Emiya Shirou. The greatest medical ninja in the world.
Actually, Madara Uchiha didn't like being a medical ninja. But when he met his friend Hashirama in his childhood, he heard this name countless times. Scene after scene resurfaced from the depths of his mind.
"Madara! Have you heard the story of Emiya Shirou!"
"The story of Lord Emiya Shirou has been passed down in our clan!"
"Eh, you've also heard his story since you were a child?"
"Enduring the suffering the world cannot bear, saving the world's people who are enduring suffering! This is the ninja way Lord Emiya Shirou left for this world!"
"Madara! I secretly saw it today! Don't tell anyone! My family has a crystal coffin left by Lord Emiya Shirou!"
"Madara... Dad won't let me become a medical ninja. And my younger brother Itama died. Learning medical arts can't protect the people I want to protect. A medical ninja can't change this chaotic era."
These memories drifted away with the wind. Madara had almost forgotten that Hashirama had long given up on something important.
Emiya Shirou. A sage from the ancient era. The legendary medical ninja. Madara understood why Konoha wanted to keep his identity a secret. That Senju Tobirama, who always liked to research despicable ninjutsu, must have resurrected this sage. Indeed, only Emiya Shirou could possibly cure that fellow Hashirama.
"I see," a look of realization flashed across Madara's face. Since the other party was a ninja from the ancient era, it wasn't surprising that he had some unique methods. It wasn't a disgrace to have suffered a great loss at his hands. And knowing who he was, it seemed that exposing his own identity wasn't a loss either. However, it was time for him to leave.
"Madara!" A figure in red plate armor landed. "You're still alive!"
Senju Hashirama appeared, almost fully armed. His gaze was fixed on Madara within the Susanoo, his eyes faintly complex. This best friend, whom he had killed with his own hands, was here again. To stop the Susanoo from wreaking havoc, Hashirama had disregarded his own injuries and rushed over.
"You came so fast, Hashirama." Madara's attention was subconsciously drawn to him.
"Hmm? You are..." Hashirama glanced at Shirou beside him, vaguely feeling he was a bit familiar.
Was he the doctor who treated me? Or a good person I've seen somewhere before?
As Hokage, he had long remembered every person in the village.
Not from Konoha. Not an enemy. A guest of the village? Why does he have a bit of a deathly stillness about him? A strange state?
"I am—" Shirou stepped forward to introduce himself.
"Quick, go take shelter! Leave this to me!" Hashirama gave the order without a care, then refocused on Madara. He saw that one of Madara's eyes was a strange grayish-white. That eye was fine during the battle. How did it become blind?
"Madara, your eye..." he asked, surprised.
"No need to be curious. It's just the price for escaping being killed by you." Madara's fist clenched, his face suddenly fierce. "I was originally planning to say a few words and leave, but now it seems things have gotten a bit troublesome." Indeed, troublesome. Hashirama was a trouble he just couldn't shake off.
RUMBLE!
The damaged Susanoo was rapidly repairing itself, standing in Konoha like an azure giant.
"Wood Style!" Hashirama's palms suddenly clasped together. Vines shot up from the ground, wrapping around the Susanoo's arms.
"This trick again!" Madara's face was full of annoyance as he made a gripping motion. A curved giant sword glowing with blue light emerged from the Susanoo's hand. It swung the sword and cut the vines one by one.
The battle had reignited.
"Hashirama," Mito's eyes were filled with worry. "With your current injuries, you must restrain your use of chakra, otherwise..."
"I can't," he replied in a deep voice. "You leave here first. Although I'm somewhat glad that Madara is still alive, this time I must completely kill him here!"
"Are you saying you can kill me again?" Madara's voice echoed. The moment he noticed Mito, a strange ferocity flashed across his face.
"Madara! I will never let you leave!" A look of determination flashed across Hashirama's face. "Even if you escaped death, you want to destroy everyone's village again!" His palms suddenly clasped together. Huge vines burst out from the surrounding empty spaces. No matter what, he couldn't let Madara leave again. Even if it meant sacrificing his own life.
"Then I'll wait and see," Madara extended his finger and cut it, drawing a bit of blood. His hands were still slowly forming hand seals, his voice becoming somewhat leisurely. The situation was faintly, unsettlingly strange.
"Hmm?" Hashirama's brow furrowed. He could sense that Madara's state was as close to exhaustion as his own. His Susanoo couldn't even form armor.
Could he have other means?
Also, Konoha's ninjas were continuously rushing over. He didn't need their help, but he couldn't figure out what other possibilities Madara could have.
"Hashirama," Madara's voice taunted, "in our battles, even a small mistake can be fatal. Even a small, inconspicuous bit of help can take the enemy's life."
The corners of his mouth curved up. He looked coldly at Mito standing not far behind Hashirama. "What if it's the most ferocious help in this world?"
The minds of Hashirama and Mito tensed at the same time. Not good!
"But I'm not interested in continuing a repetitive battle," Madara stood within the Susanoo and showed Shirou what he thought was a kind but ferocious smile. "I've gained a lot today, and there are still many questions that might be answered. I'll visit again if I have the chance."
"Madara!" Hashirama watched with unease as Madara's hand, which had completed the hand seals, fell. "You want to summon—"
"Ninja Art: Summoning Jutsu!" Madara's voice and eyes were equally cold. He slammed his palm heavily onto his Susanoo, and a surge of smoke and air billowed out, so powerful it knocked many of the arriving ninjas to the ground. The entire village was enveloped in smoke.
"Stay here and dance to your heart's content... Nine-Tails!" Madara's ferocious voice echoed in the smoke. His figure used the cover to disappear, leaving only a colossal creature with nine tails at the scene, the most ferocious Tailed Beast in this world.