Chapter 120: Hashirama Senju!
[New World - The Pola - Crow's Nest]
The storm outside raged on with unrelenting fury. Rain hammered against the reinforced glass of the crow's nest like handfuls of gravel, and purple lightning split the sky, illuminating the dark, churning ocean below.
Inside the small, enclosed space, however, the atmosphere was thick with a different kind of pressure. It was the heavy, suffocating weight of anticipation.
"Hashirama Senju?"
Uchiha Madara repeated the name. His voice was low, barely a whisper, lost in the sound of the thunder.
The gloomy, frustrated expression that had plagued him all afternoon—born from his abysmal fishing skills and injured pride—vanished instantly. It was replaced by a flicker of emotion so complex and raw that even Suzaku, who knew his lore perfectly, felt a chill run down his spine.
It was shock. It was disbelief. And beneath the layers of armor and cynicism... it was hope.
But the next second, Madara's mask slammed back into place. The legendary shinobi crossed his arms over his chest, the metal of his gauntlets clinking. He turned his head away to look at the storm, his profile sharp and cold against the flashes of lightning.
"Hmph," Madara snorted, his tone stiff and dismissive. "It doesn't matter. I didn't expect such a thing to exist, but a tool is a tool. If this card works, it works."
He tapped his armored fingers against his bicep, a nervous tic.
"Whether it summons one of my useless clansmen like Izuna or that guy Hashirama, it will simply serve to strengthen our power base. Of course... purely from a strategic standpoint... considering the threats in this world..."
Madara closed his eyes, justifying his feelings with logic.
"I suppose I hope that guy comes. With his strength—specifically his Wood Release and sage mode—the time it takes for us to achieve our goal of domination will be greatly shortened. He is... efficient. He is necessary."
"Pfft!"
Suzaku couldn't hold it in. He burst out laughing, slapping his knee.
"See? I told you! I knew you still hoped that guy would come! Why be such a Tsundere, Madara? You miss your boyfriend! You miss skipping stones!"
"WHO IS A TSUNDERE?!"
Madara's face darkened instantly, turning a shade of red that matched his crimson armor. He stuck out his neck, veins bulging on his forehead, his Rinnegan flashing dangerously.
"I didn't hope for anything emotional! It's only because I am most familiar with his strength! Our combat compatibility is flawless! Hmph, it's merely that he can be useful as a meat shield for the ship! Do not misunderstand my intent, brat!"
"Fine, fine, he's a useful meat shield," Suzaku wiped a tear of laughter from his eye. "Whatever helps you sleep at night, Ghost of the Uchiha."
He didn't care whether Madara admitted it or not. The bond between them was written in history. It was undeniable.
Suzaku stopped teasing. His expression turned serious. He held up the golden card—the [Contract of Universal Attraction].
"System. Activate."
HUMMMMM...
The card didn't just glow; it dissolved. It turned into a stream of pure, golden light that shot straight into Madara's forehead, sinking into his chakra network to find the connection to his soul.
[Target Locked: Uchiha Madara]
[Searching for Karmic Bond across the Multiverse...]
[Match Found: 100% Compatibility]
[Summoning...]
"Yes!" Suzaku chose confirmation without hesitation.
The air in the crow's nest changed instantly.
It wasn't the cold, sharp pressure of Madara's chakra or the oppressive weight of Haki. It was something else entirely.
Life.
A dazzling green light suddenly flared, overpowering the purple lightning outside. A huge magic circle appeared out of thin air on the steel floor, glowing with ancient runes.
But it wasn't just light. The environment began to react.
Creak... Snap... Rustle...
"What?" Madara stepped back.
From the cold, sterile steel floorplates of the ship, life erupted. Green vines burst forth from the metal, growing rapidly. Flowers bloomed in seconds—orchids, roses, cherry blossoms—filling the room with the heavy, sweet scent of a deep, ancient forest. The smell of ozone and salt was replaced by the smell of wet earth and vitality.
The sheer density of the Life Force was suffocating. It felt like oxygen was being pumped into the room at 300% pressure.
Inside the magic circle, green light particles gathered. They swirled like fireflies, knitting together bone, muscle, and armor.
A tall figure took shape within the light.
He had long, waist-length black hair that flowed like water. He wore dark red feudal armor similar to Madara's, but with the symbol of the Senju Clan emblazoned on the shoulder guard. Red iron guards protected his wrists. He stood tall, radiating an aura of boundless energy and optimism.
It was a figure Uchiha Madara would remember vividly, even after crossing life, death, and worlds. The man who killed him. The man he respected most.
The God of Shinobi.
Hashirama Senju.
When that familiar face was fully revealed—eyes closed, expression peaceful as if sleeping—Madara's lips finally curved slightly upward. He couldn't control it. The mask cracked.
A long-lost, heartfelt smile softened his features.
He came. He actually came.
However, this smile lasted for less than a second.
Because Hashirama Senju opened his eyes.
His dark eyes snapped open. He saw the strange metallic room. He saw the storm raging outside the glass. And then, he saw the familiar figure standing in front of him with glowing red eyes and crimson armor.
Hashirama's face transformed instantly. The peace vanished, replaced by absolute, grim determination. His chakra exploded outward, cracking the glass of the crow's nest.
"MADARA!"
Hashirama roared in anger, his voice shaking the entire tower.
He dropped into a battle stance, his hands clapping together with a thunderous CLAP.
"You did it again?! Is this the evil Impure World Reincarnation (Edo Tensei)?! Did you revive me to destroy another village?! To hurt the Leaf?!"
Hashirama glared at his best friend, his aura flaring green.
"I won't let you have your way, Madara! I stopped you once at the Valley of the End, and I'll stop you again! Even in death, I will protect the village!"
"..."
That single sentence caused Madara's recently upturned lips to instantly drop.
The smile shattered like glass.
His face, which had been hopeful for a fraction of a second, now looked so gloomy that it seemed actual storm clouds were forming inside the room to match the ones outside.
He tightly pursed his lips, silent. The air pressure around him dropped several degrees, freezing the flowers Hashirama had accidentally created.
He thinks I'm the villain. Again. Even in a new world, he assumes the worst of me.
"Hashirama..." Madara whispered, his hand twitching toward his Gunbai fan.
Suzaku watched the scene, biting his lip to keep from laughing. "..."
This was tragic, Shakespearean even, but also hilarious.
Quick, before they destroy the ship. If Hashirama uses Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence in here, the Pola will turn into a treehouse.
"System!" Suzaku commanded mentally. "Integrate World Memory! Now!"
[Injecting Basic Knowledge: One Piece World]
[Target: Hashirama Senju]
Flash.
A stream of data—golden light—shot from Suzaku's hand into Hashirama's head.
Information flooded the First Hokage's mind.
The vast ocean. Pirates. The World Government. Devil Fruits. Haki.
And most importantly... the fact that he was alive. Not an undead zombie. He had a beating heart. He had warm blood.
And the fact that Madara was his companion, not his enemy. They were on the same side.
Hashirama froze.
His hands, which were about to weave signs for a Wood Dragon jutsu, stopped mid-air. The green chakra aura dissipated.
His expression shifted rapidly, a kaleidoscope of emotions.
Vigilance... Anger... Confusion... Realization.
And finally... extreme, utter embarrassment.
"Ah..."
Hashirama lowered his hands. His shoulders slumped. A look of foolish, sheepish laughter appeared on his face.
"Hahaha... Ahaha..."
He scratched the back of his head, his armor clanking. He secretly glanced at Madara, whose face was now as black as the bottom of a pot.
"Madara! I'm so sorry!" Hashirama shouted, bowing slightly. "It was a reflex! I thought Tobirama messed up a jutsu again! Or Orochimaru! I misunderstood you!"
"Hahahaha! My bad! I really thought we were fighting again!"
Madara: "..."
He still didn't speak. He merely turned around, his cape swirling dramatically. He silently withdrew his gaze from Hashirama and walked to the window, staring at the turbulent sea in the distance. He refused to look at him.
In that moment, Suzaku clearly saw an emotion called "heartbreak" radiating from Madara's retreating figure.
He's sulking. The Ghost of the Uchiha is pouting.
Below the lookout tower, on the deck of the Pola, the commotion had drawn attention.
"What is that noise?"
Carrot rubbed her eyes curiously, looking up at the crow's nest. Her rabbit ears swiveled. "Is someone fighting up there? I smell... trees?"
Nami also looked confused. She held onto her hat against the wind. "Huh? I heard shouting. And... laughter? Who is that grinning uncle's voice? Is he another newcomer? Did Captain summon another monster?"
Rem and Ram exchanged glances.
"Another presence has appeared," Ram noted calmly, though her eyes narrowed. "His energy feels different from Madara-sama. It feels... alive. Like nature itself."
Back in the tower, the atmosphere was incredibly awkward.
Uchiha Madara, the habitually ruthless and decisive Asura of the Ninja World, now seemed like a child misunderstood by his best friend on the playground. He radiated a "Do Not Disturb" aura that was almost physical.
Suzaku watched this scene and nearly couldn't stand up straight from laughing.
Hashirama Senju... oh Hashirama Senju. You truly are Madara's "natural enemy"!
Just meeting him instantly made him furious! It's a talent.
He suppressed his smile, cleared his throat, and walked up to the somewhat bewildered Hashirama.
"Hashirama Senju," Suzaku said, extending a hand. "Welcome to... a new world! I am your Captain, Suzaku."
Upon hearing this, Hashirama's eyes instantly filled with curiosity and excitement. He shook Suzaku's hand vigorously, his grip strong enough to crush stone.
"Oh, oh! A new world?! Covered by the sea?"
Hashirama ran to the window, pressing his face against the glass like a kid visiting an aquarium.
"Amazing! Such a vast world must be a place full of vitality! Look at that rain! Look at those waves! I've never seen an ocean this big! The Land of Water is a puddle compared to this!"
He turned back to Madara, his eyes shining.
"Hey, Madara! Look! It's the ocean! I wonder if there are any strong opponents here! Hahahaha! Maybe we can skip stones on the waves!"
He habitually burst into laughter. Then, he carefully glanced at Madara's expression again.
Madara: "..." (Still ignoring him).
Meanwhile, Suzaku was muttering to himself.
Both Hashirama and Madara have arrived. These two feuding lovers... I mean, rivals... are the best of friends and worst of enemies.
This is getting more and more interesting! The ship is going to be lively. Or destroyed.
Above the lookout tower, the wind and rain gradually subsided as the Pola moved out of the storm cell. Sunlight began to filter through the clouds.
Suzaku watched the pair of newly reunited "fated rivals" before him with great interest.
One had a face as black as thunder, radiating low pressure and killing intent.
The other scratched his head, looking sincere and sheepish, carefully sneaking glances at the former out of the corner of his eye like a dog that had chewed a slipper.
The scene was comical no matter how you looked at it.
The smile on Suzaku's lips deepened. He decided to stir the pot one last time.
He cleared his throat and issued an order to Madara in the tone of a caring comrade.
"Madara, stop standing there sulking!"
Suzaku grinned.
"Go on. Take your bosom friend. Introduce him to our new companions. Show him the ship. Let him get acquainted with his future new home. You guys have a lot of catching up to do. Maybe share a bunk?"
He deliberately emphasized the two words "bosom friend."
Sure enough, these two words acted like a fuse, instantly igniting Madara's already volatile powder keg.
"WHO IS HIS BOSOM FRIEND?!"
Madara sharply turned his head, glaring intensely at Suzaku. His Rinnegan almost activated from sheer annoyance.
"Suzaku! I warn you not to talk nonsense!"
Madara pointed a gloved finger at Hashirama, who flinched.
"That guy Hashirama and I... are fated rivals! Enemies! Rivals for life! We are not friends! We are destined to kill each other!"
He emphasized every single word, seemingly trying to defend his last bit of dignity as a villain.
However, his "righteous" declaration was met by an unexpected reaction.
"Eh? Madara..."
A weak, hurt voice sounded from beside him.
Hashirama Senju's tall body trembled slightly. His already awkward smile completely froze on his face.
Then, the God of Shinobi slumped.
Visibly.
A dark, purple cloud of depression appeared over Hashirama's head. He crouched down in the corner of the room, hugging his knees. He began drawing circles on the floor with his finger.
His signature thick eyebrows knitted together, and his eyes were full of unbelievable hurt, making him look exactly like a puppy ruthlessly abandoned by its owner in the rain.
"You guy..." Hashirama whispered, his voice hollow and echoing. "After fighting for so many years... after building the village... after naming Konoha together... after dying together..."
He looked up at Madara with teary eyes.
"You actually... truly don't consider me your friend? Even now?"
That tone. That expression. It was enough to make the listener weep and the observer grieve!
[Hashirama's Depressive Mode: Activated]
Madara froze. He looked at the depressed God of Shinobi in the corner. His eye twitched.
"I... that's not..." Madara stammered, his face flushing red again. He waved his hands frantically. "Dammit, Hashirama! Stop sulking! It's annoying! Look at me! I'm trying to be intimidating!"
Suzaku laughed so hard he had to lean against the wall for support.
"Welcome to the crew, Hashirama," Suzaku gasped. "You fit right in."
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