Emiya Shihara reluctantly agreed. Faced with Senju Tobirama's subtle moral coercion, he had little choice but to comply. After all, Tobirama's plan was highly advantageous—and the two young men accompanying him had futures intertwined with his own secret backup plan.
Emiya Shihara's gaze softened as he looked at the two boys before him.
"Please take care of me," the young Sarutobi Hiruzen said brightly.
"Please… take care of me," the young Tuanzou forced a smile, struggling to mask his nerves.
"Then get ready," Emiya Shihara said gently, his face kind. He patted Hiruzen's head. "Come with me to the village to buy some supplies. We leave tomorrow."
"Yes!" Both boys responded enthusiastically, eager and nervous at the same time.
As Emiya Shihara departed with them, Senju Hashirama watched his back with a tinge of reluctance.
"What a shame… I didn't expect to say goodbye so soon," he muttered.
"It's just a short separation," Tobirama said coldly, shifting the conversation to a more pressing matter. "Brother, there's something else I need to tell you about Uchiha Madara."
Hashirama fell silent, his expression serious.
"If all goes as planned, Madara will learn that Lord Emiya has left Konoha. He will surely seek him out." Tobirama's eyes glinted dangerously. "This is our chance."
Hashirama nodded slowly.
"We've been secretly searching for Madara, but he remains elusive. We know he lurks in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity… and now, it has come." Tobirama's voice was low and commanding. "Once Lord Emiya helps him heal his blind Sharingan, Madara will feel confident enough to strike Konoha."
Hashirama remained silent, weighing the strategy carefully.
"Brother, we cannot miss this chance. If we fail to stop Madara, he will destroy Konoha eventually. After your battle, he'll only grow to hate Konoha even more."
"I understand," Hashirama sighed, accepting the plan. "I won't let Madara escape this time… but… it feels like taking advantage of Lord Emiya."
"For Konoha, this is necessary," Tobirama said persuasively. "Do you want Madara to deceive Lord Emiya?"
Hashirama's face turned red with slight embarrassment. If Madara truly manipulated Emiya Shihara, Hashirama would feel deeply guilty for failing to protect his friend.
"Okay," he conceded.
---
The next day, at the entrance of Konoha Village, a small group had gathered to see Emiya Shihara off.
The only notable absence was the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama himself. According to Tobirama, Hashirama couldn't bear the separation and did not show up—a flimsy excuse at best.
But no one truly cared. The focus was on Emiya Shihara and the two young Genin.
"Hiruzen," Sarutobi Sasuke reminded his son, patting him on the shoulder. "Take good care of Lord Emiya. Don't make any mistakes."
"Don't worry!" Hiruzen responded confidently, placing a hand on his chest with a sense of responsibility.
Emiya Shihara smiled kindly at the two boys. "I will take good care of both of you," he reassured Sasuke and the others.
Sarutobi Sasuke gave an awkward laugh. Tobirama said nothing, silently observing Hiruzen and Danzo, hoping they would fulfill their roles in his plan.
---
Outside Konoha Village, Hashirama Senju, clad in red armor and carrying a massive sealing scroll, perched atop a tree. A group of ANBU operatives concealed themselves in nearby trees. Their mission was twofold:
1. Assist the First Hokage in locating Uchiha Madara.
2. Eliminate any outsider ninja attempting to approach Emiya Shihara.
Priority was clear: finding Madara.
"The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind," Tobirama had said.
In truth, the cicada—the target—had long sensed the danger of the mantis. Uchiha Madara had been hiding near Konoha Village, intending to meet Emiya Shihara and learn secrets of the ancient past.
Beneath a massive tree at the forest's edge, Madara leaned lazily against the trunk, watching Hashirama and the ANBU with disdain, as if anticipating their every move.
"Hmph… this display… Hashirama… surely that despicable Tobirama guessed I wanted to meet this important figure and is using you to bring your men to stop me?"
Madara understood that Hashirama alone would not act this way. He was certain Tobirama was pulling the strings.
"What a pity…" A breeze revealed Madara's blind gray eye, partially visible through his messy hair—a sight that sent chills.
Even with Senju Hashirama's cells transplanted, granting him Wood Release and incredible regeneration, Madara knew he could not match Hashirama without a Sharingan. He might even be killed.
"Well… let's use a trick," Madara muttered, raising a finger as a strange gleam appeared in his eye.
The tree behind him suddenly sprouted a wooden clone—an identical figure, standing with a cold, murderous glare.
"Go. Keep Hashirama away from that important figure," Madara ordered, watching the clone vanish.
The next challenge was persuading Emiya Shihara without violence—a dangerous task, given the lessons from their previous encounter. His godlike soul power had crushed Madara's will before, leaving lasting mental scars.
Turning toward the village entrance, Madara saw Emiya Shihara leaving with the two young Konoha Genin.
"I can only try… to trick them…"
Uchiha Madara's sly expression hinted at his cunning, or perhaps his disdain for others' abilities. Though he had tried to persuade Hashirama before, preaching had never been his strong suit.
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