ground, then spread his arms wide without any defense.
Even the Sage Chakra around him rapidly receded like the tide.
At this moment, even a child with a weapon could kill Takenaka.
In an instant, everyone was stunned, including the Ninja of the Land of Fire and the three of Hashirama Senju.
At that moment, although Takenaka was no longer threatening and was no longer the Kage-level expert of the Land of Water who had exchanged blows with the God of Shinobi, everyone was shaken by his actions.
However, the one receiving just as much attention as him—and being compared to him—was none other than Tobirama Senju.
Wave after wave of puzzled, strange gazes made Tobirama Senju's face turn deathly pale as he was restrained by both Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha.
Ashamed, utterly mortified!
At this time, Hashirama Senju released Tobirama. Turning to Takenaka, who stood with his eyes closed and arms spread without defense, he felt deeply conflicted and even somewhat guilty.
Takenaka had wanted to challenge him, but his younger brother had ruined it.
Deep down, he knew that if he let this boy, barely twelve or thirteen years old, go, he might become a massive obstacle to peace in the Shinobi World in the future.
And although his younger brother Tobirama's actions were difficult for him to accept, they were not without justification.
But now, killing a genius boy who offered no defense at all was something Hashirama Senju could not do.
Just as Hashirama was deeply conflicted, Madara Uchiha, who was restraining Tobirama Senju, spoke. "Let him go, Hashirama!"
As soon as those words were spoken, everyone was astonished. Including Hashirama Senju and Takenaka, no one had expected Madara Uchiha—a superhuman powerhouse as renowned as Hashirama Senju, who had always dealt with enemies on the battlefield by the most ruthless means—to directly suggest letting Takenaka Kaguya, this immensely gifted young expert, leave.
Without Hashirama Senju speaking, no one else dared say anything.
Hashirama Senju looked over. When his gaze met Madara Uchiha's deep eyes, Madara smiled. "The war is about to end, and the peace in the Shinobi World we have been looking forward to will surely arrive.
"Takenaka Kaguya may have decent talent, and his strength is indeed powerful, but for at least the next ten years, he will not be our opponent.
"And during those ten years, you and I will at the very least remain at our peak, or perhaps even go a step further.
"With that being the case, isn't sparing his life something worth looking forward to?"
As his words fell, Hashirama Senju paused for a moment, then understood what his friend meant.
Indeed, he felt the same way. Ever since their strength had grown to this point, aside from the two of them fighting each other, virtually no one could pose even the slightest threat to them.
It was lonely at the top. With a rising talent like Takenaka Kaguya, not only could they look forward to one day having an opponent and enemy of equal strength, but he could also give the younger generation of the hidden village they were about to establish a sense of urgency, so they would not live comfortably beneath his and Madara Uchiha's wings.
With that thought, Hashirama Senju grinned and nodded. He turned and walked over to Takenaka, circulated Chakra through his hand, and used a pull of force to retrieve the Black Bone Blade Takenaka had discarded. Placing it in Takenaka's hand, he said, "Takenaka Kaguya, you may go. If you still wish to challenge me in the future, you are welcome to come to our village at any time.
"Hahaha! Madara and I are planning to establish a hidden village called Konoha. If the Land of Water cannot accommodate you, we welcome you to join Konoha as well."
Hearing this, Takenaka gripped the Black Bone Blade. He looked at Hashirama Senju, then at Madara Uchiha. The confidence on their faces—or rather, that overwhelming bearing that seemed to dominate the world—made him instantly understand that they were not joking.
He then cupped his hands and said, "Thank you. I hope you will not regret your decision to let me go in the future."
Before you continue