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After Hashirama left, a heavy silence fell over End Valley.
Over the years, as the War for the Mines spread and became widely known, Hashirama gradually became the undisputed strongest of the Warring States period. To the Senju clan, as long as their clan leader was present, no enemy was invincible—not even the Uchiha.
Now that Hashirama was gone, the morale of the Senju clan wavered slightly.
Tobirama glanced around and spoke up, "What's with everyone? Big Brother has left, but the Uchiha clan leader isn't here either. Do you think we will lose to the Uchiha?"
Hearing the words "lose to the Uchiha," the Senju clansmen quickly snapped back to attention. Over the years, they had come to regard themselves as the strongest clan of the Warring States period. How could they possibly admit defeat to the Uchiha?
Nearby, Akio frowned in thought, feeling that something was off. Hashirama and Madara were both absent—wasn't this supposed to be the battle where Izuna died?
However, half an hour later, Akio's expression changed drastically. His sensory abilities detected a large force of shinobi approaching—it was the Uchiha clan's army. The critical issue was that leading them was none other than Uchiha Madara!
"Damn it! Hashirama being lured away wasn't part of the original events. Where did I change the storyline? Was it because Hashirama learned Sage Mode earlier?" Akio scanned the battlefield. The Senju forces here were likely no match for Madara.
He sighed and turned to Nanako and Jitou. "You two, go back and protect Izuko. I won't be able to watch over you in the battle ahead."
"Sensei…" Jitou hesitated, wanting to ask why, but Nanako pulled her back. This was the first time she had seen Akio looking so serious.
"Second Granduncle, why are you sending them back?" Tobirama asked, puzzled.
Akio smiled. "Because in the coming battle, we will all have to fight with everything we have."
Tobirama was about to ask more, but a distant explosion interrupted him.
On the horizon, a black dot appeared, quickly expanding into a line, then into a vast sea of dark figures moving rapidly toward them.
"They're here!" Akio's heart tensed. "It really is Uchiha Madara. Transformation Jutsu—Release!"
To maintain his 48-year-old appearance, Akio had been constantly using the Transformation Jutsu. While his level 10 Transformation Jutsu consumed very little chakra, keeping it active in battle would still require some energy.
Even during the War for the Mines, when he was forced into a disadvantage by the Hatake clan leader due to maintaining Slug Summoning, he had never dispelled his transformation. But this time… he was facing Uchiha Madara.
Tobirama had no more questions; he didn't need to. The moment he saw Madara, he understood everything Akio was doing.
He turned quickly. "Second Granduncle, I'll hold off Madara. You just need to take down Izuna quickly—we still have a chance to win this war."
Tobirama spoke but then felt something was off.
Akio chuckled, removed his hat, and shrugged off his oversized robe.
"What's wrong? Are you stunned by how youthful and handsome I look? Let me handle Madara. It's time for you to witness my true power."
"Second Granduncle, you…" Tobirama's voice choked slightly. Akio thought he was moved by his impressive appearance.
However, Tobirama quickly turned, addressing the startled Senju clansmen. "Do not panic! To stop Uchiha Madara, Second Granduncle has overdrawn his life force! We just need to swiftly defeat the rest of the Uchiha, and victory will still be ours!"
The Senju warriors looked at Akio's youthful face, their expressions filled with emotion, and they shouted in unison, "Defeat the Uchiha!"
"Since when was I this noble…?" Akio silently cursed in his mind.
A shinobi's speed was terrifying. The moment you saw them, it meant they were already close. As they spoke, Madara and his troops had arrived just 200 meters away from the Senju forces. Any closer, and they would be within range of the Senju's ninjutsu attacks.
Madara surveyed the battlefield with disappointment. "That simple-minded fool Hashirama really isn't here…" He then shot an irritated glance at Izuna.
Akio understood. Even though Madara knew he couldn't defeat Hashirama in his current state, he would never resort to trickery to lure him away.
"Big Brother!" Izuna called out, "This is a rare opportunity—"
"I know!" Madara cut him off, stepping forward slightly. Without wasting words, he formed hand seals. "Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame!"
Tobirama was about to counter but was stopped by Akio, who stepped forward. "Dark Release: Absorption Seal!" The seals on Akio's palms glowed as they completely absorbed Madara's flames.
"Madara, your opponent is me!" Akio declared loudly.
"That jutsu…" Madara murmured, studying Akio. "Are you from the Uzumaki clan?"
Izuna whispered, "I've had my eye on that Uzumaki for a while… Big Brother, doesn't he seem familiar?"
Madara fell silent for a moment as distant memories surfaced. "You… You're that old man from fourteen years ago!"
Akio smirked. "Madara, I didn't think you'd still recognize me."
Madara's expression twisted in anger. "So it really is you, old man. Are you planning to throw your life away against me? Fine! I've wanted to kill you for fourteen years!"
Madara moved to charge, but Izuna quickly stopped him.
"Big Brother, if that old man really has overdrawn his life force, he won't last long. The Senju have already fortified their defenses. If you get stalled here, our clan could suffer heavy losses."
"Our forces have just marched here—we need to rest first. Hashirama won't notice something is wrong and return for at least eight hours."
"Big Brother, think of the bigger picture!"
After much persuasion, Madara reluctantly agreed and issued the order: "Uchiha forces, retreat one kilometer and rest!"
Seeing the Uchiha withdraw, Tobirama did not relax. Instead, he turned to Akio with concern. "Second Granduncle, how much longer can you hold out? Should we attack first?"
Akio's face darkened. Why did that sound like he was about to drop dead at any moment?
He shot Tobirama a look before responding, "No need. We'll stall for time. If Hashirama returns, even better. As long as I don't fight, I'll last as long as necessary."
Tobirama nodded in understanding.
At that moment, Akio's three students rushed over. Izuko's eyes were filled with tears. "Sensei…" She looked ready to cry.
Akio quickly reassured her, "I'm fine. I have a long life ahead of me…"
No one believed him. His three disciples all wore sorrowful expressions, and tears streamed down Izuko's cheeks.
Akio sighed helplessly.
"Why did things turn out like this? Why does it feel like I'm already doomed?"
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