Chapter 43: A Youthful Countenance
After Hashirama left, Kazama Valley fell into a heavy silence.
In recent years, as stories of the mining wars spread, Hashirama had gradually become acknowledged as the undisputed strongest shinobi in the Warring States. In the hearts of the Senju clansmen, as long as Clan Head Hashirama was present, there was no enemy they couldn't defeat—even the Uchiha clan.
Now that Hashirama was gone, the Senju's morale dipped slightly.
Tobirama looked around and spoke up. "What's wrong with everyone? Big brother went back, but the Uchiha Clan Head isn't here either. Do you really think we will lose to the Uchiha?"
Hearing "lose to the Uchiha" fired up the Senju clansmen immediately. Having considered themselves the number one clan of the Warring States for years, how could they possibly admit defeat to the Uchiha?
Masahiko stood to the side, looking thoughtful. Something felt wrong. Both Hashirama and Madara were absent. Did this mean this wasn't the battle where Izuna died?
However, half an hour later, Masahiko's expression changed drastically. His sensory ability picked up a large unit of ninja approaching. The Uchiha army had arrived. The key issue was that the person leading them... was clearly Uchiha Madara!
"Damn it! Hashirama was lured away! This wasn't in the original story. Where did I change the plot? Was it because Hashirama learned Sage Mode early?" Masahiko looked around. The Senju forces here were likely not enough to stand against Uchiha Madara.
"Sigh." Masahiko sighed and turned to Nanako and Kento. "You two, go back and protect Yiko-chan. I'm afraid I won't be able to look after you in the coming battle."
"Sensei..." Kento wanted to ask why, but Nanako pulled him back. It was the first time she had ever seen Masahiko look so serious.
"Great-Uncle, why send them back?" Tobirama asked, looking confused.
Masahiko smiled. "In the coming battle, we'll all have to fight for our lives."
Tobirama wanted to ask more, but he was startled by a rumbling sound from the distance.
On the far horizon, a black dot suddenly appeared. Then the dot became a line, and then a massive wave of black. More and more figures appeared, moving toward them at high speed.
"They're here!" Masahiko's heart tightened. "It really is Uchiha Madara. Transformation Jutsu: Release!"
To maintain his 48-year-old appearance, Masahiko had been constantly using the Transformation Jutsu. Although the consumption of a LV10 Transformation was negligible in daily life, maintaining it during high-intensity combat still required a small portion of chakra.
Even during the mining war, when he was pressured by the Hatake Clan Head while maintaining the Katsuyu summoning, he hadn't released the transformation. But this time... he was facing Uchiha Madara.
Tobirama didn't ask any more questions. In fact, there was no need to ask. The moment he saw Uchiha Madara, he understood all of Masahiko's actions.
He turned his head quickly. "Great-Uncle, I'll hold off Uchiha Madara. As long as you quickly defeat Uchiha Izuna, we still have a chance to win this war..."
As Tobirama spoke, he suddenly felt that something was wrong.
Masahiko smiled faintly, took off his hood, and shed his loose, wide robes.
"What? Are you stunned by your Great-Uncle's handsome, youthful face? I'll handle Madara. Let me show you my current strength."
"Great-Uncle... you..." Tobirama's voice choked up. Masahiko thought he was moved to tears by his handsome face...
Unexpectedly, Tobirama turned quickly to the panicked Senju clansmen. "Do not panic! To stop Uchiha Madara, Great-Uncle Masahiko has overdrawn his life force! As long as we quickly crush the rest of the Uchiha, victory will still belong to us!"
The Senju clansmen looked at Masahiko's youthful face. Many of them looked moved and shouted in response, "Crush the Uchiha!"
"I didn't realize I was so noble..." Masahiko cursed silently in his heart.
Ninjas are fast. When you can see them, it means they aren't far away. As they spoke, Uchiha Madara had already led his clansmen to within two hundred meters of the Senju. Any closer, and they would be in range of the Senju's ninjutsu.
Uchiha Madara looked around, disappointed. "That single-celled idiot Hashirama really isn't here..." He glared at Izuna.
Masahiko understood immediately. He knew that even if Madara realized he was currently weaker than Hashirama, he wouldn't stoop to using tricks to lure Hashirama away.
"Big brother!" Izuna glanced at Madara. "This is a rare opportunity..."
"I know!" Madara interrupted Izuna. He stepped forward slightly, wasting no words, and formed seals directly. "Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
Tobirama was just about to form seals when Masahiko stopped him. Masahiko stepped forward. "Dark Release: Inhaling Maw!" The seal on his palm, prepared in secret, completely absorbed Madara's massive wall of fire.
"Madara, your opponent is me!" Masahiko shouted, looking at Uchiha Madara.
"That jutsu..." Madara hummed thoughtfully, looking at Masahiko. "An Uzumaki?"
Beside him, Izuna whispered, "I noticed that Uzumaki just now... Big brother, doesn't he look familiar?"
Madara pondered for a moment, and deep memories surfaced one by one. "You... You're that old guy from fourteen years ago!"
Masahiko smiled slightly. "Madara, I didn't expect you to still recognize me..."
Uchiha Madara looked angry. "It really is you, old man! Does this appearance mean you want to fight me to the death? Come on then! I wanted to kill you fourteen years ago!"
Madara looked ready to charge, but Izuna grabbed him.
"Big brother! Since that old guy has burned his life force, he won't be able to last long. The Senju have already set up defensive fortifications. If we attack now and he manages to stall you, our clansmen will suffer heavy casualties."
"Our men have just arrived after a long march; they need to rest too. Let's be patient. Even if Senju Hashirama realizes something is wrong and rushes back, it will take him at least eight hours."
"Big brother, focus on the bigger picture!"
After much persuasion, Madara reluctantly agreed. He ordered, "All Uchiha units, retreat one thousand meters and rest!"
Seeing the Uchiha temporarily withdraw, Tobirama didn't relax. Instead, he looked worriedly at Masahiko. "Great-Uncle, how long can you last? Should we attack now?"
Masahiko's face went dark. Why did everyone sound like he was about to drop dead any second?
Glancing at Tobirama, Masahiko said casually, "No need. Stalling is exactly what we want. It's best if Hashirama can make it back. As long as I don't fight, I can last as long as needed..."
Tobirama nodded, understanding.
At that moment, Masahiko's three students rushed over. Yiko had tears in her eyes and cried out, "Sensei..." She looked like she was about to burst into tears.
Masahiko quickly tried to comfort her. "Sensei is fine. Sensei has a very long lifespan..."
Nobody believed him. All three students wore expressions of grief. Tears were already streaming down Yiko's cheeks.
Masahiko looked helpless.
"Sigh... why did it turn out like this? Why does everyone act like I'm doomed..."
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