29 Chapter 28 : Fusion of Hashirama and Madara

"Perhaps the Gold List not only holds the key to escaping trouble, but also the potential to surpass one's oneself and even the clan."

"Shouldn't I also be part of the list?"

Ripples of contemplation surged within Ōtsutsuki Kaguya's heart for countless years.

...

Land of Rain.

Akatsuki Organization Headquarters.

Once bustling due to the presence of the living treasures Deidara and Hidan, the atmosphere was now eerily silent.

After witnessing the intense battles in the Dragon Ball world, they realized that their previous pursuits had been feeble.

Uzumaki Nagato observed the expressions on everyone's faces through Yahiko's eyes, a flicker of doubt in his gaze.

Was his Akatsuki's grand plan too narrow in scope?

Peace in the shinobi world...

"Wrong!"

Uzumaki Nagato broke into a cold sweat, feeling as if an obstacle had suddenly obstructed him.

What was the connection between the otherworld and the ninja world?

He aspired to carry on Yahiko's dream, to bring peace to the shinobi world. Other matters would come later, after peace was established.

At that moment, a message materialized, snapping everyone back to attention.

[Senju Hashirama: The outside world's excitement has truly surpassed my expectations. I'm eager for a final showdown, even if it ends in my defeat.]

[Senju Hashirama: The Potara earring's power is captivating, perhaps even perfect. I wish I had one to harmonize with Madara.]

Senju Hashirama's sudden appearance diverted everyone's thoughts to the function of the Potara earrings.

They had gained a profound understanding of the earrings from the instructional video, realizing the potential to merge two individuals into one. This not only combined their strengths but also complemented and nullified each other's weaknesses.

It wasn't merely arithmetic; the result was greater than the sum of its parts.

For instance, if Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara were to fuse with the Potara earrings, it would mean combining Wood Style, Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, and Senjutsu-enhanced vitality. This power could potentially reshape the entire shinobi world.

"Thankfully, this world was deprived of such earrings, and were Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara at their times." The leaders of the four major hidden villages and various smaller ones silently rejoiced.

Once the unrivalled figures of the shinobi world, Hashirama and Madara had power to unite the ninja world after their fusion.

It wasn't that they couldn't, but that it wasn't easy.

Even though Hashirama yearned for peace and detested conflict, he would not forsake the principle of balance among the five great nations if unity could be achieved with minimal effort.

Were the founders of the other hidden villages truly powerless?

They might not have been as mighty as Hashirama and Madara, yet they possessed strengths and dedicated followers.

A massive war would wreak havoc on the shinobi world, impeding its progress. Hence, Hashirama's preference for a balanced status quo, believing that five nations checking one another would sustain peace.

However, Uchiha Madara and Senju Tobirama believed that the cost of unification was worthwhile.

Ultimately, the disagreement between Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama led to their parting.

With artifacts like the Potara earrings, Hashirama and Madara could single handedly tip the balance and render unification inevitable.

"If I fuse with Hashirama, would it automatically activate the Rinnegan?"

"No, it wouldn't just be the Rinnegan; I'd also gain Hashirama's unique jutsu and robust physical prowess."

"Indeed. If we had the Potara earrings back then, Hashirama would likely have agreed with me, and the shinobi world could've been unified without the tragic war that unfolded."

In the Pure Land, Uchiha Madara sighed inwardly.

Even in his old age when he awakened the Rinnegan, he could sense the tremendous power it held. Combined with Hashirama's abilities and vitality, he'd become unstoppable.

"These Gold Lists, if only they'd surfaced earlier," Uchiha Madara lamented.

Had they existed during his lifetime, he would've been ranked first on the Bloodline limit List with his Rinnegan, enjoying its rewards.

Alas, the spoils would now go to Uzumaki Nagato.

"Or would they?" Uchiha Madara pondered.

[Uzumaki Mito: Fusing with Uchiha Madara? Hashirama, your priorities are truly spicy.]

[Senju Hashirama: Mito, what are you talking about? I was merely considering that, if Madara and I had merged, combining our strengths would've likely achieved the shinobi world's unification without our tragic battle by becoming Senju Hashirama Madara.]

[Uzumaki Mito: So, it's all for the spice? I didn't realize you put so much thought into the fusion name. Don't talk to me, we're getting divorced!]

[Senju Hashirama: Oh, Mito, I've even advocated monogamy for you. Why the misunderstandings?]

Witnessing this exchange, a group of "veterans" among them were displeased.

Indeed, it seemed that while ninja valued monogamy, Hashirama was an exception, giving rise to this prevailing notion.

Fortunately, the higher-ups weren't particularly discerning, and there were no explicit rules.

[Uzumaki Mito: Spare me the explanation. I didn't understand before, but now I get it. I was just a pawn you married to mask your true relationship with Madara.]

[Senju Hashirama: Ah, Madara, come out and clarify.]

[Uchiha Madara: Why not Uchiha Madara Hashirama? That sounds better.]

Everyone: ? ? ?

[Senju Hashirama: Madara, you're hot-headed, and your surname stays put. To prove our bond's strength, I might even let it be Senju Madara!]

[Uchiha Ran: Can you even change your surname through marriage? First Hokage's still powerful, huh?]

Everyone: ? ? ?

[Uchiha Madara: Get lost!]

[Tsunade: Younger Brother, do you know what 'Myriad Realms' means?]

Tsunade felt that prolonging their chitchat was no longer about saving face for Konoha and the Senju-Uchiha union; it verged on her personal humiliation.

With a decisive pivot, she shifted the topic.

And, of course, she was genuinely intrigued about the broader world.

Given Uchiha Ran's depth of knowledge, he might have the answer.

**********

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