"Naruto: My Ninja Skills"Chapter 181: Fragments (1)
Madara Uchiha was a man of principle (or perhaps just pig-headed). Before defecting from Konoha, he had already stolen Hashirama's cells, but didn't immediately use that power.
Let me be clear: Madara's defection had absolutely nothing to do with Yūshin. Though Yūshin had previously mentioned running for Hokage, that was irrelevant.
Because even without Yūshin, Madara could never have become Konoha's Hokage... Let's be realistic here—with Madara's personality, methods, and reputation, how could he possibly become a village leader?
Madara not only lacked influence in Konoha, but had even lost sway within the Uchiha Clan. Now that the chaotic era had ended and everyone was settling into peaceful lives, Madara's ideology ran completely counter to popular sentiment.
However, Madara had already been deceived by the Uchiha's "Stone Tablet," and having been told of the Uchiha's tragic future in Konoha, he existed in a state of "being the only sober one among the drunk" before his defection.
Frankly, this was the most hopeless mindset possible—he was doing wrong while firmly believing himself right, even uniquely right.
There was no helping it. This was no ordinary defection—it demanded decisive action.
Madara slunk away from Konoha alone, his "principles" manifesting in his intention to rely solely on his own strength for a final battle with Hashirama... The third decisive clash between them never materialized, which was truly regrettable.
If in the original timeline Madara's challenge at the Valley of the End was for Asura's power, then his current preparation for the same was purely due to his own stubbornness... He had one last chance to prove the Uchiha superior to the Senju, and couldn't waste it.
Though Madara hadn't used Hashirama's cells, he planned to control the Nine-Tails for a "duo battle" against Hashirama... Well, with the Nine-Tails under his Sharingan's control, it counted as a summoned beast, a type of "ninja tool," and could certainly be considered his own power.
If Hashirama objected, he could go control another Tailed Beast.
After Madara's defection, Hashirama's heart had turned to stone—his patience with this man exhausted, he immediately gave chase... Ordinary ninja couldn't intervene in their battle, only providing support from the rear and periphery.
Yes, Yūshin was a textbook ordinary ninja.
With Hashirama on the offensive, Tobirama needed to remain in Konoha to stabilize the situation... Someone like Madara fleeing would inevitably cause panic.
Especially among the Uchiha Clan, who were deeply anxious. At this moment Tobirama finally displayed some strategic vision, advocating trust and reassurance toward the Uchiha... The fact that the Uchiha hadn't left with Madara or launched large-scale rebellion proved their Konoha loyalty.
Whether Madara had planted spies within the Uchiha was another matter entirely.
With Hashirama attacking and Tobirama defending, the ninja capable of providing support were few indeed. Naturally, Yūshin was perfectly suited.
Unable to refuse such a mission, he led over thirty elite ninja—including medical, combat, reconnaissance, and barrier-sealing units—following Hashirama's trail.
On the fifth day of operations, at dusk:
"Lord Yūshin, Tailed Beast chakra detected ahead!"
"And Madara Uchiha..."
During the squad's sprint, a Hyūga ninja suddenly spoke.
"Halt advance."
At Yūshin's command, the team stopped instantly, but he immediately revised the order.
"Retreat. Fall back at maximum speed."
This order defied logic—since they were about to encounter Madara Uchiha, shouldn't they advance to support the First Hokage?
"Lord Yūshin, why retreat? Shouldn't we press forward, not withdraw?" Someone was puzzled and questioned Yūshin's command directly.
Yūshin glanced at him, noting he was a Senju ninja—such reaction was understandable... Yūshin understood but ignored him.
"Retreat. No hesitation."
With that, he led the withdrawal from the battlefield.
Faced with their commander's order—especially Yūshin as commander—the other ninja showed no hesitation, following behind him.
Only that squad of Senju ninja seemed intent on disobedience.
Theoretically, this was a moment to "abandon the desire to help and respect others' destinies," but if these troublemakers approached the battlefield, they'd inevitably interfere with Hashirama Senju's combat.
No choice—Yūshin had to continue issuing orders:
"Gan, restrain them... We'll address their insubordination after returning to the village."
"Yes, Lord Yūshin."
Orochimaru had recently been perfecting his "loyal Fireflies ninja" persona, so he executed Yūshin's orders with utmost dedication... He could certainly fight, his skill level by no means low, though incomparable to Sakumo Hatake.
After all, swordsmanship was merely Orochimaru's minor skill, but Sakumo's livelihood—no comparison necessary.
At that moment, over a dozen gray snakes suddenly burst from beneath the four Senju ninja's feet, binding them thoroughly with intricate restraint techniques while simultaneously biting and injecting large quantities of paralytic toxins.
These few caused no disruption to the team's advance—they were simply dragged along at the rear.
Orochimaru's performance was indeed excellent, naturally at Sannin level. Yūshin nodded with satisfaction—bringing him along to broaden his horizons was worthwhile... Only by witnessing the First Hokage's power firsthand would Orochimaru work diligently to develop Hashirama cells.
Soon, everyone realized how wise Yūshin's decision had been.
Those following him were elite ninja, many having previously witnessed Hashirama and Madara's battles, thus believing they understood Hashirama's capabilities. But this time was different—this time Hashirama was serious.
When Hashirama's chakra overflowed from him as its center, spreading like an ocean, everyone trembled... The murderous intent within that chakra made them feel as if they were first streaking naked through frozen wasteland, then dancing atop blade mountains.
To use Madara's own terminology, Hashirama was preparing to dance.
Hashirama and Madara seemed to exchange words, but at Yūshin's distance nothing was audible... The next moment, pure chakra confrontation began.
Facing Madara and his controlled Nine-Tails' "Armored Susano'o," Hashirama showed no hesitation, clapping his hands together to enter Sage Mode.
Then clapping again—no more pretense, cards on the table: I'm actually not the same species as you...
"Sage Art: Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands: Top Transformed Buddha"
The Armored Susano'o that had just terrified observers was instantly reduced to chick-like proportions by Hashirama's technique.
(Size comparison)
"Di-dimension... completely different..." a nearby ninja muttered.
Yūshin was equally stunned. Knowing something and witnessing it firsthand created entirely different sensations—he once again confirmed Hashirama was indeed an extraterrestrial.
After years of restraint, Hashirama finally stopped holding back. However, even for Hashirama, such techniques represented a tremendous burden.
Looking at Orochimaru nearby, the man trembled continuously as if touching live electrical current.
"The First Hokage will win... right?"
From the observers' perspective, the battle's outcome seemed clear from the start—honestly, the "right?" could be removed.
"We're more dangerous than the First Hokage. Watch for Tailed Beast Bombs."
Yūshin reminded everyone not to assume absolute safety from distant observation.
Tailed Beast Bombs indeed began flying wildly, but the True Several Thousand Hands also started "pounding mochi."
The entire continent seemed to tremble. Yūshin felt like a clueless youth suddenly thrown onto a World War II battlefield, positioned precisely within enemy heavy artillery coverage.
Yet what he experienced was merely the battle's aftershocks—neither combatant was targeting their location.
The world-shaking battle continued all night, its intensity and ferocity escalating constantly. Even the Nine-Tails, that chakra monster, only endured half the engagement before breaking free of the Sharingan's control and fleeing with tail tucked.
You really couldn't fault it—the Nine-Tails' gluteus maximus was quite impressive, actually managing to clamp all nine tails simultaneously... This biological behavior had never been previously observed.
The issue on this battlefield wasn't the Nine-Tails being weakest, but facing a situation where it could only be manipulated by others.
Unlike Yūshin's memory where Madara suffered a final backstab, here, though Hashirama's True Several Thousand Hands was depleted, his wooden avatar stood firm on the battlefield throughout... like his resolve.
"Is... is it over?"
At dawn, the battlefield fell silent. Everyone felt tinnitus, buzzing heads, even stiff necks... The observers seemed more exhausted than the combatants.
"Let's go."
Yūshin led everyone toward the battlefield center. Soon they spotted the wooden avatar from afar.
The wooden figure's left hand was raised before its chest like a Buddha, while its right pressed down parallel to the ground at knee level. Dawn's light covered half the wooden figure, rapidly dispersing shadows from the other half.
The scene froze thus, quite resembling a "Wrathful Vajra."
Hashirama half-knelt atop the wooden figure's head, appearing extraordinarily weary.
Yūshin hurried forward to check Hashirama's condition, but passing directly beneath the wooden figure's right palm, he suddenly stopped.
On the ground lay shocking flesh pulp, spread in human form with flattened dark red armor indicating a humanoid creature had once existed here.
Truly worthy of Madara Uchiha—his "war rose" bloomed so magnificently.
Dying with such artistic flair, even Yūshin had to raise his thumb in approval.
"Medical unit becomes autopsy unit."
Yūshin instructed Orochimaru, who immediately complied—corpse collection was work he particularly enjoyed.
Yūshin then approached Hashirama, sensing his chakra was completely exhausted. He placed his hand on Hashirama's shoulder, using abundant life force to ease Hashirama's drained spirit and fatigued body.
Who would have thought—Yūshin truly never imagined having a day when he'd treat Hashirama. The world's vastness held endless wonders.
"Yūshin... it's finally over." Hashirama's tone still carried sorrow.
Madara Uchiha's "death" could basically serve as the true marker of the chaotic era's end. From now on, newborn Konoha village would face essentially no threats or destruction crises.
"Self-inflicted consequences need no pity."
Yūshin's attitude toward Madara Uchiha remained consistent. Madara entering false death was beneficial—for a considerable period, Madara would pose no threat. For "the power of all creation," he could only obediently enter "incubation mode"... Even gathering both conditions, hatching the Rinnegan would be no easy task.
"Yūshin, I have an idea... After ninja achieved relative calm, Tailed Beast threats became prominent. I believe Tailed Beasts should be controlled."
"Tailed Beasts are too dangerous—they should be viewed as uncontrolled mobile natural disasters. Each great ninja village should assume Tailed Beast management responsibilities."
With Madara's matter concluded, Hashirama only looked forward. After battling the Nine-Tails, he naturally developed this thinking.
"Hashirama, if you think so, I suggest Konoha adopt a posture of seizing all Tailed Beasts and weaponizing them. Faced with our attitude, other ninja villages won't need urging—they'll be motivated to capture Tailed Beasts themselves," Yūshin said, habitually achieving maximum results with minimum investment.
"Why is that?"
"Because ninja—or humans—are all scoundrels... People never treasure freely given things; only stolen food tastes best."
"Does... does that make sense?"
"Don't worry, this matter can be left to Tobirama—he understands scoundrels best."
Hashirama Senju frowned. The previous battle had nearly evaporated his brain matter, leaving him unable to determine whether Yūshin's words insulted Tobirama.
"No rush—I need rest for a period... This battle consumed too much."
"Capturing Tailed Beasts doesn't require your action—the Uzumaki Clan is better suited for such work."
"It's not just my issue, but Tobirama's as well... Tobirama plans to marry by year's end."
"Hm? How haven't I heard of this?"
"Ahem, Tobirama always overthinks. He worried you'd hold opposing views, thus concealed it from you."
"Heh, how strange. Tobirama can marry whomever he wishes—why would I oppose? This matter has nothing to do with me."
Despite his weary face, Hashirama had to display a placating expression. No choice—he still had to manage his younger brother's affairs, especially since this brother maintained constant vigilance toward The Fireflies.
"Let's not discuss this now—you need rest."
Hashirama's body was extremely stiff. After Yūshin transmitted a large wave of chakra, he attempted to help Hashirama lie flat.
After lying atop the wooden figure's head, Hashirama soon fell into deep sleep.
"Lord Yūshin, Madara Uchiha's corpse..."
After Yūshin returned beneath the wooden figure's palm, someone was uncertain how to handle Madara Uchiha, who had suffered "two-dimensional foil youth edition" impact.
"It's useless, but bring it back anyway—otherwise Tobirama will definitely obsess over this thing... You understand, some people's paranoia is incurable; they won't rest without seeing the corpse."
Tobirama's paranoia was indeed incurable, but this time his suspicion was actually correct.
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