"Lord Madara, here is the information I gathered."
"The One-Tails Shukaku is still inside the Jinchuriki from the Sand Village."
"That old guy isn't doing well. In the Sand Village, he's imprisoned like a criminal. Here's the location."
Somewhere in the Land of Hot Springs, Madara soaked in a bath, relaxed.
After decades of battle with Hashirama, he returned to this world.
But he wasn't rushing.
Looking at his reflection, Madara's face held confident resolve.
A youthful body, a powerful heartbeat.
Madara reveled in the power within his eyes.
This was ultimate power.
He even looked into the water, pressed Hashirama's image to his chest, whispering occasionally.
A neurosis, perhaps.
But Black Zetsu understood.
For decades, Madara had been telling Hashirama that his way was right.
Even his grandson agreed.
This guy...
Madara casually accepted the documents from Black Zetsu, sneering.
Such was the conflict between villages and Jinchuriki.
He was sick of hearing it.
"As for the Two-Tails, you know this one too."
"The Two-Tails' Jinchuriki, Yugito Nii, was originally from the Cloud Village, but years ago, Senju Yukika infiltrated and she was taken by him."
"She's now with the Senju Clan."
This frustrated Black Zetsu.
The Tailed Beasts' sealing must follow an order. If not, who knows what will happen?
"The Three-Tails is inside Yagura, a candidate for the Fourth Mizukage."
"Four and Five-Tails are in the Stone Village. The Six-Tails seems unhosted—rumor says he's in Mist."
"Seven-Tails is in Takigakure."
"The Eight-Tails Jinchuriki died in a rampage. The Third Raikage is choosing a replacement."
"And the Nine-Tails is Senju Yukika's pet."
"That's everything I found."
Since Madara's revival, Black Zetsu no longer made bold moves.
He knew—wait for Madara's Infinite Tsukuyomi plan.
When that time came, just play along.
But even now, there were still problems.
The free Six and Seven-Tails were fine—but moving the others would draw attention.
"I suggest leaving the Senju for last."
Black Zetsu stood cautiously behind Madara, staring at the man's broad back.
If needed, he'd carve out his heart to end his grudge.
Madara had humiliated him.
He would make him pay.
"The ninja world is big, but only I can stir it up."
"Sealing the Tailed Beasts needs order—but unleashing their power is more fun."
The Rinnegan—that was the true father of the Tailed Beasts.
Madara wasn't a fool. He'd use his forces effectively.
But then…
SPLASH.
Madara stood from the bath, slapped his chest, and laughed loudly.
"Hashirama, let's witness true peace together."
"But first… let's test things out—before we kill your grandson."
Shukaku?
You're first.
Land of Wind – Sand Village
Since Orochimaru took down Cero six years ago, the already poor village sank deeper into crisis.
...
Worse than poverty was the lingering damage from Orochimaru's attacks—like tuberculosis, they coughed every day.
Anyone with eyes saw the Third Kazekage wouldn't last.
But for the Fourth's succession, no one stood out.
That young demon-faced boy caught attention—but had no achievements to prove himself.
Cough! Cough!
In Kazekage's office, loud coughing echoed.
Elder Chiyo and Ebizo looked on with concern.
"I'm fine."
After covering his mouth, the Third Kazekage calmed down.
"This is all Orochimaru's fault!"
Ebizo clenched his fists, furious.
"What worries me is whether Onoki's analysis is accurate."
Chiyo frowned over the intelligence report.
"There are flaws—but it's not impossible."
The Third Kazekage muffled his voice with a handkerchief.
"I called you today to analyze this possibility."
"If Orochimaru and Hatake each display this level of power, then the Senju should rule the world."
"But they haven't acted further. Clearly, they're wary."
"If the Senju still stay quiet, we must unite."
"So Onoki's suspicions were right."
They delayed supplies to the Senju on purpose—after six years of promise.
They were probing the Senju's response.
"I think it's the opposite," said Chiyo.
Strategically sharp, she reasoned:
"By doing this, we're provoking them. If they retaliate…"
"The consequences would be dire."
The Kazekage sighed and handed her a financial report.
"There's no choice."
"The Second Ninja War gave us nothing—what we offered the Senju was all we had."
Sunagakure was poor.
And the daimyo's support was thin.
The Land of Wind, though desolate, was still a great nation—but its leaders cared little.
Even their daimyo claimed supporting their ninja cost the least.
Such words stung.
"We should talk to him," Chiyo narrowed her eyes.
Without the ninja village, the daimyo would lose luxury.
Did he forget who made him a great nation?
Boom!
As they strategized, a massive explosion rocked the village.
"Lord Kazekage!"
"Fenfu Prison was attacked!"
"The assailant… Uchiha Madara!"
Uchiha Madara?!
The Third Kazekage and Chiyo stood instantly.
Though the old generation had faded, none had forgotten the man who rivaled the First Hokage.
"Wasn't Madara dead?!"
The Kazekage was stunned—but had no time to question.
Urgently, he led the elders outside.
"To start the war with fire—how like Madara."
In front of the prison, Black Zetsu stood silently behind Madara, who crossed his arms, head bowed.
Clearly, he could destroy the prison easily.
But instead of sneaking in, he attacked outright.
That was Madara's way.
In the Warring States, the name Uchiha Madara meant absolute power.
"Even the First Kazekage's guard is dead?"
Watching the Third Kazekage rush over, Madara remained calm.
"Esteemed one… are you Uchiha Madara?"
The Third Kazekage gasped, coughing—nervous.
This was a legend.
Was it really him?