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"What? Why?"
Tobirama was shocked when he heard Yoichi's response, thinking he had misheard. But upon confirming that Yoichi indeed had no intention of dealing with Madara, Tobirama's expression darkened,
"Madara's Moon Eye Plan will destroy the entire ninja world. He could be resurrected at any moment. Isn't that enough to make you take this seriously?"
"Well, no, it's not enough. Konoha's next move is to annex Sunagakure and the Land of Wind. The entire village is focused on this goal. I'm aware of Madara, but that's all."
Yoichi replied calmly, his face expressionless. He hadn't been in a real fight for a long time, and with the Two-Tails and Nine-Tails in the village, Madara would have to confront Konoha if he wanted to collect the Tailed Beasts.
Given this, why bother actively pursuing Madara? Once Madara was done toying with Iwagakure and Kumogakure, he would undoubtedly turn his attention to Konoha.
"I have no objection to you reviving the First Hokage, but no Konoha ninja is to act without orders. This is the Hokage's command."
"You're not Hokage yet!"
"I will be in three days."
Yoichi stated. The village-wide election was over; only the inauguration ceremony, witnessed by the Daimyo and various nobles, remained. But Yoichi had already been exercising the authority of the Hokage for a long time.
"In short, Second Hokage, you may act on your own, but not with Konoha ninjas. Unless they voluntarily resign from Konoha."
This was Yoichi's final ultimatum, a message for Hiruzen, Jiraiya, Homura, and Koharu. If they chose to follow a previous Hokage, they should be prepared to be removed from the village.
Tobirama stood up, his voice icy,
"Brat, are you intentionally letting Madara go unchecked? For what? Is the Uchiha clan still in league with Madara?"
"Great-Uncle, what are you talking about!"
Tsunade stood up and shouted at Tobirama before moving between him and Yoichi.
"Yoichi must have his reasons. Don't jump to conclusions!"
"Tsunade..."
"That's enough, Great-Uncle. Nawaki came back today; why don't you come with me to see him instead of arguing with Yoichi?"
Tsunade realized that letting her great-uncle continue arguing with Yoichi would be futile. Both were stubborn and rarely heeded others' advice. Separately, they were reliable, but together they clashed.
But Yoichi was now Konoha's Hokage. After the inauguration in three days, he would hold the highest authority in the village. And in just a few years, Yoichi had developed the village to its current prosperous state, proving his capabilities surpassed all others.
Even if her grandfather had been the First Hokage, Tsunade would still feel this way. The changes in Konoha were undeniable. It had become the most desirable place to live in the Land of Fire, bar none.
"Alright, Great-Uncle, come with me."
Tsunade pushed Tobirama out of the Hokage building. She had grabbed his shoulders and wrist with such strength that he couldn't break free.
"Let's go, Great-Uncle. I'll show you around Konoha. Besides, I'm pregnant, so don't force me to take action. Yoichi, you go ahead with your work."
With that, Tsunade used her monstrous strength to drag Tobirama out of the office.
After Tobirama was led away by Tsunade, Yoichi turned to Hiruzen, Jiraiya, and the others,
"If there's nothing else, please leave. Remember what I said."
Hearing Yoichi's words, Hiruzen and the others left the room.
Once they had gone, Sakumo asked,
"Yoichi, what are you planning?"
"It's unnecessary to worry about Madara, Sakumo-senpai."
Yoichi replied bluntly,
"The Two-Tails and Nine-Tails are in Konoha. Madara can't execute his Moon Eye Plan without confronting Konoha. We'll wait for him to come to us. The Second Hokage is too focused on Madara, even wanting to use the entire village's strength against him. There's no way I can agree to that."
Yoichi was hoping Madara would go after the Eight-Tails first, crippling Kumogakure in the process. If Madara came to Konoha prematurely, Yoichi would simply drive him away, making him continue collecting the other Tailed Beasts.
Yoichi was eager to test his skills against Rinnegan Madara.
Recently, his genetic enhancement had been growing stronger. His clones constantly absorbed energy from the Ryumyaku in Roran and cultivated genetic energy to transfer back to him.
This had elevated Yoichi's physical capabilities to the level of a supreme war god. He had also advanced his Lightning Annihilation Mode to its second phase. With his current physical strength and refined medicinal pills, Yoichi could use the Thunder Flash technique over a hundred times consecutively.
He only feared that Madara wouldn't be strong enough!
"As long as you're confident, then it's fine. If you need my help, just call on me."
Sakumo said, his expression slightly more serious. Knowing Madara was still out there, he couldn't let his guard down.
"Sakumo-senpai, if you have the time, you should consider learning the Sage Mode from the Ryuchi Cave Snake Princesses. With your abilities, it shouldn't be difficult to master Sage Mode. It would significantly enhance your power."
Yoichi suggested. As the Fourth Hokage, Sakumo would be granted face if he sought training from Tagorihime or Ichikishimahime, who would likely guide him in learning Sage Mode.
Sakumo rarely used ninjutsu, but Sage Mode could enhance sensory abilities, physical traits, and chakra.
He might not need to face Six Paths-level opponents, but with Sage Mode, even Kage-level shinobi would find it challenging to stop Sakumo.
"I see. It looks like I can't afford to rest."
"Come on, your desk is already collecting dust!"
"Heh, Yoichi, don't spread rumors. I still come by sometimes."
Sakumo laughed as he left, pausing by the Hokage's office to peek inside, relieved to see no dust before he departed.
...
Outside the Hokage Building
"Great-Uncle, why would you say something like that to Yoichi? That was too much!"
After pulling Tobirama out of the Hokage building, Tsunade couldn't hold back her anger. She had forgotten how strict her great-uncle used to be when he scolded her.
"Tsunade, if Madara executes his plan, the entire ninja world will be destroyed. Do you not understand the gravity—"
Tobirama started, but Tsunade cut him off, hands on her hips,
"Alright, Great-Uncle, get to know the current Konoha first. I believe the reason Yoichi isn't agreeing with you is because Madara doesn't pose a threat!"
Tsunade sighed inwardly. She didn't know how powerful Madara was, but she knew Yoichi's strength well, as well as the improvements she had made after training with genetic enhancements.
In less than a year of training, Tsunade had felt her physical strength increase significantly from the genetic energy, even without practicing Sage Mode or injecting the Deadly Virus due to her pregnancy.
Yoichi had been training non-stop for a long time, using numerous wood clones to cultivate as well.
"Great-Uncle, let me show you around Konoha. A lot has changed since your time. Even Nawaki has died once, and Yoichi brought him back to life. Don't view Yoichi with prejudice. That little brat is a good person!"
As Tsunade spoke, she led Tobirama to other parts of the village. Tobirama, noticing her words, followed her.
Hiruzen had mentioned some of the village's affairs, but it seemed he hadn't said everything. Learning about it from his granddaughter would work too.
And the village indeed had changed drastically. It had expanded two to three times the size he remembered, with a significant increase in population. He would wait until evening to bring back his brother.
Whether or not Madara could control his brother, Tobirama didn't care. If he could meet the Sage of Six Paths, his brother, who was even stronger, should be able to as well.
"Tsunade-sama, please slow down. You're close to your due date."
Shizune, panting, caught up and nagged Tsunade. This was an S-rank mission assigned by the Fifth Hokage.
Tobirama frowned and scolded,
"Tsunade, you're about to be a mother. Act with more caution."
Tsunade groaned, covering her ears and quickening her pace,
"There you go again, Great-Uncle! Save your lectures for Nawaki. He's died once already!"
...
"Edo Tensei!"
Paper scraps gathered and covered a White Zetsu clone, slowly transforming into the form of Minato.
"Done. That's the tenth Edo Tensei combat unit. This should be enough, right?"
White Zetsu said. Controlling these ten Edo Tensei bodies required ten special clones. However, White Zetsu clones had limited combat awareness, forcing them to either rely on the combat instincts of the reanimated or erase their consciousness altogether.
Both choices had drawbacks. Removing the consciousness left only basic combat instincts, allowing the Edo Tensei bodies to perform at half their former strength. If they issued orders, the reanimated might reveal information.
"Where's Madara-sama?"
"He'll be back soon."
White Zetsu had barely finished answering Black Zetsu's question when Madara walked in.
Returning, Madara looked over the Edo Tensei bodies and, seeing no sign of Hashirama, asked,
"Isn't Hashirama here?"
"Not just Hashirama; no other villages' First or Second Kage are reanimated. With you gone, if something happened like last time, we wouldn't be able to handle it."
Black Zetsu explained. They had only reanimated the Third Mizukage, Third Kazekage, Minato, and a few other recent deaths. Unfortunately, the Third Raikage's body couldn't be found.
After hearing the name Hagoromo, Black Zetsu had grown wary. They feared the revived Kage might have been warned or aided by Hagoromo, foiling their plans.
"Madara-sama, is it time to move now?"
Madara replied,
"Let's move. Black Zetsu, come with me. White Zetsu, take these Edo Tensei bodies and capture the wild Three-Tails."
"Madara-sama, are you planning to be revived?"
"Yes, Nagato hasn't made a move recently. Counting on him to collect the Tailed Beasts is unrealistic. Better for me to take the lead."
Black Zetsu added,
"Hehe, after using that technique, Nagato might still survive, but he's of no use now. Madara-sama, what about the other members of the Akatsuki?"
"Fugaku and that kid? Let them be for now. They can still be of some use!"
With that, Madara walked outside, and Black Zetsu disappeared into the ground.
Both moved swiftly. As an Edo Tensei, Madara didn't need to worry about chakra. Compared to his living state, he only had less chakra, but it regenerated quickly.
In the underground, Black and White Zetsu moved like fish in water, faster than Madara. And since Nagato was already under surveillance by White Zetsu clones, Madara soon located him.
Nagato was currently resting, returning with Konan and Fugaku Uchiha after leaving Kumogakure. The three had just secured an alliance agreement with the Fourth Raikage, thanks largely to Fugaku's eloquence. If Nagato or Konan had gone alone, they might have angered the Fourth Raikage instead.
"Fugaku, after we return, Akatsuki should—"
Nagato began discussing Akatsuki's future with Fugaku when he sensed a powerful chakra approaching. His expression changed as he said,
"Someone's coming. Their chakra is extremely strong. Prepare for battle!"
Nagato used the Summoning Jutsu to call forth the Six Paths of Pain.
Konan and Fugaku readied themselves. If Nagato mentioned a strong chakra, the enemy must be formidable.
With a boom, a figure landed from the sky, kicking up a cloud of dust. As the figure emerged, Fugaku recognized him immediately.
Though he looked younger, Fugaku could tell it was Madara.
Nagato stared coldly at Madara, asking,
"Who are you, and what do you want with us?"
"Nagato... You've experienced the power of the Sage. Now it's time to repay me."
Madara stood with arms crossed, looking down at Nagato, Konan, and Fugaku, paying no heed to the battle-ready Nagato and Konan.
"I am Madara, the one who gave you the Rinnegan, Nagato. Now is the time for you to repay me."
"Another Madara? What nonsense... Konan!"
Before Nagato could finish, Fugaku's Susano'o materialized, its skeletal hand grabbing Konan in a chakra grip.
"Fugaku, what are you doing!"
Nagato's voice was filled with rage. This was the second time Konan had been captured, and both times right beside him.
(End of Chapter)