Chapter 223: The Fake Death Duo

It wasn't until Qianshou Feijian disappeared into the night, cradling Lian Ye, that the two in the shadows slowly revealed themselves.

The bright moonlight illuminated their faces, and they were unmistakably Konoha Village's Fake Death duo—

Senju Hashirama and Madara Uchiha!

"The kid in his arms, that's Feijian's adopted son?"

Madara Uchiha glanced toward the direction the two had left, his tone laced with chill.

Where does Feijian take that kid so late at night?

If he didn't missee earlier, the child in Qianshou Feijian's arms seemed to have fallen into a coma.

It's hard not to suspect that Feijian has ulterior motives…

Senju Hashirama nodded, his voice pressed low for fear of revealing their presence.

"Yes, this is the Lian Ye I mentioned to you."

They concealed their aura, slipped into the Village, and as soon as they reached Senju Clan Land they saw that very scene.

Madara Uchiha furrowed his brows, his gaze full of puzzlement, and couldn't help asking:

"Why would he take that child out so late at night?"

It always feels like Qianshou Feijian harbors ill intent…

Based on Madara Uchiha's years of knowledge about Feijian, this guy would never readily accept the Uchiha.

As for what Hashirama saw earlier? It was merely what Feijian wanted him to see.

After all, Hashirama's mind simply can't discern the specifics.

Sure enough, Feijian would never accept the Uchiha!

Hashirama naively thought Feijian could set aside his hatred—how laughable.

Faced with the question, Senju Hashirama could not answer, merely shaking his head.

From that glance earlier, it was clear Lian Ye's eyes were closed, evidently in a coma.

The situation was truly eerie; even he didn't know the exact cause…

Although he didn't know why, he felt Feijian wouldn't do anything to harm Lian Ye.

Having observed their years together, he saw that Feijian clearly recognized Lian Ye as his adopted son, and would never hurt him!

Madara Uchiha, seeing Hashirama unable to answer, made his gaze even colder.

Had he known earlier, he shouldn't have believed Hashirama's deceitful lies.

He still trusted Hashirama too much; this truly is the last time!

From now on he won't fall for his nonsense again.

The reason the two infiltrated Konoha must be traced back to a day ago.

……

A day ago, in a forest somewhere in the Ninja World.

"Fine, don't follow me." Madara Uchiha withdrew his hand, "Go back to wherever you came from."

Saying that, his figure sprinted swiftly toward the distance, vanishing from sight in the blink of an eye.

"Madara, wait for me!"

After a brief rest, Senju Hashirama's condition recovered, and he immediately mobilized chakra to follow.

Thus the two launched into a fierce chase.

Madara Uchiha, aware that Hashirama was in poor condition and fearing another mishap, instinctively slowed his pace, always maintaining a speed Hashirama could keep up with.

As time passed, Hashirama succeeded in catching up and blocking Madara.

"Madara, wait!"

Madara Uchiha, stopped by Senju Hashirama in front of him, furrowed his brow and asked, "Hashirama, what exactly do you want?"

He was idly teasing Hashirama for fun.

When he got bored, he would swat away the annoying fly.

"Madara, let's talk..." Senju Hashirama panted heavily, "Don't go yet, let me finish."

"Talk about what?" Madara Uchiha replied coldly, "There's nothing left for us to discuss."

If it weren't for their past bond, he would have struck Hashirama long ago.

Although Madara said that, he actually remained where he was, showing no intention to leave.

Seeing Madara not leave, Senju Hashirama's face lit up with joy.

He knew Madara wasn't as heartless as his words suggested.

"Lian Ye made great contributions on the Battlefield; with such merits, he could fully become the Third Hokage!"

"Madara, I want to tell you, Feijian, in his interactions with Lian Ye, has truly let go of his prejudice against the Uchiha!"

Hashirama's words were meant to let Madara know that Feijian had changed.

He will no longer target the Uchiha clan.

Upon hearing this, Madara Uchiha's eyes flickered with a faint ripple, as if lightly touched by something.

But that emotion vanished instantly; his face showed no expression, "What does this have to do with me?"

The affairs of Konoha Village have nothing to do with him.

He now only seeks to fulfill his own ideals, caring no longer about other matters.

Whether the Uchiha can become Hokage is irrelevant.

"Madara..." a trace of sorrow flashed in Hashirama's eyes.

He knew Madara was utterly disappointed with himself, Feijian, the Uchiha, and Konoha.

No matter how hard he tried, he could not bring him back to the Village.

"I helped you realize your ideals. I hope you won't stop me... from realizing mine." Madara Uchiha stared expressionlessly at Hashirama.

These words were telling Hashirama—don't bother me anymore.

"Madara, what are your ideals?" Hashirama quickly asked. "Can I help you realize them together?"

Clearly, he hadn't caught Madara's hint at all.

"My ideal is to achieve true peace." Madara Uchiha said.

Looking at Hashirama, whose face showed anticipation, he suddenly felt the urge to recruit him.

If Hashirama were willing to help him, the Moon's Eye Plan would definitely be realized smoothly.

However, Madara quickly dismissed that thought.

—Those who follow different paths cannot work together.

Given Hashirama's personality, he would never agree to this insane plan.

"My ideal is also to achieve peace in the Ninja World." Senju Hashirama revealed a smile. "We can work together to realize this ideal, just like before."

Madara Uchiha sneered: "My ideal is different from yours. You should go back to Konoha and protect the Village!"

"The peace you created is fleeting. Once news of your death spreads, war will break out soon."

Senju Hashirama said nothing, after all, what Madara said was the truth.

His original thinking had been too naive.

Achieving peace requires great power, but peace maintained by power cannot last.

He himself was a perfect example.

Unless Konoha always had someone as strong as him.

"Madara, then how do you plan to realize your ideals?" Hashirama asked.

Madara Uchiha glanced at Hashirama, chose not to hide it, and laid out the entire "Moon's Eye" plan.

After all, given Hashirama's current state, even if he disagreed, he couldn't stop him.

No one in the Ninja World could stop him now.

When Senju Hashirama learned of the "Moon's Eye" plan, he was completely stunned, his face full of disbelief.

"Using the Infinite Moon Reading to trap people in an illusion? This is the 'peace' you want?"

"True peace isn't achieved through lies and control! That's a desecration of life, a deprivation of everyone's will!"

"This isn't creating peace at all—it's destroying everything!"

Hashirama clenched his fists, his face instantly turning pale.

His former close friend had gone down such an extreme path, filling him with both anger and helplessness.

In his current state, he simply couldn't stop it, could only watch helplessly, powerless to do anything.

"Are you done?"

Madara Uchiha said coldly.