Naka Shrine Pass Technique.
This holy land of the Uchiha clan, having suffered from flooding and fire, now lay in ruins, severely damaged.
A clash between two generations ultimately ended with victory for the younger generation.
"This matter must be reported to the Third Hokage immediately. The Nine-Tails' Jinchūriki is also in danger."
After briefly recovering on-site, Fugaku and Hiashi decided to return to the village right away.
Just then—
The air not far away suddenly twisted in a strange way. Following that, a man wearing an orange vortex mask and a black cloak appeared out of nowhere.
Heiyan had just dealt with Obito and rushed here, but after glancing at the scene before him, he realized it seemed like he arrived too late.
"Who are you?"
Fugaku demanded sternly. Was this person another enemy resurrected by Impure World Reincarnation?
Hiashi acted even more directly. Without saying a word, he drew his bow and shot an arrow forward with a sharp "shoo," aimed straight at Heiyan's heart.
Swish!
Heiyan stood still, allowing the arrow to pass through his body before finally embedding itself into the trunk of a tree behind him.
Judging from the situation, it seemed Fugaku and Hiashi had defeated Tobirama Senju and emerged unscathed.
In that case, he could relax.
So, in front of the two, Heiyan formed a hand seal. With a puff of smoke, his body turned into white vapor and disappeared.
A Shadow Clone?
Seeing this, the two exchanged glances, filled with confusion.
"Never mind, let's head back to Konoha first."
After regaining their composure, they wasted no time and headed straight toward the village.
Inside the old mansion of the First Hokage in Konoha Village.
The clash of fists and kicks echoed through the yard.
It was Tsunade and Kushina engaged in a Taijutsu training match within the courtyard.
Kushina was also fourteen years old this year, a youthful and lovely age, her red flowing hair fluttering in the breeze, making her extraordinarily beautiful. What's more, she had recently been promoted to Jonin status. Combining both beauty and strength, she became the dream goddess of countless youths in the village.
Kushina had developed great harmony with the Nine-Tails.
Previously, the Nine-Tails had only been obeying and assisting Kushina in cultivation due to being intimidated and threatened by Heiyan, that shady guy. However, unexpectedly, after Heiyan's death, instead of immediately turning hostile as expected, the Nine-Tails opened its heart and accepted Kushina.
That guy was just one big softie underneath.
Right now, Kushina has already mastered the ability to effectively use the Nine-Tails' power, gradually approaching the day when she will become the Perfect Jinchūriki.
"Big sis, here I go! Watch out!"
Suddenly, Kushina shouted clearly, leaped forward, and threw a punch toward Tsunade.
Shishiish.
Instantly, her arm and fist were wrapped in a layer of red [Tailed Beast Cloak], greatly enhancing the impact of her punch using the Nine-Tails' chakra.
"How interesting."
With those words, Tsunade stood her ground and threw a punch straight back. At the same time, a surge of milky-white energy burst forth from her body like a tornado or hurricane, overwhelming everything in its path.
Boom!
The two punched against each other solidly.
Tsunade stood as steady as a mountain, while Kushina staggered backward nearly ten steps from the immense recoil force. Her entire arm went numb, and every bone in her body seemed ready to shatter.
"Only this much? Looks like you haven't made much progress over the years, huh?"
Seeing Kushina's pained expression, with her teeth clenched and tears brimming in her eyes, Tsunade teased with a smile.
"You're the abnormal one, Tsunade-nee! That kind of monster strength isn't something a normal human can exert."
Kushina replied with an indignant look. Just moments ago, Kurama had whispered from within that it had sensed Tsunade's overwhelming power — one comparable even to the First Hokage.
As for why Kurama hadn't warned Kushina sooner, that was naturally because the fox was mischievous and intentionally wanted to see Kushina fail.
Kushina winced, unable to suppress a sharp breath — her arm now completely numb.
"I'm really sorry — I went too far."
Seeing this, Tsunade quickly walked over and guiltily examined Kushina's arm, applying Medical Ninjutsu to heal it.
She had only recently completed her evolution into the Peak Sage Transformation, not yet fully in control of this overwhelming power — which explained why she had lost control of her strength before.
"That's enough practice for today. As an apology, I'll treat you to dinner."
After healing Kushina's arm, Tsunade generously offered.
"Yay!"
Upon hearing this, Kushina beamed with delight, her eyes crinkling into crescent shapes.
Thus, linking arms with Tsunade, they left the house chatting happily together.
Just then—
Creak!
The courtyard gate suddenly swung open, pushed by a single pair of large hands. Following this, a tall man wearing a cloak and hood stepped through the entrance.
"Who are you?"
Tsunade instantly frowned in displeasure. Intruding upon someone's home uninvited was extremely impolite.
Upon hearing her words, the man gave no further explanation. Instead, he silently pulled off his hood, revealing a strikingly composed and strong-willed face.
"Tsunade, it's been many years. You've grown up. It seems you've become quite an impressive kunoichi," Hashirama Senju said warmly, his smile radiating affection.
"Grandfather?"
Seeing the face so familiar from memories, Tsunade froze in shock, stunned like she'd been struck by lightning.
Beside her, Kushina also stared at Hashirama in astonishment. Mentally, she immediately asked Kurama:
"Kurama, is this man really the First Hokage?"
"That familiar chakra signature leaves no doubt — it truly is Hashirama Senju. However, there's something off about him… Wait, now I get it — it's Impure World Reincarnation!"
Perking up, Kurama placed one paw on the iron bars, stretching forward with wide-eyed surprise.
"Impure World Reincarnation?!"
Shocked, Kushina nearly gasped out loud. She had heard of this jutsu before — it was a forbidden technique, said to have been developed by the Second Hokage, capable of summoning deceased souls from the underworld and reviving them.
"Hmm?"
Hashirama Senju spotted his target—Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki—and immediately recognized her as an Edo Tensei body. His gaze locked onto her, studying her for a moment before he looked visibly conflicted:
"This is my objective—the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki? Such a cute girl... I truly hate to raise a hand against you."
"Target? What do you mean, Grandpa?"
Tsunade snapped back into focus, asking in confusion.
"I don't have much time," Hashirama said seriously, quickly explaining everything to Tsunade. As he finished, he seemed to recall something and added:
"Also, you should know Uzumaki Heiyan, right?"
Heiyan?
At the sound of that name, Tsunade shivered. Her eyes dimmed as she murmured, "He was my lover."
Huh?
Hashirama was stunned by this revelation.
But thinking about it, considering she was his granddaughter, only someone like the legendary hero Uzumaki Heiyan would be worthy of her.
Then he revealed a crucial piece of information:
"When Madara resurrected me and Tobirama through Impure World Reincarnation, he also tried to bring Uzumaki Heiyan back—but failed. Tobirama speculated that perhaps Heiyan hasn't actually died."
"Really?!"
Upon hearing this, Tsunade's eyes lit up again. A surge of renewed hope surged through her heart.
She was about to ask Hashirama for more details when suddenly, she noticed his face go blank, his eyes losing all vitality.
The next instant—
"That's enough sentimental chatter between grandpa and granddaughter."
So saying, the "Hashirama Senju" let out a cold smile.
"Madara Uchiha? Is that really you?" Tsunade demanded sharply, fixing her stare on Madara.
"Don't worry," Madara replied casually. "I haven't erased Hashirama's soul—I've simply placed his awareness into slumber and temporarily taken over his body. How about we strike a deal?"
Opening his arms wide, Madara tempted her. "Hand over the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki beside you, and I'll release Hashirama, letting him return to you exactly like this. Make your choice now, Tsunade."
"I choose to knock your lights out."
Tsunade fixed Madara with a frigid glare, her voice firm and unshakable, each word deliberate.
Then she turned her head and ordered Kushina, "You leave here immediately. Let me handle him."
Hardly had she finished speaking when—
Whoosh!
Planting her right foot firmly on the ground, Tsunade shot forward like lightning straight at Madara. As she charged, she raised her right fist, cloaked in powerful air currents, and launched a devastating punch straight toward his face.
"What a violent woman indeed—to strike so mercilessly against her own grandfather."
Madara muttered in amusement, leaping forward simultaneously, releasing explosive wind pressure as he unleashed the famed [Monster Strength] technique of the Senju Clan, clashing directly with Tsunade's attack.
In the next instant—
Boom!
Their fists collided head-on. Blue-purple chakra erupted from Hashirama's body while Tsunade radiated milky-white chakra. The two opposing forces met in direct confrontation, neither side yielding an inch.
[Monster Strength] vs. [Monster Strength].
Crack!
At the moment of impact, the ground beneath their feet instantly caved in, covered with countless cracks. Violent airwaves spread outward in all directions, demolishing the courtyard walls of this old mansion and sending countless roof tiles flying who knew where.
Madara had originally thought that using Hashirama Senju's body to defeat Tsunade would be effortless. After all, no one knew Hashirama's strength like he did.
But this time, he was wrong.
The Tsunade before him now was no longer the same as four years ago—in her current state, her power had grown to rival even the peak Hashirama.
But here's the thing—
Hashirama's Edo body could not fully exert its power from the start, and being temporarily controlled by Madara made his use of ninjutsu clumsy, further reducing his combat effectiveness.
As one weakened and the other grew stronger,
Swish!
After a brief stalemate with Tsunade, Hashirama Senju was soon sent flying by a punch. His entire body rocketed like a cannonball, smashing through the courtyard wall and toppling a utility pole by the road.
"You've improved more than I expected…"
Madara muttered, shoving aside the fallen utility pole that pinned him and bracing himself for several more rounds with Tsunade.
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