Two days, not very long, but not very short either, passed in the blink of an eye.
Valley of the End
This was the site of the final battle between Madara and Hashirama. Two statues stood there, forming the opposing signs, separated by a waterfall.
Hashirama arrived here first. Gazing at the scenery, he couldn't help but be a bit dazed. This was a place of sadness for him. He never expected that revisiting it now would bring a different feeling.
"Oh, Hashirama, you're early." Madara followed closely behind, a look of reminiscence in his eyes. The Valley of the End, it really brings back memories.
"Madara..." Hashirama murmured, his mind somewhat distracted. The last time he and Madara were here, it was a fight to the death!
After issuing the challenge to Ryun that day, he had spent two days thinking it over. It was true that Ryun killed and captured tailed beasts for the sake of Konoha's strength, his starting point was good.
But this contradicted his own philosophy. What he wanted was for the entire shinobi world to be one family, not this kind of conquest that uses force to suppress everything.
One must understand that human power has its limits. Only when people truly understand each other can they stay away from war and oppression.
Based on this, today he must use the force he most despises to wake Ryun up. To make him understand that power is not everything, that excessively pursuing power will only cause one to lose themselves.
Madara did not respond to Hashirama, merely nodding. Regarding this stubborn Hashirama, he had been greatly troubled these past two days. While he could understand some of Hashirama's actions, he also knew Hashirama's character. Once he made up his mind, no one could persuade him otherwise.
Then, Tobirama Senju and Uchiha Izuna arrived together. Today, the two did not bicker, their faces instead full of gravity.
Hashirama's strength, one was his biological younger brother, the other was his rival's younger brother, these two understood it best.
Therefore, their eyes revealed worry, concerned that Ryun might get hurt in the upcoming battle.
The next second, the figures of Ryun and Tsunade slowly appeared. The two walked over, talking and laughing, completely without the tension of an imminent duel.
Ryun chatted and laughed animatedly, telling humorous and witty jokes, trying to distract Tsunade. Although Tsunade covered her mouth with a light laugh, her eyes held a trace of anxiety.
Hashirama watched this scene, his expression softening. The Senju and Uchiha forming a marital bond was something he had long dreamed of. However, adhering to his own inner beliefs was equally important.
"Ryun, you're here. Are you sure you want to duel with me? I won't hold back." Hashirama crossed his arms, a glint of light in his eyes.
Hearing this, Ryun stopped walking, raised his eyes, and looked calmly at Hashirama, taking a deep breath. "Talking more is useless. Let's fight."
After speaking, Ryun gave Tsunade a look. Tsunade first pouted, then showed reluctance, followed by worry, looking back at Ryun every few steps. After reaching a safe distance, Ryun breathed a sigh of relief, then looked at Hashirama.
Looking at this God of Shinobi, famous throughout the shinobi world since the Warring States Period, just how strong was he? After this battle, it would be known.
No matter what, he could not lose. Ryun's fighting spirit surged. He mobilized the natural chakra within his body. Facing Hashirama, he dared not underestimate his opponent.
"Natural chakra, huh. That's kind of interesting." Hashirama's sensory abilities were extremely sharp. The moment the natural chakra within Ryun's body began to flow, he discerned the quality of his chakra.
Then, Hashirama clapped his hands together. "Wood Style: Advent of a World of Trees." As soon as the words fell, with a rushing sound, huge vines shot out from under the water, altering the terrain.
Hashirama leaped up, landing on the trees created by his own Wood Style, looking down at Ryun from a high position. Ryun made the same motion, also summoning Wood Style: Advent of a World of Trees.
The two forests intertwined, making it impossible for outsiders to distinguish them. Only the two of them understood the subtleties within.
Hashirama drew a sharp breath. He never expected his signature technique to be perfectly executed by Ryun, its essence almost identical.
Ryun leaped up, landing on the trees he controlled, facing Hashirama.
The two stood motionless, observing each other's openings. The others stood outside the attack range, watching the two probe each other, silent.
The next second, both moved simultaneously. Transforming into black shadows, they engaged in combat. Aside from Madara and Uzumaki Mito, everyone else, including the Six-Tails Jinchūriki Tsunade, could not clearly see their movements.
Ryun, holding a kunai, turned and thrust. Hashirama raised his right hand, blocking the kunai and sending Ryun flying.
The first exchange seemed evenly matched, but in reality, Ryun was at a disadvantage.
Sent flying, Ryun's lips curved upwards. "Flying Thunder God." That's right, Ryun had already imprinted a Flying Thunder God mark on Hashirama's kunai.
Seeing this, the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju's eyes lit up. "This boy takes after me." He grinned widely. Ryun really made him proud. In just an instant, he could imprint a mark and utilize it.
Uchiha Izuna shot him a disdainful look. What do you mean 'takes after you'? What contribution have you made? Aside from the paltry Flying Thunder God Technique, what else have you contributed? What else are you?
But now was not the time for arguing. Uchiha Izuna gave Tobirama Senju a white-eyed look, then continued watching the two fighting.
Hashirama was startled, but he reacted quickly. Using a substitution technique, he dodged this attack. Ryun's kunai pierced through a wooden log.
Then, Ryun pulled back and retreated. If Hashirama had actually been hit by his kunai, that would have been truly bizarre.
Hashirama's figure reappeared, a smile on his lips. "My brother's forbidden technique, huh? That's kind of interesting. But it's only kind of."
Ryun waved his right hand. Iron sand was drawn up from the ground, then formed into a long spear, thrusting towards Hashirama. Hashirama, "Oh, very impressive."
Then he clapped his hands together. "Wood Style: Wood Locking Wall." Layers of wood rose from the ground, forming a semicircle, blocking in front of Hashirama.
With a whoosh, the spear embedded itself into the wooden wall, unable to advance further.
Ryun was somewhat irritated. Why could Hashirama say "very impressive" with a face full of praise, then clap his hands together, and the enemy's attack would be neutralized?
Hashirama breathed a sigh of relief. "That scared me. I thought I was going to be pierced. Looks like I got lucky."
Madara gritted his teeth. This demeanor, although he knew Hashirama didn't do it on purpose, as an observer, it reminded him of scenes from the past, making his teeth itch with annoyance.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
📖 Like the story? Read 120 chapters ahead!
🔗 patreon.com/atomelectron
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━