"Silence!"
"Konoha and Iwagakure have no so-called alliance! Whatever the Hokage said, consider it void from this moment forward!"
A voice filled with arrogance and icy disdain echoed through the air.
With arms folded, Madara looked down from above, gazing coldly at Mū and the young Ōnoki below.
Mū froze for a moment.
'Where… where am I?'
Suddenly, a flood of memories surged into his mind. Strange, unfamiliar recollections fused together with Mū's own memories.
Within moments, everything fell into place.
'So that's it… this world we live in… is nothing more than a manga?'
'I am Mū… the Second Tsuchikage? The infamous Bandaged Man… the shinobi world's first living mummy!?'
Right now, he had come to Konoha on a diplomatic visit… only to be suppressed by none other than Madara himself.
He had just finished a discussion with Hashirama Senju and was about to leave when Madara inexplicably intercepted him.
And now, things had escalated to this point.
This battle… the one that etched deep scars into both his and Ōnoki's hearts.
He was experiencing it again.
---
"Why… why?! Lord Hashirama clearly agreed to it! Who are you to deny his word?!" Ōnoki shouted, his young voice trembling with anger as he glared up at Madara.
"Heh."
A cold, disdainful smile tugged at Madara's lips.
In his mind, Hashirama's face surfaced, stirring a flicker of resentment.
'So even in this matter, Hashirama chose not to include me? How utterly insulting…'
"There is no such thing as an alliance. Don't think I'm unaware of what goes on in the minds of small villages like yours!"
"Lesser shinobi villages should obediently submit to Konoha's strength."
"And one more thing, don't you dare speak that man's name in front of me!"
Madara's expression hardened as his Mangekyō Sharingan whirled open.
A crushing wave of chakra erupted, descending upon Mū and Ōnoki with suffocating pressure.
"What…?!"
Ōnoki's pupils dilated, fear flashing across his face.
With a roar, Susanoo spread across Madara's body. Bones rose, and a colossal skeletal figure towered upward.
The first stage of Susanoo.
"S-so strong…"
Beneath his bandages, Mū's face tensed.
'So this… is Madara.'
Exactly as the memories had shown.
That overwhelming chakra forced Mū to bow, his body instinctively bending under the sheer weight of the pressure.
Humiliation burned in his chest.
'Am I to bow my head just like in the original story?'
'To let this man trample my pride, so that my student Ōnoki inherits nothing but fear for the rest of his life?'
No.
He was not just any shinobi.
He was a giant of the shinobi world.
His power is second only to the strongest legends.
His student would not be crushed.
His village would not be humiliated.
And he would not cower before tyranny.
If he must die, he would die standing.
Better that than to live in shame!
Resolve ignited in Mū's heart.
The fear in his eyes vanished.
In its place burned an unshakable determination.
At the front, Ōnoki trembled under the pressure. His knees buckled, and he fell halfway to the ground.
"S-so powerful…"
For the first time, Ōnoki truly understood the vast gulf between himself and Madara.
The difference was overwhelming, far greater than he had ever imagined.
This power… it even dwarfed his teacher, Mū.
"Damn it…"
Grinding his teeth, Ōnoki struggled, yet his entire body shook uncontrollably.
In his hand, the stone symbolizing the Will of Stone slipped from his grasp.
Clatter!
A bandaged hand caught the stone before it could hit the ground. Ōnoki's eyes widened in shock as he jerked his head up.
"Sensei!"
Mū's bandaged face came into view, calm yet unyielding.
"Ōnoki, don't abandon your will."
His voice was firm, reassuring.
"Don't be afraid. Your master is here."
Placing a hand on his student's shoulder, Mū steadied him with unwavering eyes.
"Sensei…"
A wave of safety and warmth washed over Ōnoki's heart.
At the same time, Mū's chakra surged outward, shielding Ōnoki from Madara's crushing aura.
"Setbacks tempt people to abandon themselves, to make excuses, to let hatred replace conviction. But listen carefully, Ōnoki, your will must never be discarded. You must hold to your heart, no matter what."
"Even if it's the ghost of the shinobi world, you must never bow!"
"Stand tall, unyielding and resolute, that is the Will of Stone, the pride of Iwagakure!"
The words thundered in Ōnoki's chest like an earthquake.
At this point in history, the Will of Fire had yet to be born. But hearing his teacher declare the Will of Stone shook him to his core.
"Sensei!!"
Tears burst from Ōnoki's eyes, streaming uncontrollably. His vision blurred, his jaw clenched, and his fingers squeezed the stone so tightly it dug into his skin.
For the first time, he felt the true weight of his master's guidance.
"With me here, you don't need to fear."
"Leave this to your teacher. Step aside."
Mū stepped forward, his body shielding Ōnoki.
Then, his sharp gaze locked on Madara.
"Madara… don't you dare bully a child."
"If you want a fight, then fight me!"
Each word was calm but carried steel beneath it.
With every step Mū took, his chakra surged higher, growing heavier, more intense.
Stones around them quivered, then lifted into the air, orbiting him under the force of his aura.
He rose into the air, meeting Madara at eye level.
They say Susanoo paired with Hashirama's giant Buddha could destroy nations.
But today, for his village…
For his student…
For his pride…
And for the responsibility he bore as a teacher, Mū would clash head-on with Uchiha Madara.
Yes, Susanoo was sharp.
But Dust Release… was no dull blade either.
If Madara didn't dodge it, he was finished.
Fear is a human instinct.
Courage is humanity's highest song.
"Sensei…!"
Behind him, Ōnoki's tears flowed endlessly as he stared at his master's back.
At that moment, even if Mū couldn't rival Madara in strength, his teacher would always stand taller than anyone else.
In Ōnoki's heart, Mū was greater than Madara.
Who dares say Iwa has no great lord?
Mū's hand was slick with sweat, though his eyes never wavered.
"Is it sweat?" he muttered softly. "No… it's rain."
The next instant, droplets began to fall from the sky, pattering lightly on the battlefield.
"Heh…" Madara chuckled twice, his eyes glinting with something rare, approval, even respect. This opponent… was worthy of his acknowledgment.
"Interesting."
"You know you're weaker, yet you still raise your blade against me. Before you die, I want to ask you… aren't you afraid of death?"
His voice was calm, but the air around him was frigid, heavy with killing intent.
Mū's gaze didn't waver. His voice was steady, his words sharp.
"When the strong are angered, they raise their blades against those even stronger. When the weak are angered, they raise their blades against those weaker than themselves."
Madara's expression darkened.
"Hah… are you calling me weak?"
"No," Mū said coolly. "Don't take every word as if it's meant for you."
A vein throbbed at Madara's temple, his Sharingan narrowing.
This man's power… he hadn't yet seen its limit. But his tongue was already sharp enough to cut steel.
"Hmph."
"Don't think clever words make you victorious. In the end, strength alone decides who stands."
"If you insist on throwing your life away, then I'll grant your wish."
"Prepare yourself. I'll show you the might of the Uchiha!"
"This is the power of a god!"
His Mangekyō spun, its tomoe turning slowly, ominously.