As soon as he heard that Shimoku was about to attack the village, Hashirama grew anxious.
"Kid, don't get worked up!"
"This village is, after all, our creation—me and Madara... no... rather, the combined achievement of our Senju Clan and your Uchiha Clan!"
"You mustn't destroy it!"
As he tried to talk him down, Hashirama had already sent four wooden clones charging at Shimoku, attempting to stop him.
However, just four wooden clones stood no chance against Shimoku.
Shimoku leapt into the air, easily dodging them and jumping off the giant Buddha statue. Right behind him, a massive [Perfect Susanoo] arrived just in time, firmly catching Shimoku midair.
Once safely back inside his Susanoo, Shimoku immediately manifested a pair of chakra wings. With a powerful beat of them, he soared high into the sky.
Without hesitation, he aimed straight at Konoha Village behind the giant Buddha and fired three gigantic [Tailed Beast Balls].
Undoubtedly, if those Tailed Beast Balls hit their target, what remained of Konoha—which was already half-destroyed—would be utterly obliterated...
Seeing this, Hashirama wasted no time.
He quickly maneuvered the [Senju Daibutsu] backward and activated the [Floral Forest Descent Technique] once again. Combined with the existing dense network of wood vines, he formed another protective barrier around Konoha.
At the same time, the Daibutsu extended over ten giant hands, forming a defensive formation to intercept the incoming [Tailed Beast Balls].
"Boom—"
Another powerful explosion erupted, blinding light and violent tremors causing people to gasp for breath.
Under such terrifying force, the people still in Konoha could only tremble in terror.
Indeed, the Daibutsu's giant hands did manage to intercept the Tailed Beast Balls.
But the shockwave still impacted the defense net created by the [Floral Forest Descent].
The blast itself might be blockable—but the sound waves, vibrations, and other invisible energies were nearly impossible to stop.
If explosions like this continued a few more times…
Even without completely destroying the buildings left standing, the villagers and ninja inside would still bleed from every orifice and die from the sheer impact!
Furthermore, they had to ensure every single one of Shimoku's [Tailed Beast Ball] attacks was intercepted.
Any mistake might result in the entire village's early destruction...
This situation was far too disadvantageous!
Clearly, Hashirama also realized this.
If things kept going this way, he would only grow more exhausted reacting defensively—eventually failing altogether!
After all, defense always put one at a disadvantage compared to offense...
Just then, another figure leapt out from within the thick web of wooden vines deep inside Konoha. The figure landed on top of the [Senju Daibutsu].
"Big brother! Where are you? Why are there only wood clones everywhere?"
"I'm inside the Daibutsu," replied the clone with an awkward smile.
"This kid's taijutsu is incredibly strong. Even I can't go head-to-head with him directly, so I had to fall back on this tactic..."
The clone chuckled sheepishly while showing slight embarrassment.
To think that even the First Hokage himself couldn't defeat a direct descendant of Madara in a head-on battle...
Indeed, it was truly lamentable!
At this moment, after hearing those words, Tobirama didn't even have time to be shocked anymore.
After all, above the sky, that [Susanoo Demigod] continued to spew Tailed Beast Balls without stopping—relentlessly attacking Konoha.
"Big brother, we can't keep going on like this!"
"That brat's attacks are too strong! He'll end up taking the village if this keeps up!"
"I've already figured out that brat's weakness. I can save the village from this crisis."
"But… it might go against your principles…"
Tobirama wasted no time in making a suggestion.
At this point, Hashirama could only agree first.
No matter what, he couldn't allow the village to be destroyed!
...
A moment later, midair.
Shimoku, who had been freely attacking while piloting the [Perfect Susanoo], suddenly noticed something below.
Hashirama Senju had actually voluntarily disengaged the [Floral Forest Descent Technique], retracting all the wood vines that had been covering Konoha Village.
The remaining half of the village was now fully exposed.
It looked as though he was saying, "I won't resist—take it as you wish."
Shimoku was momentarily taken aback by the sight.
Then, just as Shimoku started to feel puzzled,
That annoying voice rang out again.
"You Uchiha brat!"
"I already know you defected with the entire Uchiha Clan and built a new Hidden Village…"
"Go ahead—strike Konoha already!"
"If our village falls, me and Hashirama will immediately rush into your [Homuragakure] and destroy your entire village alongside it!"
"You willing to bet on that?"
"Bet your entire Uchiha Clan's lives on it!"
Tobirama shouted fiercely, delivering his ultimate threat.
And this was the only method he could think of—
The sole way to both protect the village and force that little Uchiha brat to stop his attack.
Although… it was extremely immoral…
Utterly despicable…
But undeniably effective.
He was certain—someone who cared so much about his clan that he defected and built a new village wouldn't risk attacking recklessly when their lives were on the line.
Beside Tobirama stood Hashirama's Clone Technique, silent and face darkened.
Though he strongly disliked resorting to such a dishonorable tactic to threaten the Uchiha Clan,
To protect their own village,
Some evil deeds must still be borne.
Therefore, he agreed to Tobirama's suggestion and tacitly approved of this threatening strategy.
...
High above in the sky,
Shimoku stopped attacking and descended back down with his Susanoo.
He had no choice but to admit—it worked.
Exactly as Tobirama said.
If he kept going like this,
Hashirama and the others definitely couldn't stop him.
He himself was also 99% confident he could reduce Konoha to flat ground!
But what followed would be even worse.
Hashirama, now free from restraint, egged on by the 'evil Tobirama,' would only become more terrifying and unrestrained.
If Hashirama truly went all-in on mutual annihilation,
Launching a full-scale assault on Homuragakure atop that thousand-meter-tall [Senju Daibutsu],
His village would probably be utterly destroyed as well!
Damn it!
That evil Tobirama Senju!
Always coming up with terrible ideas!
Absolutely despicable!
Later, he would definitely find a way to slap and kill this wicked Second Hokage!
...
"A fine threat!"
"This is the so-called First Hokage and Second Hokage?"
[Your Will of Fire] truly burns hot indeed!
Shimoku scoffed.
Although he had abandoned the idea of continuing the fight, he saw no harm in provoking his enemy further.
"Hmph! Evil little Uchiha brat! Don't think you can drive a wedge between us with mere words!"
"For the village, I'm willing to sacrifice everything!"
Tobirama snorted coldly, firmly refuting him.
At the same time,
Hashirama's main body leaped out from inside the Great Buddha,
standing beside Tobirama, and couldn't help but continue persuading:
"Child, we just want to make you calm down this way..."
"We should really sit down and talk properly!"
Shimoku: "Talk about what? About your so-called 'Will of Fire'?"
"Do you really think today's Konoha is still the same village from your time?"
"You've only just returned to this world, unaware of many things, haven't you?"
"Do you really believe, besides our Uchiha Clan, Konoha treated your Senju Clan kindly as well?"
Tobirama paused in shock, then flew into rage:
"Brat! What exactly are you trying to say?"
Shimoku smiled coldly, revealing the truth:
"Your Senju Clan is actually even more pitiful than my Uchiha Clan!"
"Except for Tsunade, every single one of your clan has already died..."
"Your Senju Clan has already been wiped out..."
Upon hearing this, both Hashirama and Tobirama shook violently.
"Impossible! You little devil, you're lying again!"
Tobirama roared furiously.
"How could it be? My juniors... is only little Tsun left?"
Hashirama murmured, clearly unwilling to believe.
Shimoku pressed on mercilessly:
"Why would I lie about something like this? Just go check for yourselves later, and everything will become clear."
"And worse still—"
"Hashirama Senju, your wife Mito Uzumaki's clan, the Uzumaki Clan, was completely destroyed during The Second Great Ninja War."
"At that time, Konoha didn't even send a single soldier to assist!"
"They simply stood by as the Land of Whirlpools was crushed..."
"What do you think now? This is the village you wanted to protect; this is the current Konoha..."
"Do you still feel comforted?"
At that very moment, Shimoku's words crashed into Hashirama's heart like twin iron hammers.
Causing his breath to catch and his heart to ache severely.
He could scarcely believe it.
The once mighty Senju Clan and Uzumaki Clan—had they truly been annihilated?
And all closely related to the entire Konoha...
All these years, the village he had cherished in his heart—what had it truly become? What unforgivable acts had it committed?!
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