Hearing Hashirama Senju's words, Hikaru Uchiha fell into thought.
He had originally summoned Tobirama Senju just to slack off—there wasn't any deep reason behind it. As for Hashirama's appearance, it was simply because Mito Uzumaki had wanted to see him.
Still, that wasn't something he could just come out and say.
At that moment, Tobirama returned to the room.
His expression was cold, with a trace of discontent in his eyes.
He stared at Hikaru, then said in a frosty voice:
"Even if you improved upon my technique, it still disturbs the rest of the deceased."
Hikaru shrugged at that, looking a little helpless.
He understood Tobirama's point, but he also knew he hadn't done anything wrong.
After all, this ninjutsu was Tobirama's own creation, and Hikaru hadn't abused it.
"If you only wanted to test the technique, was it really necessary to experiment on me and my brother?"
Tobirama went on, the annoyance in his tone growing more obvious.
Hikaru couldn't help but laugh at that.
Still, it wasn't like he was spineless—if Tobirama was going to come at him like that, of course he'd push back.
With a hint of mischief, Hikaru smirked and said:
"Tobirama-sama, have you forgotten who developed this jutsu in the first place?"
At those words, Tobirama's expression darkened slightly, but he didn't respond further.
Hashirama, on the other hand, burst into laughter.
"Tobirama, I told you not to make all those weird jutsu. Now look—karma's turned you into a test subject!"
His tone was teasing, and Tobirama's face soured instantly.
Seeing his sour expression, Hikaru chuckled lightly and continued:
"But what Tobirama-sama said earlier isn't wrong. I did summon you both with a specific goal in mind."
Hearing that, Hashirama narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone turning serious:
"Oh? Then can you tell us what your goal is?"
Hikaru nodded, his face turning solemn.
"Did you know that Madara Uchiha is actually still alive?"
Shock instantly flashed across both Hashirama and Tobirama's faces.
They stared at Hikaru, wide-eyed, clearly struggling to believe what they'd just heard.
Especially Hashirama—his expression was one of pure disbelief, as if struck by lightning.
"Madara… he's still alive?"
His voice trembled as he spoke, as though he couldn't trust his own ears.
He frowned, seemingly trying to recall the events of the past.
As Hikaru watched Hashirama's reaction, he glanced behind him—
Sure enough, Mito Uzumaki, who had just calmed down from her Oni Mode, was showing signs of relapse.
To avoid triggering her further, Hikaru quickly changed the subject:
"Yes. He survived by using one of the Uchiha clan's forbidden techniques—Izanagi—to fake his death."
He then began recounting the incident from the Chūnin Exams six years ago.
When he mentioned how Madara had taken a group of children hostage in a twisted attempt to achieve his goal, Hashirama's face twisted in anger and sorrow.
An intense chakra storm began surging from him, as if a violent tempest was brewing around his body.
Cracks even began forming on the ground, his fury visibly affecting the environment.
"How far you've fallen, Madara…"
Hashirama muttered, his voice heavy with disappointment.
Tobirama gave a cold snort. "Hmph. The evil Uchiha."
Hikaru rolled his eyes at that but didn't bother arguing.
After Hashirama let out his anger, Hikaru continued:
"That's why I summoned you—to locate him and end this once and for all."
"I hope Hashirama-sama can accompany me in tracking him down across the shinobi world. As for Tobirama-sama, I'd like you to remain stationed in Konoha."
Upon hearing this, Hashirama raised a brow and seemed to recall something. With a hint of curiosity, he asked:
"Oh? You just said you repelled Madara, didn't you?"
Hikaru instinctively nodded.
Seeing him confirm it, Hashirama's expression grew even more intrigued.
He took a step forward, looking Hikaru in the eyes as he said seriously:
"You said you want me to join you in facing Madara—then let me test your strength first."
Just as he said that, Mito Uzumaki walked over.
Wearing a gentle smile, she looked at Hikaru and said:
"That's right, little Hikaru. Let him see what the younger generation is capable of."
Then, turning to Hashirama, her voice carried a chilling edge:
"Also, since you're so strong, don't hold back. He's in an Edo Tensei body anyway—he won't die."
Hashirama looked at her, confused.
It was clear he didn't fully grasp what she was implying. He simply nodded and replied plainly:
"Right. I'll go all out—no problem."
Hikaru sighed internally at his response.
Hashirama truly lived up to Mito's nickname for him: a block of wood.
Sure, he had his moments of brilliance, but most of the time he was just… dense.
Tobirama, meanwhile, stood silently to the side, observing everything.
Hearing Mito's words, a flicker of surprise crossed his face.
He realized Mito was intentionally setting Hikaru up to teach Hashirama a lesson—but what surprised him more was her level of confidence in Hikaru.
After all, Hashirama had once been called the God of Shinobi. His strength was legendary.
Even if Hikaru had defeated Madara, that Madara wasn't at his peak anymore. He was already quite old by the time of their clash six years ago.
Still, Tobirama said nothing. He, too, was curious about Hikaru's strength.
Tsunade and Nonō Yakushi, who had missed Hikaru's shining moment back then, were nodding eagerly from the side—clearly just as curious.
Seeing everyone looking at him with such anticipation, Hikaru shrugged and said:
"Fine by me."
He glanced around the room and added:
"But this place is too cramped. Not ideal for a fight. I'll take us somewhere else—try not to be too surprised."
With that, Hikaru snapped his fingers.
In the next instant, space shimmered subtly.
Everyone's vision blurred—as if they had slipped through time—and when they blinked, they found themselves in a completely new place.
It was an empty, dimly lit space with nothing around except a faint glow flickering in the distance.
Hikaru explained:
"This is a space I created myself. Here, we can go all out."
Hearing this, everyone exchanged glances—surprise written across their faces.
Tobirama even discreetly tested the Flying Thunder God mark he'd left at their original location, only to find it had been completely cut off.
His expression grew even more complicated.
Hashirama, meanwhile, was gleefully looking around, though there wasn't much to see. His excitement quickly waned.
He looked at Hikaru and said:
"Ready? If you are, then here I come!"