Deep beneath the Land of Rain, Black Zetsu, possessing Hiruko's body, was frantically fleeing underground.
Ahead of him, White Zetsu, who had just separated from him, was leading the way.
Hiruko was still unconscious, and this was the best method Black Zetsu could use to escape with him.
After possessing Hiruko, Black Zetsu immediately used Earth Release to hide underground with White Zetsu.
He wasn't sure if Naruto would come, but to be cautious, he decided to wait until Hashirama and Madara finished their battle before emerging.
To his shock, Naruto actually arrived using the Flying Thunder God Technique, scaring him into fleeing on the spot.
Now, Black Zetsu was utterly convinced that the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was a pawn of Hagoromo. Otherwise, how could a kid's strength grow so rapidly?
'That bastard Hagoromo was really shameless. When the Ten Tails were divided, he deliberately gave the Nine-Tails so much Chakra. It turned out that he was waiting for this moment.'
'By sealing the Nine-Tails into the reincarnation of Asura's Chakra, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki essentially started at the finish line of others, never having to worry about running out of Chakra.'
'And now, with the Rinnegan, who could possibly stand against him?'
'How shameless!'
At this point, Black Zetsu had no intention of confronting Naruto directly. If he were caught, there would be no chance left to revive his mother.
Now, Black Zetsu could only rely on Hiruko, hoping he could perfect the Edo Tensei.
Once they could reincarnate Madara and Hashirama at their full power, they might stand a chance against Naruto.
Black Zetsu had watched the entire battle through the perspectives of Hashirama and Madara.
Even though he was deep underground and constantly moving away from the Land of Rain, his body couldn't help but tremble in fear.
It scared him so much that he increased his escape speed even further.
Although Hashirama and Madara were only able to exert a little over half of their full strength, their combined efforts should have been comparable to either of them at their peak.
Not to mention their final move, the Susanoo-clad Buddha.
With Madara's Susanoo enhancing it, the destructive power was nearly on par with Hashirama's True Several Thousand Hands used during the battle at the Valley of the End.
Black Zetsu still remembered how Hashirama had completely obliterated Madara's Susanoo-clad Kurama back then.
Unexpectedly, against the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, it only managed to damage the outer Susanoo armor.
This meant that the current Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was stronger than either Hashirama or Madara individually, but likely not a match for both of them combined.
After carefully comparing their strengths, Black Zetsu's tension eased slightly.
Now, it all depended on Hiruko's research capabilities and whether Obito could prove useful.
If all else failed, Black Zetsu would just have to wait a few hundred years.
After all, his greatest strength was his longevity.
---
On the ruins of the Land of Rain, Hashirama and Madara's bodies had mostly regenerated, and they stood side by side.
Madara, with a look of frustration, glared up at Naruto, who stood condescendingly, a perspective he deeply disliked.
Hashirama, on the other hand, was staring in surprise at Madara's nearly fully restored chest. Though he had only glimpsed it briefly, he had seen it clearly.
"Madara, why do you have my face tattooed on your chest?" Hashirama asked directly.
Madara's mouth couldn't help but twitch when he heard this, and he inwardly cursed himself for letting Hashirama notice the face on his chest.
'There was no way I could tell the truth.'
"Hmph, it's a mark of shame. A reminder to stay humble and never let someone like you stab me in the back again!"
"This..."
Hashirama felt a bit guilty. What he had done back then wasn't exactly honorable, but Madara had been determined to destroy the village and had even brought the Nine-Tails. He had no choice.
"Madara, it was for the sake of the village." Hashirama said sternly.
"Tch, you're still as naive as ever. The Ninja Village System you created will never bring peace."
After Hashirama's death, Madara had witnessed three Ninja World Wars, which had thoroughly convinced him of how naive Hashirama's system truly was.
Hashirama fell silent. He didn't know whether his path to peace was right or wrong. He had died long ago and couldn't foresee the future of the Ninja World. But at least, during his lifetime, it had been the right path.
"Madara, our lives are too short. In the time we have, we can only do so much. We have to entrust the rest to the next generation."
"We have to believe in the wisdom of those who come after us."
"Hmph!" Madara sneered, not bothering to explain further.
He knew full well that no two people could walk the same path. Just as he didn't agree with Hashirama, Hashirama could never understand him. But he would continue walking his own path.
Only through the Infinite Tsukuyomi, in that dream world, would true peace be achieved. And when that peace came, Madara would make sure Hashirama witnessed it with his own eyes.
Madara looked up at Naruto, who stood under the blazing sun. Though he felt deeply frustrated, he still maintained the pride of the Shura of the Ninja World.
"Brat, among all the opponents I've faced, you are the most outstanding in both talent and strength."
"It's a shame today's battle wasn't as satisfying as it could have been. The next time we meet, you'll witness my true peak."
As soon as Madara finished speaking, a bright white light began to emanate from his body, accompanied by a thick mist of white vapor.
At the same time, the same phenomenon was occurring with Hashirama.
"What's this?"
Naruto's lips parted slightly. If he remembered correctly, this reaction indicated that the caster had already released the Edo Tensei.
He put Kurama back into the seal space and appeared in front of the two of them, watching with interest. This was the first time he had seen someone's soul.
Konoha's Scroll of Seals contained an S-Rank Ninjutsu called the 'Spirit Transformation Technique', which he had practiced before. However, he found it somewhat impractical and hadn't delved deeper into it after a brief study.
If he had more time, he would have liked to research their souls further.
"I hope next time, you can give me a more satisfying fight."
Madara's soul had already separated from his current body. He gazed in the direction of Nagato and uttered his final words.
"My eyes will remain with you for now. Next time, I'll take them back myself! "
Buzz——
In the next moment, Madara's soul ascended into the sky within a pillar of white light.
"Sigh--"
Beside him, Hashirama let out a helpless sigh, though his smile remained warm as he looked at Naruto.
"I was hoping to ask about the situation in Konoha and the Land of Whirlpools..."
"Senju Hashirama, you may be naive, but you're not stupid, are you?"
Naruto interrupted Hashirama. Just from his attitude, Hashirama could probably guess Naruto's relationship with Konoha.
Hashirama was momentarily stunned, then shook his head with a bitter smile.
"I am, after all, already dead. Farewell, young man."
Hashirama's soul also ascended into the Pure Land.