Madara, you have already lost! Senju Hashirama said to Uchiha Madara.
Madara stood there in silence, his expression conflicted.
"Madara, have you forgotten the dream we once shared? We built Konoha together to bring peace. Why have things come to this?" There was a trace of pain and helplessness in Hashirama's voice.
Madara slowly raised his head, a flash of stubbornness in his eyes. "Hashirama, your peace is nothing but an illusion. Only the power I seek can truly bring peace."
Hashirama sighed. "Madara, you are wrong. Power cannot bring true peace. What we need is mutual understanding and acceptance."
Madara sneered. "Mutual understanding? Hashirama, you are too naive. This world is full of conflict and hatred. Only absolute power can make people submit."
"Even my brother cannot shake my determination to protect Konoha!" Senju Hashirama shouted.
His voice echoed through the air, carrying resolve and determination.
The battlefield fell silent, everyone intimidated by Hashirama's imposing presence.
Uchiha Madara stood some distance away, watching Hashirama with a complicated look in his eyes.
He knew Hashirama was serious. To protect Konoha, he would pay any price.
Hashirama slowly lowered his hands, authority evident in his gaze. "Madara, I do not want to be your enemy. But if you insist on destroying Konoha, I will show no mercy."
Madara was silent for a moment before sneering. "Hashirama, your determination is admirable, but the protection you speak of is merely a shackle. This world needs true change, not your false peace."
Hashirama shook his head. "Madara, you are wrong. Peace cannot be achieved overnight; it requires all of us to work together. Konoha is our shared dream. I cannot let you destroy it."
With that, Hashirama assumed a fighting stance once more, ready to face Madara's attack.
Madara looked at Hashirama, his heart filled with conflict. He and Hashirama had once fought side by side and founded Konoha, yet now they stood on opposing sides.
Amid the tense atmosphere, Uchiha Ying was filled with emotion.
He saw Hashirama's resolve and Madara's persistence, and he understood the meaning of protection.
He decided that, no matter what happened, he would fight for Konoha's peace as well.
The Complete Body Susanoo slashed at the Wood Human, forcing it backward and making Senju Hashirama struggle greatly.
Senju Hashirama formed hand seals. "Sage Art: Wood Release—True Several Thousand Hands."
A gigantic Wood Buddha rose from the ground, radiating powerful sage chakra.
Each of the Wood Buddha's massive hands seemed to contain endless power as they struck toward Uchiha Madara's Susanoo.
Madara's gaze sharpened as he controlled the Susanoo to resist with all its strength.
The Susanoo's giant sword continually collided with the Wood Buddha's huge hands, producing thunderous booms.
The entire battlefield trembled under the impact of their power.
From afar, Uchiha Ying watched the battle tensely, his heart filled with shock.
He had never witnessed such a powerful clash, and he deeply felt the cruelty of war.
Hashirama and Madara were both going all out. Their battle was no longer merely about personal victory or defeat, but about their respective beliefs and ideals.
Hashirama firmly believed in peace, while Madara remained determined to create a new world in his own way.
As the battle continued, both sides gradually exhausted their stamina and chakra.
Yet neither showed the slightest intention of retreating, continuing their fierce confrontation.
The Wood Buddha relentlessly attacked the Susanoo, while the Susanoo stubbornly resisted.
However, Madara gradually felt his strength failing, and the Susanoo's movements began to slow.
Hashirama seized the opportunity and intensified his assault.
The Wood Buddha's giant hand slammed down, knocking the Susanoo back several steps.
Madara gritted his teeth and tried to counterattack again, but his body was already utterly exhausted.
In the end, under Hashirama's relentless assault, Madara's Susanoo gradually collapsed.
Madara fell from the air, dropping to one knee as a trickle of blood ran from the corner of his mouth.
Hashirama looked at Madara, his heart filled with complicated emotions.
He knew that although he had won this battle, the conflict between them had not truly been resolved.
"Madara, give up. We can search for a better way to achieve peace together," Hashirama said.
Madara raised his head, his eyes still full of defiance. "Hashirama, you will never understand my ideals. Though I lost this battle, I will not give up. One day, I will prove that my path is the right one."
"I will not give you the chance, Madara. My duty is to protect Konoha."
Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara had run out of chakra.
Senju Hashirama stabbed Uchiha Madara.
Seeing Senju Hashirama like this, Uchiha Madara was sent flying backward, then fell silent.
Senju Hashirama then sat on the ground and wept loudly. "Madara... why..."
The wind quietly swept across the battlefield, stirring up clouds of dust.
Hashirama's sobs echoed across the empty battlefield, filled with the grief of losing a dear friend and a helpless accusation against fate.
Uchiha Ying stood not far away, staring blankly at the scene, his heart full of shock and sorrow.
Hashirama's tears continued to fall, dripping onto the land where they had once struggled together.
He recalled the days he had spent with Madara: the dreams of their youth and the years they had fought side by side.
They had once dreamed together of a peaceful future and built Konoha together, yet now things had come to this.
After a long while, Hashirama slowly rose to his feet, his eyes filled with exhaustion and the weariness of age.
Looking at Madara's body, he silently swore that he would protect Konoha well, so that their once-shared dream would not be completely destroyed.
Konoha's ninja hurried over one after another. Seeing the scene before them, they all fell silent.
They knew what this battle meant, and they understood the pain in Hashirama's heart.
In the days that followed, Hashirama devoted himself entirely to building and protecting Konoha.
He worked hard to promote policies of peace, hoping that Konoha's people could live stable lives.
Under Hashirama's influence, Uchiha Ying also became even more steadfast in his beliefs. He trained diligently and contributed his strength to Konoha's future.
Yet the pain in Hashirama's heart could never be erased.
Whenever the night was quiet, he would think of Madara and the past they had shared.
He knew that although the battle had ended, its impact would remain forever.
As time passed, Konoha gradually prospered, but the wound in Hashirama's heart could never heal.
He knew he would carry this pain as he continued to protect Konoha—for the dream they had once shared, and for those who had lost their lives in war.
Time passed, and the sixteenth year of Konoha quietly arrived. Senju Hashirama's health steadily worsened until illness consumed him, and he finally stopped breathing.
Senju Hashirama died at the age of 52.
All of Konoha was plunged into immense grief.
The legendary figure, the First Hokage who had single-handedly forged peace in Konoha, had passed away forever.
People took to the streets, bidding Hashirama farewell with heavy hearts.
Uchiha Ying stood among the crowd, looking at Hashirama's coffin, his heart filled with emotion.
He remembered that breathtaking battle from years ago, and everything Hashirama had given to protect Konoha.
Now the hero was gone, but his spirit would remain forever in the hearts of the people.
At Hashirama's funeral, Konoha's leaders wore grave expressions.
They understood what Hashirama's death meant for Konoha, and they knew the road ahead would become even more difficult.
But they also knew Hashirama had left them a precious legacy: an unwavering pursuit of peace and a firm conviction to protect Konoha.
Tsunade was still an innocent child. She did not know what had happened; she only saw everyone around her crying, and her heart was filled with confusion.
Yet from that moment onward, her fate became tightly bound to Konoha.
As time passed, Konoha gradually emerged from its grief.
The people inherited Hashirama's will, working to build the village and safeguard peace.
Though Senju Hashirama had departed, his legendary story would forever be passed down in Konoha, inspiring generation after generation of ninja to strive tirelessly for peace and justice.
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