PS: Please subscribe! Please subscribe! Please subscribe! I'm grateful to all my dear readers! Xiao Ye will find a way to make up the update I missed yesterday this weekend!
Villains died from talking too much.
Battles between ninjas—
especially high-intensity, fierce clashes where every second counted—
were a race against time.
After the two sides had spread out and their initial probing had ended, only a few short seconds passed before Naruto called Karin away. In that time, Hashirama, Tobirama, and Naruto had each resolved how they would attack and defend. Hashirama and Tobirama needed to force Naruto to leave an opening, creating a chance for Uchiha Madara to strike. Naruto's choice was much simpler and more direct: until Sasuke, Itachi, Yakumo, and the others could return, he would spare some attention to watch out for Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Obito, then bring the full force of a lightning-fast assault to bear on the two "Lord Hokage" before him and kill them!
"Are you ready, Lord Hokage? Both of you!"
Naruto stood at ease, watching Senju Hashirama and Tobirama Senju standing atop the Wood Dragon, their auras soaring. A faint, cold smile touched his brows as he spoke.
"Haha! Bring it on, young man!"
Even though Naruto was an enemy who meant to destroy the village Hashirama had founded—
even though Hashirama had resolved to give everything he had to defeat, or even kill, the young man before him—
that did nothing to diminish the deep, genuine admiration Hashirama felt for Naruto.
A fifteen-year-old boy had reached such heights, not only in personal strength but also by building such a powerful and fearsome ninja village.
Hashirama made no attempt to hide the admiration in his heart.
He truly believed Naruto was an outstanding figure who surpassed both him and