The aftershocks of the fierce battle spread like ripples from a boulder dropped into a still lake, piercing the silence inherent to the Pure Land.
Two distinctly different chakra signatures emerged almost simultaneously from different directions, drawing closer from afar.
One figure approached with steady steps, his long hair flowing.
Madara Uchiha carried a massive blue Gunbai formed from solidified chakra behind his back with one hand. His purple Rinnegan pierced the vast expanse, locking precisely onto the heart of the battle.
The other figure stood like an ancient tree rising from the earth, as unfathomable as a deep pool and imposing as a mountain.
Hashirama Senju appeared a short distance away, his arms resting naturally at his sides, his long black hair draped over his shoulders.
His presence was gentle and expansive, but beneath that gentleness lay the absolute power of the man who had once pacified a war-torn world and earned the title of "God of Shinobi."
Standing some distance apart, both men turned their gazes toward the battlefield, where golden and pure white energies continuously collided, annihilated one another, and formed anew.
"Is that Naruto Uzumaki?"
Madara spoke first, his voice low.
He had seen Naruto before when the Sage of Six Paths was observing the shinobi world, but at the time, Naruto had been playing at romance with a little pink-haired girl.
His purple eyes shifted slightly as he studied the golden figure's fighting style, paying particular attention to his Six-Tomoe Rinnegan.
Was that a Rinnegan or a Sharingan?
Wasn't he a member of the Uzumaki Clan?
Madara almost thought his eyes were failing him with age.
"Yes."
Hashirama nodded, his expression focused. "And he seems a little stronger than when we last met... no, much stronger."
His thoughts returned to when Orochimaru had summoned him