Madara's fist connected with Tsunade's midsection, the impact reverberating through her body. She staggered, but he didn't follow up, effortlessly sidestepping her retaliatory punches. "Zetsu," he called, his voice calm and expression impassive. Tsunade continued her assault, her blows swishing through the air as Madara dodged with minimal effort.
Just as Tsunade prepared another strike, she froze, hearing a scream behind her. "Shizune!" she yelled, spinning around in alarm.
Shizune stood rigid, held by a half-white, half-black creature, a sharp wooden spike poised at her throat. "Let her go!" Tsunade shouted, starting to charge at Zetsu.
Madara's hand clamped down on her shoulder with a steely grip. "If you move closer to her, she dies. If you attack me, she dies. If you disobey me, she dies. Understood?" His voice was chillingly calm, his eyes unwavering.
Tsunade's glare could have melted steel. "What is the meaning of this?!"
"I need you, but I cannot convince you, nor can I defeat you in battle." Madara's tone was unyielding, his face devoid of emotion.
"Madara!" Jiraiya's voice rang out from behind.
Madara turned to face him, his gaze sharp. "What?"
Jiraiya's expression was serious, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor. "What are you doing?"
Madara folded his arms, his posture relaxed yet imposing. "You're not needed here. Return to Konoha."
Tsunade's eyes darted between Madara and Jiraiya, anger and confusion warring on her face. The building was thick with tension, each second stretching into eternity. The smell of sake hung in the air, mingling with the scent of fear and adrenaline.
Jiraiya's glare was fierce. "Did you forget our mission? We're here to bring Tsunade back through normal means, not coercion!"
Madara's expression remained stoic. "I have no interest in returning her to Konoha."
Jiraiya's eyes widened in shock. "What?! You'll be exiled!"
Madara turned to face Tsunade. "I do not intend to return to Konoha. I simply needed a means to leave."
Jiraiya formed a Rasengan, its swirling energy illuminating his determined face. "You think I'll just let you get away?"
"Zetsu," Madara called.
"Yes?" Zetsu replied, his grin malevolent.
"If he moves from that spot, kill her," Madara ordered. Zetsu nodded eagerly. Madara shifted his attention back to Tsunade. "Do you understand my rules?"
Tsunade glared but gave a reluctant nod. "Yes."
Madara nodded, then delivered a precise chop to Tsunade's neck, knocking her unconscious. "Take them to the hideout. I have other matters to attend to."
Zetsu nodded, swiftly incapacitating Shizune and grabbing Tsunade's limp form. They sank into the ground together. Madara turned back to Jiraiya, his eyes cold and unyielding. Without a word, he disappeared in a swirl of flames.
Jiraiya's heart pounded with frustration. He gritted his teeth and sprinted back to Konoha, his mind racing with thoughts of Madara's betrayal and the implications for the village. The wind whipped past him, the landscape a blur as he raced to inform Minato of the dire turn of events.
*One Day Later*
Jiraiya burst into Konoha, crashing through the Hokage's office window, sending shards of glass flying.
Minato jumped up, eyes wide with alarm. "Sensei! What's wrong? Where's Madara?"
Jiraiya's expression was grim. "He's deserted the village and kidnapped Tsunade."
YOU ARE READING
Uchiha Naruto: The Strongest
ActionUchiha Madara had one goal in his life: peace, but he was unable to accomplish that due to the struggles of his best friend, his little brother, and Madara's humanity. However, Madara didn't give up hope. He had a child, and hoped one of his descend...
