Meanwhile, Tobirama used Flying Thunder God to instantly return to the group...
"Pass the order! Put the entire village on highest alert! Monkey, follow the plan with the others!"
The short Brown-haired Spiky-haired Boy replied, "Understood, Master!"
"Sarutobi, you should call him Lord Tobirama!" another Black-haired Boy scolded him before accepting the order and leaving with him.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Under Tobirama's command, the jonin carried out the plan, using Earth Release to raise the ground beneath the meeting room.
Earth Release-Earth Moving Core!
Another group joined forces to erect a barrier.
Outside the village, Shukaku the One-Tail assisted them with a Magnet Release sealing technique.
At that moment, the shifting ground exposed a pool of "black shadow." It was only visible for an instant, but Tobirama's keen eyes caught it.
Tiger → Bird → Snake!
Water Release-Water Severing Wave!
The technique was fast and struck Black Zetsu directly. Unfortunately, no matter how powerful an attack was, it could not harm him unless it was at least senjutsu-level!
"If ninjutsu won't work, I'll try a physical attack!"
He immediately threw out a Trident Kunai and teleported over.
"Flying Thunder God: Slash!" Only as his blade swept toward the black shadow did the sound of it cutting through the air catch up.
But his opponent swiftly melted into the earth and vanished...
After his slash missed, Tobirama landed and pressed his index and middle fingers against the ground.
Kagura Mind Technique!
"How is that possible? I can't sense him?!"
Magnet Release was too slow. By the time Shukaku unleashed it, their opponent had already disappeared.
Just then, Tetsuhiro and Madara came rushing out in pursuit!
Tetsuhiro shouted, "Dispel the barrier! These things won't work on him!"
Kurama said urgently, "He's reached the village gates!"
The ninja unleashed Earth Release-Earth Moving Core again!
But this time, Black Zetsu had learned his lesson and deliberately guarded against the technique, so he wasn't exposed.
Tetsuhiro dropped from midair and stomped down with all his strength!
Boom! Like a miniature Tailed Beast Bomb, the impact instantly shattered the ground, leaving a huge circular crater twenty-five meters across centered on Tetsuhiro!
"Brother!" Tobirama shouted from a distance. "Physical attacks and ninjutsu don't work on him!"
Seeing this, Madara immediately bit his right thumb.
Boar → Dog → Bird → Monkey → Ram.
Summoning Technique!
"Madara, I didn't expect you to summon me so soon. Who could possibly make you need help to deal with them?"
When the smoke cleared, it revealed none other than the White Snake Sage!
"Enough talk. Use Inorganic Reincarnation outside the gates!" Madara ordered her expressionlessly.
"How cold of you~"
Sage Art-Inorganic Reincarnation!
The ground immediately connected with the White Snake Sage.
"Oh? So there's a little rat."
Under her control, the earth below began shaking as though struck by an earthquake.
Yet the intruder remained unaffected and continued darting through it.
"In that case... try this." Senjutsu energy enveloped that stretch of ground and steadily compressed it inward.
Sage Art-Earth Prison Seal!
Now the pool of black substance was forced to condense into a humanoid shape.
"Konoha actually has another expert?" Black Zetsu quickly unleashed Yin-Yang Release, concentrating his power on a single point.
Crack! He bored an opening through the sealing jutsu and desperately fled through it.
At that very moment, an enormous chakra tachi coated in natural energy plunged into the earth from above, forcing Black Zetsu to change direction.
Three more tachi plunged down, restricting Black Zetsu's movements.
The White Snake Sage continued to mobilize her chakra.
Sage Art: Earth Release-Earth Tremor Technique!
Infused with natural energy, the powerful tremors left Black Zetsu dizzy and forced him out from underground. The instant his head emerged, he heard two furious shouts:
"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
"Sage Art: Wood Release-Cutting Technique!"
This time, it finally worked. After being struck by senjutsu, a tiny wound opened on Black Zetsu's pitch-black body!
"It's working! Keep it up, everyone!"
Agonizing pain pierced his body, yet no blood flowed. Despite his extreme rage, Black Zetsu kept a clear head.
Whatever exposed me, the situation is terribly unfavorable now. I have no choice but to use that. He steeled himself, no longer caring about the cost.
Without any hand seals or warning, his body suddenly became a pool of black water. After breaking free of his restraints, countless Black Zetsus sprang from it.
By the time the pool was exhausted, several hundred Black Zetsus had appeared. They burrowed into the earth and fled in every direction.
"He has a move like that, too? Why wasn't it in the original story?" Shocked, Tetsuhiro asked urgently, "Kurama, can you pinpoint him?"
Kurama shook his head. "Every one of them feels like his real body."
"In that case, Madara, let's try that move!"
"Tch. All this preparation, and we still couldn't take him down. We actually have to use that."
Since he hadn't objected, Tetsuhiro took it as agreement. He pressed his palms together and roared:
Sage Art: Wood Release-True Several Thousand Hands!
An enormous thousand-armed wooden Buddha immediately rose, blotting out the sky. Beside it, even Perfect Susanoo looked like a child.
They weren't finished yet!
"Susanoo: Majestic Attire!" Madara formed the Tiger hand seal and roared.
Susanoo flew onto the Buddha's head and slowly merged with it. Blue robes covered the Buddha's entire body. Its two main hands held a vajra and a staff, while every arm behind it was cloaked in blue flames!
"This is our bond! Madara, let's go!"
Standing beside Tetsuhiro, Madara briefly flashed a look of excitement before saying coolly, "Insect, your struggle ends here!"
Tetsuhiro roared, "Sage Art: Wood Release-True Several Thousand Hands!"
Countless wooden fists descended from behind it. I don't care how many clones you have. Every last one of you can die!
Everyone in Konoha was frozen in place by the succession of towering terrors appearing before their eyes.
They had thought the White Snake Sage and Perfect Susanoo were frightening enough. They hadn't expected Wood Release to inspire even greater despair!
That smiling, overly merciful "Lord Hashirama" was actually this terrifying!
At that moment, two boys were watching the battlefield from a hilltop.
Stars sparkled in Hiruzen's and Danzo's eyes. "Our other master is actually this strong! I'm going to stick to him and learn more from him!"
Beside them, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu advised, "Lord Hashirama only taught us a little about ninjutsu out of kindness. He isn't formally our master. Besides, our talent could never reach that level. We'd be better off asking Lord Tobirama for more guidance."
Hiruzen Sarutobi was reluctant to give up. He muttered, "Uh... we should at least give it a try."
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the battlefield...
The White Snake Sage and the nine tailed beasts were working together to mop up anyone who slipped through.
Shukaku the One-Tail used Sand Release and Magnet Release to seal Black Zetsu's clones.
Matatabi the Two-Tails unleashed blue ghostly flames to block their paths.
Isobu the Three-Tails grew parasitic coral on Black Zetsu's clones.
Four-Tails... Five-Tails... Six-Tails... Seven-Tails... Eight-Tails, Nine-Tails...
"Of you lot, only that little fox amounts to anything. The rest can only bully ordinary people."
"What did you say?! Don't think living a long time makes you powerful. We're tailed beasts!" As Shukaku the One-Tail spoke arrogantly, the violet markings on his body shifted. "Old snake, you'd better be able to come back to life after you die, or else..."
"Sage, he's the one who offended you. Just hit him, not me~" The equally proud Matatabi the Two-Tails shifted her pupils slightly, but her words stunned the other tailed beasts.
But before the White Snake Sage could gloat, "Little tanuki, you..."
The sky-blotting Buddha donned its blue robes, and countless hill-sized fists behind it hammered toward the ground!
Under the relentless bombardment, the earth itself seemed to cry out in pain...
The beasts immediately gathered chakra to steady themselves. The violent tremors and thunderous bombardment continued for a full ten minutes before finally easing.
True Several Thousand Hands was dispelled and vanished.
They rejoiced as though they had survived a catastrophe. Among them, only the White Snake Sage and Kurama had ever seen this technique. The others had been subdued before it was even needed.
That was also why Tetsuhiro and Madara had arrived a little late. They had spent slightly more time dealing with the Nine-Tails.
Thud! The two landed at the same time.
"How did it go?" Tetsuhiro asked with a smile.
The tailed beasts hurriedly nodded, one after another. "We guarantee none escaped on our end!"
The White Snake Sage also answered solemnly, "That's right."
"Hmph. Dying under our combined attack was his good fortune."
"Was it really that easy to deal with him? With so many clones, some were bound to slip through. He can also liquefy himself. Madara, we need to prepare for the worst."
"Fine. I hope he's still alive, too. That way, I can take my time dealing with him!" A vicious gleam appeared in Madara's eyes as he spoke.
Tetsuhiro called on the tailed beasts, Tobirama, and the others to handle the cleanup and rebuilding, then summoned everyone back. He was going to announce the results.
Facing everyone's expectant gazes, Tetsuhiro stood in the square and raised Madara Uchiha's right hand. "Based on the vote tally, I hereby announce:"
"Konoha's First Hokage will be-Madara Uchiha!"
Enthusiastic applause and cheers erupted below.
"Heaven favors the Uchiha! Our clan will rise again!"
"Hehe, now the Senju are in for a rough time."
"Silence!"
Tetsuhiro continued his announcement. "Tobirama Senju will serve as Deputy Hokage, Sarutobi Sasuke as the Hokage's aide, and Shimura Tenzo and Nara Shikashi as Hokage Advisors.
"At the same time, the finance and personnel departments, the school, the research and medical teams, and other relevant departments will formally begin operations. The village will not shortchange anyone who has earned merit."
"Wonderful! Lord Hashirama is so kind!"
Feeling everyone's enthusiasm for Lord Hashirama, Senju Ao danced with excitement. But he failed to notice the shadow beneath his feet stir.
Meanwhile, on the outskirts of Konoha, Kurama was puzzled. "Is it because he split himself up so much? I keep feeling traces of his presence nearby."
Before you continue