The spherical black light emitted by the Divine Reverse Four Symbols Seal receded.
Wakara had been sealed!
Madara still stood where he was!
With Tage Shime no Mikoto, he would not die—at the very least, his body would not!
Whoosh! Yomotsu Hirasaka opened.
Hashirama, Mito, Naruto, and Sasuke Uchiha returned to the battlefield.
"Madara..." Hashirama hurried forward, calling to Madara's back.
"Is that Hashirama Senju?" Madara looked back, his gaze calm.
"Madara, you..."
"Uchiha Madara no longer exists."
Madara's sudden words froze Hashirama's smile on his face.
Even though he had been mentally prepared, when it truly happened, it still caught him off guard!
"I-Is that so..." Hashirama forced himself to remain composed. "Then what should I call you now?"
Madara thought seriously for a moment. "Call me Ikaruga."
"Pfft..." Mito could not hold back her laughter. Though it was tragic, it had helplessly struck her funny bone.
"..." Naruto and Sasuke Uchiha looked at each other.
Hashirama said in surprise, "Ikaruga... wasn't that Ryushiki's nickname for you?"
Madara said indifferently, "Whether it's a nickname or not is completely irrelevant. I think it sounds nice, and that's enough."
"Madara..." Hashirama reached out his hand.
Madara kept his distance. "Is there anything else?"
"N-No..." Hashirama slowly lowered his hand.
"Don't worry. Madara's memories have been retained for now. I know where I stand, and I won't become your enemy. So don't try to get close to me. I don't like it..."
"..." A lock of hair drooped over his forehead. Hashirama stood there in a daze, utterly lost.
Madara threw back his head and laughed. "Hahahahahaha...!!"
Hashirama raised his head in astonishment. "Madara, you..."
Madara wore a mischievous grin. "Hashirama, seeing you look so devastated, would you really be that sad if I left?"
Tears welled in Hashirama's eyes. "Could it