Chapter 289: Let's Fight Hashirama!

Ten minutes later, Main World – Valley of the End

"It's done."

The "first" Hashirama patted the mummy-wrapped body of Uchiha Madara with confidence. "Madara's agreed to cooperate with us in capturing that other Madara."

Link, as the exalted "Net Master," had listened to the entire exchange and was somewhat skeptical. All Madara really said at the end was a single grunt, "Mm," in response.

That's considered an agreement?

He watched as the "second" Hashirama unrolled the sealing scroll that Tobirama had prepared. Link quietly backed up a few steps so that the two Hashiramas stood in front to shield him.

As the jutsu formula dissolved and the cloth tore apart with a pop, Madara—glaring with Rinnegan—started laughing wildly as he stretched out an arm.

"Hashirama, hahaha, you—" His words cut off abruptly.

Wait a second, there are two Hashiramas? Both in their younger forms… Not Wood Clones, either?

One had noticeably weaker chakra, the other's chakra was mostly unchanged. Even in his prime, he wouldn't have stood a chance against two Hashiramas, much less now that he was Edo Tensei. And both Hashiramas were in living, breathing bodies, not revived by Rinne Tensei—so they were truly alive?

He considered this, then shifted his cold gaze to Link, who was hiding farther off. Figures this brat is behind it.

So, that "other world," and another "me," must be real, then.

"Madara, don't try anything. I'd rather not seal you up again."

The "first" Hashirama sensed Madara gathering chakra. His expression was stern and as tactless as ever. "We can talk about whatever you want. Link's here—everything will turn out fine."

The "second" Hashirama stood to one side, curiously sizing up this alternate-world "friend." That Edo Tensei body and that all-too-familiar chakra dredged up old memories.

"Hmph."

Madara glanced at the familiar landmark under his feet with a scornful smirk. Facing both "Gods of Shinobi" alone, he showed not the slightest fear. Worst case, he'd be sealed again—he'd lost before, so one more time hardly mattered.

"You really don't get it. The only thing that truly endures in this world… is hatred." His tone was cold as Susanoo wrapped around him. Yet his face burned with the excitement and joy of battle.

"Let's fight, Hashirama!"

So they did, unsurprisingly, go to battle.

The moment Link detected Madara gathering chakra, he was already making his escape—tossing a few chakra scalpels behind him for good measure. Madara was the archetypical proud Uchiha; if he could be easily talked down, he wouldn't have betrayed his best friend back then, convinced he alone had to bear the burden of changing the world.

By the time Susano'o manifested, Link was kilometers away. He left behind numerous shadow fragments, two-dimensional lumps that could hide safely in corners so long as they didn't get clipped by Sage Art attacks. After all, if Link had an opportunity to harvest chunks of physicalized chakra, great—the more, the better.

Why not have Sasuke cut the Susanoo chakra for him? Simple: using Susanoo hurts a lot. Link didn't want to waste Sasuke's goodwill (his top "helper") on this trivial matter when there were other ways to get the job done. And if Madara wanted to be a walking chakra dispenser, so be it.

As it turned out, the two-Hashirama-vs.-one-Madara bout didn't last long at all—much faster than the previous fight. With their flawless teamwork, the "second" Hashirama led with the Wood Dragon, while the "first" Hashirama directed the Wooden Golem to shred Susano'o, then pinned Madara down with the Deity Gates. It was beautifully smooth.

They finished him off in under five minutes.

One Hashirama pinned Madara down while the other used the Cast Net Jutsu to link to the other world. Tobirama strolled over, brandishing his scroll. Madara lay in defeat, speechless, anger clear on his face.

"It's pointless talking to him," Tobirama said. "He's never going to cooperate for real."

As Madara's old nemesis, he understood the Uchiha clan better than anyone—including the absolute extremist that was Madara. If he were so easily persuaded, he wouldn't have turned his back on his best friend and tried to reshape the entire world alone. Tobirama was so sure that he'd have bet his own head on it.

With practiced ease, he unfurled the scroll and began sealing Madara again. He'd been prepared for this ever since his brother mentioned "trying to talk things out."

After all, Madara is Madara.

Moments later, the sealing complete, Tobirama cast a glance at Link—who was gleefully scooping up shards of Susano'o—and raised his voice in warning. "Madara's chakra is far more dangerous than any Tailed Beast's. Be mindful of how much you take at a time."

"Tobirama…" the "first" Hashirama murmured with a sigh, looking dejected.

Seeing his brother's face, Tobirama let his own eyes linger on the sealed Madara. "First Hokage, let's head back."

Under normal circumstances, they kept one Hashirama in each world for quick mutual support in case of trouble. Honestly, Tobirama wouldn't have minded leaving Madara sealed in darkness forever, or even cutting off his Cast Net Jutsu link. But he saw how upset his brother looked, so… fine. It's just Madara.

The "first" Hashirama had no clue about his brother's line of thought. He was still planning to swap places with his other self later, maybe try talking sense into Madara again.

Rumble—

Far off, a chunk of rock tumbled from the cliff, crashing into the river below and throwing up a great splash under the waterfall. Standing alone on the heights of the Valley of the End, Hashirama gazed silently into the distance, expression somber.

…

A Few Days Later, Main World – Konoha Village

"Hoo…—"

Link lay submerged in a personal hot spring, packed with ice blocks. His skin was flushed red, giving off heat that steadily melted the ice, thick fog drifting across the water.

He was in the process of breaking down another chunk of chakra he'd absorbed from someone else. It was always a strange experience. He had no clue where the heat came from, but every time his Stand devoured a piece of physical chakra, he had to do a literal "cooldown" soak to mitigate the stress on his body. Otherwise, the throbbing in his head became unbearable.

Applying his Delicate Illness Extraction to himself, Link blinked up at the steamy sky. He'd learned to cope with the pain—and the ice bath now felt oddly pleasant, like a sauna or a gua sha treatment. Painful yet strangely enjoyable.

Especially when he sensed his body growing stronger bit by bit, his chakra capacity creeping up toward Jinchūriki-level reserves. There was a sweet thrill to it.

His only regret: although these physicalized chakra chunks were great for powering up, he couldn't binge on them too fast. He needed at least an hour or two between each dose, or his body just couldn't keep up.

Having digested the latest chunk, Link sprawled lazily in the bath. In the last few days, his workload had dropped dramatically. Thanks to the Cast Net Jutsu linking both worlds, he was no longer stuck acting as a mindless "chakra battery." He could go back to a more normal training routine.

[It's been a while since I practiced my Summoning Jutsu… might as well do that.]

Forming hand seals, Link clapped his hands to summon. He was about to have a bit of fun teasing "Old Baki" from the main world when a curious notion struck him.

[Come to think of it… the Cast Net Jutsu could maybe reach into the Pure Land as well, right…?]

~~~

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