When Kawakaze returned to Konoha with Madara, it caused an immediate uproar.
The greatest threat to the ninja world had finally been eliminated, and the heavy shadow that had loomed over everyone's hearts was completely lifted.
Kawakaze did not parade Madara through the streets of Konoha, granting him a final shred of respect.
...
Not long after arriving at the Hatake residence, Hashirama, Tobirama, and the others quickly gathered around.
"Hashirama, my fate is already sealed," Madara said. "And yours is about to be rewritten. You've won."
Though he had only heard the sound of approaching footsteps, Madara knew without a doubt that Hashirama had arrived.
"Madara, what do you mean?" Hashirama asked, clearly confused. "What do you mean I've won?"
"You don't need to understand."
"If you still consider me a friend, then in the future, keep an eye on this ninja world for me."
During their journey back, Madara had listened to Kawakaze recount the entire story of Naruto. He had already come to terms with everything.
He had always been nothing more than a pawn, manipulated by others. No matter how he lost, he couldn't say it was unfair.
"Friend?"
"You're overthinking it."
Tobirama scoffed. "Would someone as dangerous as Madara Uchiha even have friends?"
From the moment Madara left Konoha, he was destined to walk a lonely path.
"Tobirama, I know you've always had strong opinions about me."
"I was wrong."
For once, Madara lowered his head.
Tobirama was so taken aback that, for a moment, he almost wondered if Kawakaze had brought back an imposter.
"Who is this?"
Tobirama turned to Kawakaze, his eyes filled with suspicion.
"This is Madara," Kawakaze said, smiling knowingly. "The real one."
He didn't bother explaining further—there was no need.
"These are the Rinnegan."
"I was worried he might destroy them, so I removed them myself."
"You should hold onto them for now."
He handed a sealed jar containing the Rinnegan to Tsunade. Kawakaze knew he wasn't suited for delicate medical procedures like implanting eyes.
"Understood."
Tsunade accepted the jar, cradling it carefully in her arms.
"Is everyone here?"
Kawakaze's gaze swept over the gathered shinobi. He was ready to perform the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique without delay.
"Everyone is present," Minato confirmed with a nod.
Even Chiyo had made the journey to Konoha, accompanied by Sasori.
"Good."
"Where is Hayato?"
Even though Madara had accepted his fate, Kawakaze wasn't willing to take any chances.
He needed the Yamanaka Clan to control Madara with the Mind Body Switch Technique—only then could he be at ease.
"Lord Kawakaze, I'm here."
Hayato emerged from the crowd, leading several members of his clan. He quickly jogged to Kawakaze's side.
"It's all up to you now."
"Don't mess up the hand seal sequence."
Kawakaze patted Hayato on the shoulder, trusting him with this critical task.
"Don't worry, I've practiced it countless times."
The hand seals weren't what worried Hayato—it was Madara himself.
He had never attempted to control someone of this caliber before. If a single attempt wasn't enough, he had brought backup.
If necessary, they would take turns.
One way or another, they would make it work.
"Alright."
"Bring all the fallen shinobi here."
Kawakaze didn't intend to make a grand spectacle of the event. As long as those who deserved to be revived were brought back, that was enough.
A promise made was a promise kept.
"I'll handle the arrangements."
Minato turned and left. Before long, ice coffins were transported to the Hatake residence, each containing shinobi who had perished in battle against Madara and the elite reanimated warriors.
"Go ahead and implant the Rinnegan—one will suffice."
After confirming that all the bodies had arrived, Kawakaze instructed Tsunade to proceed.
"Understood."
Tsunade opened the jar, carefully retrieving a single Rinnegan.
She approached Madara, pressing the Rinnegan into his empty socket. A soft green glow emanated from her hands. Even if Madara resisted, she had the ability to forcibly establish the connection between him and the eye.
The process took less than a minute. When Tsunade withdrew her hand, Madara's newly implanted Rinnegan was already open.
"Can I ask you for a favor?"
Madara turned his gaze to Kawakaze, a rare hint of pleading in his tone.
"Speak."
Kawakaze frowned slightly, unsure of Madara's intentions.
"Can you revive Izuna? My younger brother."
Even in his final moments, Madara's thoughts remained on his brother, hoping to secure a second chance for him.
"Absolutely not."
Before Kawakaze could respond, Tobirama had already shut the idea down.
Izuna Uchiha was a dangerous man. The last thing Konoha needed was another unstable force resurfacing.
"I understand how you feel."
"But I'm sorry. I can't do that."
Kawakaze hardened his heart and refused without hesitation.
While Izuna alone might not be enough to stir up major chaos, his revival would undoubtedly introduce instability.
Besides, handing Fugaku an unexpected ancestor to deal with would be far from considerate.
"Then… can I at least see him?"
"Just for a minute."
Madara showed no signs of disappointment. This outcome was within his expectations.
"You can."
This time, Kawakaze did not refuse. He led Madara to a tea room and unsealed Izuna's reanimated body.
Before leaving them alone, he instructed Orochimaru to restrict Izuna's mobility, ensuring nothing unexpected would happen.
A minute passed quickly.
When the tea room doors opened, Izuna's reanimated body had already crumbled into dust.
He had willingly undone the Edo Tensei, allowing his soul to return to the Pure Land.
"Tha…nk… you."
The words felt foreign, awkward on Madara's tongue, as if they burned his throat on the way out.
"Farewell, Lord Madara."
In a voice meant only for himself, Kawakaze whispered his final words to Madara.
Leading him back into the courtyard, Kawakaze met Hayato's eyes and gave him a subtle signal.
"Mind Body Switch Technique."
Hayato, catching the cue, took a deep breath. His expression was solemn as he performed the Yamanaka Clan's signature jutsu on Madara.
Surprisingly, the technique worked flawlessly on the first attempt. Hayato's body collapsed into the arms of his waiting clansmen.
"Did it succeed?"
"Yes, Lord Kawakaze."
The exchange was smooth—Madara's body was now entirely under Hayato's control.
"Then let's begin."
Kawakaze released the Truth-Seeking Orbs restraining Madara. Instantly, his newly reattached arms moved into action, forming hand seals.
Though his speed was not as fast as before, each seal was precise.
"Outer Path—Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique."
The moment Madara's hands clasped together, an overwhelming surge of chakra erupted.
Thick smoke billowed as a towering figure emerged—the King of Hell.
Its massive mouth gaped open, releasing countless souls that swiftly returned to the bodies of the fallen shinobi.
A vibrant green glow spread across the corpses. Their hearts began beating, their lungs drawing breath once more.
The Impure World Reincarnated figures, including Hashirama and the others, radiated a brilliant white energy so intense that it momentarily blinded the onlookers.
As the smoke cleared, the cracks on their skin vanished. Their once-dull eyes regained clarity and life.
The resurrection had succeeded.
Without hesitation, Kawakaze rushed forward, wrapping Tsunade in a tight embrace.
He could feel her warmth again.
"I will never let you leave me again."
Holding the woman he loved, Kawakaze felt hot tears slipping down his face before he even realized it.
"I'm proud of you."
Tsunade gently patted his back, and for a moment, everything felt as it should be.
Nearby, Nonō stood with her hand resting on her slightly swollen belly. From behind, Nagato wrapped an arm around her.
"Let's get married."
"Okay."
Tears welled up in Nonō's eyes as she nodded without hesitation.
Hashirama, Mito, and Tobirama exchanged knowing smiles. They had been given life once more.
...
The moment the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique was complete, Hayato withdrew from Madara's body.
Madara staggered, then collapsed heavily to the ground—but he was not dead just yet.
"Madara."
Unable to hold back his emotions, Hashirama rushed to his old friend's side, kneeling beside him.
"Hashirama…"
"Our dream… has finally been realized."
"I used to laugh at you for being too naive."
"But in the end… the naive one was me."
At last, Madara admitted the truth. The shinobi world had become the one he had always hoped for.
"You always feared someone lurking behind you."
"But you don't have to anymore."
"I'll watch over this world for you."
"My friend…"
...
[The End]