Return!

The Land of Rice Border - the battlefield where Madara and Hashirama were located

The towering column of blood slowly dissipated, staining the air with a faint crimson hue, which was then dispersed by the wind, revealing the azure sky.

Inside the Giant Bell, Hashirama moved his mind and manipulated the Giant Bell to slowly rise.

He slowly lifted the bell, carefully observing the outside world, then his pupils suddenly contracted.

The once open plain has now been transformed into a cratered basin, and everything within a radius of hundreds of miles has been destroyed.

Silence reigned all around, except for a crimson figure standing there.

Ban stood in the center of the basin, the black armor on his upper body gone, revealing his robust physique underneath.

He was enveloped in billowing crimson steam, his body covered in crimson cracks, the edges of which gleamed with a dark red light, flickering slightly with each breath.

His once jet-black hair stood on end like flames, each strand stained crimson, making Ban's handsome and aloof face look like that of a demon.

Madara's one purple and one red eye shone with a terrifying light as he stared at Hashirama, who was emerging from the Giant Bell, a haughty smile playing on his lips.

"How are you, Hashirama?"

"My current state? This surpasses everything in the world... absolute power!!"

Hashirama emerged from the Giant Bell, his face even paler than before.

"Is this... the blood vapor unique to when Eight Gates are opened?"

He paused, a bitter look flashing in his eyes:

"It's like the color of withered leaves in late autumn, just like fallen leaves."

Even ignoring the enhanced perception granted by the Sage Power, he was still able to confirm it.

The mark is the power gained at the cost of burning one's life.

Even though they are now on opposing sides, Hashirama couldn't help but feel respect for his friend's current realization.

But more than anything, there was sorrow.

"Really... can't we trust the Ninja World even once more, Madara?"

"Stand beside that child, and together we will change this Ninja World!"

Hashirama looked at Madara, extended his hand to him, and spoke sincerely, with the simple earnestness of an old friend:

"We, together."

"Things have come to this? You must be joking."

As Madara looked Hashirama Hashirama's sincere eyes, the smile on his lips slowly faded.

"Didn't I already answer that question when we met last time?"

You should still remember, Hashirama.

He looked indifferently at Hashirama, raised his hand, and suddenly swung it forward!

"I... hate people standing behind me!!"

A shockwave erupted from his palm, transforming into a dark red arc in mid-air as it hurtled towards Hashirama.

Hashirama instantly summoned Giant Bell to block the attack. The moment the Giant Bell collided with the shockwave, the surrounding space began to distort.

The heavy bell wall shattered with a piercing cracking sound as it twisted, its surface riddled with cracks. The next second, it shattered with a deafening roar, turning into countless points of light and fragments.

Hashirama watched the shockwave pierce through the fragments of the Giant Bell, he murmured in horror:

"How could a mere casual strike achieve such a level of power?!"

Before the shock in his heart had subsided, the shockwave had already arrived in front of him, moving so fast that he couldn't react at all!

Hashirama didn't even have time to dodge. He felt a weight on his chest, and his flesh and bones instantly disintegrated. He tumbled twice in the air before crashing heavily to the ground some distance away.

Dust flew everywhere, and gravel flew in all directions.

The figure once hailed as the God of Shinobi now lay at the bottom of the pit, only half of his body remaining, his clothes torn and his flesh mangled.

The attack hit, but Madara's expression remained unchanged.

His gaze pierced through the churning sand and dust, calmly looking towards the direction of the giant pit.

As the dust settled, Hashirama's clothes were tattered, but his injuries had healed completely, leaving no visible marks, though his face was a little paler.

"... So you really aren't that easy to fall down, huh?"

Madara scrutinized Hashirama, his gaze lingering with a hint of amusement as he surveyed the body that had been restored to its original state:

"Senjutsu? They are indeed a bit tricky, but they're not all that great."

If my judgment is correct, then that power shouldn't belong to you.

"Once the Sage Power within you is completely depleted, will you still be able to stand before me like this?"

He said coldly, raising his hand above his head, palm facing upwards.

Crimson steam gathered from his entire body, traveled up his arms, and condensed into a sphere above his palm.

The crimson sphere slowly rotated in the air, and the sunlight refracted into eerie colors inside it, distorting the surrounding space.

Hashirama felt the oppressive force of the red sphere, his heart sank.

"The withered leaves of late autumn are quite an apt metaphor."

But that wouldn't apply to me.

Madara looked down at Hashirama and said arrogantly:

"Listen up, Hashirama! I am not some withered leaf, but someone who will bring light to this decaying Ninja World..."

"Blazing Sun!!"

With that, the crimson sphere in mid-air emitted a dazzling red light and hurtled towards Hashirama. "Let's finish this off with this move, Hashirama!!"

The moment he finished speaking, Madara hurled the red ball in his hand toward Hashirama.

The red sphere suddenly expanded the moment it left his palm and slammed forward with a roar, causing the space around it to groan under its immense pressure.

"Let's end this, Hasilama!!"

Hashirama watched the oncoming attack, his heart sank. He mobilized all his Chakra and Sage Power to prepare to defend himself.

Just as he was about to make his move, a tall figure suddenly appeared in front of him.

"Who are you..."

Hashirama was taken aback at first, then a look of wild joy flashed in his eyes.

"Knock!!"

The crimson sphere exploded, its crimson light so bright it was blinding.

An even more terrifying shockwave spread rapidly outwards, causing the heavens and earth to tremble.

People on all sides of the battlefield instinctively looked in the direction from which the explosion came.

As Naruto, Majestic Attire: Kurama, felt the overwhelming pressure and couldn't help but shout:

"What on earth is this? It's outrageous!"

"Calm down, kid, just focus on the present."

Behind Naruto, Tobirama gazed at the battlefield where Madara was, and as if sensing something, his tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly.

"It's almost over... this war."