In the Land of Fire, Emiya Shihara embarked on his journey with his two young companions.
Nearby, Hashirama Senju led a group of ANBU ninjas, silently watching the forest for any sign of Uchiha Madara.
Strangely, Madara never appeared.
This made Hashirama uneasy, fearing that Madara might exploit his absence to attack Konoha.
However, Tobirama Senju remained confident. He believed Madara had lost one of his Mangekyō Sharingan eyes, and that Konoha still had the powerful Nine-Tails Jinchūriki, Uzumaki Mito. Even if Madara struck Konoha, he would gain nothing. Instead, his target would surely be Emiya Shihara.
"Could Tobirama have misjudged Madara's intentions?" Hashirama wondered.
He led the ANBU all the way to the Land of Fire's border, yet there was no sign of Madara. Doubts about Tobirama's judgment grew.
Meanwhile, someone even more anxious was lurking in the shadows: Black Zetsu.
Hidden underground, Black Zetsu had been quietly following Madara. He suspected that after the last conflict, Madara might try to contact Emiya Shihara—but not like this.
From his hiding place, Black Zetsu observed Madara appear in Takigakure Village. Using his Mangekyō Sharingan, Madara controlled the village leader and ordered Takigakure ninja to attack a small group headed for the Land of Water.
"…What is he doing?" Black Zetsu muttered, stunned.
Why not confront Emiya Shihara directly? How could these small ninjas hope to subdue him? Yet Madara's confidence was unshakable. Black Zetsu could only watch, perplexed. Perhaps Madara planned to force Emiya Shihara to flee, then intervene at the decisive moment.
"What a waste of time..."
Black Zetsu wanted to warn Emiya Shihara, but no opportunity presented itself. Emiya Shihara traveled with two Konoha youths and wanted to remain discreet.
At the Takigakure border, Emiya Shihara remained calm.
The young Danzo felt no worry—he had ANBU protecting them, so even an attack wouldn't endanger them. Only the young Sarutobi Hiruzen showed caution. Once they left Fire Country, they would lose the protection of Konoha's name and had to rely entirely on themselves.
"Lord Emiya," Hiruzen asked, as he grilled fish over a branch. "Why are we heading to Taki no Kuni?"
"It doesn't matter where we go," Emiya Shihara replied, still writing notes on a medical record. "I just picked a direction. Perhaps I'll find a ninja capable of inheriting medical skills—or something I need."
Hiruzen nodded thoughtfully.
"So… when will our journey end?" Danzo asked, frowning.
"Probably within ten years," Emiya Shihara said without looking up.
Both boys tensed at that thought. Ten years was a lifetime for them.
"Don't worry," Emiya Shihara said, rolling up the medical scroll. "If you wish to leave, I will return you to Konoha safely."
Hiruzen laughed, taking the scroll and placing it in his backpack. He squeezed Danzo's shoulder. "No one else has the fortune to travel with Lord Emiya for so long!"
Danzo rolled his eyes. A decade of wandering? He wasn't thrilled.
"Don't worry," Shihara Emiya continued, taking a blank scroll from Hiruzen. "You don't have talent for medical ninjutsu. I dislike fighting, but this era of ninjas demands conflict. Peace cannot be maintained by words alone—strength is required to uphold ideals."
Danzo's breath grew heavy at that thought.
"As expected of you, Lord Emiya!" Hiruzen exclaimed, sitting beside him. "I hope you will guide me!"
"I can't promise guidance," Emiya Shihara said, tapping Hiruzen's head with his pen. "I cannot teach you powerful techniques without first assessing your talent. I hope I won't disappoint you."
Danzo suppressed his ambition. He knew Emiya Shihara possessed something extraordinary: a cursed seal capable of instantly enhancing a ninja's power.
Suddenly, Hiruzen's eyes sharpened, fixed on a direction in the forest.
"Someone's coming!" he warned.
Danzo turned, shocked, as a stream of Takigakure ninjas emerged.
The Konoha ANBU guarding the perimeter had vanished—they had discovered their target hours ago.
"Hokage-sama!" an ANBU exclaimed, pointing at a flash of red beneath a tree.
"Madara!" Hashirama recognized the figure immediately. Without hesitation, he leapt forward, ANBU following.
But Madara, clad in red armor, only cast a cold glance and sped away, avoiding confrontation with Konoha ninjas.
"Madara!" Hashirama shouted, pursuing him relentlessly.
Meanwhile, the remaining ANBU turned toward Emiya Shihara, tasked with assisting the First Hokage in neutralizing Madara.
Emiya Shihara, however, was not worried. According to Tobirama, he was strong enough to control the Nine-Tails alone.
"Mister Emiya," Hiruzen muttered, gripping a kunai. "It looks like trouble..."
"We cannot flee," Emiya Shihara replied calmly. He sensed that the Konoha ANBU had already been drawn away by Madara's clone.
But the real Uchiha Madara lingered nearby, following the Takigakure ninjas. What was his purpose?
Emiya Shihara's gaze fell on the approaching Takigakure ninja.
"Kakuzu, go!" shouted the Takigakure captain. "Kill that man! We'll take care of the two brats!"
Emiya Shihara's lips curved slightly. I quite like Kakuzu…
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