The moment Hikaru spoke those words, everyone on-site was stunned.
Eyes widened, mouths slightly agape—it was as if they had witnessed something too unbelievable to process.
Madara and Hashirama remained relatively calm. They had already experienced Hikaru's extraordinary abilities.
But for the newly graduated genin, it was nothing short of a thunderbolt.
The idea that Hikaru could lead them beyond the limits of this world—into another world entirely—shattered every assumption they had about reality.
It was power beyond their comprehension.
Even Pakura and Rasa, who had come from Sunagakure to study in Konoha and sometimes felt inferior, were stunned.
Yet that inferiority was suddenly washed away—not with shame, but with excitement.
They realized something: no one in Konoha had ever treated them differently because of their village of origin.
All the distance they'd felt… had been imagined.
After all, if Konoha truly looked down on outsiders, why would legends like Uchiha Hikaru, Uchiha Madara, and Senju Hashirama personally mentor them?
Why would they share secrets of this magnitude?
With that realization, excitement and anticipation surged within them.
This wasn't just a mission—it was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. A chance to prove themselves in a way few ever could.
Hikaru noticed the subtle shifts in expression, especially on Pakura and Rasa. Their emotional range almost made him chuckle.
Still, he didn't pry—he simply smiled.
Overall, everyone seemed eager and enthusiastic.
No one refused. No one backed out.
One by one, they confirmed their readiness.
Seeing they had accepted the challenge, Hikaru continued:
"Remember: this world is completely different from ours.
Don't assume our common sense applies.
Also, there's a major time difference—one day here equals ten days there.
You'll only be gone a few days by our reckoning, but the time you experience will be real.
You may feel disoriented when you return, so prepare yourselves.
This mission may take a while, so I'm giving you one hour to take care of anything personal.
We leave exactly one hour from now. Understood?"
The reply came loud and unified:
"Understood!"
The teams dispersed to make their final preparations.
Hikaru watched them go with satisfaction.
"Not bad," he thought. "This year's batch is shaping up really well."
Exactly one hour later, all the genin returned, on time and fully prepared.
Their faces reflected eagerness—with just a hint of worry—but with legends like Madara, Hashirama, and Hikaru at their side, that fear quickly transformed into determination.
Hikaru gave a small approving nod.
Then, exhaling slowly, he raised his hands in a mock hand seal and discreetly activated the World Gate.
A brilliant flash of light engulfed them.
Everything turned white.
***
When they opened their eyes again… everything had changed.
Just moments ago, it had been a sunny afternoon in Konoha.
Now, it was midnight—a pitch-black sky blanketing a dense forest.
The towering trees blocked out the moonlight, and the sounds of distant beasts and insects echoed through the dark, wild undergrowth.
It was a stark contrast—and deeply unsettling.
Instinctively, the genin began adjusting to the new environment.
They flexed their limbs, circulated their chakra, and scanned their surroundings, trying to grasp what kind of world they had entered.
Meanwhile, Madara and Hashirama were already surveying the horizon.
Their gazes pierced the darkness.
"Hashi-rama," Madara said suddenly. "Do you feel it?"
Hashirama nodded.
"Yeah. There's a fight going on… that way."
Before anyone could respond, a sharp train whistle pierced the night air.
The sound echoed unnaturally across the forest.
A moment later, they saw it—a train speeding toward them.
Only then did they realize, in shock, that they were standing on the tracks.
The massive locomotive was coming straight at them.
Just as the genin began to leap away—
The train derailed.
Its steel body groaned as it tore off the tracks and barreled toward them.
Reflexes kicked in.
Minato reacted first. In a blur of motion, he grabbed Kushina and vanished from the danger zone with a flicker.
The others followed quickly—dodging, dashing, and leaping to safety with their own abilities.
But Hikaru, Madara, and Hashirama?
They didn't move an inch.
They stood calmly as the massive train bore down on them.
And just as it was about to strike—
A surge of force erupted.
The train shuddered violently, then was flung aside by an invisible repulsion field, crashing harmlessly into the forest beyond.
Madara's eyes were glowing with the deep hue of the Rinnegan.
"Shinra Tensei," he said calmly.
After the world had achieved peace, Hikaru used his power to revive several Edo Tensei individuals.
But both Tobirama and Izuna had opted to stay in Edo form.
Tobirama felt it was more convenient—no sleep, no eating, no unnecessary chores.
Izuna, on the other hand, feared that returning to a living body might result in instant death due to long-term spiritual strain.
As for Madara, after being fully resurrected—with Hashirama's assistance—he successfully awakened the Rinnegan.