As the lightning in the sky faded away, Kawaki landed gracefully back on top of Daibutsu's head.
The Truth-Seeking Ball sword had shrunk back to its usual size. Kawaki casually twirled the blade with a flourish, radiating calm confidence.
Not a single speck of falling ash landed on him.
"What do you think?"
"Could you see it clearly?"
Kawaki smirked with a hint of mockery, almost entranced by the overwhelming power of the Truth-Seeking Balls.
"This… can't be real."
"No way…"
Madara's gaze faltered, unable to believe what he just witnessed.
Could the power he had fought so hard to obtain really be this fragile?
"There's nothing impossible about it."
"Accept reality."
After saying that, Kawaki struck again.
The black Truth-Seeking Ball extended rapidly forward, transforming into a thick and heavy rod.
He unleashed a furious barrage on the Armored Outer Path Susano'o.
Having tasted defeat once before, Madara knew brute force wouldn't work. He maneuvered Susano'o desperately to dodge left and right, none of the poise expected from a legendary warrior remained.
Meanwhile, the others quickly regained their composure and launched a fierce assault against Madara's reanimated army.
Under overwhelming superiority in both strength and numbers, Madara's undead forces were sealed one by one.
Hashirama and the others gradually closed in around Madara.
"You want to kill me?"
"It won't be that easy."
Seeing the group eyeing him aggressively, Madara wiped blood from the corner of his mouth and laughed maniacally.
"If you've got any more tricks left, go ahead and use them!"
"I'll make sure you die peacefully."
Kawaki landed a solid blow. The Armored Outer Path Susano'o shattered under the impact, and even the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path was cracked.
[Fire Release: Ash-Cloaking Technique!]
Landing atop the Demonic Statue, Madara formed hand seals and then spat scorching hot ash in all directions.
As the ash hit the ground, it quickly spread outward, instantly obstructing everyone's vision.
"He's trying to escape."
Hashirama saw through Madara's intent and shouted at the top of his lungs, ignoring the impaired visibility, boldly controlling the Daibutsu to charge forward.
[Wind Release: Sudden Gust!]
As Nagato unleashed the Wind Release technique, the ash scattered away, restoring everyone's vision.
But where was Madara now?
"He escaped?"
Tobirama gazed numbly ahead, his voice heavy with disappointment.
Just when they had gained the upper hand, Madara still managed to slip away.
"So let him live a few more days—what difference does it make?"
"Don't worry. I've already placed Flying Thunder God marks on the Demonic Statue."
"I can locate him anytime."
"There are too many people here. If Madara really wanted to fight to the death, how many would perish?"
Kawaki had his own reasoning. Although his strength had surpassed Madara's, that didn't mean he could protect everyone.
"Ending this sooner means peace sooner."
"Sacrificing a few lives is an acceptable cost."
Tobirama always valued gain above all else. Hearing these words from him, Kawaki wasn't surprised at all.
"Accept? Accept what?"
"I can't accept it!"
Hashirama completely disagreed with his younger brother's thinking. He believed what Kawaki said made sense. Achieving their goal with minimal casualties—what difference does a few more days make?
"Madara has no pawns left to play."
"Leave it to me to capture him."
"You all don't need to lift a finger."
Kawaki gave Tsunade a slight smile. He was already completely confident.
Judging from today's battle, the Truth-Seeking Balls were even more powerful than he'd expected.
As for defeating Uchiha Madara—and capturing him alive—Kawaki was brimming with confidence.
"So, can we leave this place now?"
Tsunade wasn't upset that they couldn't be revived today.
She hadn't been home in ages, though, and she really missed her child.
"Of course you can."
"Gather your things. We'll head back to Konoha."
Kawaki nodded firmly, and Minato and the others cheered loudly.
They missed their children too. Those two months in the desert had been brutal.
"Lord Kawaki, then we'll take our leave first."
Rasa stepped up beside Kawaki, his expression gloomy. Even now, sealing his teacher away himself still left a knot in his chest.
"Mm, thank you all for your hard work this time."
"Why don't you bring the kids over to Konoha sometime? It'd be good for them to make more friends!"
Kawaki patted Rasa's shoulder. In today's ninja world, they were no longer enemies.
"Sure, I will."
Rasa nodded, thinking of Karura and his three children, finally allowing a faint smile onto his face.
"Lord Kawaki, um... What about my grandma? Will she be going to Konoha with you?"
Sasori stepped forward from behind Rasa. He wouldn't mind living in Konoha if that's what it took to resurrect Chiyo.
Chiyo, whether unwilling or simply too shy to speak, stayed behind Sasori, avoiding Kawaki's gaze.
"You two can stay in the Land of Wind for now."
"I'll let you know once I've captured Uchiha Madara."
"Then you can bring your grandma to Konoha at that time."
Kawaki didn't show any displeasure toward Chiyo's attitude and spoke gently with Sasori.
"Thank you very much."
"Then we'll take our leave."
After saying that, Sasori followed Rasa out. Not a word was said about the One-Tail, though.
"We're pulling out too."
Watching the three men gradually disappear into the distance, Kawaki gave the order, and the main force quickly began heading toward Konoha.
"Bro-in-law, you were so cool today."
"Shshsh~"
"I'm even regretting not following you properly to learn swordsmanship."
Nawaki moved closer to Kawaki, continuously swinging his arms dramatically, stars practically bursting from his eyes.
No wonder he looked up to his Onii-san so much!
Ooooh!
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"You? Don't kid yourself."
Tsunade spared none of her brother's dignity, giving him a cold glare with obvious disdain.
"What did I do wrong?"
"Don't I have talent?"
Nawaki refused to accept defeat. Samehada was performing at 200% of its potential under his grip.
Didn't that prove his talent in swordsmanship?
"Nawaki-kun, are you really short on practice time?"
There's no sting like criticism from your own brother. At Minato's words, Nawaki's expression immediately changed.
After all, Minato was the one who had trained under Kawaki the longest.
"Pfft, whatever. That's all on you then."
Nawaki gave his brother a resentful glance. What a buzzkill.
"Hahaha~"
Seeing the banter between them, Hashirama and the others couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Even Madara's lingering frustration over his earlier defeat seemed to ease.
"As for whether or not it's sword-related, I'll refrain from commenting."
"Your Water Release techniques aren't half bad, kid."
"I'll teach you more when I have time."
Tobirama noticed that all the Water Release techniques Nawaki used in battle were almost entirely ones he himself had created. Naturally, he wouldn't withhold anything from his older brother's grandson.
"Great! Thank you, Ikeda Nidaime."
Nawaki immediately became enthusiastic upon hearing this. He leaned close to Tobirama, saying the name with obvious affection.
"This kid sure plays favorites."
"Wonder who he learned that from?"
Kawaki acted like they'd just met, delivering a teasing remark.
"Don't see a bit of yourself in him?"
Tsunade stifled a chuckle as she looked at Kawaki. Didn't you teach him that yourself?
"Haha~ Really?"
"Honestly, I didn't notice at all."
Kawaki let out a nervous laugh to hide his embarrassment, scratching his nose with a sheepish expression.
His gaze moved across the younger generation and those closest to him. Each of them reflected, in their own way, a part of him.
He hadn't even realized it—yet he'd already left his mark on so many people.
...
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