Forcing down the towering rage in his heart, Madara Uchiha held out a large hand. Under everyone's astonished gazes, a black chakra rod rapidly formed in his palm.
Black Zetsu recognized the rod's origin at a glance. Its muddy body began writhing and struggling wildly, trying to break free of the Wood Release restraints and escape this terrifying man who filled it with dread.
But with both Shingetsu and Hashirama watching, it had nowhere to run.
Hashirama had no sympathy whatsoever for this monster of unknown origin. Seeing Black Zetsu try to escape, he aimed a Wood Release strike straight at its head, while Shingetsu cheerfully gripped Kaguya Bunny by the neck. If Black Zetsu dared to flee, she would dare to strangle its mother.
"I found this in your memories, too."
Madara Uchiha gave an icy, mocking laugh. Then the black rod in his hand pierced straight through Black Zetsu's body!
"Aah-"
A harrowing scream rose from the wilderness into the sky. As a product of Kaguya Otsutsuki's Yin-Yang Release, Black Zetsu was finally facing a genuine threat.
But this was nowhere near enough to quell Madara Uchiha's fury. A cruel smile curled his lips as he formed more and more black rods in his palm, repeatedly driving them through Black Zetsu's body to vent his rage!
In moments, it resembled a hedgehog impaled by countless spikes, without a single gap left anywhere on its muddy body.
But Madara still did not find that satisfying enough. He turned toward Hashirama and ordered:
"Hashirama, Sealing Jutsu!"
Without a second thought, Hashirama held his breath and focused for a moment, instantly entering Sage Mode. Mysterious markings appeared around his eyes as he unleashed his strongest Sealing Jutsu-
"Sage Art: Gate of the Great God!"
Red torii gates abruptly materialized out of