"Congratulations."
Akihara Kagura laughed while speaking.
The laughter in Akihara Kagura's voice was insincere, almost mocking: "Congratulations on discovering the truth of this world once again."
"You little brat..."
Uchiha Madara took a deep breath.
If Akihara Kagura were in front of him, Uchiha Madara could guarantee that he would use all his strength to send Akihara Kagura to a death beyond any known demise!
These matters were exposed in public, and many Konoha ninjas were now aware of everything. They also knew that a legendary figure had his life toyed with!
Today…
Uchiha Madara felt a tremendous shock!
The truth about Black Zetsu's deceit was revealed, and it was Akihara Kagura's scheme that exposed Black Zetsu's true nature!
Is there anything more infuriating than having your life manipulated by someone else?
Of course there is!
That is, having someone still trying to control your life!
"Don't be angry."
Akihara Kagura's voice suddenly rose, praising Uchiha Madara: "Madara, you truly are a legendary figure. At least half of your plan succeeded..."
"Many years ago, you began orchestrating your own death and rebirth. Upon your rebirth, you would use immense power to defeat all enemies, and it is only natural you should be rewarded for that..."
"Consider that piece of bark that revealed Black Zetsu's true identity, a secret buried for a millennium in the ninja world, as my reward to you this time!"
"Such arrogance, brat..."
Uchiha Madara squinted his eyes at the three reanimated Hokage, and coldly said to Akihara Kagura, who was controlling them from behind: "Brat, I will show you that not everyone can wield conspiracies as they wish..."
"Attempting to control others' lives..."
"You will pay an unimaginable price!"
"I know..."
Akihara Kagura laughed and suddenly retorted: "Madara, didn't you also manipulate Nagato and Obito?"
"..."
Uchiha Madara's expression froze.
"However..."
Akihara Kagura's voice turned cold and arrogant: "If you don't want to consider today's events as my reward to you, then consider it my punishment!"
"Today ends here!"
Akihara Kagura, controlling Hashirama's body, glanced at everyone present and bid them farewell: "Please take good care of yourselves. We may have the opportunity to meet again in the future."
After finishing, Akihara Kagura's voice disappeared.
Tobirama and Minato simultaneously placed their hands on Hashirama's shoulders.
Evidently.
They were about to leave.
Akihara Kagura's objective had been achieved.
With two users of the Flying Thunder God Technique, no one could stop them from taking Hashirama away; everyone could only watch as they left.
In Konoha Village.
The turmoil finally subsided.
However, the most troublesome issue emerged after the storm had calmed.
Since Akihara Kagura, the village's strongest ninja and assistant to the Hokage, defected and even attempted to destroy the ninja world, it was impossible to keep this a secret, causing considerable shock within Konoha Village.
Besides that…
There was also the problem of Uchiha Madara.
Uchiha Madara was not one to submit easily.
In the entire history of the ninja world, Uchiha Madara had only ever submitted to one person, the First Hokage Hashirama, but that was in the past.
Tsunade felt extremely troubled.
Because Konoha had no way to deal with Uchiha Madara.
All the Konoha ninjas present witnessed Uchiha Madara's strength, and without Akihara Kagura, Konoha had no means to resist him.
Even though Uchiha Madara was once one of the masterminds behind these conspiracies in the ninja world, Konoha had no power to judge him and even needed to rely on his strength to oppose Akihara Kagura.
In theory…
Uchiha Madara was the only one who could possibly oppose Akihara Kagura.
Compared to Tsunade…
Uchiha Madara was slightly better.
Although his experience today was exceedingly humiliating, he had been resurrected, and in his peak form no less. Now, he only wanted to find Akihara Kagura for revenge!
"Madara!"
Tsunade had to speak up, advising sternly: "If you go seeking revenge on Kagura, you might not be his match..."
"Hmm?"
Uchiha Madara frowned.
This woman…
On what grounds did she say he was no match for Akihara Kagura?
"Kagura's strength is indeed formidable…"
Jiraiya stood beside Tsunade and couldn't help but remind Uchiha Madara: "He has at least three types of Kekkei Genkai: Wood Release, Dust Release, and Lava Release..."
"Perhaps even my great-grandfather is no match for him," Tsunade had to add, hoping Madara would calm down. "My great-grandfather's Sage Art: True Several Thousand Hands, Akihara Kagura can easily perform it too!"
Based on their known history, Uchiha Madara couldn't even defeat the First Hokage, Hashirama, so how could he possibly contend with someone stronger than Hashirama?
"That makes me even more interested," Madara responded with a cold smile, ignoring their warnings. "Hashirama told me that this kid is even stronger than him, which is exactly why I want to meet him..."
"Perfect," Madara clenched his fist, confident in his own strength improvements. "Now, I've surpassed Hashirama and need a stronger opponent!"
Uchiha Madara was an extreme battle enthusiast! Jiraiya and Tsunade's persuasion only fueled his desire to fight Akihara Kagura, as Madara never shied away from a challenge!
"If you want to find Akihara Kagura..." Orochimaru chuckled lightly, reminding Madara, "You might want to check where Uchiha Obito is; you might find him there..."
"Obito, huh..." Madara nodded thoughtfully.
"One more thing..." Orochimaru continued with a smile, "Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is also there, and Akihara Kagura might want to capture the Nine-Tails..."
"The Nine-Tails?" Madara recalled the beast he had once controlled, his gaze falling on the Gedo Statue lying outside Konoha, frowning slightly.
Currently, the Gedo Statue contains seven Tailed Beasts. However, until he uncovered the full truth, until he killed Black Zetsu and Akihara Kagura, Madara would not continue with the Eye of the Moon Plan; he had no intention of doing Black Zetsu's bidding!
"The Gedo Statue..." Madara touched his Rinnegan, contemplating how to handle the Gedo Statue, as he could summon it anytime with his Rinnegan.
But the Gedo Statue's existence was too mysterious. Madara decided not to use the Gedo Statue, his Susanoo rising abruptly and tossing the Gedo Statue outside Konoha!
"Chibaku Tensei!" Madara raised his hand, throwing a black sphere towards the Gedo Statue, sealing it within a Chibaku Tensei. Outside Konoha, a floating stone sphere suddenly appeared!
"!!!" This move shocked all the Konoha ninja present! Though many had seen the Chibaku Tensei before, witnessing Madara casually and effortlessly perform it was astonishing!
"Now..." Madara, having finished his task, walked step by step towards Nagato: "First, I'll reclaim my other Rinnegan."
"..." Konan gritted her teeth, standing protectively by Nagato's side!
Konan's eyes reflected pain, paper continuously floating around her, despite knowing she was no match for Madara!
Having performed the Rinne Rebirth, Nagato was already on the brink of death, his weak body unable to even muster a final burst of energy.
"Konan..." Nagato shook his head, indicating for Konan to step aside, even as he struggled to pluck out his Rinnegan, extending his hand: "The most important thing now is to stop Akihara Kagura; only he has the power to confront him..."
"But..."
"Nagato, after what he did to you..." Konan had listened to Akihara Kagura and Madara's conversation, knowing everything that had happened to Nagato and the Akatsuki was due to Black Zetsu and Madara.
Could they really forgive their enemy just like that?
"Konan..." Jiraiya, wanting to persuade his disciple, hoped she wouldn't die needlessly, not believing this was the time for internal conflict: "Don't do anything pointless, Madara was manipulated by Black Zetsu..."
"Hmph!" Madara's figure instantly bypassed Konan, taking the Rinnegan from Nagato's hand and calmly inserting it into his own eye socket.
"Don't worry... I won't destroy the ninja world like that extreme kid."
Uchiha Madara seemed somewhat satisfied that Nagato voluntarily handed over the Rinnegan, and he explained further: "Everything I have done has been for the sake of a more enduring peace. Peace requires sacrifices..."
"Then... I entrust it to you..."
Nagato could only respond weakly.
"Hmph, since everything began with my eyes, it is only natural that I should end it."
With a snort, Uchiha Madara disappeared instantly.
After he left, Konan looked at Nagato, who could no longer speak, and silently accompanied him on his final journey.
Once Nagato's Rinnegan was completely removed, the Six Paths of Pain collapsed to the ground, with the body of Tendo Pain falling beside Nagato.
The three former members of the Land of Rain...
Finally, only Konan remained.
"Nagato..."
Orochimaru suddenly approached and spoke: "Your power could be crucial in the crises facing the ninja world. I can revive you in your prime after your death..."
As these words were spoken...
The atmosphere suddenly grew somber.
Because the battle between Akihara Kagura and Uchiha Madara was still undecided, they believed that Uchiha Madara was more likely to fail. By then, the ninja world would still face the crisis of Akihara Kagura, and any additional strength would be an advantage.
"I... can..."
Nagato could not even complete a sentence.
"Let me handle it."
Kabuto interrupted their conversation, adjusting his glasses, and joined the competition for Nagato's body: "I actually don't fully trust Lord Orochimaru!"
"You?"
Orochimaru's mouth curled into a sneer.
Without the support of Akihara Kagura, what could Kabuto possibly use to contend with him now?
"Wait..."
Tsunade interrupted them, asking sternly: "If I remember correctly, doesn't the Edo Tensei require a living sacrifice?"
Orochimaru smiled nonchalantly and replied: "Sacrificing an insignificant person to gain a powerful ally in war, Tsunade, you should know how to choose, right?"
"This matter will be discussed later!"
Tsunade cut off Orochimaru's words, coldly commanding: "Uchiha Madara may not be a match for Akihara Kagura. What we need to do now is unite all the forces in the ninja world, as proposed by Hanzo of the Salamander, to resolve this crisis of the world's destruction..."
"And!"
When Tsunade spoke to this point, her expression became serious: "Immediately send people to recall all the ninjas! Investigate how many Root ninjas have defected!"
"If the Root ninjas choose to defect..."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed sharply, and she commanded sternly: "Before the great war begins, any defectors from Root are to be hunted down, and anyone has the right to kill them on sight!"
The Root ninjas were indeed loyal to Akihara Kagura.
Given Tsunade's impression of Root, it was feared that if Akihara Kagura intended to destroy the ninja world and betray Konoha, the Root ninjas might not be willing to betray him.
Root...
More than eighty dual Kekkei Genkai ninjas...
Most importantly, these dual Kekkei Genkai ninjas all had at least elite jōnin-level combat power. Assembled, they formed a formidable force capable of defeating the ANBU of a great ninja village!
"And most importantly..."
Tsunade took a deep breath and said seriously: "Publicly announce the increase in the bounty level for rogue ninjas, declaring the auxiliary to the Hokage, Akihara Kagura, an SSS-level rogue ninja!"
On the other hand,
The Root ninjas were unaware of all this.
Uchiha Sasuke was leading a group of Root ninjas towards the area where Uchiha Obito was located. Uchiha Obito was still using his abilities to fight against Team Seven and other squads, while Uchiha Madara was also hurrying in that direction.
Valley of the End.
Akihara Kagura sat on a small stool, with a fishing rod by his side, but his attention was not on fishing. Instead, he was playing with a small toothpick.
If not for Tsunade providing him with precise chakra control as the Hokage, Akihara Kagura would not be sure he could even carve on a toothpick.
It seems...
Every superior has their uses.
Unfortunately, Akihara Kagura's list of superiors was already empty.
"Karin."
Akihara Kagura, while carving the toothpick, felt somewhat frustrated by its small size and had to speak: "I remember that Torune has nanometer-sized insects in his body, right? Have him come over and use the insects to help me falsify some history..."
"I will call him."
Karin quickly nodded.
Aburama Torune and Yamanaka Fu were Akihara Kagura's personal guards.
However, Akihara Kagura never needed them, so most of the time they stayed with Karin, secretly protecting her.
Moreover...
They didn't really fit in with the Uchiha.
"And Fu..."
"Have him come over too."
Akihara Kagura flipped the toothpick in his hand and lightly ordered: "While Torune and I are falsifying history, let him watch the fishing rod for me. I guess a fish will be caught soon…"
~~~
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— Ending + Extra Chapters!
Read upto Chapter 348: End! + Extra Chapters of Sasuke's Rebirth where the world Akihara Kagura is not around. Thank you!