Chapter 488

Nine identical-looking Senju Hashiramas stood in a row. Without doing anything, just the aura they inadvertently exuded was enough to intimidate everyone present.

The F6, hiding not far away, froze in place, not daring to make a sound for fear of being severely lectured by the group of "Great Teachers" who had appeared out of thin air.

"They aren't shadow clones. How could there be so many clones?"

Senju Tobirama, locked in by nine gazes, felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. His perception told him that every one of these clones before him was an independent individual, definitely not a shadow clone used to deceive people.

Suddenly, one of the clones turned its head, looked at the somewhat disheveled No. 9, and a mocking smile spread across its lips.

"How unsightly, No. 9."

The relationship between the nine clones was not as good as one might imagine, especially after several of them had absorbed Tailed Beast Chakra and successfully awakened their intelligence; the friction between them when they met only increased.

Among them, the No. 1 clone, after absorbing Shukaku's Chakra, unconsciously developed a great hostility toward the clone numbered nine.

Although there was a supreme order issued by Cixian that clones were not allowed to fight among themselves,

No. 1 often used words to bully the unintelligent No. 9, and whenever they met, it was always with cold sarcasm.

"If it were you, you would have died long ago."

No. 9 glanced at No. 1, which was mocking it. Now that its intelligence had just awakened, it could already fight back, no longer letting itself be bullied like a mute gourd as before.

"You didn't even take down the weakest One-Tail. If I were you, I would have jumped into the research institute's waste pool voluntarily."

"Yo! You've even learned to talk back~"

No. 1 raised an eyebrow, its expression changing slightly, a flash of imperceptible joy and relief crossing its eyes, but its mouth remained unrelenting.

"But at least I defeated the mission target. What about you?"

"I didn't lose any arms or legs."

No. 9 curled its lip, immediately being sarcastic about No. 1's arm-severing incident.

"No. 9, I'm starting my shift!"

"White-hair, can you handle this?"

Taking advantage of the gap while No. 1 and No. 9 were catching up, Uchiha Madara lowered his head and whispered to Senju Tobirama, who looked as if his parents had died.

"Huh?"

Handle?

Handle your lungs!

Nine peak-level big brothers—what do you expect me to handle them with?

Sensing the scorching fighting spirit of Uchiha Madara beside him, Senju Tobirama felt a tightness in his heart and hurriedly asked in a low voice:

"Are you not thinking of fighting, are you?"

"Otherwise?"

Uchiha Madara straightened his body, his gaze fixed on the nine clones with different expressions in front of him, his eyes full of complexity.

*Sigh*~ Nine Hashiramas—if only they weren't enemies, how good that would be.

Senju Tobirama was stunned for a moment. Thinking of the village and the six disciples behind him who hadn't escaped yet, a flash of determination appeared in his eyes. He pulled out a kunai with his backhand and said softly:

"In that case, the plan remains the same."

"Uh... what plan?"

Looking at Senju Tobirama with confusion, Uchiha Madara blinked, trying to recall the conversation between the two, only to find that there was no combat plan in it at all.

"I'll cover the rear."

"Are you crazy?"

Stunned by Senju Tobirama's words, Uchiha Madara really wanted to touch the white-haired man's forehead to check if he had a fever.

"It's not that I'm underestimating you, but you might not even last ten seconds."

Having just experienced a battle with a clone, Uchiha Madara already had a certain understanding of their combat power.

Except for their combat awareness being slightly lacking, the clones could be said to have completely replicated the stats of Hashirama in his prime. A mere white-haired man was simply no match for them.

"Don't worry, if I want to leave, no one can stop me."

Senju Tobirama shook his head. The Flying Thunder God Technique gave him great confidence. Even facing the encirclement of nine clones, he was confident he could retreat unscathed.

"You just need to take them away. Your Susanoo should be able to fly."

Pointing with his eyes at the shivering F6 not far away, Senju Tobirama had even thought of a way to run away.

Big brother can't fly.

"Talkative. I hate babysitting. Leave that kind of work to you; I'll go trade blows with them."

Uchiha Madara stared at the serious-looking Senju Tobirama for a few seconds. Instead of following the other's plan, he took a big step forward.

"Don't be impulsive, I am—"

Seeing Uchiha Madara's aggressive behavior, Senju Tobirama felt a sense of urgency. Even if he really made a mistake, or even died, it wouldn't be a big deal.

"Hmph! I am the Hokage."

Ignoring the anxious Senju Tobirama, Uchiha Madara strode toward the nine clones. This shocking move immediately attracted the attention of everyone present.

"You two go back and argue slowly. No. 9, your mission target is coming over."

On the clone side, a clone with a helpless expression stepped forward to pull apart the No. 1 and No. 9 who were arguing endlessly, and incidentally pointed at the approaching Uchiha Madara.

"This human, is he crazy?"

Reminded by No. 8, the two looked in surprise at Uchiha Madara, who was full of fighting spirit. In this situation, shouldn't he be running away as fast as he could?

Watching Uchiha Madara's back, Senju Tobirama gritted his teeth and leaped to catch up.

"You idiot, what about Konoha?"

"Do you think I'll lose?"

Turning his head to look at the annoyed Senju Tobirama behind him, the look of disdain on Uchiha Madara's face only increased. Even facing nine clones, it still couldn't extinguish the burning fighting spirit in his heart.

This is Uchiha Madara.

If you want to fight, I will fight.

He would never retreat because of the enemy's strength.

"Do you think you can win?"

"I will win."

Senju Tobirama was almost angered into laughter. He had used all his strength and firepower just to fight one clone; now, fighting nine—do you think you're the Sage of Six Paths?

"If you don't think for yourself, you should at least think about the Uchiha clan. Without you, what will the Uchiha clan do?"

Seeing Uchiha Madara being stubborn, Senju Tobirama had no choice but to play the emotional card, trying to awaken the other with the future of the clan.

"With Izuna and cousin here, the Uchiha clan will only take off; it definitely won't perish."

Not expecting Uchiha Madara to be so open-minded, he wasn't worried about the future of the Uchiha clan at all.

He even felt that under the management of his brothers, the clan would leap to become the number one clan in the Ninja World, living a life that was thriving, with every Uchiha clan member able to walk out with their heads held high, enjoying the admiration of thousands.

"You—"

Senju Tobirama trembled with anger. He had reasoned with him so clearly, yet this stubborn Uchiha Madara still wouldn't turn back.

"Then you hold on for a while. After I send them away, I'll come back to save you."

There was no other way. Senju Tobirama couldn't ignore either side. Since Uchiha Madara was confident in his own strength, he could only go and take the F6 away first.

Moreover, according to the intelligence previously gathered, the clones attacking the Tailed Beast Knights wouldn't directly kill their targets, so Uchiha Madara's life should be safe for the time being.

Thinking of this, Senju Tobirama felt a sense of relief and raised his hand to look for the coordinates he had left on the F6. The next second, he was dumbfounded.

"Flying Thunder... huh?"

In his perception, the Flying Thunder God coordinates on the F6 were moving at high speed.

But it wasn't the escape he had imagined, but rather—

"Tap!" *6

"Teacher, are we late?"

"Holy crap!"

Looking at the F6 who had landed steadily with determined faces, Senju Tobirama's throat was stuffed with Konoha slang about to erupt.

"Who told you to come?"

Why do you brats only know how to cause trouble? Is this kind of high-end match something you "Iron-tier" players can participate in?

"Kagami, you shouldn't have come."

Uchiha Madara also discovered the F6 who had come to add to the trouble. A faint relief flashed in his eyes, but it was mostly helplessness.

When the battle started later, he could still protect himself, but for Uchiha Kagami, he really had no time to spare.

"It was me!"

Danzo bravely raised his hand, waiting for his teacher's praise with a proud face.

"Fine, fine, you Danzo! If we survive this, I will definitely 'reward' you properly!"

Senju Tobirama looked at the smug Danzo and almost bit his teeth to pieces.

Hiruzen and Kagami on the side didn't participate in this topic, their gazes vigilantly watching the nine clones not far away, their hearts heavy.

They had come this time with a determination to die. Although they knew the chasm in strength between themselves and the clones, as Konoha people, the F6 would never allow themselves to watch the Hokage and the Branch Secretary sacrifice themselves.

The six of them together should be able to hold back one clone, reducing a bit of pressure for the Hokage and the teacher.

"Yo! So many people have come. This is interesting."

Suddenly, a familiar yet strange voice sounded in their ears. No. 1, who had just been bickering with No. 9, looked at the Konoha crowd with a smile.

Now, it craved more contact with humans to learn more human emotions, laying a solid foundation for its own evolution.

"No. 5, No. 6, you go play with those guys."

No. 1 pointed at Senju Tobirama and the F6, ordering the two expressionless clones beside it.

"Received."

As the only two clones in the Hashirama Legion who hadn't awakened their intelligence, the command of No. 5 and No. 6 was temporarily handed over to the quick-witted No. 1 by Cixian, allowing it to make temporary deployments.

"As for us, No. 9, let us clean up your mess~"

Glancing at the stiff-faced No. 9, No. 1 smiled with satisfaction and turned to greet the remaining clones, surrounding Uchiha Madara.

"I don't need your help."

No. 9 followed with a cold face, looking at the smug No. 1 in front, muttering in its mouth:

"Just you wait, next time I'll add extra-strong mustard to your nutrient solution."

Watching the clones surrounding his side, Senju Tobirama knew this battle was unavoidable and could only quickly arrange things for the F6 behind him.

"You six don't scatter. You know big brother's wrist strength; just hold them back, don't be reckless."

After speaking, he took out his short blade and looked at the two clones walking toward him with a solemn expression, his mouth twitching slightly.

"I've been underestimated. Only two came."

On the other side, Uchiha Madara had already been surrounded by seven clones. Under the gaze of seven pairs of eyes with different expressions, a faint solemnity appeared on his face.

"One against seven?"

"Human, if you surrender, we can let you go without so much pain."

No. 1 scrutinized Uchiha Madara, who was exuding a dangerous aura. Its heart tightened, but it didn't show it on its face, instead trying to persuade him tentatively.

"Cut the crap. If you want to fight, then fight."

Uchiha Madara sneered at No. 1's remarks, his eyes bursting with scarlet light, and the bewitching pattern was revealed.

"In that case, we'll play with you."

Seeing Uchiha Madara being so uncooperative, No. 1 shook its head regretfully, but there was more solemnity in its eyes.

This human in front of him, although not as good as the curly-haired one he had met in the Land of Wind, was also a tough nut to crack. No wonder he could make No. 9 run away in a panic.

"Charge!"

No. 1 waved its hand, and the clones behind it leaped out, rushing toward Uchiha Madara. In mid-air, the group tacitly joined their hands together, and the majestic Wood Release power instantly filled the entire battlefield.

Rumble—

Accompanied by a sound like the earth shaking, seven lifelike wooden figures rose from the ground, surrounding the tiny Uchiha Madara in the middle with hostile intent.

"Human, as long as you obediently eat this, we can spare all of you."

No. 1, standing on top of the wooden figure's head, made one last attempt to persuade him to surrender. It saw a gray seed exuding a decaying aura float in its palm, the smile on its lips full of threats.

"No! Don't believe his words!"

Before Uchiha Madara could answer, the Nine-Tails, hiding in his consciousness, shouted first. Looking at that decaying seed, its massive beast pupils actually carried visible fear.

"Do you know what that is?"

"I don't know, but the stinky raccoon told me that thing is a prop to turn Tailed Beasts into fruits..."

Scanned by Uchiha Madara's gloomy gaze, the Nine-Tails shivered. It knew the other was blaming it for not sharing intelligence, so it immediately explained loudly, repeating what Shukaku had said in the chat room word for word.

Of course, it omitted the curly-haired man holding the ancestor's scalpel.

"Fruit?"

Uchiha Madara's gaze condensed. Just as they had guessed, the final goal of these clones was the Tailed Beasts held by the knights.

But the method of acquisition wasn't simply snatching the Tailed Beast cards, but using the Tailed Beast Knight's body as a seedbed to solidify the Tailed Beast's power and condense it into a fruit.

When the fruit was ripe, the Tailed Beast Knight's life would also come to an end.

"Sorry, cousin taught me not to eat food given by strangers."

Even if he didn't know the use of the seed in No. 1's hand, Uchiha Madara, who had received a good education, wouldn't eat things randomly. After gently shaking his head to refuse, a ghostly blue shadow condensed behind him.

"You want to go one against seven?"

Putting away the God Tree spore in disappointment, No. 1 looked in surprise at Uchiha Madara, whose aura was surging. This human was really stubborn. He didn't really think they were small fries, did he?

"Wood Release: Wood Clone."

Uchiha Madara was naturally not a man of courage without strategy. He quickly raised his hands to form seals. The next moment, six wooden branches detached from his back, turning into six cold-faced clones that landed on the ground.

In the surprised eyes of the clones, the six clones seemed to be connected by heart, and ghostly blue shadows also lit up behind them.

"Now it's fair." (End of chapter)