Madara Uchiha attacks

Someone soon noticed Madara standing at the village gates. Though night had fallen, his vivid red armor stood out like a burning flame. They recognized him at once, and uncertainty and alarm filled their hearts.

Although Hashirama had never regarded Madara as a traitor to the village, the other ninja clans saw his actions as proof that he had abandoned it. By the traditional standards of the Warring States period, that was no different from betrayal! They had no idea why Madara had suddenly returned after betraying the village, or why he waited at the gates instead of coming inside.

This was something the First Hokage had to handle. Some stayed to watch Madara while others went to inform Hashirama. Madara knew they were monitoring him, but he made no move. Hashirama was the only person he wanted to see; there was no point in bothering with anyone else.

At that moment, Hashirama was looking forward to the village's upcoming Shinobi Village celebration. While he was discussing it with Tobirama in his office, the door burst open with a bang, and a ninja hurriedly reported that Madara had appeared at the village gates.

Hashirama paused, then exchanged a glance with Tobirama. Both sensed that something was wrong. Hashirama hoped Madara would return, but the words he had spoken before leaving were too troubling to ignore. Optimistic as Hashirama was, he did not believe Madara had come back to rejoin the village.

Still, now that Madara was here, Hashirama wanted to have a proper talk with him. He rose and headed outside. As he passed Tobirama, his brother said quietly, "Brother, be careful."

Hashirama knew Tobirama had always disliked Madara, especially after he had left without a word. But even now, Hashirama did not believe Madara would do anything too extreme. He smiled and patted his younger brother's shoulder. "It'll be fine."

I hope so, Tobirama thought as he watched Hashirama leave the room.

News of Madara's return immediately spread throughout the village, surprising everyone. He had practically vanished off the face of the earth, without a single word of news. No one had expected him to return. Only Kazemori Masaki felt a lingering tension alongside his surprise.

It's finally happening.

Kazemori Masaki understood that Madara had returned to steal the power of the Senju, uniting yin and yang to bring forth the power of all creation. To that end, Madara would sever his bond with Hashirama—and even their Dream—with his own hands.

Kazemori Masaki hurried toward the village gates, running into Kagami Uchiha along the way. Madara had helped raise Kagami, too. Even though Madara had brought trouble upon the Uchiha Clan, Kagami had never truly hated him. He believed Madara must have had a reason for leaving, and he wanted to ask him what it was.

By the time the two arrived at the gates, quite a crowd had gathered. No one knew why Madara had returned, but the former Clan Head of the Uchiha Clan and traitor to the village inevitably put them on guard. The Clan Heads of the Sarutobi, Shimura, Yamanaka, Nara, Akimichi, and other clans had all rushed over.

Madara still stood outside the gates, showing no intention of entering. His Sharingan was already active, and his crimson eyes slowly swept over everyone. When he saw Kagami Uchiha, a flicker of emotion stirred in his gaze. Seeing his successor grow up healthy and strong still brought him some comfort.

But Madara now had a greater goal, and Kagami Uchiha was not his concern. His gaze lingered on Kagami for only a moment before moving on.

"Lord Madara!" A pang of sadness struck Kagami Uchiha at Madara's reaction, and he called out.

Madara showed no intention of answering. Instead, he seemed to murmur to himself, "Is Hashirama not here yet?"

Everyone now understood that Madara wanted to speak with Hashirama. No one made any rash moves; they simply waited for Hashirama to arrive. Despite the crowd gathered there, not a word was spoken. The atmosphere was so heavy that it seemed to make breathing difficult.

A little while later, Hashirama hurried over in a white robe. Seemingly oblivious to the tension, he said cheerfully, "Madara, you couldn't have picked a better time to come back. The village is preparing for a celebration. You must be tired after your travels. You can relax and enjoy the festivities."

"Oh?" Madara narrowed his eyes slightly. "Preparing for a celebration, are you? It seems you've been running the village quite well lately, Hashirama."

"Yes. Take a good look around. The village is getting better and better," Hashirama replied with a smile.

"No need. Soon enough, this place will be just as it was in the beginning anyway," Madara said flatly.

Everyone's heart tightened. What did Madara mean by that? Did "in the beginning" mean when the village had just been founded, or did he mean...

"Hashirama, do you remember our conversation that day?" Madara continued, paying no attention to anyone else's expression.

Hashirama frowned slightly. Of course he remembered that day. The truth Madara had spoken of had troubled him ever since. Why was Madara bringing it up now?

"I didn't come back to reminisce with you. I came to fulfill my Dream," Madara said. "Hashirama, you're an obstacle. As long as you live, you'll stand in my way. To defeat you, I spent two years traveling alone before I finally found someone to help me."

Hashirama's heart jolted. Then he saw a red glow suddenly spread across the nearby sky. Something was lighting it up, and the Chakra emanating from it was extraordinarily intense. Even ninja who were not sensory specialists could feel the immense power gathering there.

"That's..." Hashirama murmured.

Then Tobirama's voice rang out behind him. "Brother, the Chakra over there is far too powerful! It's growing rapidly, and it's about to erupt!"

Hashirama turned in surprise. At that moment, Madara said calmly in front of him, "Can you protect this village, Hashirama?" Then he raised his hands and formed a hand seal.

His experience from countless battles immediately warned Hashirama of danger. Without hesitation, he formed hand seals with both hands. The ground beneath him shook violently, then split open. An enormous figure rose, carrying Hashirama upward, and its shadow instantly fell across every face below—

It was a gigantic Wooden Figure. Standing atop its head, Hashirama finally saw what they were facing—a huge fox crouched in the distance, its nine tails spread behind it, their tips pointing forward. Its jaws gaped wide as a dense sphere of Chakra gathered before its mouth.

Hashirama hastily commanded the Wooden Figure to raise both hands. At the same moment, the enormous Chakra sphere shot from the Monster Beast's mouth. With a thunderous roar, it crossed the vast distance in an instant and slammed into the Wooden Figure's palms.

This is bad! Hashirama had acted in haste, and the wooden figure had yet to reach its full strength. The enemy's chakra sphere also far exceeded his expectations. The blast immediately tore away half the wooden figure's body, and fierce winds swept Hashirama downward. Fortunately, his exceptional agility allowed him to land unharmed.

"Show me what you can really do." Madara's voice sounded beside Hashirama. Hashirama turned to find him watching with an expressionless face. Madara continued, "I could have summoned it right here, but I want a proper fight with you. Destroying Konoha will be my prize for victory. There's no hurry."

"Madara, what are you really trying to do?" Hashirama steadied his breathing and asked through gritted teeth.

"Isn't it obvious?" Madara gave a cold smile.

The smile vanished from Hashirama's face. He stared at Madara as though he no longer recognized him. Then he grabbed his white robe and flung it aside.

Beneath the white robe, Hashirama, too, wore vivid red armor. As a ninja from the Warring States period, he always had to be ready for battle while attending to official duties. Since Konoha Ninja Village's founding, it had been a long time since he had appeared before everyone like this. Now, at last, he stood armored for battle once more.

"Madara, I don't know what your Dream really is. But this village was our Dream, yours and mine, and now you want to destroy it." Hashirama looked coldly at Madara. "I will never allow that. Even if you've abandoned it, I'll protect it to the very end."

(End of chapter)