The Curtain Falls

Hyuga Hoshishaku, his body devoid of strength, barely managed to control the Flying Bird as it flew toward Konoha.

The victory gained through a sneak attack did not make him feel complacent.

This was especially true given that Uchiha Madara had explicitly told him to get lost.

The reason he had insisted on ambushing the man was, at its core, simply because he wanted to rectify a mistake.

In the original story, he did not know if Senju Tobirama had been watching the battle.

However, it was highly probable that Uchiha Madara had not discovered him, nor had he left behind a Shadow Clone to ambush Teacher Tobirama.

But in reality?

Because he had brought Yuto along to watch the battle, it had indirectly led to Teacher Tobirama coming to look for them.

Although it was highly likely that the teacher was worried about his nephew Yuto, and he did not know if the concern directed at himself was even a tenth of that felt for Yuto, the matter ultimately would not have happened if not for him.

He did not know what the future held.

He also could not predict whether his future self would become as cold-hearted as most people in the Ninja World.

But for now, he was still himself—the one who possessed the personality of another world.

He was the one who believed the world was not just black and white, and who resisted the idea that the world was gray.

If Senju Tobirama were truly killed by a sneak attack, setting aside the subsequent series of drastic plot changes, he would not be able to overcome the hurdle of his own guilt.

That was why he had wanted to take the risk to deal with Uchiha Madara's Shadow Clone.

Of course, he was not without a trump card.

Just a moment ago, he had successfully broken through the final barrier of the Flying Thunder God, carving the Flying Thunder God formula onto the Flying Bird that Yuto was riding.

As long as the situation turned dire, he would teleport away at the first opportunity and then find a way to notify Teacher Tobirama.

Fortunately, Uchiha Madara had not taken a seven-year-old child like him seriously.

Seaside Battlefield.

Uchiha Madara, who was currently attacking his opponent with taijutsu, suddenly frowned.

It was the memories of his Shadow Clone being transmitted back at this very moment.

His figure faltered for an instant, and then he suddenly burst into loud laughter.

"Hahahaha, a seven-year-old kid actually managed to ambush me successfully. Hahahaha, this is truly too interesting!"

Senju Hashirama suddenly stopped; the age of seven was too sensitive, and it was hard for him not to suspect something.

"Madara, what are you talking about?"

Uchiha Madara generously told his good brother about what had just happened:

"I left behind a Shadow Clone, intending to assassinate Senju Tobirama, who was hiding nearby."

"As a result, a Byakugan brat discovered the existence of my Shadow Clone. My Shadow Clone had originally intended to let the brat go, but after he heard that the person I wanted to kill was Senju Tobirama, he actually sealed my foolish Shadow Clone!"

"That brat even called Senju Tobirama 'teacher,' so is he a disciple of Senju Tobirama? He is worthy of being a disciple of that evil man; they are both evil people. Once I defeat you, I will kill them all!"

Senju Hashirama's expression changed upon hearing this.

The last glimmer of hope in his eyes vanished completely at this moment.

Yet, the light in Uchiha Madara's eyes grew even brighter.

He knew that his good brother was about to use his full strength!

This made him extremely excited!

The two stood in silent confrontation until Senju Hashirama spoke with a blank expression:

"Anyone who intends to harm the village, no matter who you are—even if you are my family—I will kill you!"

The next moment, he stepped back, leaving a large crater in the ground, and charged toward Uchiha Madara with all his might.

The power behind it was actually three times more ferocious than before!

This time, the battle between the two was filled with life-or-death peril!

The moment Hyuga Hoshishaku's Shadow Clone returned to the village riding the Flying Bird with Yuto, they were surrounded by a group of ninjas.

Before that group of ninjas could come forward to confirm their identities, Uzumaki Mito suddenly pushed through the crowd and appeared before the two children.

Hoshishaku's Shadow Clone spoke wearily: "Lady Mito, Yuto is fine; it's just his old ailment acting up."

Uzumaki Mito pulled both children into her arms.

Upon hearing Hoshishaku's words, she hurriedly asked: "What about you? Why is it a Shadow Clone that returned?"

Hoshishaku's Shadow Clone replied: "Me? I should be fine, right? After all, if I were truly dead, the Shadow Clone would have vanished as well."

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere around Uzumaki Mito suddenly became a bit heavier.

Just as she was preparing to order someone to search for Xingzhuo's true body, the barrier suddenly rippled again, and Xingzhuo's true body stepped through it.

Seeing this, the Shadow Clone looked up at Mito, who was rushing toward the true body, and said, "The true body has returned, and I have delivered the people safely. My duty is fulfilled, so there is no need for me to exist any longer."

With that, the Shadow Clone transformed into a puff of smoke, clearing the space for the unconscious true body.

Uzumaki Mito felt that the Shadow Clone's words just now were somewhat strange.

However, since a Shadow Clone is the most authentic reflection of a person, she did not dwell on it despite her lingering doubts.

After all, the most important thing right now was to check on the condition of the two children.

Heaven knows how panicked she had been when her brother-in-law said the two children were still outside and that he needed to go find them himself, requiring her to hold down the fort at the Hokage Building.

After a rough examination, it was clear that Xingzhuo had exhausted his chakra, which was why he had fallen into a coma.

As for Yuto, no issues were found.

At this moment, members of the Hyuga Clan arrived.

Seeing that it was the Hyuga Clan Head along with Xingzhuo's three followers, Uzumaki Mito felt relieved and handed the children over to them.

"His chakra is depleted and he needs a good rest; you must not force him awake."

She gave these instructions firmly.

Watching the Hyuga members depart, Uzumaki Mito finally carried her son back to the Hokage Building.

Seaside Battlefield.

Xingzhuo's Shadow Clone sat atop the Ink Wash Flying Bird, his eyes widening in disbelief as he watched Uchiha Madara below, who had been pierced through the heart by a sword.

It was still long before dawn; how could Madara have been defeated so quickly?

One had to know that in the original story, Madara only lost after daybreak.

Was this another change in the plot caused by him?

At this moment, Tobirama, who had been beside him, suddenly vanished and reappeared next to Hashirama and Madara.

As a Shadow Clone, Xingzhuo followed without a second thought.

In any case, it wouldn't matter if he died.

Upon drawing closer, he heard the conversation between the two.

Senju Hashirama: "The dream has only just been realized, and I want to protect it well; I cannot let you destroy it..."

Uchiha Madara, pierced through the heart, muttered to himself: "Was that just a Wood Release clone? To think I would be stabbed in the back..."

Senju Hashirama continued with a fierce expression: "I want to protect our... no, I want to protect my village."

"No matter what happens, I still believe that protecting the village is equivalent to protecting the people, protecting the ninjas, and protecting the children."

"Whether it is my friend, my brother, or even my own child, if anyone dares to stand as an enemy of the village, I will never show mercy."

As he spoke, he withdrew his blade.

Uchiha Madara subsequently collapsed onto the surface of the water.

No one could clearly see his expression, but he merely said in a muffled voice: "You have changed, Hashirama... you are putting the cart before the horse; one day, this will become the darkness of the village."

Having said this, Uchiha Madara lost all signs of life and fell completely into the water.

Beside him, Senju Hashirama was breathing heavily, yet he showed no signs of exhaustion.

Senju Tobirama looked at Senju Hashirama with concern: "Big Brother, you..."

Hashirama turned his head to look over, and upon seeing Xingzhuo, he forced the corners of his mouth up, wanting to smile, but failing to manifest the expression.

"I am fine... take the boy Xingzhuo back; I wish to be alone here for a while."

Xingzhuo sighed and left behind a single sentence: "Uncle Hashirama, please accept my condolences."

Then, he canceled the Shadow Clone Technique, and he vanished along with the Ink Wash Flying Bird.