Just as the Senju clan was full of resentment over the relocation, Hashirama, in his true form, was entangled with Madara outside Konoha.
[Congratulations, host. The bond value between Madara Uchiha and the host has exceeded 90%.]
"Although I don't know why the bond value went up instead of down, I don't have time to worry about that now!"
Hashirama immediately shouted back: "Madara, listen! It's Black Zetsu! It must have been Black Zetsu!"
At the same time, he desperately cried out in his heart: "Quick! System, make him believe me!"
Madara's fist, as massive as a sandbag, was just 0.1 meters away from Hashirama, a cruel smile on his face as he was about to strike.
But then he suddenly heard "Hashirama" say something about Black Zetsu. For some reason, the moment he heard those two words, his Sharingan stung sharply, and a surge of inexplicable rage welled up inside him, churning uncomfortably.
That was why he stopped his attack. "Black Zetsu?"
"Let's go somewhere first. It's a bit far; we can talk on the way." Hashirama breathed a sigh of relief, maintaining his pace as he headed toward a certain location.
"Here's the thing. First, let me ask, what do you know about the tailed beasts?"
"Just a bunch of wild beasts." Madara snorted coldly. "Besides causing chaos, they're useless."
"But ancient records in the Senju clan state they were created by the Sage of Six Paths splitting the Ten-Tails. They're very important. And…" Hashirama paused. "When I awakened Wood Release, I received a vision from the Sage of Six Paths. He mentioned many things from the past."
"Ridiculous!" Madara immediately stopped walking, frowning as he interrupted. "Are you saying that Black Zetsu is the Sage of Six Paths' brother? That he's been scheming in the shadows just to revive his mother?"
"Perhaps the Sage of Six Paths wants us to make up for the regrets of our past lives and join forces to face the crisis. He said our bloodlines are connected, that we are both his descendants."
To his surprise, Madara's expression turned cold and stern. "Nonsense! After all those years of war, countless members of our clans died." His gaze was complex as he stared intently at Hashirama. "And now you tell me the Uchiha and Senju are brother clans of the same blood? That you and I are reincarnated brothers?"
"Ah~ I couldn't believe it at first either, which is why I didn't tell you immediately. But up until now, no second Wood Release ninja has appeared in the Senju, and the Uchiha rarely see the Eternal Mangekyō, right?"
"That doesn't prove anything."
"Then what if I could actually help you evolve the Rinnegan?"
"What?" Madara's heart jolted violently. "How do you plan to do that?"
Hashirama, however, played coy: "You'll know when the time comes. Anyway, you understand the threat of Black Zetsu now, right? He must have been the one behind what happened, trying to destroy the bond between us and prevent you from becoming Hokage!"
"I don't know how strong he is, but we just need to get stronger. And that's exactly why we're going to these three places!"
Shikkotsu Forest—Ryūchi Cave—Mount Myōboku
"That natural energy you mentioned earlier?"
"Exactly. The enemy we'll face in the future is too powerful. I'd rather believe these baseless claims than helplessly watch the world be destroyed at their hands."
"You really haven't changed…"
"Haha~ What are you talking about?" Hashirama chuckled while scratching his head, thinking to himself, "I just don't want to die mysteriously in the future."
Following Hashirama's memories and related information, he continued to lead the way.
The next day.
They arrived at Shikkotsu Forest.
In the thick mist, black trees grew twisted and gnarled, a strange aura permeating the air. One wrong step could easily lead to a fall into a swamp.
Madara stood with his arms crossed beside Hashirama at the entrance of a massive cave. "There's nothing special about this place."
"That's because you can't sense it yet. The energy here is incredibly dense. We're here to learn, so let me handle the communication…"
"Suit yourself."
No sooner had he spoken than a rustling sound echoed from within the cave.
Moments later, a large group of small, white-bodied, blue-rimmed slugs appeared before them.
They quickly pressed together, merging into a single large slug. Its two antenna-like eyes were wary, and its mouth, resembling a chrysanthemum, emitted a sweet, girlish voice:
"Who are you? Why have you come here?"
"My name is Hashirama Senju! This is Madara Uchiha. We were guided by a vision from the Sage of Six Paths to come here and learn senjutsu!" Hashirama explained.
"The Sage of Six Paths?! What a distant name. So he truly hasn't completely passed away." The slug pondered for a moment. "Even so, what does this have to do with me?"
"I have a dream." Hashirama spread his arms wide, speaking fervently. "I want to abolish the daimyo, master senjutsu to oppose the Divine Tree, unify the world, and achieve true peace!"
Hearing this, Madara's lips curled upward, and he nodded as if approving.
"A truly magnificent dream. But that is a human matter. And then what?"
"I want to unite all forces to confront a powerful enemy! The Divine Tree, the Ten-Tails, Kaguya—you're familiar with them, right?"
"...…"
"What you say is not wrong. However, that woman was sealed in the moon by the Sage of Six Paths. She cannot get out!"
"No! She will definitely get out. Her third son, a man named Black Zetsu, has survived for a thousand years, stirring up wars everywhere with the sole aim of reviving his mother."
At this, he turned to look at Madara. "Black Zetsu stirred up the conflict between our past lives—Asura and Indra—and altered the Uchiha stone tablet. That's why the matter with the undergarments…"
"Enough!" Madara's fury flared at the mere mention of Black Zetsu. "That bastard! I will find him!"
"So will I. But as for the history, the Slug Sage can verify it."
The creature tried hard to recall. "I vaguely remember his two sons. Their names were Asura and Indra, I believe. Later, they fought a great battle. Indra was defeated, and the two became estranged. After that, the Sage passed away."
"As for Black Zetsu, I have never heard of him…" It thought for a moment longer. "If you can tell me the true name of the Sage of Six Paths, I will believe you."
Hashirama smiled slightly. "His name is Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo. He had a younger brother named Ōtsutsuki Hamura, who was tasked with guarding Kaguya on the moon. His clansmen are also up there, watching over this world."
"Not only did you answer correctly, but you also stated things even I don't know with such conviction. It seems you are indeed a special person. Very well, come in…"
As the slug turned to lead the way, Madara lowered his voice. "Those things you just said… are they true?"
As they ventured deeper into the cold, damp cave, the light gradually dimmed.
"Hoo~" Hashirama lit two torches, their flames providing a touch of warmth.
"We can verify it by checking the clan tablet back home. Hashirama's expression was grave. "Its contents were tampered with, meant to guide you toward a false peace. If you had truly followed that path, Black Zetsu would have sacrificed you to revive Kaguya from within your body."
A chill surged from the depths of his heart. Madara growled in anger, "That damned bastard! I won't let him succeed!"
Just then, the slug spoke up. "Regarding the training in senjutsu, I must caution you. When absorbing natural energy, you must be careful. If you make the slightest mistake, you will be assimilated! Even if you are powerful, you are still insignificant before the power of nature."
"Understood."
The two raised their torches and followed the slug deeper into the cave.
After walking for a long time, they finally laid eyes on the Slug Sage itself.
Its immense body filled the cavern, and it was now looking down at them.
The large slug that had been guiding them approached and gradually merged into it.
A resonant voice echoed: "I am Katsuyu. I already know your requests. Now, I will teach you how to sense natural energy."
"Thank you very much!"
It began to explain: Natural energy is one of the fundamental energies that compose the world, existing in the air, the earth, and the water.
If one fails to achieve balance while absorbing it, it can cause physical mutation.
Once balanced with physical and spiritual energy, it forms "senjutsu chakra," which is far more powerful than ordinary ninjutsu.
Once Sage Mode is activated, you can sense the flow of natural energy in your surroundings, allowing you to even predict your opponent's movements.
Meanwhile, in a certain dark, underground location,
A black, humanoid entity felt a sudden, inexplicable unease, an ominous premonition gnawing at it…
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