Chapter 29: Hashirama and Madara, Kakashi and Obito… What is a Bond?
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Jiraiya sat in the Hokage's office, their expressions heavy with shock. Both were silent, their thoughts consumed by the images shown on the celestial screen.
"Another person besides the First Hokage can use Wood Release?" Jiraiya murmured, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Hiruzen's thoughts turned to one of his ANBU operatives, Tenzo, later known as Yamato, who had been implanted with Hashirama's cells and could use Wood Release. But Yamato's abilities were nothing compared to what they had just witnessed.
The screen shifted to a new scene. Two young boys stood atop a cliff, overlooking a vast forest.
"I've decided!" shouted one of the boys, his hair cut in a neat bob. He spread his arms wide, his voice full of determination. "We'll build a village here! A place where kids won't have to fight on the battlefield!"
The other boy, his spiky hair slightly wild, laughed. "If we build a village here, I can protect my little brother!"
"Hahaha!"
"Hahaha!"
The laughter of the two boys echoed through the scene, filled with hope and dreams.
The audience was stunned.
"That place looks so familiar... Is that... Konoha?"
"Who are these boys? They seem so familiar, like I've seen them somewhere before."
The screen shifted again. The two boys were now men—legends.
Madara Uchiha, wielding the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, rode atop a menacing Nine-Tails adorned with armor. He swung a massive blade as he charged forward.
"Hashirama!"
On the other side, Hashirama Senju clapped his hands together. A colossal wooden statue with a thousand arms erupted from the ground.
"Madara!"
The two titans collided, their clash leveling mountains and devastating the landscape.
"That's... the God of Shinobi and the Demon of the Ninja World!?"
"Those two boys grew up to be Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha? Incredible!"
"This must be their legendary final battle. The scale of destruction is unimaginable!"
"Wait... Madara is controlling the Nine-Tails? How is that even possible?!"
The leaders of the Five Great Nations were shaken. Even the strongest of today's Kage could not fathom approaching such a battle.
Naruto stared at the screen, his mouth slightly open in awe. The sheer power on display left him speechless.
"They're... incredible," he muttered.
Even Shikamaru, usually calm and composed, was wide-eyed. The younger generation was stunned, their imaginations struggling to comprehend the scale of the fight.
Naruto, who had always dreamed of surpassing the Hokage, felt his resolve falter. Could he ever reach such heights? Could he ever become as great as the figures on the screen?
The screen changed again, this time showing a dense bamboo forest.
"Those who break the rules are scum," said a young Uchiha boy with goggles, his voice firm. "But those who abandon their comrades are worse than scum."
He turned to a silver-haired boy wearing a mask. "To me, your father, Sakumo Hatake, was a true hero!"
The silver-haired boy froze, stunned into silence.
In a quiet training ground, Kakashi watched the screen with a solemn expression. His past, long buried, was being laid bare for all to see.
"That's... you, Kakashi?" Sasuke asked, his Sharingan glinting as he studied the scene.
Kakashi nodded, his voice soft. "Yes, that was me... and Obito."
Naruto and Sakura gasped.
"Kakashi-sensei, you were so young!" Naruto exclaimed.
"And you already wore a mask even back then," Sakura added, her voice tinged with curiosity.
The screen shifted again. A younger Kakashi was shown pounding his fists against a boulder. Beneath the rock lay Obito, crushed and dying.
"Damn it! Damn it!" Kakashi shouted, his voice breaking with grief.
Obito, smiling weakly despite his injuries, spoke. "Save your strength, Kakashi. It's no use."
Tears streamed down Kakashi's face. Beside him, a young Rin cried silently.
Obito continued, his voice faltering but resolute. "Everyone gave you a gift to celebrate your promotion to jōnin. I didn't know what to get you, but I thought of something."
He paused, then smiled. "I'll give you my Sharingan."
Kakashi froze, his eyes wide with shock.
"With my Sharingan, you'll be able to see the future."
Obito turned his gaze to Rin. "Take care of Rin for me."
His final words came softly, filled with regret. "I never got to tell her... I loved her."
Kakashi clenched his fists as he watched, his face shadowed by the weight of his memories.
"It's my fault... I killed Rin."