Chapter Forty-Two: Hashirama, Do You Think You’re Worthy of Becoming Someone Like Lord Emiya?

Uchiha Madara... has he taken the bait?

Hidden deep underground, Black Zetsu felt a twinge of uncertainty.

Shihara Emiya's lies were so clumsy that Black Zetsu felt anxious just hiding beneath the surface, yet Uchiha Madara seemed to have fallen for it entirely, just as expected.

In fact.

Uchiha Madara did not feel duped at all.

On the contrary, Uchiha Madara felt he had secured a massive bargain, acquiring such vital intelligence from Shihara Emiya's lips and catching a glimpse of hope for realizing his ideals!

"What is it that you wish to do?"

As if seeing right through Uchiha Madara's thoughts, Shihara Emiya asked earnestly, "After awakening the Rinnegan, do you intend to use that world-shaking technique to change the world?"

"That goes without saying."

Arrogance washed over Uchiha Madara's face once more, making him look once again like the peerless, solitary ninja he had always been: "If one knows the answer to a problem yet chooses to do nothing, it would be a disservice to one's own life..."

With those words, Uchiha Madara looked back at Shihara Emiya, intending to invite the man to join forces with him. He knew that if Shihara Emiya were willing to join, it would undoubtedly provide formidable assistance to his future!

Merely having someone to point the way...

was enough to make Uchiha Madara want to invite Shihara Emiya!

After all, Shihara Emiya knew many secrets concerning the Sage of Six Paths, and could surely guide him in utilizing the technique left behind by the Sage to reshape the world!

"Lord Emiya..."

Uchiha Madara sincerely sought to invite Shihara Emiya to act alongside him: "Do you not think this era is wretched enough? Come with me and change the ninja world..."

"In the future, I shall possess the Rinnegan..."

"And you possess the wisdom of ancient times..."

Extending his palm, Uchiha Madara sneered, "As long as we cooperate, we can surely guide this world back toward—hm?"

Uchiha Madara's brow furrowed. He seemed to sense some unexpected development, causing his words to trail off abruptly.

In the distance.

Inside a valley.

The valley was tightly surrounded by Konoha ANBU operatives.

Right there in the valley, Hashirama Senju swung a ninja blade and sliced through the cold-faced Uchiha Madara standing before him, watching helplessly as the figure transformed into a block of wood.

"This is... a Wood Clone..."

A bead of cold sweat rolled down Hashirama Senju's forehead.

This Wood Clone of Uchiha Madara reminded him of their previous battle, when he had been fooled by a remarkably lifelike Wood Clone and mistakenly believed he had killed Uchiha Madara.

And now...

Uchiha Madara's Wood Clone had played him for a fool once again.

No...

That fellow Madara...

Just when had he awakened Wood Release?

While Hashirama Senju was subconsciously pondering just how formidable Uchiha Madara would become now that he possessed Wood Release, he suddenly realized that now was not the time to dwell on Wood Clones!

"Damn it... I've been had!"

"Madara is with Lord Emiya!"

Hashirama Senju immediately pinpointed the crux of the problem!

He had fallen for it!

That fellow Madara had used a Wood Clone to lure him here, with the true objective of meeting Shihara Emiya—this was a diversionary tactic!

Hashirama Senju did not dare hesitate a moment longer, loudly ordering all the ANBU operatives to turn back immediately. They had to retrace their steps as quickly as possible and rush to Shihara Emiya's side!

Not only would Shihara Emiya be in trouble...

There were also Konoha's two most promising young-generation ninja!

"It seems my plan has been discovered by Hashirama..."

When his Wood Clone was destroyed, Uchiha Madara immediately realized that Hashirama Senju would surely deduce his plan, prompting a cold smirk: "Your strikes are as lethal as ever when you come to kill me, Hashirama..."

"A plan?"

Shihara Emiya furrowed his brow.

"A simple diversionary tactic."

Uchiha Madara chuckled lightly, mocking Konoha: "Did Lord Emiya not notice that someone has been tailing you in secret all this time along the way?"

"That scheming bastard Tobirama Senju guessed long ago that I would want to meet with Lord Emiya, so he secretly had Hashirama lead an ANBU squad to trail right behind Lord Emiya. They treated Lord Emiya as bait to lure me out into a trap!"

"Lord Emiya."

"Do not be blinded by deceitful words!"

Spreading his arms wide, Uchiha Madara spoke in a deep voice, renewing his invitation to Shihara Emiya: "Come with me and change this world!"

"..."

Shihara Emiya fell silent for a moment.

The esteemed figure from ancient times slowly shifted his gaze toward the distance, where two young boys were bound, blindfolded, and had their ears plugged.

They were none other than young Sarutobi Hiruzen and young Danzo.

Although Shihara Emiya did not mind these two little fellows eavesdropping, Uchiha Madara cared deeply about the brats.

Had he not feared displeasing Shihara Emiya by killing in his presence, Uchiha Madara wouldn't have minded silencing them to keep secrets.

"Entrusted by others."

"I still wish to find the materials to heal Hashirama first."

Sighing, as if deeply valuing his promise, Shihara Emiya spoke softly: "Before you obtain the Rinnegan, quite some time must pass..."

"During that period..."

"Only Hashirama can maintain peace in this world."

"..."

Uchiha Madara was persuaded by Shihara Emiya's words.

This reason...

Was one even he could not refute.

In fact, Uchiha Madara hadn't even thought of refuting it.

Though Uchiha Madara believed he no longer cared about his past friendship with Hashirama Senju, he didn't mind letting that fated rival stay alive either—he wanted to prove right before Hashirama's eyes that his chosen path of ideals was the most correct one!

"Actually, you are not the first person to urge me to join this era, but I have pondered it many times, and I believe every era must have its own story."

"My story should probably have ended long ago."

Shihara Emiya's attitude was unprecedentedly serious. A leaf floated in his palm, fluttering back and forth in the wind.

"Now, the only thing I can do is become a lingering breeze in this fading era. And the strength of a single breeze can only barely stir the leaves of this era."

"The ones truly capable of changing the world..."

"Will always be the winds that turn the windmills..."

"Lord Emiya..."

"You are truly a figure worthy of respect..."

Uchiha Madara looked at Shihara Emiya and let out a long, low sigh.

Realizing he could not persuade Shihara Emiya, he also understood just how broad Shihara Emiya's mind truly was, and why humanity had bestowed upon him the title of greatness through the ages!

Shihara Emiya...

A figure deserving of utmost respect, no matter what.

Even the naturally aloof Uchiha Madara had to acknowledge the man's greatness.

"..."

Only Black Zetsu, hiding deep in the earth, felt a pang of sadness.

Black Zetsu finally understood why Shihara Emiya had refused earlier, expressing the hope that Uchiha Madara would execute the Eye of the Moon Plan—was that truly what he had been thinking all along?

"Hashirama is coming."

Knowing he could no longer linger, Uchiha Madara prepared to leave with a hint of regret: "I shall have to come and listen to your wisdom another time in the future..."

At this, Uchiha Madara's expression grew solemn as he said in a deep voice, "I know Lord Emiya is not one for deception and concealment, but I still hope our conversation today can be kept as confidential as possible, especially concerning that technique..."

"I understand."

Nodding toward Uchiha Madara, Shihara Emiya sighed lightly, "You and Hashirama Senju are walking different paths, yet the destination you both wish to reach is the same. Only your ways of traveling differ..."

"Perhaps..."

Uchiha Madara let out a scornful, chilly snort.

Though Uchiha Madara's words sounded slightly awkward, deep down he thoroughly agreed with Shihara Emiya's assessment; both he and Hashirama Senju were simply employing different methods for the sake of peace.

Come to think of it...

Conversing with such a great figure was rather comforting.

Whether it was the wisdom gleaned from Shihara Emiya's discourse, the secrets learned from his lips, or even just casual banter, he possessed such an uncanny ability to read people's hearts.

Hmph...

That idiot Hashirama...

Uchiha Madara recalled his initial encounter with Hashirama Senju.

Ever since childhood, Hashirama Senju had treated Shihara Emiya as an object of worship, yet later claimed that Shihara Emiya's ninja way could not save the world—clearly, that idiot just didn't have a working brain!

That idiot...

Was he even qualified to look down upon Lord Emiya's ninja way?

That idiot would never in his lifetime become a person like Lord Emiya!

"Then I shall take my leave."

With those words, Uchiha Madara flickered instantly to the side of the two youths in the distance, reaching out to pull the blindfolds off Sarutobi Hiruzen and young Danzo.

"Uchiha Madara!"

Young Sarutobi Hiruzen's voice carried a hint of tension!

"..."

A flicker of fear even crossed young Danzo's face!

"Hmph..."

"Are these the children that idiot Hashirama wishes to protect?"

Glancing down at the two youths with utter disdain, Uchiha Madara spoke coldly, "Brats, remember to go back and tell Hashirama that, as a gesture of gratitude to Lord Emiya, I will not wage any further wars against him for the time being..."