155. My Turn

In the mental space.

"Gin-san, you wouldn’t want..."

The purple-haired girl in control lets a small smirk lift the corners of her mouth, her eyes glinting with a look of amusement, directing a teasing grin at Uchiha Gin, who’s sidestepping her question.

"Stop! This isn’t some Tokyo drama, so cut it with those kinds of lines!"

Uchiha Gin, already on edge from the girl's odd smile, raises his hands in a stop gesture, desperate to end the scene before it veers too far, as if in some risqué movie.

"Ahem… Haruka, this is a top-secret matter within the clan. I hope you can keep this between us."

Feigning reluctance, Uchiha Gin scratches his cheek, casting a hopeful look at Uchiha Haruka, wishing she'd understand his plea.

“Oh~~”

Hearing this, Uchiha Haruka stares him down, locking her gaze on him until Gin, sweating and paling, finally turns his head away. Her lips curl ever so slightly.

"If that’s the case, I’ll keep your secret, Gin-san"

"Yes, that’s my good student!"

Thinking he’s gotten away with it, Gin wipes the sweat from his brow in relief.

"But..."

The girl’s voice rings out again, making Gin’s heart leap into his throat once more. He never realized how persistent Haruka could be.

"All units prepare, special guest entering!"

Just as Gin braces himself to hear more, an @everyone notification pops up in another group chat, pulling his focus.

"Wait! Whatever you were going to say, save it for later!"

Gin’s face changes as he raises a hand, halting the girl mid-sentence. Expanding his senses, he spots a glint in his eye.

It’s time.

“What’s going on?”

The girl, though interrupted, isn’t angry. She tilts her head curiously as she sees the serious look on Gin’s face.

"Have you ever heard of an attack that falls straight from the sky?"

Gin raises his brows as he slowly asks her.

"Huh?"

The girl is puzzled.

While Uchiha Gin and Haruka continue their conversation in the mental space, on the battlefield, Uchiha Madara is locked in fierce combat with the Senju brothers. Though Madara wanted to duel Hashirama alone, Tobirama’s sneaky attacks have made it a nuisance.

"HASHIRAMA! Face me one-on-one like a true warrior!"

Madara’s blue Susano’o, armed with four blades, blocks Tobirama's incoming water jets and cleaves through emerging wooden branches, blood flowing from his wounds in a hauntingly beautiful spray.

"Big brother, I’ll help you!"

Uchiha Izuna, who had recovered some strength, draws on his chakra, infusing it into his eyes as he locks onto Tobirama, his Sharingan spinning slowly and a familiar ominous aura radiating.

"What’s this...?"

Playing as Tobirama’s clone, Gin feels a jolt of terror as he catches Izuna’s gaze, sensing the familiar aura building in his eyes.

A black Amaterasu flame blooms on Tobirama’s body, searing with a soul-wrenching intensity.

As Tobirama, Gin knows countless ways to handle this, but he must act as Tobirama would.

“Tobirama, take it off!”

Seeing Tobirama struggle, Hashirama calls out, prompting Tobirama to shed his burning armor. Thankful for the advice, Tobirama strips off the scorched piece, his bare torso revealed as he gives Hashirama a thumbs-up.

"Heh, just a lucky guess!" Tobirama grins widely.

"All units prepare, the cameo is entering!"

Gin’s voice echoes in the minds of the Senju brothers, who exchange a nod, ready to wrap things up with one last performance.

"Move!"

The brothers shout in unison as Hashirama summons a large wooden shinshuu senju, its enormous hand bearing down on Uchiha Izuna.

"Urgh..."

Weakened from using Amaterasu, Izuna can only watch as the wooden hand descends toward him.

"Not so fast!"

In the final moment, a blue figure rushes in to shield Izuna, with Madara’s Susano’o forming around them to deflect the incoming strike.

"Big brother!"

Izuna’s eyes fill with shock and gratitude as he watches Madara shield him.

"Leave me! Go!" he shouts in desperation.

"Hmph! Uchiha Madara never abandons his brother."

Madara, teeth gritted, holds off the Shinsuu’s hand, locking eyes with Hashirama above, silently vowing not to lose his last family member.

"Heh, you’re still fighting, even when it's pointless."

A mocking voice interrupts them, as Tobirama strides over, spinning a kunai in hand, his eyes gleaming with malice.

"Senju Tobirama!"

Izuna, trembling with anger, glares at him with burning hatred.

"Tobirama!?"

Seeing him approach with a sinister grin, Madara feels a chill as his Susano’o begins to crack.

"Though I’d prefer to capture you alive, it seems you won’t cooperate. Time to join your fallen comrades."

Tobirama raises his kunai above the weakened Izuna, preparing to strike.

"No!"

Madara, his eyes brimming with desperation, unleashes a surge of dark energy, causing his Susano’o to grow in size, beginning to transform into a higher stage.

Noticing the change, Tobirama decides to end it quickly.

He signals to Hashirama, and together they double their efforts, the giant Shinsuu’s hands pressing down and breaking Madara’s growing Susano’o.

"CRACK!"

With a resounding snap, Madara’s Susano’o shatters, leaving the brothers vulnerable.

"Whizz~~"

In that critical moment, a loud sound fills the air. Tobirama pauses mid-strike, while Izuna stares up with wide eyes, not averting his gaze this time.

"Who’s there?"

Gin, using Tobirama’s clone, and everyone on the battlefield looks up to the clear blue sky. Madara’s eyes, sharp as ever, pierce through the blinding light.

"Wait… no way! Big brother, move!"

Noticing the rapidly falling figure, Tobirama’s face shifts to shock.

“Uchiha…?”

"Fear not, my child. Father is here!"