"My body… it won't move."
Tobirama's brow furrowed. The moment Senju Haruto's chakra blade pierced him, he lost all control of his body. He couldn't even twitch his pinky finger, let alone break free from Haruto's attack.
Soon, the choking smoke created by the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags began to disperse. But what came into Tobirama's vision was not just Haruto's Susanoo.
On top of the Susanoo's armored frame was a thick layer of sand and soil. Haruto had crushed the earth beneath his feet with Magnet Release, molding it into an absolute defense reminiscent of Gaara's. And unlike Gaara's finite sand, this defense continuously drew fresh soil from underground, endlessly replenishing itself.
The raging bombardment of the Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags had been completely nullified.
Not only that—Haruto had infused his Susanoo's chakra blade with Shukaku's chakra, tapping into the One-Tail's unique sealing power to firmly lock down Senju Tobirama's movements.
"Second Hokage… from the very start, you never had a chance of winning."
Haruto lifted his gaze slightly, releasing his sand barrier, and met Tobirama's eyes as he spoke.
But instead of anger, Tobirama's lips curved into a faint, satisfied smile.
Haruto had inherited not only his elder brother's Wood Release, but also the Uchiha clan's most powerful Sharingan. Added to that were his indomitable Will of Fire and overwhelming strength.
Entrusting Konohagakure to Senju Haruto was, without doubt, the correct path.
"The village…"
Tobirama's murmur made Haruto chuckle softly.
"The Daimyō system has long since collapsed. The Land of Fire and the Village Hidden in the Leaves have already become one. And not just that—the Land of Water, once one of the Five Great Nations, is now Fire's territory as well."
"Second Hokage, protecting the village and seeking benefit for it… to me, that mindset is already outdated."
"Only by unifying the entire shinobi world can true peace be created."
Hearing Haruto's sweeping vision of the future, Tobirama froze in place, wondering if he had misheard.
But… when he thought of Haruto's strength, his intellect, his foresight—perhaps it wasn't so unthinkable.
Abolishing the feudal lords and making the Hokage the supreme ruler of a great nation—this was something neither Hashirama nor Tobirama himself had ever even considered.
Yet Haruto not only thought it, but had made it reality.
"…It seems I truly underestimated you, Haruto."
Despite his shock, Tobirama felt a surge of exhilaration. Part of him wanted to see the future Haruto spoke of with his own eyes.
But in the end… he was a shinobi abandoned by time.
To rest beneath the soil—that was his rightful place.
"In that case… Haruto, I leave the future of the shinobi to you."
Tobirama smiled once more. "I'm ready. Seal me."
"…Understood."
Seeing Tobirama request his own sealing, Haruto wasted no time. Controlling Susanoo, he swung his blade backhand, driving Tobirama's impaled body into the earth.
Immediately, Haruto summoned Shukaku's power again, gathering the sand beneath Tobirama into a dense mass that bound him tight. On the surface of the sand, countless sealing scripts began to appear, glowing faintly.
The sealing was complete.
"Kakashi."
Haruto turned his head and called out, signaling Hatake Kakashi to take Tobirama away before the coming battle could disrupt the seal.
Brilliant as Senju Tobirama was, the genius who had created countless jutsu, compared to his elder brother… his power did not shine as brightly.
Haruto couldn't deny it—even saying it wasn't an exaggeration—that his fight with Hashirama could reshape the very landscape of Konohagakure itself.
"Ah… y-yes…"
Kakashi, still in shock, hesitated for two seconds before activating his Lightning Chakra Mode. In a blur, he darted to the sealed Tobirama's side and lifted him into his arms.
Haruto didn't even glance back at him. His eyes were already locked onto Hashirama.
"…That was quite the declaration."
Standing atop his towering wooden construct, Hashirama spoke with a hint of awe.
When he had lived, his greatest dream was for the shinobi world to find peace. To achieve it, he had gone so far as to gather the tailed beasts scattered across the lands, distributing them to the various villages in hopes of balancing their strength and forging a fragile peace pact.
"First Hokage."
Haruto's eyes bore into Hashirama's. "Only complete unification can bring true peace to the shinobi world. That is the only path—and the only possibility."
"But the road ahead… will not be easy."
Hashirama shook his head. The idea of unification was one he had considered himself.
But the other Kage were not weaklings. And no matter how strong, one man's lifespan was finite.
Perhaps Haruto could indeed subjugate all with sheer might.
But what about a hundred years later? When Haruto was gone, the shinobi world might splinter again. And in that age of division, wars could erupt with even greater cruelty—just as they had in the First Shinobi World War.
Hashirama had no intention of discouraging Haruto. After all, he himself had never found the true solution, never discovered the path to lasting peace.
In truth, the First Shinobi World War was proof of his failure.
"If this is your answer, Haruto… then never forget your original intent."
"As one who has walked this road before you, this is my only advice: there is no shortcut to true peace."
As his words faded, Hashirama formed hand seals, creating Wood Release clones that spread out to the four cardinal directions. Each placed their palms on the ground in unison.
The Four Violet Flames Formation!
Although he now had only half his original power, and his clones were weaker, Hashirama's barrier was far stronger than Orochimaru's Four Sound Ninja could ever muster.
But this jutsu wasn't meant to trap Haruto.
Hashirama deliberately included himself within the barrier alongside Haruto, ensuring that their battle would not devastate Konoha.
"Good. With this barrier in place, we can begin."
"Haruto… seal me if you can."
With that, Hashirama slapped his palms together again, summoning three massive Wooden Dragons. They coiled upward, merging into his giant wooden warrior, which began striding toward Haruto with earth-shaking steps.
The thought of crossing blades with Haruto filled Hashirama with excitement.
After all… ever since Uchiha Madara's death, Senju Hashirama had known no equal. His remaining years had been dull, uneventful.
But now, standing before Haruto, his blood stirred once more.
"Don't worry, First Hokage," Haruto's voice was deep and steady. "I never intended to let you go."
Slamming his palms together, Haruto summoned Wooden Dragons of his own, coiling them around Susanoo's colossal frame.
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