Hashirama Senju

Sasuke announces that Hashirama's reply will settle whether he seeks vengeance against Konohagakure, a threat that pushes a furious Tobirama to ready himself for combat. Their wordless duel of resolve throws the onlookers into panic and rattles the Naka Shrine itself, until Tobirama yields at Hashirama's command; Hiruzen exhales in relief while Minato looks on in wonder. Calling Itachi the finer shinobi of the two of them, Hashirama consents to give a full accounting, warning that it will be a long one.

As Hashirama asks for time to condense the tale, Orochimaru discloses the war raging beyond the village with Madara at the head of the assault. Hiruzen begs to be released so they can defend their people, and Minato and Tobirama confirm the danger through their sensing, the former proud that his son has learned to fight alongside Kurama. Orochimaru refuses to free them and even toys with the idea of turning them against Konoha on Sasuke's whim. Tobirama moves to defy his summoner and head for the battlefield, but the reincarnation's hold, strengthened by newly acquired Hashirama cells, pins everyone except Hashirama, who alone tears free.

Reassuring the Sannin, Hashirama declares that his first goal is to draw Sasuke out of the darkness gripping him, then settles onto the ground to begin the story of his confrontation with Madara at the Valley of the End. The chapter belongs to the Fourth Shinobi World War: Climax arc. In its original run, Sasuke's deactivated eyes showed his ordinary Mangekyo Sharingan, whereas the collected volume layered Itachi's pattern over it to depict his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.