(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)
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"Black Zetsu! What the hell is going on?"
Using the Yin-Yang Release technique, Madara easily contacted Black Zetsu, who was hidden deep underground.
While he was happy earlier and was chatting with Hashirama, he knew something wrong was going on because his rival wasn't supposed to be resurrected.
"Madara-sama... the situation is very complicated."
Black Zetsu's face darkened even more. ~ (Although it couldn't be seen)
Things were getting out of control.
First, Obito was attacked, and now Orochimaru had jumped into the fray, complicating everything.
Clearly, Orochimaru had absorbed some of the Ten Tails' power, and his goal was now the remaining body of the beast.
When it came to Obito or Madara, Black Zetsu had enough confidence to manipulate them with the promise of the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
But Orochimaru? He was a different breed entirely.
He wasn't a paranoid idealist; he was a scientist.
Back when they both worked in the Akatsuki, Black Zetsu had interacted with Orochimaru a few times.
Orochimaru wasn't concerned about creating an ideal world—he was obsessed with mastering every ninjutsu in existence.
In such a case, who knew if he'd even carry out the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan as intended? No, more likely than not, he wouldn't.
Things were becoming more difficult.
He then started to explain to Madara what had transpired so far.
Madara almost popped a vessel when he heard Black Zetsu's report.
But then he remembered—he was in the form of the Impure World Reincarnation so it didn't matter.
"My Gedo Statue was taken? And you didn't even try to stop it?"
If Madara could, he would have been fuming. But he was under control right now.
The Gedo Statue was divided into pieces and sold to the highest bidder.
And Obito, with three-quarters of it under his control, had failed the mission due to some attack by a mere Uchiha kid?
Madara glanced at Sasuke, whose appearance was eerily reminiscent of his younger brother, Izuna.
This only deepened Madara's frustration.
"So, what now? I can't escape Orochimaru's Impure World Reincarnation!"
Had it not been for Obito, Madara would have already implemented his plan and resurrected himself.
Black Zetsu pondered for a moment before offering a suggestion, though it wasn't the best.
"Madara-sama, while Orochimaru may have your Rinnegan, he lacks the Uchiha bloodline."
"Even if he becomes the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, he won't be the strongest. He may even be attacked by the Ten Tails."
"Why not take advantage of this and let the ninja Coalition wear him down?"
As Kaguya's Will, Black Zetsu knew how difficult it was to maintain control over the Ten Tails.
Possessing the Rinnegan was only a part of it—willpower and physical endurance were equally critical.
Orochimaru, without Uchiha or Senju blood, would struggle to control the Ten Tails.
Black Zetsu viewed Orochimaru as just another "civilian ninja," undeserving of such power.
Madara wasn't happy with this plan.
Relying on an enemy to fail? A proud man like him loathed leaving things to chance.
He had made that mistake once before, entrusting his ideal of peace to Hashirama, and he wouldn't make that mistake again.
"Black Zetsu, find Obito's Rinnegan and cast Rinne Tensei to bring me back!"
Madara ordered.
Once he was resurrected, he could easily free himself from the control of the Impure World Reincarnation. Even if Orochimaru became the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, Madara had no doubt he could overpower him.
Meanwhile, Orochimaru allowed the situation to unfold, giving the Kages a brief respite.
Even Sasuke took the opportunity to ask the Second Hokage Tobirama about his role in the Uchiha clan's downfall.
Tobirama gave his answer.
"I followed my brother's ideal. Anyone who joins Konoha is a member of the village. I wouldn't raise a weapon against the families in my village."
"However..." Tobirama glanced at Sarutobi Hiruzen, his disappointment evident, causing Hiruzen to bow his head in shame.
"The younger generation misunderstood my intentions and caution, only inheriting my fear of Uchiha but not understanding the deeper meaning. I never meant to completely eradicate them, but rather stay cautious"
Tobirama sighed.
He did feel some regret for the Uchiha's downfall, but what he mostly felt was disappointment in Sarutobi's incompetence in handling the village's affairs.
"Tobirama, you are still so hypocritical and shameless. You're exactly the person I hate the most."
Madara, having finished his conversation with Black Zetsu, overheard Tobirama and Sasuke's exchange and scoffed.
From his point of view, Tobirama's cautious nature was inherited and to the current age, and its effect have shown up in the form of the eradication of the Uchiha clan, yet Tobirama was still thinking his perspective was correct.
"Uchiha Madara! I'll listen to anyone but you!" Tobirama's face darkened as his chakra flared with anger, preparing to attack.
But Orochimaru, with a playful smile, raised his fingers in a gesture and suppressed Tobirama's chakra.
"You two, this isn't the time for infighting," Orochimaru said, gazing at the moonlit sky.
Night had fallen again, and the massive moon seemed closer than ever.
Orochimaru formed a series of seals, and suddenly, Hashirama and Tobirama found their bodies moving against their will.
"Fight until I become the new Sage of Six Paths!" Orochimaru commanded as he wrapped himself in the form of the Ten-Tails, turning into a massive white ball.
"Tsuna, be careful!" Hashirama warned Tsunade.
Though his body was under Orochimaru's control, his consciousness remained intact, allowing him to speak.
"Everyone, spread out!" Tsunade ordered, taking her position at the front alongside the other Kage-level fighters.
Meanwhile, Deidara, floating in the air, had a bemused look on his face.
"Fifth Hokage! If I recall, didn't the Third Hokage of your village defeat both the First and Second Hokage on his own? Why are you so worried now?"
"Idiot!" Tsunade snapped, her eyes focused on Hashirama.
"The technique that brought grandfather back then was nothing compared to now! It was not even 10% of his real power,"
Deidara remained unimpressed.
"Come on, don't exaggerate! Our Akatsuki member, Kakuzu, once fought your First Hokage and walked away. He's not as terrifying as you make him out to be!"
"Kakuzu?" Hashirama's expression shifted as he tried to recall the name. It was quite hard to do.
'Oh, that ninja from Takigakure who threw a kunai from a distance before running off?'
Was that supposed to be an assassination attempt? He remembered this because it was funny at the time.
And with that momentary distraction, Hashirama's resistance broke, and he completed the necessary seals. Pressing his hands to the ground, he called out his jutsu.
"Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Thick trees erupted from the earth, growing wildly in mere seconds, causing Deidara to fly higher in panic.
As the vast forest spread out, Deidara realized something that made his blood run cold.
'Holy crap! That guy was totally bragging!'