With One Blade, Overturning Konoha!

The attack from the complete Susanoo was blocked?

Not just blocked, but the entire Susanoo was pushed back.

What kind of immense power is this?

Watching the scene unfold, the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, stood frozen, unable to find the right words.

The greatest enemy knows you best.

From the Warring States period to the founding of Konoha, Hashirama had fought against Madara Uchiha countless times.

He knew his opponent’s strength better than anyone.

Especially after Madara obtained his younger brother Uchiha Izuna's eyes, his power had soared once again. The Perfect Susanoo before him now was unreasonably powerful.

But clearly, Hashirama was equally confident in his own strength.

Sage Mode.

Wood Release.

Sage Body.

Chakra comparable to the Nine-Tails.

These were his pillars of strength in facing the Perfect Susanoo.

Even now, he could vividly recall the battle at the Valley of the End.

A battle that had literally reshaped the terrain.

Madara had controlled the Nine-Tails, wielding his fearsome Susanoo, while Hashirama had fought back fiercely, using the true Several Thousand Hands in Sage Mode.

In the end, he had won.

But that victory had always felt somewhat surreal.

Now, Hashirama could see that the outcome of that battle seemed to have been part of Madara's plan all along.

And it was clear that the so-called death wasn't truly death.

Just like the Rinnegan patterns visible in his own eyes now.

Madara had gained something from that battle!

At this moment, Hashirama wasn’t sure if he could still suppress Madara, but he had an undeniable feeling that only he could stop him.

Yet, at this critical moment, another figure appeared.

And he, too, had suppressed Madara, wielding the complete Susanoo!

Why? With just a small sword in his hand?

How had he managed to do that?

Hashirama’s mind raced.

That man seemed to possess power beyond chakra itself.

What terrifying power!

Madara's eyes within the Susanoo widened in disbelief.

The Quick Draw Slash, the very symbol of destruction, hadn’t cleaved that man in two!

Even more bizarre, the ground beneath his feet remained untouched. Only the surrounding forest was left in ruins!

What was the principle behind this?

And the force that had just pushed back his chakra lightsword with the obi—was it powerful enough to push back the Susanoo itself?

It seemed...

He had underestimated this brat.

Steadying himself, Madara drew two chakra lightswords simultaneously with both hands. From the wings on his back, arms extended, transforming into Chakra Blades.

Now, four chakra lightswords were gripped in his hands.

In an instant, the destructive power of the Uchiha Clan’s ultimate weapon was fully unleashed!

“Battle, huh?”

“This feeling... I haven’t experienced it since I fought Hashirama.”

Standing inside the diamond-shaped grid of Susanoo, Madara's emotions surged.

“Let’s enjoy this satisfying fight.”

“The only regret is that I’m using a body summoned by Edo Tensei.”

“But, kid...”

Four lightsabers pointed at the figure soaring through the air.

“As payment for entertaining me, I’ll remember your name.”

Boom!

The true battle began.

The massive Susanoo swung its lightsabers, yet the figure in the air made no attempt to evade. Every attack was blocked with the small knife in his hand.

The hum of chakra lightsabers clashing with the dagger echoed through the Forest of Death, reaching all the way to Konoha.

In the distance, the Central Tower trembled violently.

One could easily imagine that, had they been any closer, the entire place would have already started to collapse.

“This... is this the power of Uchiha Madara?”

“Susanoo... the legendary power.”

“Unbelievable.”

“But compared to that Susanoo, the truly terrifying one is probably Hakken.” The most update n0vels are published on novel_fіre.net

“Too powerful. It’s on a completely different level.”

“....”

The enormous form of Susanoo, moving through the air, was clearly visible to both the ninjas and villagers watching.

Witnessing a battle of this scale for the first time, they felt completely inadequate as ninjas compared to these two!

It was overwhelming.

Whether it was Konoha’s Kenpachi or Uchiha Madara, both left them completely stunned.

Compared to these two, even the battles happening atop the Central Tower—Tobi versus the Fourth Hokage and Kakashi, or the standoff between Orochimaru and the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi—seemed insignificant.

Not to mention the ongoing Chūnin Exams down below.

At that moment, Sakura and Ino stood on the field, looking somewhat lost.

Were they really fighting?

If this could even be called a battle, how could the confrontation between those two in the distance be explained?

“The power of... gods.”

Ino placed her hands over her chest, her eyes flickering, and suddenly smiled at Sakura.

“You win this fight. I’ve already gotten enough from this Chūnin Exam.”

She pointed to her lips.

Ino tilted her head, choosing to forfeit as she met Sakura's confused gaze.

What... is going on?

Sakura was completely baffled. What did Ino mean by "getting enough"?

“Thrilling!”

“Hahaha!”

“Thrilling! Now, this is what a real battle feels like!”

“It’s been years since I felt my blood boil like this.”

“The chakra, the force of that Chakra Blade...”

He seemed to fall into a frenzy.

The man who had repeatedly sent Susanoo's weapons flying back into the air suddenly let out a wild roar.

“Such swordsmanship... although it still doesn't earn my approval as one of the Hakken Yoru.”

“But of everyone who’s fought me, no one surpasses you!”

“I, Hakken Yoru, declare you the strongest!”

This brat!

Madara’s arms, which had been crossed over his chest, suddenly dropped. He clenched his fists tightly.

Such words... from a mere brat!

The words he had been about to speak were snatched away from him once again!

Who do you think you are?

How dare you speak of me, Uchiha Madara?!

“Damn it...”

Suppressing his rage, Madara raised all four of his arms at once and brought them crashing down.

This was Susanoo's heaviest strike!

“Susanoo!”

“Dance of Four Swords!”

BOOM!

Hum!

Four Chakra Blades converged on a single point in a brutal, concentrated assault. Though not as vast as the map-shattering power of a Tailed Beast, its strength lay in the devastating force it brought to a single target!

Chakra erupted.

The Susanoo itself began to tremble, and the surrounding air seemed to freeze.

For a full three seconds, the space vibrated and sent shockwaves in all directions!

The entire Forest of Death fell into an eerie, deathly silence.

Annihilation.

Desolation.

Trees visibly disintegrated into vacuum zones under the shockwave.

Immediately, the Central Tower was surrounded by countless ANBU ninjas, a circular barrier rising up around it.

This was the combined ANBU barrier!

Even so, the shockwave was powerful enough to shake the Central Tower visibly.

Thankfully, thanks to the efforts of the ANBU ninjas, the shockwave eventually subsided.

But as they looked around...

The Forest of Death had turned to dust...

The power to rewrite the map!

A combat strength beyond that of a Kage-level shinobi.

This... was Super Kage-level!

One person alone could rewrite the course of battle. This was the best way to describe Super Kage-level combat power!

A long time passed.

The smoke and dust finally began to clear.

Uchiha Madara’s Susanoo still stood proudly in the sky, maintaining the pose of its four sword-wielding arms striking toward the heavens.

The onlookers stared wide-eyed, tense with anticipation. The scout with the Byakugan suddenly froze in shock.

“The Fifth Hokage-sama is still alive!”

Cheers erupted.

The people breathed a sigh of relief.

Only Rasa and Lord A wore somber expressions.

So this is how it is?

Even Madara Uchiha couldn’t stand against that brat!

In the air, the two sides fell silent.

Madara Uchiha’s expression stiffened slightly.

The man before him remained completely still.

He leapt to meet the four chakra swords, effortlessly catching the Four-Blade Dance with a single hand.

Caught.

And without paying any price.

No.

There was a price.

Snap.

A distinct cracking sound reached Madara Uchiha and Hakken Yoru’s ears.

The small cross-shaped sword blocking the Susanoo blade slowly cracked and broke in two at its center.

After all, it was just a mortal object.

The man before him sighed softly, catching the broken sword and gently running his fingers over it.

“You’ve grown, Mr. Madara.”

“But don’t get cocky just because you broke this sword.”

“Keep your humility, because…”

Hakken Yoru suddenly raised his head, sheathing the small sword.

The battle intent in his eyes made Madara instinctively want to retreat!

Those words were especially jarring.

Shattered a sword?

I am Madara Uchiha!

The four chakra swords pressed down. Unable to hold his composure any longer, Madara felt an overwhelming urge to kill for the first time.

The one who defied his ideals.

The one whose power even surpassed his own!

“Why not let me finish?”

Hakken Yoru sighed softly.

“Because you gave me a reason to draw my Zanpakutō.”

Swish!

The Zanpakutō fell into his hand.

This was completely different from the playful sparring before.

This time, his gaze underwent a dramatic transformation!

Just as Itachi had said.

When he gripped the blade, he became a beast!

One strike.

A single strike.

The four chakra blades held by Susanoo shattered instantly!

How could this be?

Staring wide-eyed at the broken blades, Madara opened his mouth to speak.

Shattered already?

What was that earlier battle even for?

“You’re not skilled with Katana, are you? Don’t say I’m bullying you…”

Suddenly, he remembered the words this man had spoken earlier.

It wasn’t just a bluff!

The battle raged on.

Now that he had drawn his sword and fully entered his state, Hakken was like a different person.

After shattering the chakra swords, his body surged forward, charging toward Susanoo’s head.

Madara’s reflexes weren’t slow. The instant Hakken lunged, he raised the broken chakra blade to shield his head.

Yet, during their earlier clash, Hakken had already fully grasped Susanoo’s defensive limitations.

Though the Perfect Form looked far more imposing than Itachi and Shisui’s mature forms, its actual defenses were utterly helpless before his blade.

Of course, this was likely due to the overwhelming shattering effect of Hakken’s Normal Slash trait.

Swish, swish.

Both arms of Susanoo snapped clean off.

Before Madara could replenish his chakra, Hakken Yoru was already closing in.

No choice.

Madara reached out.

A fan with a kama attached appeared in his hand.

Abandoning Susanoo, Madara charged straight at Hakken Yoru.

Susanoo’s sword techniques were irrelevant to his own.

Without the armor, Madara’s body would be far more agile.

Close combat commenced.

The clash between Divine Cry and Uchiha’s fan flashed with an unusual spark.

The eastern sky brightened as their figures crisscrossed relentlessly.

Yet, the sheer hardness of the Uchiha’s fan proved somewhat beyond Hakken’s expectations.

“My lord, this fan carries the essence of the God Tree.”

Seemingly sensing Hakken’s confusion, Kaguya spoke from within the spiritual space.

The God Tree?

Hakken realized.

This object truly seemed to be forged from a fragment of the God Tree.

If that’s the case…

A flash of blue light flared in his eyes, and the Tenseigan—vast as the cosmos—slowly manifested within his pupils.

Clang!

The fan collided with his hand once more. Hakken pointed to his own eyes, locking gazes with Madara, who stood mere inches away.

“Do you know?”

Know what?

Madara watched Hakken's eyes warily...

Eyes beyond comprehension!

The oppressive aura radiating from them even evoked associations with the Rinnegan!

There was no doubt—something was seriously wrong with those eyes.

“Actually, it doesn't need to be this difficult.” Truth-Seeking Balls appeared behind him.

A unique chakra pattern began to form.

Tenseigan Chakra Mode!

Unlike Toneri Otsutsuki’s forgiving hue, Hakken’s Tenseigan chakra mode was a pure, crystalline blue.

“I was just afraid the power might run wild and kill you outright.”

A faint sigh escaped him as eerie patterns spread from his arms to the katana.

“After all, capturing Madara Uchiha alive would be quite the astonishing tale to tell.”

“Divine Cry!”

Hakken’s grip tightened fiercely on the katana, chains clashing and emitting a resonant hum.

Time seemed to freeze in an uncanny stillness.

Everything in the space felt as if it were held firmly in Hakken's grasp!

Absolute Control!

Swish!

A close-range strike.

A simple, unadorned strike.

The most trusted horizontal slash of the Hakken.

The momentary stillness resumed its flow.

Shocked, Madara Uchiha saw the Uchiha fan in his hand shatter into fragments!

And that man already stood behind him, sheathing his katana and picking up his gourd flask.

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

Suddenly, four streaks of blade light flashed by!

Attacks that seemed delayed sliced through Madara’s limbs. In an instant, he lost control of his hands and feet!

Four Truth-Seeking Balls transformed into black spikes, piercing directly into his joints!

What kind of sword technique was this?

He seemed to have lost the ability to resist.

Madara stiffly turned his head to look at the man.

A katana technique he had never heard of.

His ability...

“It’s about time.”

Hakken sheathed his blade, glanced toward the Central Tower in the distance, and then stepped forward, approaching Madara.

Still in the same posture as when he arrived.

He seized Madara by the throat, lifting him into the air.

“We’ll talk in detail later. Right now, I need to confirm something.”

Whoosh!

His figure shot skyward.

Far below, the First Hokage and the Konoha ninjas, stationed as a precaution, stood utterly frozen.

Look at the surroundings.

The battle between these two had literally reshaped the landscape!

What kind of power was this?

Hashirama let out a bitter laugh and sighed.

“Tsuna, I think I should have listened to you.”

“Honestly, spending time here is nothing compared to walking around Konohagakure and seeing how it’s changed.”

“How should I put it... it’s a bit disheartening.”

He paused, looking at Tsunade, then stroked his chin. “But Tsuna, you’re the only one left of the Senju Clan now.”

“What about the future?”

The future?

Tsunade rolled her Byakugan, then suddenly leaned close to her grandfather and whispered something. Her face flushed crimson in an instant.

“...Huh??”

The First Hokage looked at his granddaughter with surprise and doubt.

“Well, as long as you’re happy.”

“Things are getting a bit chaotic.”

Dragging Madara to the central plaza, Hakken was momentarily stunned.

Obito was being beaten back by Minato and Kakashi.

Meanwhile, the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was engaged in a tug-of-war with Orochimaru.

This so-called tug-of-war was nothing more than the Dead Demon Consuming Seal.

After all, at his advanced age, extracting and sealing Orochimaru's soul wasn't exactly a simple task.

Shaking his head, Hakken couldn't be bothered with the battle. He landed on the field, pointing his Zanpakutō at the Kage and the village leaders, who were watching with keen interest.

"Everyone."

"It seems you haven't given me an answer yet regarding the unification war I mentioned earlier?"

Slam.

He threw Madara to the ground, but the struggling man, summoning all his strength, turned his head toward a specific direction and nodded.

The ninjas snapped back to reality.

The battle...

Had it ended?

No, it hadn't!

The terrified ninjas stared at Hakken Yoru, his killing intent so overwhelming they didn’t know what to say.

Meanwhile, a disturbance in the distance caught everyone’s attention.

The Shinigami, who had been locked in a tug-of-war with Orochimaru, suddenly glanced at Hakken, and then, as if seeing a ghost, vanished in an instant!

That guy... he was the real Shinigami!

The previous clone had been completely wiped out.

He wasn’t foolish enough to stay here any longer.

This was just a small interlude, leaving Orochimaru and the Third Hokage confused. One had prepared for a noble death, and the other was struggling against the pulling force.

But now, it seemed like it was all in vain.

However, the real upheaval didn’t come from that direction.

It came from a weak, half-dead growl in the distance.

Looking closely, Nagato—who had been crippled by Hakken Yoru—had turned completely black.

Black Zetsu?

Hakken’s eyes widened in realization.

"Outer Path!"

"Rinne Tensei no Jutsu!"

Green light flooded over Madara.

A fresh, vibrant body, a beating heart!

Pulling the Truth-Seeking Ball from his chest, Madara suddenly rose, smiling as he took the Rinnegan that Black Zetsu had brought from the ground.

"Though the order was wrong..."

"But..."

"This resurrection is completely under my control, Madara Uchiha!"

"Rinnegan!"

Smack!

Smack, smack!

Unfortunately, before he could finish his sentence, a single slap from Hakken sent him crashing to the ground.

Simultaneously, the shadows of the Rinnegan prison were torn to pieces.

Hakken was the Shinigami, after all. Those illusory figures from the Rinnegan Hell were merely fragmented soul entities. Even without the Rinnegan, he could sense them—let alone with the Tenseigan, an eye of equal power!

Having subdued Madara once again, Hakken impatiently pointed his Zanpakutō at the Kage of the major ninja villages.

"I'll ask you one last time."

"Choose submission, or death!"