The trouble was finally resolved.
This was the thought that popped into the minds of both Senju Tobirama and Emiya Shirou at the same time, though the troubles they had resolved were different.
When Shirou spoke, Tobirama had already stopped his fake action of releasing the Impure World Reincarnation. This de facto ruler of Konoha had long anticipated Shirou's temperament. He knew that Shirou, in his "kindness," would definitely not be able to bear letting the ninja world fall into chaos.
Emiya Shirou is really easy to deceive, he thought, knowing how to use the other's kindness.
However, he still needed to be on guard. Tobirama suspected Shirou's goodwill might be used by others. Since it was inconvenient to restrict his movements, he might encounter people from other ninja villages. This kind of thing must be handled carefully.
After all, Shirou was going to stay in this era for a long time. Tobirama secretly calculated that he might be able to arrange for Shirou to see the dark side of the world, so that he wouldn't be so easily deceived in the future.
This was a new era, crueler than the ancient times. Killing, deceiving... ninjas had long been accustomed to this kind of life.
For example, that fiend Madara might deceive and use him. Otherwise, after faking his death, why would he hide in Shirou's place in the middle of the night?
"Speaking of which," Tobirama narrowed his eyes, "that fiend Madara used the battle with my brother to fake his death, yet he secretly infiltrated the place where Lord Emiya lives. There must be some conspiracy."
"One of Madara's eyes is blind," Hashirama's thinking was simpler. "This is the price he paid for escaping death. Perhaps he wants to heal his eye."
"Is that so?" Shirou frowned, feigning confusion. "Then why did he try to control me with Sharingan genjutsu? If he wanted treatment, shouldn't he have told the doctor directly?"
"Lord Emiya's thinking is too kind!" Tobirama began his lesson, while also cursing Madara a few times. "That fiend Madara is evil by nature. He has always believed that everyone should submit to his military might. He thought he could control you with genjutsu."
"However, you must be careful. This time his evil plan did not succeed, but in the future, he may use other means, using lies to deceive you into helping him. The hearts of people in this era are not simple."
Shirou just frowned and remained silent. He still seemed a bit unaccustomed to the ways of this era, and was also wondering if this person, Tobirama, was hinting at him.
Speaking of which... where did Black Zetsu go? Could it still be busy at this time?
In fact, Black Zetsu was really quite busy. It was a bit worried about Madara's safety. His body held the hope of awakening a brand new pair of Rinnegan. Before Shirou had created a new one, it didn't want to see the weakened Madara being captured.
Outside Konoha Village, the weakened Madara was still dodging the pursuit of the ANBU. "Hmph, that insidious villain Tobirama is always so thorough."
His gaze was wary as he glanced at the ANBU blocking his path. He knew they must have been sent out in advance. He couldn't stay here any longer.
Even if he could dodge their perception, he couldn't escape the endless stream of ninjas Konoha would send. And there was the Hyuga clan, with their Byakugan. He would be exposed sooner or later.
"Fight my way out!" Madara shot out. The four ANBU tried to block him. "Madara Uchiha is here! Don't even think about escaping!"
Madara snorted contemptuously. In just a moment, the four of them were dealt with. It wasn't just a matter of power, but a disparity in talent and experience. However, this was enough. Another, more troublesome squad had discovered his tracks. Sarutobi Sasuke personally led a team of the Ino-Shika-Cho combination, pouncing towards him.
"Stop him!" Sasuke shouted. "As long as we stop him, Lord Hokage and Lord Tobirama will be able to catch up!" He spewed a long stream of fire. "Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
"Sarutobi Sasuke?" Madara's eyebrows twitched, a mocking smile on his lips. "Hmph, I thought the ninja Hashirama praised would be so excellent, but I didn't expect him to be so foolish as to try and use a Fire Style jutsu against an Uchiha."
"Shadow Imitation Technique!" A man with a ponytail connected their shadows. "You'd better be quick. The gap between him and me is too big."
"I'll add on! Ninja Art: Mind Body Switch Technique!" A blond-haired man's spirit entered Madara's body.
"Don't underestimate us! Madara! Expansion Jutsu!" A stout and sturdy figure appeared behind him, his body suddenly as tall as a mountain, swinging a huge fist.
However, Madara instantly resolved his crisis. He used genjutsu to control the blond ninja, who then used the Mind Body Switch Technique to invade the spirit of the ponytail-haired man.
The ponytail man used the Shadow Imitation Technique to control the shadow of the stout man, who then rolled uncontrollably, sending both his teammates flying.
The well-coordinated Ino-Shika-Cho combination was directly beaten. Even... their defeat was a bit too pathetic!
No... even using the word "pathetic" to describe it would be giving them too much pride!
Because Madara had only glanced at them.
It should be said... Madara hadn't even truly looked at them!
This terrifying man had only used the blond ninja's spirit that invaded his body to cleanly deal with the Ino-Shika-Cho combination. The time was so short it was measured in seconds.
A matter of seconds... and the pursuit squad was left with only Sarutobi Sasuke.
"My chakra has recovered a bit," Madara's gaze was still fixed on Sasuke, who had started to break out in a cold sweat. His fingers slowly formed hand seals. "A ninja like you seems not so easy to shake off. Then I'll be a little more serious and let you see a real Fire Style."
Sarutobi Sasuke's eyes suddenly tightened.
Half a minute later, the Ino-Shika-Cho combination returned to the battlefield. Madara had already left. Their captain was burned all over and severely injured, unconscious, his breathing weak.
"We can't possibly catch up to Madara anymore!" the stout man said, carrying Sasuke on his back. "We must get the captain to the hospital first!"
"The captain's condition looks a bit bad," the blond ninja said nervously. "Should we tell his family?"
"There's no way we can hide it," the man with the ponytail rubbed his brow. "I've met his son. That child Hiruzen is an excellent ninja. He won't be afraid just because his father has met with misfortune."
"I hope..."
"Maybe there's someone in the village who can save the captain."