Beneath a moon glowing red.
The earthen remains of Konoha lay at the far end of the Horn formed by the sidelong gazes of two blue-stone giants!
The Valley of the End.
A black-robed youth sat atop the head of his former self, remembering a past he could never return to.
He gazed straight at the silent stone statue of his dearest friend and sworn rival.
For the first time in a long while, Madara smiled.
"Hashirama, you're gone, and I've razed the village you fought to your dying breath to protect. Yet I've been reborn in the body of one of your Senju blood relatives, and gained power surpassing both of us at our peak. Ironic, isn't it? But that's reality! I told you long ago, the contest had only just begun. The one who laughs last is the winner!"
Whoosh...!
A fierce gust swept past, whipping the black cloak behind him across his vision.
When the cloak fell away... a figure in white had appeared atop the statue opposite him.
At the sight of the youth's face, Madara broke into a radiant smile.
"There's still half an hour before our appointed time. You're more punctual than your older brother..."
"I had nothing else to do anyway. I'm not the kind of person who scrambles to prepare only when the battle's about to begin..."
Sasuke spoke indifferently, flicked his White Cloak, and sat down atop Hashirama Senju's statue.
Yes, this battle... was more special than the previous nine. Both the significance of the battle itself and the added significance of his opponent made it worth arriving early.
Resting his cheek on one hand, Madara studied Sasuke. "They may only be ordinary Mangekyo, but they carry a story far beyond your years..."
Sasuke glanced around. "That black fellow and your