Both Izuna and Senju Hashirama turned their attention to the Kaguya ninja who had spoken out.
The man looked at Senju Hashirama with a resolute expression. "Clan Head Senju, isn't this the perfect opportunity to eliminate the Uchiha clan head and vice-clan head? Uchiha Madara is already too weak to fight, and Uchiha Izuna is surrounded. If we kill Uchiha Madara now, then all join forces to attack Uchiha Izuna, wouldn't that be an excellent chance?"
He wasn't alone in thinking this. Many of the surviving Kaguya clansmen shared the same idea.
Right now, Uchiha Madara was in Senju Hashirama's hands. Killing him would be easier than crushing an ant.
As for Uchiha Izuna, though he was strong, the other half of the Twin Heroes of the Warring States had now arrived.
Combined with the Kaguya's remaining forces, surely they could take him down, right?
"Hahaha! Well said!"
Izuna suddenly burst into laughter and gestured toward Senju Hashirama. "How about we do just that, Hashirama? Give me back that worthless older brother of mine, and I'll take on the two of you."
Senju Hashirama smiled bitterly inside. The Kaguya truly underestimated Izuna.
Leaving aside whether Izuna had made any new breakthroughs in the past few months, the Two-Tails alone—if summoned—could raze the current Kaguya village to the ground in an instant.
Of course, Senju Hashirama didn't know that the Two-Tails was no longer in Izuna's possession.
Even Izuna himself didn't understand what had happened.
Senju Hashirama looked up. "Absolutely not!"
He then turned to Izuna. "Izuna, I'll accompany you as you retreat to the western shore. Once we're there, I'll return Madara to you. What do you say?"
Hearing this, many of the Kaguya ninja felt deeply unwilling.
After all, their clan head had just died.
They now had a chance to kill Uchiha Madara—the Uchiha clan head—right here and avenge Kaguya Manro. Yet Senju Hashirama was proposing an exchange.
How could they not be furious?
But right now, the survival of their entire clan depended on Senju Hashirama.
Without him, they would face annihilation. They didn't dare object, and could only follow his lead.
Izuna's cold gaze swept over the Kaguya group, making them shiver. His tone was flat. "Originally... tonight would have been the end of the Kaguya clan."
With that, he turned and walked toward the western shore.
Senju Hashirama, carrying Madara, called out to Kaguya Taketori, "Please wait for me."
Leaving those words behind, Senju Hashirama followed Izuna toward the coast with Madara in tow.
Many of the Kaguya clansmen were seething with resentment, gathering around their second-in-command—and undoubtedly the next clan head—Kaguya Taketori.
"Lord Taketori, are we just letting them go?"
"Exactly. So many of our people died."
"That Uchiha Madara is clearly on death's door. We could kill him so easily."
"Does Senju Hashirama have some hidden agenda?"
The Warring States period was an age of mutual suspicion. No one trusted anyone.
Even though Senju Hashirama had saved them, simply because the outcome didn't suit their preferences, they began to suspect his motives.
If it were Izuna or Madara, they'd have slapped them without hesitation.
Only Senju Hashirama had the patience to tolerate this.
Fortunately, Kaguya Taketori was far calmer than Kaguya Manro. He ordered in a stern voice, "Enough! It's over. For now, transfer the wounded to safety for treatment. Anyone still able to move, handle the bodies of our fallen. Everything else... we'll discuss once Clan Head Senju returns!"
Several hours later, on the western shore of Kaguya Island, facing the Land of Fire.
Senju Hashirama kept his promise, returning Madara to Izuna and releasing the other two Uchiha who had been restrained there as well.
"This will be an absolute humiliation for him. Once he recovers, he'll definitely come after you to settle the score."
Izuna took Madara with a faint, mocking smile.
Being captured and used as a hostage by the enemy—especially by his greatest rival, the one he most wanted to defeat—Madara would probably wish he were dead when he woke up.
But he would never die. Instead, he would train relentlessly until he could defeat Senju Hashirama.
Senju Hashirama shrugged with a wry chuckle, then suddenly turned serious. "Izuna, you know about that dream Madara and I talked about when we were kids, right? The one about building a village?"
"If the strongest clans of the Warring States—the Senju and the Uchiha—publicly expressed support together, the other clans and the daimyo would have no choice but to take our idea seriously. Then—"
Before Senju Hashirama could finish, he noticed Izuna staring at him as if he were an idiot.
When Senju Hashirama trailed off awkwardly, Izuna finally spoke. "Your Senju have already begun mobilizing troops to attack us, and now you're talking to me about dreams? Are you sick or something?"
Senju Hashirama's expression soured. He knew this wasn't the right time to bring it up.
The next great battle between the Senju and Uchiha was like an arrow nocked and ready—it had to be released.
"But... but you also believe we can make it happen, don't you? With you, me, Madara, Tobirama—with our combined strength, it's possible."
Senju Hashirama refused to give up.
Izuna's eyes narrowed. He smirked inwardly.
Your words might be trustworthy, but your little brother...
Though Izuna had no right to criticize Senju Tobirama—he himself was no stranger to underhanded tactics.
"Let's talk about it after this battle is over."
Izuna gave an ambiguous answer, yet it was fitting.
With the Uchiha and Senju about to clash, topics like dreams and villages could only be discussed afterward.
"Summoning Technique!"
Izuna summoned another ninja hawk, loaded Madara and the other two onto it, then leaped aboard himself.
"Madara's condition—I gave him basic treatment with my Wood Release healing technique, but it's not optimistic. Best not to let him join this battle."
Senju Hashirama said suddenly.
Izuna paused, inspecting Madara's condition. Sure enough, many of his wounds had already healed, and new flesh was even growing in places.
According to the future reincarnated Madara, Senju Hashirama's healing technique didn't even require hand seals and could close wounds instantly. It seemed that ability was already taking shape.
But seriously, befitting reincarnated soulmates, huh? He even took the time to heal him...
Izuna grumbled internally, patting the ninja hawk's back to signal it to take flight and leave Kaguya Island.
Senju Hashirama watched the hawk recede into the distance for a long time before finally turning back toward the Kaguya village.
Several more hours passed. By the time Senju Hashirama returned to the village, the sun had already risen halfway above the horizon.
Entering the mostly destroyed village, Senju Hashirama noticed the Kaguya clansmen looking at him with... hostility.
He couldn't help but smile bitterly. It made sense—after all, they'd had a chance to kill Madara and avenge their fallen comrades, but he had "ruined" it.
Only someone as good-natured as him would still smile back in the face of such stares.
He quickly made his way to the Kaguya hall, where Kaguya Taketori was, to discuss post-battle matters.
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