Boom—
Senju Hashirama's spirit was sent flying, instantly passing through the walls and disappearing into the wooden house.
Uchiha Madara retracted his fist and stood up.
His pale purple Rinnegan eyes coldly glanced at Yamanaka Shinno.
A normal soul couldn't harm the living, but for a powerful spirit infused with an immense amount of chakra, the rules were different.
Losing their physical body meant they could no longer use many abilities, but it also freed them from physical constraints, allowing them to achieve feats otherwise impossible.
"Speed on par with the Spirit Transformation Technique..."
Shinno was slightly alarmed but showed little reaction beyond that.
Until...
...
Name: Uchiha Madara (Spirit)
Occupation: Ninja
Traits: Yin-Yang Reincarnation (Gold), Will of a Hundred Battles (Red), Rose of the Battlefield (Red), Talent of the Sage Clan (Purple), Twin Warlords of the Warring States (Purple), Song of Blood and Fire (Purple), Born Warlord (Purple), Solitary Soul (Blue), Polymath (Blue), Strategist of Chaos (Blue), Brother Complex (Green), Bound by Fate (Gray), Obsession (Gray).
Note: When copying bloodline-related traits in spirit form, there is a probability of defects or adaptive mutations.
...
!!!!
Nerfed!
But also, not really!
The weakened red trait Yin-Yang Convergence had directly evolved into the golden Yin-Yang Reincarnation!
"Damn it! I've been cheating this whole time and still haven't gotten a single golden trait!"
Shinno cursed inwardly while silently gathering the natural energy around him.
Golden traits were undeniably strong, but his current strength was far beyond what it was when he fought old-age Madara.
On top of that, he had the Natural Sage Body, granting him immense chakra reserves and recovery ability.
And with Guaranteed Decapitation Slash providing conceptual-level lethality, he had nothing to fear in a real fight!
Madara's expression remained icy as his Rinnegan locked onto Shinno, who stood firm without retreating an inch.
Then, Madara spoke coldly.
"Contract."
"Hm?"
Shinno blinked before quickly understanding.
Without hesitation, he formed the Soul Contract.
He had already explained Black Zetsu's conspiracy and the purpose of the Soul Contract earlier.
Madara signing it immediately was proof that he believed Shinno's words.
He just couldn't bring himself to accept the fact that he had been deceived yet again.
Hashirama's earlier words, though clearly meant to rile him up, had at least given him a legitimate reason to leave the Pure Land.
Even if it meant taking a friendship-breaking punch as an entrance fee.
After leaving his soul imprint on the contract, Madara lifted his chin slightly with his usual arrogant demeanor.
He knew he had lost their last battle.
His body was on its last legs, afflicted by an unknown jutsu that took away his Mangekyō Sharingan and weakened his Sage Body.
But a loss was a loss. Only cowards refused to accept defeat.
He wouldn't belittle his opponent. That was something only the weak did.
However...
The fact that the person who defeated him had been wearing Senju Tobirama's face made his very soul feel uncomfortable!
"Stop playing childish games of pretend! A strong warrior should act with dignity!"
"Madara~ If you're not happy with it, I suppose I could ..."
Before Shinno could respond, Hashirama zipped through the walls like a gust of wind and appeared next to Madara.
"Shut up!"
A massive "#" mark of frustration bulged on Madara's forehead as he turned and stomped back toward the Pure Land without looking back.
His walking speed, however, was noticeably slower than when he had rushed out to throw a punch.
"Hey, wait, wait!"
Hashirama jogged after him, then turned back to Shinno with a grin.
"Grandson-in-law, if you get the chance, take me to see what Konoha looks like these days. I'll catch up with Madara first."
"Uh..."
Shinno stared at the two disappearing figures and the gradually fading summoning array with a speechless expression.
They really just ran off?
What was this, a lover's quarrel where outsiders weren't allowed to watch?
Damn it!
Hashirama, you never said a word when Madara used your cells to awaken the Rinnegan.
But the moment he punched you, you just let it slide?
If Madara were a woman, Uzumaki Mito would be fuming right now!
Shinno shook his head, pushing the ridiculous thought away.
Activating Flying Thunder God, he returned to Konoha.
Originally, he had planned to compare the differences between Hashirama's Wood Release and Sage Mode after forming a contract with him.
But who could've guessed he'd just run off after Madara?
...
Noon
As the New Year approached, Konoha was alive with a festive atmosphere.
On this final day of the year, villagers who were usually busy with daily life dressed in traditional clothing, strolling the streets with family and friends, enjoying food and playing games.
Even rarely seen street vendors lined the roads with various snacks and carnival games.
Singers and performers from nearby towns took the stage in the village square, entertaining the crowd with special New Year performances.
Shinno, dressed in a black robe embroidered with golden patterns—distinct from Konoha's usual attire—walked beside Uzumaki Kushina, who wore a stunning cloud-patterned hanfu.
Their appearance drew many curious glances.
Kushina, clearly delighted with the outfit Shinno had prepared in advance, was practically glowing with happiness.
She clung to his arm, reveling in the attention they received.
As they wandered the streets, Shinno's empty stomach was gradually filled with all the snacks Kushina kept feeding him.
The bustling crowd, the lively festival stalls, the middle-aged vendor inviting customers to try catching goldfish with a thin paper net—
Shinno silently activated his Mind Transmission Technique, sending orders to Root operatives in the area.
Large festivals like this, with relaxed security and high foot traffic, were prime opportunities for espionage.
And sure enough, after just one street, he had already identified three spies from other villages.
Who knew how many more were lurking in Konoha right now?
...
As night fell, fireworks burst into the sky.
After a full afternoon of wandering the festival, Shinno and Kushina leaned against each other at the top of the building, watching the dazzling lights of Konoha and the fireworks illuminating the night.
"Shinno, do you think it was bad of us to leave Tsunade out and have fun all day?"
Kushina huddled closer against him, shivering slightly in the cool night air.
"I think bringing her along would've been worse."
Shinno recalled the murderous look Tsunade had given him last night. Something felt off.
It didn't make sense.
She should've just brushed off the strange feeling in her body after running some tests.
Even if she was unusually annoyed, without concrete evidence, she wouldn't normally go after him.
...
Forget it.
If she really tries anything, worst case, he'll have her grandfather lecture her.
"Shinno, why don't you secretly check what Tsunade's up to?"
Kushina giggled, giving him a playful kiss.
"Fine."
Shinno formed a hand seal, linking to Konoha's sensory barrier.
Locating Tsunade's chakra, he quickly pinpointed her location.
...
The hospital?
Third floor, far-right wing...
That's the human specimen storage room!
Wait—why the hell is she in there on New Year's Eve?!
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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