Battle of the Valley of the End (Seeking Reads)

Sarutobi Hiruzen's heart turned cold when he heard that, as though his thoughts had been laid bare. He hurriedly lowered his head, not daring to utter a single word of rebuttal.

Senju Tobirama did not even look at him as he stated the second condition.

"Second, only you can inherit the position of Hokage. No one else."

"And the candidate for the Sixth Hokage cannot be appointed directly by you. They must receive the approval of those present."

"..."

"That won't be a problem either!" Yan nodded. "But I need to make one thing clear in advance."

"During this period, Konoha must grant the Uchiha Special Zone the greatest possible authority in exchange."

"To keep you from tearing down the bridge after crossing it!"

"..."

"Fine!" Senju Tobirama agreed without hesitation, then added, "Then, for the next year or two, we need someone to mediate the relationship between Konoha and the Uchiha Special Zone, to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control."

"..."

At that, a strange smile appeared at the corner of Yan's lips.

So you were putting on an act before. This is your true goal!

You want to use this excuse to stay!

Sarutobi Hiruzen was the current Hokage, so he was obviously unsuitable. Senju Hashirama did not have the brains for it, making him even less suitable.

That only left you!

Sarutobi Hiruzen naturally understood those words, which were practically an open hint.

But at this moment, he did not dare say anything at all.

Senju Hashirama, however, did not understand. He only thought that Senju Tobirama had considered everything thoroughly and nodded repeatedly.

"Tobirama, I'm very pleased that you're willing to seriously consider the Uchiha Clan."

Senju Tobirama smiled faintly. "Then it's settled."

After saying that, Sarutobi Hiruzen summoned Nara Shikaku and had him draft a contract.

After Yan reviewed it and found no objections, he signed it along with Senju Hashirama and the others.

Seeing that the matter had come to an end, Senju Hashirama stretched lazily. Then, abruptly changing the subject, he said to Senju Tobirama, "Tobirama, I actually think we should choose someone else. After all, we're dead in the end. We shouldn't interfere too much with the present world."

"Now that everything has been settled, it's time for us to leave!"

"Konoha's future still belongs to these younger generations!"

"..."

The smile on Senju Tobirama's face froze as he stared at his older brother in disbelief.

Was that unintentional, or had he seen through my intentions?

Senju Hashirama chuckled at his younger brother, his eyes filled with mockery, and continued, "Tobirama, you should go back first. Yan and I still have an agreed battle to fight. Once it's over, I'll leave too."

"..."

Senju Tobirama clenched his fists.

He had not expected to be played by his own older brother.

Did dying once make him smarter?

Then, with an expression as though he had eaten something foul, he nodded.

"Fine, Brother. I'll go back first. I'll wait for you in the Pure Land!"

He then looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with a murderous glare, the threat in his eyes unmistakable.

I haven't settled the score with you over the Senju and Uzumaki matters yet. You know what to do!

But at that moment, Senju Hashirama also looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen with a gentle smile.

"Monkey, I'll have to trouble you to send Tobirama back first."

Caught between the two of them, Sarutobi Hiruzen's head was about to explode.

One was the First Hokage, the God of the Ninja World. The other was the Second Hokage, his own teacher.

He did not dare offend either of them.

He could only squeeze his eyes shut, rapidly form hand seals, and shout, "Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu—Release!"

As the final seal fell into place, Senju Tobirama's body instantly turned into a cloud of dust and vanished before everyone's eyes.

Seeing this, Senju Hashirama turned and smiled at Yan.

"Then let's go too."

"Once the arranged duel is over, I'll be heading back as well."

"Konoha will be yours from now on. As one already dead, I won't meddle any further!"

"..."

Valley of the End.

This ancient and mysterious land bore the weight and vicissitudes of ninja history.

Once, the God of the Ninja World and the Asura of the Ninja World had parted ways here.

The earth-shattering battle from that time seemed to still echo through the valley.

Though the smoke of war had long since faded, the legend it left behind was forever etched into the memories of the ninja world.

Now, this legendary land once again welcomed two uninvited guests.

One came from the Senju Clan, the other from the Uchiha Clan, as if fate had come full circle.

Framed by the Valley of the End, their figures appeared especially solemn and imposing.

The two stood atop the heads of the statues of Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara respectively.

"Let's begin!" Yan smiled faintly at Senju Hashirama.

Before coming here, he had already arranged the Special Zone's follow-up affairs. Fugaku, Shisui, Tekka, Yashiro, and the others only needed to proceed according to the original plan.

Though he knew Sarutobi Hiruzen would certainly reanimate Senju Tobirama with Impure World Reincarnation after Senju Hashirama left, it was not a major issue!

Senju Tobirama was a smart man.

He knew full well that without Senju Hashirama's help, the current Hokage faction would find it difficult to completely crush the Uchiha Clan, even if Yan was absent.

As for that contract, Yan had never truly believed in it from beginning to end.

In the end, strength would still have the final say!

"Mm!" Senju Hashirama nodded with a smile. "Then let's begin!"

As his words fell, the atmosphere within the valley instantly turned grave.

The two men standing on opposite sides formed the same hand sign at the same time.

Seal of Confrontation!

Then, they charged toward each other simultaneously.

"Wood Release: Wood Human Technique!"

"Susanoo: Fourth Form!"

"..."

A gigantic Wood Human and the Martial God rose from the ground, their presence overwhelming.

The Wood Human swung its thick arm, smashing toward the black-and-white Susanoo with a howling gust of wind.

Facing the Wood Human's attack, Yan controlled the Susanoo and swung its colossal sword, fiercely colliding with its arm.

Boom!

With a deafening blast, the powerful impact tore deep cracks across the ground of the Valley of the End.

Senju Hashirama's gaze sharpened as he pressed his palms together. Countless vines sprouted from the Wood Human's body, winding toward Yan like agile serpents.

Yan reacted swiftly. Powerful chakra erupted from the Susanoo's body, instantly shattering the approaching vines.

The battle immediately entered its most intense stage, with neither side giving an inch.

Rumble... Rumble... Rumble...

Within the Valley of the End, the light of ninjutsu flashed without pause. The earth trembled continuously, and cracks spread like a spiderweb.

Every collision produced an earthshaking roar, while the aftershocks surged outward like raging waves.

Watching from afar, Sarutobi Hiruzen was filled with shock and tension.

The clash and thunderous roar of those powerful ninjutsu made him feel as though he were witnessing the battle between the God of the Ninja World and the Asura of the Ninja World from back then.

This overwhelmingly intense battle lasted a full two or three hours.

When Senju Hashirama appeared before Sarutobi Hiruzen once more, he wore a smile, looking thoroughly relaxed.

When Sarutobi Hiruzen asked about the final outcome, he merely shook his head without saying anything.

Left with no choice, Sarutobi Hiruzen formed hand seals and sent Senju Hashirama back to the Pure Land.

Meanwhile, Yan had already left Konoha and was swiftly heading toward the border of the Land of Fire.

Five children followed beside him: Kabuto, Itachi, Naruki, and the others.

Their destination...

The Land of Rice Fields!