Senju Hashirama's Thoughts

"Brother? That Wind Release technique... it was a Sage Art, wasn't it? And he's an Uchiha... yet he can actually use Sage Mode?!" Unbelievable thoughts filled Senju Tobirama's mind as he processed what had just happened.

The young Uchiha standing before him, according to his Kagura's Mind Eye, possessed the same ocular power as Uchiha Madara!

An Uchiha with such formidable eyes, combined with Sage Mode...

In Tobirama's judgment, this level of power surpassed even Uchiha Madara!

But that wasn't the most shocking part.

The real issue was the boy himself. Judging by his youthful face and the absence of facial hair, he couldn't be more than fifteen years old!

A mere teenager, yet he had reached a level of strength comparable to his elder brother and Uchiha Madara—the two greatest figures in the history of the ninja world.

Had it not been for the advantages granted by his elder brother's strength and the state of immortality that came with the Impure World Reincarnation, Tobirama knew that if they fought to the death, this rebellious Uchiha would devour the future Hokage of Konoha like prey.

Thinking of this, a deep frustration settled in his heart.

Why had he interfered back then, stopping his brother from handing over the Hokage position to Madara?

Because his hatred toward the Uchiha was absolute!

Otherwise, why had he continued to dissect the bodies of Uchiha shinobi even after Konoha's founding? Why had he performed countless experiments, studying the mysterious chakra their brains secreted when awakening the Sharingan?

The conclusion was simple—

The Uchiha were a cursed clan. A clan that understood love but feared losing it.

Right now, as he watched the boy before him—

A boy who not only possessed Madara's eye power but also wielded Sage Mode, Tobirama refused to accept reality.

With a voice filled with stubborn disbelief, he turned to his elder brother.

"Brother, tell me... that Uchiha brat's ability—it's truly Sage Mode?!"

Hearing his younger brother's words, Senju Hashirama pressed one hand against the Wood Locking Wall, his expression serious.

"Accept the reality, Tobirama. That young Uchiha's extraordinary power is proof of his mastery over Sage Mode."

His voice carried no hesitation.

"And more importantly... we are dead now, Tobirama. Whatever conflict exists between him and Danzo, it remains an internal affair of Konoha. The meat will only rot within the pot."

Though Hashirama often appeared foolish, when it came to matters of true significance, his calm, decisiveness, and rationality would take over.

For him, Konoha's survival was the only thing that mattered.

If that weren't the case, he wouldn't have killed his closest friend, Uchiha Madara, without hesitation the moment he saw him walking the wrong path.

So, when he realized that Shimura Danzo had resurrected them and that an immensely powerful Uchiha was standing against him—

One conclusion became clear—

An internal conflict was tearing Konoha apart.

Having battled Madara, he understood well the terror that this young man represented.

Back when Madara was this age, he had been afraid of even having someone stand behind him while peeing.

He was still foolish enough to compete with Hashirama in skipping stones across the water.

Yet, standing before them now was a boy who, at the same age, wielded even greater power than Madara and a superior Sage Mode!

Hashirama knew who the final victor would be in this internal conflict.

After all, in the shinobi world...

Strength determines the winner!

Thus, when he saw his younger brother allowing his hatred to cloud his judgment—recklessly attacking the Uchiha before them—he could only sigh and offer one last warning.

But Senju Tobirama remained unmoved.

He snorted coldly, his eyes sharp with conviction.

"Brother, we are immortal in this form, and you have already recovered at least fifty percent of your strength!" He clenched his fists. "With my Flying Thunder God Technique, we can definitely kill that devilish brat!"

This was Senju Tobirama.

A man shaped by war, forged through countless battles.

To him, no matter how powerful someone was, they were still mortal.

Even his elder brother, a shinobi with "invincible healing" abilities, would die if his head were severed by a wind chakra-infused kunai.

In his eyes, the young Uchiha before them was on the same level as his brother at his peak.

Alright… maybe a little stronger.

But even so, victory was possible.

With the immortal body of Impure World Reincarnation, Flying Thunder God, and half of his brother's power, this battle was worth the risk!

However, Senju Hashirama immediately rejected his brother's reckless plan.

"No, Tobirama. You don't understand the true depth of power once someone reaches that level."

His voice carried a rare tone of warning.

"Not to mention, my strength is only at fifty percent, and while I can activate Sage Mode, the amount of natural energy I can absorb is limited.

And you know just as well as I do that Sage Mode's power is directly linked to chakra reserves.

In this state, against that young man—

We would face nothing but defeat."

As an elder brother, he knew exactly what Tobirama was thinking.

And for that very reason, he could not allow this fight to happen.

In his judgment, their chances of success were zero.

To attack this Uchiha would be to make an enemy of a god in the making.

A boy who had inherited Madara's eyes and Hashirama's Sage Mode—a terrifying fusion of their strengths.

Meanwhile, as the Senju brothers were locked in discussion, Yuma was not idle.

His sharp perception caught the movement of numerous shadow clones gathering across Konoha. Powerful chakra signatures were rushing toward their location.

A smirk formed on Yuma's lips.

"Heh... looks like my clones have completed their mission."

They had gathered all of Konoha's prominent figures, exposing Shimura Danzo's secrets and dragging his name through the mud.

To simply kill Danzo would be too merciful.

Instead, Yuma would ensure his reputation was obliterated first—his sins laid bare before the entire village.

Only then would his death hold true weight.

With that realization, Yuma turned his gaze back to the Senju brothers.

The final pieces of this battle were falling into place.

Cracking his knuckles, he sneered.

"The entertainment is over."

His eyes glowed with terrifying resolve as chakra surged violently around his body.

A deafening humming sound filled the air as blue flames of chakra ignited around him.

Then, in an instant—

The brilliant blue flames turned a blood-red hue.

—The Eighth Gate: The Gate of Death had opened!