Chapter 212: Don't go... okay?

Before the words finished, Madara Uchiha's body suddenly stiffened, and countless complex emotions flashed in his eyes.

—Shock, astonishment, doubt, nostalgia…

It sounds like Hashirama's voice; didn't they say he was already dead?

Madara Uchiha's thoughts surged, a myriad of ideas flashing through his mind, but he quickly calmed down.

That guy Hashirama actually used Fake Death to look for him; could it be that he already knew he hadn't died?

That possibility isn't nonexistent.

After all, given their relationship, it's normal for Hashirama to notice something wrong with the corpse he left behind…

Madara Uchiha now has no desire to meet Hashirama; his dream hasn't been realized yet.

Their philosophies are completely opposite; if Hashirama learned of it, he would definitely stop him!

It's not that Madara fears Hashirama, just that he sees no need.

He now doesn't want to argue who's right or wrong with the other, only to shake off Hashirama and fulfill his unfinished dream.

The plan hasn't started yet; no accidents can occur!

And Senju Hashirama is the biggest obstacle in his path to achieving the dream…

"Madara, is that really you?" Hashirama's questioning voice came again.

He was just about to step forward to check when the long-haired man suddenly moved!

Madara Uchiha spun, snatched his conical hat and black robe, his form flashing like a phantom; chakra erupted beneath his feet, and in an instant he sprinted across the water surface, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

At the moment Madara turned, Hashirama finally saw his face—the deep eyes, the stern features, and that eternally proud expression.

That face he had long yearned for resurfaced before his eyes, Madara Uchiha!

No doubt about it, this is Madara Uchiha!

He really hasn't died!

"Madara, wait for me!" Senju Hashirama shouted without hesitation, leapt onto the water surface, and pursued relentlessly.

His voice echoed through the forest, only to be met with the figure ahead fleeing even faster.

…

The scorching sun hung overhead as two black silhouettes darted swiftly through the forest.

Madara Uchiha's black robe rustled in the rush; he could clearly hear the familiar footsteps behind him, yet never looked back.

Hashirama was still, as before, fond of clinging on stubbornly.

Suddenly, a harsh cough erupted from behind. Madara's brows twitched imperceptibly, and his steps unintentionally slowed a few paces.

He glanced back, and through the gaps of his fluttering black hair, saw Senju Hashirama's increasingly pallid face.

Hashirama was painfully clutching his chest, clearly short of breath. His chakra began to churn, yet he stubbornly tried to keep up.

Each forced chakra surge made his complexion grow even sicker.

He forgot his wounds were severe; expending all chakra would only worsen them.

But to catch Madara, he could only grit his teeth and persist.

As time passed, his running speed slowed, and soon Madara left him a distance behind.

No, he must not let Madara escape again!

Madara Uchiha noticed the movement behind him, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

What's happening?

Why is Hashirama's condition so poor?

Given Hashirama's strength, such a situation is impossible.

It can only mean he suffered severe injuries, causing his power to drop sharply.

Senju Hashirama's breathing grew heavier, each footfall accompanied by a coarse gasp.

He stared fixedly at the figure ahead, as if a slight blink would cause the other to vanish from his life again.

"Madara!" he shouted again, "Stop!"

If this continues, he'll be left behind by Madara soon…

Madara Uchiha's peripheral glance swept over the stumbling figure behind, his brows subtly furrowing.

Hashirama's internal chakra was too chaotic; this was far from the state the God of Ninja, once his equal, should have.

"Cough cough... Madara!"

Hashirama's shouts kept coming from behind, clearly at his limit.

Madara Uchiha's steps gradually slowed, and he finally stopped on a large tree's horizontal branch.

A breeze lifted his loose hair, revealing a pair of still, unmoving eyes.

"How pitiful, Hashirama," Madara said from above, looking down at the panting Hashirama, "In your current state, you don't even deserve to let me make a full escape."

Senju Hashirama gasped heavily, but a happy smile appeared on his face at the words.

"Hehe, I didn't expect it was really you, Madara!"

"Why are you chasing me?" Madara's voice was cold; before achieving his dream, he didn't want too many entanglements with Hashirama, "In your current state, you can't even withstand a single move of mine."

He wasn't exaggerating; Hashirama's current condition was terrible, not a match for him at all.

If he wished, Hashirama would die here today.

Hashirama leaned on the tree trunk, panting, his face still holding a happy smile: "Because... it's you."

After two years of searching, he finally found his dear friend. How could he possibly let Madara leave like that?

Even if he dies, he'll die on the road chasing Madara.

…

"Don't talk to me in that tone!" Madara Uchiha suddenly activated his Sharingan, three black Curved Jewels whirling wildly in his eyes: "Do you think it's still like before?"

Back then he was too naive, believing Hashirama's nonsense, and ultimately ended up in this predicament, even his own clan members were unwilling to follow him away.

"Stop following me, or I will really kill you!"

Madara Uchiha's cold gaze fixed on Hashirama, then he turned and left, but this time his speed was noticeably slower.

Senju Hashirama's pale face showed a faint smile, and he hurriedly chased after him again.

In the forest, the two figures pursued each other front and back, each maintaining a delicate balance.

Madara's black robe fluttered in the wind, occasionally obscuring Hashirama's view, yet always leaving him a chance to pursue.

As time passed, Senju Hashirama's sight began to blur, his body had reached its limit, yet he still kept a neither too near nor too far distance from Madara.

He knew this was Madara giving him a chance to catch up.

But now he really couldn't hold on…

The moment the thought appeared, Senju Hashirama felt his vision go black and his entire body lose strength.

He staggered forward for the last step, then fell from the treetop, crashing heavily onto the ground.

"Bang—"

"Madara..."

His lips twitched, but only a feeble cry escaped, desperately watching Madara's receding silhouette, and finally he slipped into unconsciousness.

"In the end... still can't catch up?"

Madara Uchiha sensed the movement behind him, his sprinting form abruptly halted, a brief struggle flashing in his eyes.

Eventually, Madara still arrived before Hashirama.

He looked at Hashirama's pale complexion, couldn't help but frown, "You guy just love to act recklessly..."

He crouched to examine Hashirama's condition, and upon finding he was merely unconscious, he let out a sigh of relief.

"Next time..." Madara slowly rose, "Don't chase after me."

As he turned to leave, his pant leg was suddenly seized firmly by a hand.

"Madara, don't go... okay?"

……

……

ps: Thanks to the great 【Qianshou Feijian Hui Tu Zhuan】 for the godly endorsement, licking the screen licking the screen, ying ying ying……