"Hey! Are you sure your information is accurate?"
The Raikage glared sharply at Obito. The moment Obito dared to say "no," he looked ready to charge over and beat him to a pulp.
"Absolutely certain."
Obito met his gaze and said calmly, "Uchiha Madara's plan is to collect all the tailed beasts, and then use their combined power to perform a certain genjutsu."
"Genjutsu?"
Ōnoki frowned in confusion.
"What kind of genjutsu could possibly require the power of the tailed beasts? With his strength, what could he not accomplish on his own?"
"It's a plan called the Eye of the Moon. By using the power of all nine tailed beasts, he intends to cast an ultimate illusion known as Infinite Tsukuyomi—to drag everyone in the shinobi world into a dream world, believing that this will create true peace."
"Infinite Tsukuyomi?!"
"True peace?"
The Five Kage could only scoff at that. Uchiha Madara—who had slaughtered countless people in his lifetime—longing for true peace? It sounded like a cruel joke.
"Are you sure he'll be resurrected?"
"Ninety percent certain," Obito replied.
"In that case, I have something to propose. Please, everyone, listen carefully," said Mifune, who was presiding over the meeting.
The Five Kage quieted down, giving face to the neutral nation's representative. Mifune nodded and continued, "Why don't we form a Ninja Alliance—join forces against Uchiha Madara?"
If a Ninja Alliance could be established, perhaps the long-standing conflicts between the villages might finally ease as well.
"A Ninja Alliance... that's indeed a sound idea," said Terumī Mei, nodding thoughtfully.
"But then, who would serve as the supreme commander?" the Fourth Raikage asked—a question that everyone had been wondering about.
Mifune paused for a moment before saying,
"Now that the only remaining tailed beast is the Nine-Tails in Konoha, why not let the Hokage take command? Tsunade-sama, as the Hokage and one of the famed Legendary Sannin, has both the experience and the strength fitting of such a position. What do you all think?"
"Then why not me?" the Fourth Raikage demanded.
Mifune gestured to the table before him.
"Raikage-dono, your temper is far too impulsive. While your strength is unquestionable, a supreme commander needs more than power—they must remain calm and see the full picture."
"The Sixth Kazekage is still too young and inexperienced. The Third Tsuchikage is too old. The Fifth Mizukage... well, it's said that Akatsuki may have originated in Kirigakure, so there's a risk of leaked information. That leaves you, Raikage-dono—your personality simply isn't suited for leadership. Therefore, among the Five Kage present, the most suitable choice is none other than Tsunade-sama."
Everyone silently agreed—it was a reasonable decision.
Just as they finalized the formation of the Ninja Alliance, the ground at the center of the conference hall suddenly bulged upward. A green bud emerged, then unfurled—revealing White Zetsu.
He grinned and said, "Uchiha Madara is on his way! Everyone should run—"
Before he could finish, the Fourth Raikage appeared in front of him in a flash, seizing him by the neck.
"Where's Bee?!" he roared.
Whirrr—
The sound of metal scraping through the air echoed. The Raikage swung his arm, deflecting a black kunai with the bracer on his wrist.
"Hiding in the shadows, huh? Cee!" the Raikage barked.
His subordinate instantly began sensing the attacker's location. The other Kage bodyguards moved to shield their leaders.
Kiyosuke also activated his sensory abilities—and detected an immense chakra signature approaching. But it wasn't Uchiha Madara.
Tch. Another puppet pretending to be Madara?
He sighed inwardly. Black Zetsu sure wasted no time finding a new stand-in. As expected from the master manipulator.
Another fool lured into playing along?
Kiyosuke shook his head, intrigued by Black Zetsu's latest pawn.
Step. Step. Step.
Steady footsteps echoed.
A man wearing a mask and the Akatsuki's signature black cloak patterned with red clouds strode into the hall.
The nearby guards didn't react at all—because the man's Sharingan had already ensnared them in illusion the moment their eyes met.
"Ah... so these are this generation's Five Kage?"
His tone dripped with arrogance, but both Obito and Ōnoki broke out in a cold sweat. They could never forget that voice—a voice that haunted their nightmares.
"Uchiha Madara... you're really alive?!" Obito gritted his teeth.
"The truth stands before you, my foolish kin."
'Madara' lifted a hand and smirked. "This is the new body I've obtained since my resurrection. It'll do for now. I didn't expect you'd actually break free from my genjutsu."
"Hmph! I happen to have a good friend, you know!"
Obito's right eye turned into a Mangekyō Sharingan.
"Before anything else—I'll twist that head of yours clean off!"
"Your jutsu won't work on me, Obito," the masked man sneered. "I've already analyzed your ability. You can't hurt me."
"Guess we'll see about that. Kamui!"
The space around 'Madara' distorted violently—but returned to normal an instant later.
Obito froze in disbelief. His Kamui had never failed before.
"I used you as a pawn—did you really think I wouldn't know your tricks?" the masked man said coldly. "Don't underestimate me, Obito. I've been watching you all along."
Kiyosuke exhaled softly.
The imitation was decent—the voice, the posture—but it lacked that overwhelming, godlike dominance the real Madara exuded. A fake was still a fake. Still, if this impostor's appearance could help push the Ninja Alliance into motion, all the better.
Of course, it wouldn't hurt to stir things up a little.
Kiyosuke raised his hand, and flames flickered to life, warming the tense, cold air.
"Heh. I seem to recall the real Uchiha Madara had long hair. What happened—did your grand plan cost you your hair? Tsk, tsk... if it were me, I'd rather keep the hair than finish that plan."
'Madara' snorted. "To think the brat from back then could rise this far... impressive. But it doesn't matter. Even with your strength, you can't defeat me. I didn't come here to fight."
"Then what are you here for?" Ōnoki asked, floating into the air to meet his gaze.
'Madara' chuckled. "Heh... Ōnoki, huh? The little runt has turned into a frail old man."
So Black Zetsu even fed this imposter Madara's personal history—just to make his act more convincing. Quite the dedication.
Kiyosuke watched as 'Madara' silenced Ōnoki and cowed the Raikage with nothing but words.
Then, sweeping his gaze across the room, the masked man slowly declared,
"I've come here today for one reason only."
"And that is?"
"I hereby declare—"
"The Fourth Great Ninja War has officially begun!"