Madara stood in the way, his Sharingan so frighteningly red they looked ready to drip blood.
"If you want to take Izuna away, you'll have to kill me first."
He forced the words out one by one.
Ryuto held Rena without speaking. His black eyes watched Madara, then lowered to Rena in his arms. Her face was white as paper, her breathing so faint it was almost gone.
There was no more time to waste.
Ryuto raised his head and looked at Madara. "If she dies, your brother dies with her."
His voice was quiet, but cold.
The corner of Madara's mouth twitched.
At that critical moment, Hashirama Senju moved.
He didn't walk over. He charged, darting between Ryuto and Madara to stand in their way.
"Wait! Both of you, wait!" Hashirama panted. His chakra was almost depleted too, and he looked pale, but his eyes were urgent. "Listen to me!"
Madara and Ryuto both looked at him.
Hashirama looked at Ryuto first. "Rena can't wait any longer! Look at her ki. If we delay any more, not even a god could save her!"
Ryuto's hands tightened.
Hashirama immediately turned to Madara, speaking rapidly. "Madara! You saw what Izuna was like just now! Something was wrong! Completely wrong! He looked like someone was controlling him! Think about it. Would Izuna ambush someone who couldn't fight anymore and was being carried away?"
Madara said nothing, but his Sharingan flickered.
"Something's wrong here!" Hashirama stared at Madara. "But now isn't the time to investigate! Saving lives comes first! Saving Rena! And saving Izuna!"
Madara sneered. "Save my brother? You call handing him over to you saving him?"
"Yes!" Hashirama said firmly. "I stake my life on it!"
Even Ryuto froze for a moment at those words.
So did Madara.
Hashirama slapped his