The massive battle between Rinnegan Madara and Tenseigan Tobirama raged for over two hours. Not only was Kirigakure utterly obliterated, but thousands of square kilometers around it were leveled to the ground.
The scale and intensity of the fight surpassed even the battle between Madara and Hashirama at the Valley of the End!
In the end, neither could determine a victor.
Mainly because Tobirama was exhausted. Over two hours of intense combat had nearly depleted his chakra.
No choice.
Tenseigan Chakra Mode consumed too much chakra. Though the Tenseigan itself held immense eye power, it couldn't be squandered endlessly. While Tobirama's chakra reserves weren't small, compared to Bijuu or Hashirama's vast chakra pools, he was far behind—even more so compared to Madara across from him.
In such a prolonged, fierce battle, Tobirama ultimately couldn't hold out and had to concede first.
"Hahaha! Useless Tobirama, what's wrong? Out of strength? Look at your exhausted self, nowhere near Hashirama's endurance…" Madara pressed his attack fiercely, mocking to his heart's content.
At this point, Tobirama was forced to deactivate Tenseigan Chakra Mode, his face pale and clearly drained. Though his body was weak, his mouth wouldn't yield.
"Nonsense! Vile Uchiha Madara, you're no longer invincible. This time, I was just unprepared…"
"I wish your strength matched your mouth. Sadly, to defeat me, you're still far off!" Madara kept mocking, relishing seeing Tobirama, who despised him, unable to win.
Though Tobirama with the Tenseigan was quite strong, he was still slightly short of defeating Madara. In terms of combat experience and awareness, Madara was top-tier at their level.
Unless Tobirama could fully unleash the Tenseigan's power, reaching true Six Paths level, only then might he truly defeat Madara. For now, Tobirama's Tenseigan was still far behind!
"Shut up! Don't get cocky! Next time, I'll definitely crush you!"
"I'll be back!"
Tobirama knew he was out of strength; lingering further would likely lead to capture and defeat by Madara. He spat out a few threatening words, then prepared to activate Flying Thunder God Jutsu to teleport away.
For next time, when he was fully prepared, leveraging the Tenseigan to develop stronger forbidden jutsu and bringing Kagami for a sneak attack, he was sure he could hit the mark and blast Madara's backside!
Tobirama was very confident of this.
After all, today he fought Madara to a draw, proving he had the strength to compete! He would surpass and trample his opponent!
After speaking, Tobirama vanished with a whoosh, hurriedly activating Flying Thunder God Jutsu to retreat.
"Tch! Shameless coward!"
"Besides his mouth, he's still as timid as a rat… Next time, the one trampled will be you!"
Seeing Tobirama retreat and flee, Madara showed disgust.
As expected, fighting this unprincipled Tobirama lacked any thrill, far less exciting than battling Hashirama.
Fleeing the moment things went wrong—slippery like a repulsive eel. It truly annoyed Madara.
How about raiding Konoha again? Then, he doubted Tobirama could abandon the entire village.
Madara dispersed his Perfect Susano'o and landed in a massive crater of yellow earth.
Looking at the completely vanished Kirigakure around him, he felt slight regret—not for the village itself but for the temporary research base he'd built with Kirigakure's resources, also destroyed in the war.
Thus, to continue researching the Rinnegan and Outer Path resurrection powers, he'd have to return to his old base or dominate a new force.
That was somewhat troublesome.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
At this moment, Lux appeared out of nowhere beside Parallel World 2 Madara.
"What is it, Sage of the Six Paths?"
Facing Lux, Madara slightly restrained his arrogance.
Without Lux's help, he couldn't have obtained the Rinnegan so quickly, let alone have hope of reviving Izuna and Hashirama.
"How do you feel after fighting Tobirama to a draw?"
"Nothing special, just a fool always trying to prove himself. Though he gained great power, in combat awareness and experience, he's far behind—not enough to defeat me."
Just as Tobirama knew Madara well, Madara understood Tobirama.
Though Tobirama wouldn't admit it, Madara knew his lifelong dream was to surpass Hashirama. Unable to beat Hashirama in strength, he focused on village development and ninjutsu creation.
But in truth, Tobirama craved greater power more than anyone, both to surpass his brother and to aid Hashirama! Perhaps, some of his disciples' unyielding traits were influenced by him.
"Next time's not certain. You know how cunning and clever Tobirama is. If he's fully prepared, you might not win."
"Hmph! Let him come. No matter how many times, I'm not afraid, and he's not the only one improving!" Madara snorted coldly, brimming with confidence.
He could defeat Tobirama once; he could do it many times.
That little Tobirama was laughable. Before him, he'd never amount to anything!
Without Lux's help, Tobirama wouldn't have obtained the Tenseigan or the qualifications to fight him for 300 rounds.
"By the way, that was the Tenseigan?"
"Yes."
"You helped him get it?"
"You could say that, though he contributed too."
"So, are you still considering supporting me or that beast Tobirama?" Madara, ever sharp, had guessed the truth.
He also deduced why Lux deliberately helped both him and Tobirama—likely weighing and testing who to choose.
"Exactly. You're both excellent, both fulfilled your promises on time, and now you're evenly matched, making it hard for me to choose!" Lux answered honestly. Since he'd revealed his goal to Parallel World 2 Madara, being candid now made no difference.
"May I ask, what happens to the unchosen side?"
"Will they be eliminated?"
Madara voiced his concern. He wasn't afraid of death, only of failing to revive Izuna and Hashirama if he died—that would hurt more than death itself.
"What? In your eyes, am I so bloodthirsty?"
"Useless pawns—completely eliminating them is safer, no?" Madara wasn't foolish. In his view, useless pawns should be cleared to avoid obstacles.
Uprooting the grass, wiping out entire families, leaving no hidden threats—that was the crux. With Lux's power, it was a trivial matter.
"Hahaha! You're right, but relax."
"No matter who's chosen, I won't harm the other side; that's my promise, and your value." Lux laughed in response.
Talking to a smart person saved effort; with Hashirama, it might've taken much longer.
"So, you want us to handle it ourselves, eliminate the other?" Madara slightly understood—Lux didn't want to dirty his own hands.
"So, will you fight all out to kill Senju Tobirama?"
Madara paused, then answered:
"In the past, I would've! But now, if possible, I don't want to kill that guy."
"Though he's annoying and vile, he's still Hashirama's brother. The hatred from him killing Izuna—I don't want it repeated between me and Hashirama."
Madara indeed hated Tobirama but had let go of the need to kill him. Otherwise, after Hashirama's death, he had plenty of chances to destroy Konoha and kill Tobirama.
He hadn't chosen to do so before. Now, with hope of reviving Izuna and Hashirama, he wouldn't kill Tobirama himself. Otherwise, he'd struggle to face Hashirama later.
"Unless the Sage of the Six Paths insists I eliminate that bastard…"
"Enough. I won't threaten you. Whether to kill Tobirama or unify the world is your decision. I won't force you."
"Whatever you choose, I won't stop you from researching the Rinnegan or reviving Izuna and Hashirama…" Lux gave a firm answer. Whips and threats were different.
He wouldn't do the latter; it would only disrupt peace and stability post-unification.
Madara pondered briefly, then gave his final answer:
"Then let that bastard Tobirama handle world unification."
"You're voluntarily giving up?"
"Not giving up—I'm just no longer interested in dominating the world. Let him deal with that troublesome task."
Lux sighed slightly, surprised Madara would willingly step back.
"Tch, you've become more magnanimous."
"Yeah! Having tasted loss, my desires naturally lessened."
Only after losing does one cherish. Having lost Izuna and Hashirama, Madara no longer craved the Hokage position or power; he only wanted to return to the beautiful life with Izuna and Hashirama.
"Sure you won't regret it?"
"As long as you don't make trouble later, I won't regret it. If needed, I'll even help that fool Tobirama complete world unification!"
Madara's response was resolute. Once he decided, he wouldn't hesitate or regret—unless he hit a true dead end!
Simply put, he was the type not to give up until hitting a wall. Such a personality, on the wrong path, could make bigger mistakes; but on the right path, he'd be a reliable teammate. This was why Hashirama always trusted Madara deeply.
"Alright, since you've chosen, I won't force you. Let Tobirama and Konoha handle the grand mission of world unification." Lux was relaxed. Madara's withdrawal and honesty, in a sense, helped him decide.
Better than Madara and Tobirama fighting to the death. This was already a decent ending.
"However, I have one more request!" Madara added finally.