Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju's Aura of the Strong

"Don't you think that behavior is beneath your status?"

Land of Fire battlefield.

As Madara Uchiha's contemptuous words fell, the battle between Hashirama Senju and Takenaka also came to a halt.

Everyone's gaze fell on Tobirama Senju. Madara Uchiha's contempt and disdain, especially, made Tobirama even more displeased.

"Hmph, what's inappropriate about it? He's an enemy. Since he's an enemy, what's wrong with attacking him by surprise?" Tobirama Senju snorted coldly, then prepared to bypass Madara Uchiha and attack Takenaka once again.

With the Flying Thunder God Technique empowering him, his speed reached the extreme. In the blink of an eye, he had arrived before Takenaka.

Watching the special kunai about to pierce his chest, Takenaka narrowed his eyes slightly. Although Hashirama Senju's Wood Human Technique had severely wounded him just now, he would not be dealt with so easily.

However, before Takenaka could counterattack or evade, a tall figure suddenly appeared between him and Tobirama Senju.

"Slap!"

A hand seized Tobirama Senju's wrist tightly 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, it was obvious that he was equally certain he could kill this kid, but unexpectedly, his elder brother had stepped in to stop him again.

"What are you doing?" Hashirama Senju's expression turned somewhat stern as he glared at Tobirama Senju and demanded.

Was Takenaka a match for him? Clearly not. That had already been evident just now.

Likewise, did Takenaka know that continuing to fight him would likely mean death? He knew that too.

Yet he had drawn his blade against him without hesitation. Even Hashirama Senju, who had witnessed countless deaths, deeply admired such courage.

"He's an enemy! How many elite Ninja from 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.

Hearing this, Hashirama Senju was momentarily stunned. Then Madara Uchiha appeared behind Tobirama Senju, grasping his other hand as he said coldly, "Hmph, this is why you will never measure up to me and your elder brother. Your heart is too narrow, Tobirama Senju!"

As his words fell, Tobirama Senju fell silent, and even his struggling weakened considerably.

At that 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.

Yet he did not do so. Instead, he retreated several steps and cupped his hands toward Hashirama Senju in salute. "I lost. Therefore, my life belongs to you, God of Shinobi."

After saying that, he threw the Black Bone Blade in his hand directly onto the ground, then spread his arms without putting up any defense.

Even the Sage Chakra around his body receded rapidly 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 Hashirama Senju's group of three.

At this moment, although Takenaka had become completely harmless and was no longer the Kage-level powerhouse of the Land of Water who had exchanged blows with the God of Shinobi, everyone was shaken by his actions.

However, just like him, the one drawing everyone's attention and being compared against him was Tobirama Senju.

The questioning, strange looks made Tobirama Senju's face turn utterly pale as he was held in place by both Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha.

Ashamed, too ashamed to show his face!

At this moment, Hashirama Senju released Tobirama, then turned to look at Takenaka, who stood with his eyes closed and arms spread wide, offering no defense. His heart felt conflicted, and he even felt somewhat guilty.

Takenaka had wanted to challenge him, but his younger brother had ruined it.

Deep down, it was not that he did not know that letting this boy, only twelve or thirteen years old, go might allow him to become a huge obstacle to peace in the Shinobi World in the future.

And while his younger brother Tobirama's actions were difficult for him to accept, they were not without reason.

But now, killing a gifted young man who offered no defense at all was something Hashirama Senju could not do.

However, just as Hashirama was deeply conflicted, Madara Uchiha, who was holding Tobirama Senju in place, spoke. "Let him go, Hashirama!"

The moment those words came out, everyone was astonished. Including Hashirama Senju and Takenaka, no one had expected Madara Uchiha—the supreme powerhouse as renowned as Hashirama Senju, who had always used the harshest methods against enemies on the battlefield—to directly suggest letting Takenaka Kaguya, a young powerhouse brimming with talent, leave.

Without Hashirama Senju speaking, no one else dared say anything.

Hashirama Senju looked over. Meeting Madara Uchiha's deep eyes, Madara smiled and said, "The war is about to end, and the peace in the Shinobi World we have been waiting for will surely arrive.

"Takenaka Kaguya may have good talent and considerable Shili, but for at least the next ten years, he will not be our match.

"And within those ten years, you and I will at the very least remain at our peak, or perhaps even advance further.

"In that case, isn't sparing his life something worth looking forward to?"

After those words fell, Hashirama Senju was stunned for a moment, then understood what his friend meant.

Indeed, he felt the same way. Ever since their Shili 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, they could not only look forward to having an opponent and enemy of equal strength someday, but also give the younger generation of the hidden village they were about to establish a sense of urgency, so they would not live peacefully beneath his and Madara Uchiha's wings.

Thinking of this, Hashirama Senju grinned, then nodded. He turned and walked over to Takenaka, channeling Chakra through his hand. A pull of force lifted the Black Bone Blade Takenaka had discarded and placed it in his hand. "Takenaka Kaguya, you may leave. If you still wish to challenge me in the future, you will always be welcome in our village.

"Hahaha, Madara and I plan to establish a hidden village called Konoha. If the Land of Water cannot accommodate you, you are welcome to join Konoha as well."

Hearing this, Takenaka gripped the Black Bone Blade and looked at Hashirama Senju, then at Madara Uchiha. The confidence on their faces—or rather, that overwhelming aura of supremacy—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."