[Uchiha Clan Grounds, Clan Leader's Residence]
Madara sat before the desk, the tip of his brush sharp and cold as he wrote several lines on the paper, "Hashirama, meet me at the Valley. Our final battle. Victory or defeat, life or death, we'll settle it in one battle."
After finishing the letter, he sealed it himself and handed it to the most reliable messenger ninja.
"Deliver it. Immediately."
The messenger ninja took the letter, and his figure vanished into the night in an instant.
———
[Senju Clan Grounds]
When Hashirama received the letter, he was standing by the window, looking at the distant mountains.
He still couldn't let go of the idea of founding a village.
He unfolded the letter, his gaze lingering on those few lines of cold, hard handwriting for a long time.
Behind him, Tobirama stood silently, his expression turning slightly grim.
"Big Brother, you're planning to...", Senju Tobirama hesitated.
Hashirama did not answer immediately. He simply set the letter down gently and said in a calm voice that carried a trace of heaviness, "He has challenged me to a final battle."
Tobirama frowned. "I know, but go now? Izuna only died recently. He's probably completely lost control by now."
Hashirama shook his head, his eyes looking into the distance.
"Precisely because of that, I should go even more."
"If we drag this out, only more people will die."
Hashirama turned around, his tone firm. "Send a reply. Agree."
———
[Several Days Later]
Because of the war, the terrain here was already different from what it had originally been.
The elite forces of the Uchiha and Senju faced each other once again.
This time, however, the atmosphere was more solemn than ever before.
Madara stood at the very front, with the Uchiha elites behind him.
His Sharingan had already become the Eternal Mangekyo, its red pattern shifting in the morning light, his killing intent almost taking physical form.
Opposite him, Hashirama likewise stood at the front of the formation, a greatsword on his back.
Tobirama stood slightly behind him to the side, his sharp gaze sweeping across the Uchiha formation.
Soon, Tobirama's eyes stopped.
He did not see that familiar figure.
The Uchiha Izuna who had fought him many times before and made him wary had not appeared.
Tobirama understood instantly.
Dead.
Sure enough... he was dead.
But he did not expose it immediately. Instead, he deliberately raised his voice and asked, "Uchiha Madara, what happened to Izuna?"
As soon as those words fell, the atmosphere among the Uchiha instantly froze.
Madara's gaze snapped toward Tobirama, the killing intent in his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan almost spilling out.
Rage surged in his heart, the death of Izuna was already the deepest wound in his heart.
Having Tobirama bring it up to his face at this moment was like sprinkling salt on the wound.
But he did not lose his temper.
The purpose of this trip was to have a final resolution with Hashirama.
Not to get tangled up with this gloomy fellow.
Madara merely cast a cold glance at Tobirama.
Then, Madara completely ignored Tobirama and turned his gaze back to Hashirama opposite him.
"Hashirama, let's decide this once and for all. Izuna is dead, and my heart is in turmoil."
Uchiha Madara spoke coldly.
Hashirama looked at him, his eyes complicated, but he still nodded.
"Fine."
"We'll settle it in one battle."
The elites of both clans tightened their grips on their weapons at the same time, chakra surging violently through the air.
In the center of the valley, the fluctuations of chakra grew increasingly violent.
Just as the elite forces on both sides were about to charge, Hashirama suddenly raised his hand.
"Everyone, retreat two kilometres.", Senju Hashirama spoke with authority.
The Senju clan members froze, and someone then protested in a low voice, "Clan Leader? Retreat now?"
Hashirama did not turn around. He simply repeated calmly but firmly, "Retreat three li. Immediately."
At the same time, Madara also raised his hand.
"All Uchiha, retreat three li."
Uchiha Madara ordered.
The Uchiha elites likewise paused, but no one dared disobey.
A moment later, the people of both clans retreated at the same time. Their footsteps echoed through the valley, and soon a distance opened between them.
Only Madara and Hashirama, along with Tobirama standing behind Hashirama to the side, remained in place.
"Tobirama, you leave too."
Senju Hashirama said in a deep voice.
Tobirama frowned deeply and hurried forward, lowering his voice as he said urgently, "Big Brother! Izuna is already gone, and there's no one beside Madara who can truly hold him back. I can work with you, the two of us joining forces will definitely be enough to take him down completely!"
"No, Tobirama, you don't understand. Madara is my brother."
Hashirama shook his head, his gaze remaining on Madara opposite him.
Tobirama froze. "Brother?!"
"The battle between him and me isn't something others can interfere in. If your strength can't keep up, you'll only throw your life away for nothing."
Hashirama turned around and said in a low voice.
"And besides..."
Hashirama paused, his gaze turning slightly stern.
"If you make a move, I'm afraid you won't know when to stop."
Tobirama's expression changed slightly.
He knew what his elder brother was worried about.
Hashirama was not afraid that he could not defeat Madara. He was afraid that once Tobirama seriously joined the fight, the two of them working together might actually kill Madara.
After all, the two of them working together were extremely powerful.
And Hashirama had never been willing to go that far.
"Brother, you....."
"Listen."
Hashirama interrupted him, his tone unusually stern.
"Take the clan members and retreat three li away. No matter what happens, don't come any closer."
Tobirama clenched his fists, but in the end, he silently nodded.
"Don't hold back, Big Brother..."
He took a deep look at his elder brother, then coldly swept his gaze over Madara opposite him before turning and walking toward the rear.
His footsteps gradually faded away.
In the center of the valley, only Madara and Hashirama remained.
Madara looked at Hashirama, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly, but without the slightest trace of a smile.
"Still the same as ever.", Uchiha Madara said lightly.
Hashirama did not refute him. He simply raised his hand, and Wood Release chakra began slowly gathering.
"Madara, I know you've never forgotten what happened back then. Does this battle really have to happen?", Senju Hashirama asked.
"Izuna is already dead..."
Madara's Mangekyo Sharingan began turning completely, killing intent surging out like a tide.
The next second, the two of them charged toward each other almost simultaneously.
The battle began.
———
In the center of the valley, the fierce battle had already continued for an unknown amount of time.
Finally, after a violent clash...
Madara's figure was smashed into the ground by Wood Release vines.
He knelt among the rubble and dust, supporting himself on one knee, blood continuously spilling from the corner of his mouth.
The light of his Mangekyo flickered violently, but it could no longer support another attack.
His chakra was almost exhausted, his breathing rapid and weak.
Hashirama stood before him, his chest rising and falling slightly, his robes torn, yet he still stood straight.
Hashirama did not immediately deliver the final blow.
Instead, he slowly extended his hand.
"Madara! Come with me!"
"Let's establish a village together."
"A place where children no longer die on the battlefield, and where family members no longer slaughter one another."
"Let's end all of this."
Madara raised his head, his red Sharingan staring fixedly at the hand extended toward him.
At this moment, Senju Tobirama quickly arrived using the Flying Thunder God.
He looked coldly at Uchiha Madara on the ground.
"It's over, Uchiha Madara!"
Senju Tobirama raised his long blade.