Their eyes met, and a dazzling spark seemed to flare in the air.
There was no doubt that Madara Uchiha harbored deep hatred for River. The moment he saw him, he understood.
Yes, only the man before him possessed the strength and standing to stir up turmoil throughout the Shinobi World.
"Every era has its own brilliance and glory."
"But who could ever eclipse me, Madara Uchiha!"
Madara stepped forward. The three tomoe in his blood-red eyes spun sharply, forming a complex, intimidating pattern.
The Mangekyō Sharingan-and at its very pinnacle, the eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Not even you!"
As those words left his lips, Madara vanished. When he reappeared, he was already right before River.
"You're far too arrogant, Madara!"
"You're nothing but an old man abandoned by his era, yet you still bask in the fading glow of its sunset."
River smiled faintly as he spoke.
He slowly raised his head. His clear black-and-white eyes turned blood-red at a visible speed, then manifested three tomoe, followed by a swirling Mangekyō pattern.
The sight made Madara's pupils contract in surprise.
The next second, he brought his right leg down in a vicious kick.
It was simple, sharp Taijutsu, but lethal all the same. For a powerhouse like him, every strike far surpassed what others could deliver.
Bang!
Yet River blocked that ferocious blow with ease.
Madara's expression remained unchanged. He shifted position again, unleashing punches, kicks, elbow strikes, and more in an unbroken chain of straightforward Taijutsu.
Bang, bang, bang, bang!
River countered just as swiftly. A string of dull impacts rang out, and dust scattered beneath their feet.
After dozens of exchanges, neither could gain the upper hand.
Madara pulled back, his feet carving two tracks across the ground.
"Compared to last time, you really have grown more mature