"Hm?"
Hashirama Senju looked at Madara Uchiha with suspicion.
He had imagined countless possible responses from Madara—
But this one…
He had never expected.
"You mean… you didn't die at the Valley of the End?"
"You guessed right," Madara said with a faint smirk.
"That's impossible. I personally carried your body back. I examined it carefully—you had no signs of life," Hashirama replied calmly.
"Have you forgotten the forbidden technique of the Uchiha clan… Izanagi?" Madara said, his gaze fixed on him.
Hearing this—
Hashirama froze.
In that instant, everything clicked.
Izanagi—
The ultimate forbidden ocular technique of the Uchiha.
A perfect genjutsu.
For a short period of time, it allows the user to turn death and all unfavorable outcomes into illusion—
While converting advantageous outcomes into reality.
In other words—
It grants a terrifying form of temporary invincibility.
Of course—
It comes with a cost.
The eye used to activate Izanagi would permanently lose its light, never to open again.
Back then, at the Valley of the End—
Madara had used this very technique…
To deceive Hashirama completely.
Seeing Hashirama fall silent, Madara added lightly:
"Whether you believe it or not doesn't really matter anymore, Hashirama."
He shrugged, no longer interested in arguing.
To him—
The moment he arrived in this world—
Everything he once longed for, everything he once hated…
Had already faded into nothingness.
Even if Hashirama truly had killed him back then—
He wouldn't dwell on it now.
"I believe you," Hashirama said calmly. "I know Izanagi."
At that moment—
Tornado and the others walked in.
"So… is this our new companion?" Yoriichi Tsugikuni asked first.
"You're right," Acnologia replied lazily from the sofa. "I can tell—he feels like one of us."
Hashirama's expression softened again as he smiled warmly.
"My name is Hashirama Senju. I look forward to working with all of you. I've just arrived, so I'm still unfamiliar with this world."
Is stood up as well and began introducing everyone.
"The one lying on the sofa is Acnologia. The gentle and elegant one is Retsu Unohana."
"The tsundere loli over there is Tornado. The swordsman is Yoriichi Tsugikuni. And as for the one on the other sofa… I don't think I need to introduce him—you know him better than I do. Madara Uchiha."
"IS!!!"
Tornado immediately puffed up in anger, hands on her hips.
"Why am I introduced as a 'tsundere loli' while everyone else gets something cool?!"
"Isn't that accurate?" Acnologia shot back.
"Shut up!" Tornado snapped, glaring at him before turning back to Is.
Is gave a helpless smile.
"Alright, fine. I take that back… This short one here is Tornado."
"IS!!!"
Tornado stomped her foot.
"I'm mad now!"
"Hahahahaha—!"
Laughter filled the hall.
The atmosphere was lively and warm.
"Just kidding," Is added with a grin. "Hashirama, standing before you is Tornado—powerful, beautiful, and exceptionally talented."
"Hmph. That's more like it."
"Do you even believe that yourself?" Acnologia teased again.
"Whether I believe it or not is none of your business!"
With more people gathered—
The atmosphere grew livelier.
And naturally—
So did the banter.
But beneath it all—
There was no hostility.
Only camaraderie.
Meanwhile—
In the New World, on a certain island—
On a rock by the shore—
Edward Newgate suddenly opened his eyes, gasping for air.
Yes—
He had survived that battle.
"You're awake… Edward."
A hoarse voice came from behind him.
Whitebeard turned around.
Sitting at the edge of the rock—
Clothes tattered, hair disheveled—
Was none other than Rocks D. Xebec.
Compared to his former imposing presence—
He now looked exhausted and battered.
"…Captain Rocks…"
Whitebeard started to speak—
But stopped himself.
Slowly, he stood up, grabbed his naginata, and walked over.
"What's the situation now?"
"The Rocks Pirates… have been completely scattered. Many officers have already been sent to Impel Down."
As he spoke—
A dark aura seeped from Rocks' body.
His anger had reached its peak.
"The World Government… the Marines… the Celestial Dragons…"
"One day, I will return."
"I will settle this debt."
Whitebeard sat down beside him, calm as ever.
"What's your plan, Captain?"
"Recover. Rebuild. Recruit new members… and set sail again."
"I'll make the World Government fear me once more."
"I'll show them who truly rules this sea."
He paused, then glanced at Whitebeard.
"That Celestial Dragon… Aurelius D. Virel ·Is, right?"
"Yes."
"When I return… I will make him pay."
Rocks' eyes burned with determination.
But—
What he didn't know was—
That from this point onward—
The gap between them would only grow wider.
By the time he returned—
He wouldn't be the one seeking revenge.
He would be the one facing defeat.
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