Madara Uchiha stood in midair.
He closed his hollow eyes and took a deep breath of the scorching, dry air of the Land of Wind.
Windblown sand brushed across his cheeks, bringing an almost imperceptible sting.
His lungs expanded, and his heart pumped blood.
That wonderful sensation was something that cold Impure World Reincarnation body could never give him.
"Ha!"
Madara let out an exhilarated roar.
The deep-blue Complete Body Susanoo enveloping him shattered piece by piece like melting ice and snow, turning into countless blue motes that dispersed into the storm.
He no longer needed that shell.
He wanted to use this living body to truly feel the sensation of breaking bones and tearing flesh!
Chakra erupted beneath his feet.
Madara became a crimson streak of light, so fast that he tore apart the surrounding sound barrier, producing a series of piercing sonic booms.
Hashirama Senju stood atop the Wood Golem's head, his long black hair whipped backward by the gale.
A flash of shock crossed his clear eyes.
Too fast!
He was even far faster than he had been in his Impure World Reincarnation state!
Before Hashirama could form hand seals to defend himself, that crimson figure had already raced up the Wood Golem's tilted arm like a blood-red bolt of lightning surging upstream, charging onto its head.
"Madara!"
Hashirama roared and was just about to raise his arm to block.
Madara executed an incredibly fierce turn in midair. His right leg was like a battle axe splitting the heavens, carrying the pure, savage momentum of flesh and blood as it slammed into Hashirama's chest.
"Bang!"
An immensely dull boom exploded through the sky.
Hashirama crossed his arms tightly in front of his chest, yet he still failed to withstand that terrifying force, like a mountain crashing down.