In the Borderland, people recuperated, healing the wounds to their bodies and souls left by the battle against Ryushiki.
Madara was a man with immense pride, yet his Divine Illumination, the ocular technique he had taken such pride in, had been exploited by the enemy, causing consequences that could never be undone!
Ubiji had died beneath Madara's Divine Illumination.
It dealt Madara a crushing blow. For months after waking up, he shut himself away in his room.
Hashirama understood him better than anyone. He knew Madara did not need comfort, but time to settle himself and reflect!
He would pull through on his own, then stride forward with even greater strength!
Creak!
That day, the tightly shut door finally opened.
Hashirama, who had been waiting in the courtyard, rose and hurried forward.
Madara stepped out, his expression restored to its usual cold severity. Raising a hand to cover his right eye, he said to Hashirama, "I sealed away Divine Illumination."
"..." After a brief start, Hashirama calmly waited for Madara to continue.
Madara said, "Relying too much on an ocular technique that depends on luck will only dull my combat instincts and turn me into trash who can do nothing but use Divine Illumination when facing a powerful enemy!"
As he slowly lowered his right hand, he clenched it tightly, his words brimming with icy killing intent.
"And that Black Zetsu claimed to be Duochimo's will. I don't know what Duochimo even is, but I swear I'll tear him to pieces!"
Hashirama patted Madara on the shoulder and said fervently, "Yeah, I'll crush this humiliation together with you!"
Madara turned serious. "How is Obito?"
Hashirama said, "He suffered a little, but everything went smoothly. Now we're just waiting for the day the fruit is harvested."
Madara's gaze darkened. *Hmph... If