Chapter 46

On a dark and windy night, Hitoshi had finished dealing with government affairs and was looking forward to some relaxation when he sensed the presence of evil Chakra around him. However, it quickly disappeared, leaving him frustrated.

"Damn it, I'm a respected Kazekage. Who are you to show up and then run away? Show some respect!" Hitoshi muttered to himself, following the source of the Chakra without hesitation.

As the dusk settled, Hitoshi spotted a lonely figure standing on the sand dunes. The figure had cool white hair and emanated a dominant aura. Hitoshi's heartbeat quickened.

"When did I become so handsome?" Hitoshi wondered, captivated by the appearance of the tall white-haired figure. One of the figure's eyes had three spinning orbs.

"You've come," the figure spoke, turning around to face Hitoshi.

"Yes, I'm here," Hitoshi subconsciously replied, unsure of how to respond to the imposing old man.

Madara, uncertain how to answer Hitoshi's words, couldn't help but feel perplexed. He wanted to ask, "Who are you?" and then follow it up with, "Are you the Shinōbi World Asura, Uchiha Madara?"

"Youngster, you've got the wrong script," Hitoshi quipped, his heart racing. He marveled at Madara's dominating presence even in old age.

Meanwhile, Yin-Yang's black-faced White Zetsu emerged not far behind Madara.

"Tsk tsk, Black Zetsu, I think he has ill intentions towards you," White Zetsu teased, looking at Hitoshi and Madara.

Black Zetsu took a deep breath and remained silent. His instincts told him to run away from the red-haired little demon who stood before him.

"Shut up and keep quiet," Black Zetsu barked, fearing that White Zetsu would say something foolish.

On the other side, Hitoshi looked at the white-haired Uchiha Madara and the black-faced White Zetsu behind him. He had previously planned how to deal with these two tree planters—one controlling numerous tree species and the other directly planting trees. Now, they had come knocking on his door.

"What luck I have," Hitoshi thought to himself.

"-Senpai, do I need to explain anything to lure the kid out?" Hitoshi asked innocently, suppressing his strange ideas and pretending to be a helpless Kazekage.

"Humph," Uchiha Madara snorted coldly. "I am Uchiha Madara, and I seek to bring about peace in the Shinōbi World."

Hitoshi was dumbfounded. "Boss, you're being too direct. Let me catch up."

Even in old age, Madara exuded an aura of cool dominance. Hitoshi couldn't help but swallow nervously, surprised by Madara's words.

"I believe you're Uchiha Madara, but how do you plan to achieve peace in the Shinōbi World? Let me prepare myself psychologically to assist you in your mission, by killing you," Hitoshi said boldly. "I'm not afraid of you. Since you're being so direct, I'll speak plainly."

"Infinite Tsukuyomi. I inherited it from Rikudō Sennin, my ancestor," Madara began to explain, raising his hand.

But before he could finish, Hitoshi grew impatient and waved his hand dismissively. "What's the point? Uchiha inheritance from Rikudō Sennin? The Senju Clan says the same, and even the Uzumaki Clan acknowledges it. Senju and Uzumaki are distant relatives, so how can you Uchiha prove it? Moreover, who knows if it's true or not? I don't believe in your Uchiha ancestors. For hundreds of years, there hasn't been a single Mangekyo awakening. Does anyone even care about that cursed slate? So now you have a chance, and I, relying on my own strength, speak out."

Hitoshi's words left Madara dumbfounded. He hadn't considered these issues before.

Black Zetsu looked at Madara, who was gradually calming down, and felt a sense of foreboding. What was happening to Madara? Why was he so calm?

"Hmph, kid, let's skip the small talk. Just tell me if you'll help me or not. If you do, these Rinnegan eyes and the old man can be yours," Madara pressed, suppressing the questions in his mind.

"Tsk tsk, I know you're Uchiha Madara, but I don't like talking so much. Besides, why should I help you? I'm the Kazekage of Sunagakure, one of the most distinguished individuals in this world," Hitoshi mocked, looking at Madara.

Madara, a prominent figure among the powerful, had chosen not to respond to the junior's ridicule. Instead, he unleashed Gōka Mekkyaku and Jukai Kōtan. Hitoshi's eyes sparkled with excitement at the sight of the giant tree rising from the desert.

Purple Chakra surged within him, and he quickly extinguished the flames. This was a precious tree, and he didn't want it to burn to ashes.

With lightning speed, Uchiha Madara punched into the depths of the desert, careful not to destroy the precious Jukai Kōtan. That was Hitoshi's only thought.

"So fast," Madara remarked, realizing how quick Hitoshi's attack was. Without the Rinnegan, he wouldn't have been able to keep up with his movements.

Realizing the action but unable to evade it, Madara activated Susanoo instantly, shielding himself from Hitoshi's assault.

Looking at the shattered Susanoo, Madara's expression darkened. Not only was Hitoshi fast, but he was also formidable.

"It's quite challenging," Hitoshi remarked, observing the Chakra swirling around his fist.

"To break Susanoo, you must be proud. You little demon," Madara, standing within his Complete Body Susanoo, looked down on Hitoshi with contempt.

"Tsk tsk, Madara boss, it's just a Chakra manifestation. What's there to be proud of?" Hitoshi retorted disdainfully, his own purple Chakra surging madly.

Within moments, a colossal purple Chakra angel appeared before Susanoo.

Madara controlled Susanoo and unsheathed his giant sword, while Hitoshi wielded his Chakra Sword.

Without slogans or prompts, the two clashed fiercely.

Their battle unfolded in the depths of the desert, where their exchange of blows would move mountains and reshape the seas. However, Hitoshi held back on his Wood Release Ninjutsu, thinking of the future of Kaze no Kuni and Sunagakure.