Right now, inside the Tsuchikage's office in Iwagakure Village.
Onoki, whose waist pain never ceased, was not sitting on the Tsuchikage throne at this moment.
Instead, he was counting pile after pile of huge payments.
To his left, originally the seat of the Tsuchikage,
a proud figure in red armor sat firmly in place.
"Onoki, is it all gathered yet?" Lord Madara asked calmly.
Yet his tone was filled with overwhelming dominance.
Onoki touched his swollen right cheek, gritting his teeth resentfully as he replied:
"Lord Madara, our finances are completely drained!"
"All our savings have been spent on reconstruction. We've already received aid from the Land of Earth multiple times."
"And this five-hundred-million ransom is just too much!"
"It's going to take time—we can't pull it together that fast…"
Clearly,
Iwagakure had been completely drained.
Compensation payouts, village repairs, ransoms...
These past days had bled the village dry!
They'd already poured nearly ten billion into it, barely keeping the fragile balance of the village intact.
If squeezed any further,
that dried-up sponge might just tear apart...
Onoki had submitted to Lord Madara's tyranny only to protect the village.
But if it meant the village's collapse?
He'd rather die than give in!
Thus, the only way forward
was to request more financial support from the Land of Earth.
But given the back-and-forth delays, and considering how many times they'd already received aid from them,
raising five hundred million—a so-called 'small' sum—quickly would be no easy feat!
Especially since this was a secret transaction.
Onoki had to handle everything flawlessly, without a single leak,
or risk damaging the reputation and authority of the Tsuchikage.
So inevitably, it would take time to gather the funds gradually.
At best estimate, about one or two months would be needed before completion…
"I don't care. Twenty days."
"If you can't raise it by then, then this Iwagakure might as well be wiped out."
Lord Madara cared little for Onoki's difficulties.
For him, merely bypassing Onoki and the Hidden Rock itself was already an act of unusual leniency.
Was this old man actually daring to whine in front of him?
Did he really think Madara wouldn't hesitate to crush such a 'fragile bloom of war'?
"This…"
Onoki became furious, blowing his mustache in outrage.
Yet as soon as he met Madara's domineering gaze, he immediately cowered.
Wordlessly lowering his head, he clenched his teeth and reluctantly nodded in agreement.
Now, he could only pray to gather the ransom quickly and get rid of this demon…
Everything else could wait until after that.
"Also. Onoki, I heard you have a son and granddaughter?"
Madara suddenly asked,
making Onoki's heart lurch anxiously, sending a chill down his spine.
"That's correct."
"Where are they?"
"My son and granddaughter were captured by Konoha during the last great battle. They're currently en route to being ransomed back..."
Onoki responded, slightly trembling, letting slip half-truths.
"I see. We'll talk about it later then."
"Phew..."
Onoki exhaled in relief, secretly thrilled.
At that moment, he was secretly glad he had sent both Kurotsuchi and Deidara to Homura Hidden Village earlier.
Otherwise, given their volatile personalities,
if they had stayed in the village,
and encountered the current Madara Uchiha,
things would've gotten complicated.
As for that rumored Shimoku Uchiha, although his personality is still unclear,
according to intelligence reports, he's not much weaker than Kurotsuchi and the others.
Considering how close their ages are,
with Kurotsuchi's abilities, luring that kid shouldn't be difficult, right?
Besides, according to recent reports, they're living quite comfortably over there...
"Alright, you may leave now."
Lord Madara waved dismissively, sending Onoki away.
...
As soon as Onoki left,
a short while later, from Madara's right side emerged the dark figure of Black Zetsu, gradually materializing from the shadows.
"Lord Madara..."
"What do you think?"
"Just a temporary submission. That hard-headed old man's will is like a stinking, unbreakable boulder—trying to turn him is a lost cause..."
"If given the chance, he'd attack you directly without hesitation, Lord Madara!"
Black Zetsu murmured coldly.
Madara nodded.
"A very fair assessment."
"Who would've thought! That brat from back then has actually grown into a capable Kage now."
"Don't worry."
"The more tied down someone is to their village, the clearer their weakness becomes. People like this are easy to control."
Madara spoke confidently,
as if he had already completely figured out Onoki.
Black Zetsu: "Then why did you ask about his descendants, Lord Madara?"
Madara: "The more bargaining chips and reins we hold, the better."
Black Zetsu: "Lord Madara, your methods could be considered quite despicable..."
Madara: "Hmph! Despicable? I don't care. Whatever it takes to accomplish the plan, sacrifice it all..."
Upon hearing this, Black Zetsu's eyes gleamed with sinister delight, thoroughly pleased inside.
This was exactly the kind of character and attitude he wanted from Madara.
One who spares no cost to reach his goal!
Only with such determination could he successfully use him to revive his mother!
...
"Where's that Obito guy lately? What's he been up to?"
"He's currently reorganizing Akatsuki and recruiting new members."
"Let him be..."
"Lord Madara, should I offer secret support?"
"No need. That so-called Akatsuki organization is merely a tool for gathering Tailed Beasts."
"While still somewhat useful, it no longer deserves excessive focus."
"A compromised tool has become the perfect overt target. Akatsuki's only remaining purpose is to keep drawing fire."
"As long as it continues existing and operating..."
"It can continue distracting forces like Konoha."
Thus making our covert plans much easier to execute."
The ruthless Madara had already hatched a new scheme.
And should circumstances require it,
whether Akatsuki or even Black Zetsu himself,
he wouldn't hesitate to discard them all.
"I see!"
"Is this the reason why you, Lord Madara, specially descended upon Iwagakure Village?"
Black Zetsu secretly felt a shock ripple through him, quickly recovering with flattery.
At times, he truly marveled at Lord Madara's terrifying presence; questioning again whether he could actually control such a proud and formidable pawn.
"Just one element of the grand plan."
"Konoha, Iwagakure, and Sunagakure are seeking an alliance."
"This is also a great opportunity."
"No one would ever suspect that one of the Five Great Hidden Villages has already fallen into my hands."
"And for the sake of the village, for the Tsuchikage's reputation, Onoki will certainly cooperate fully to avoid exposure..."
"There couldn't be a better way to stay hidden."
"When the alliance forms and the next great war begins, this Iwagakure Village will become the sharpest knife in my hand, stabbing straight into Konoha's heart!"
"Destroying everything Hashirama had!"
"How much more satisfying it will be when Hashirama himself witnesses how his cherished love, understanding, and alliances... turn out to be completely meaningless!"
Lord Madara wasn't stupid—he might enjoy fighting.
But that didn't mean he only relied on brute-force combat.
Otherwise, at the end of the Warring States era, he wouldn't have meticulously orchestrated a fake death and remained hidden until now.
And right now, seeing how Hashirama has mastered the [Eight Gates], gaining a tremendous power boost,
After realizing he couldn't defeat his opponent in direct combat anytime soon,
Lord Madara naturally switched strategies without hesitation, launching a new round of schemes and plots.
For true tyrants and heroes,
Whether brute strength or wisdom—they're all just means to achieve ends.
...
"Oh right, any news about my right eye?"
"Uh... Messages came from Amegakure—the White Zetsu stationed there were completely wiped out..."
Black Zetsu deliberately hesitated with a shiver.
Lord Madara frowned slightly, showing some irritation.
"Hmph. Who dared this?"
"Not certain yet; but according to intelligence reports, someone spotted Konan returning to Amegakure together with another figure."
"Which suggests she must have found new assistance."
"New help?"
"They're practically begging for death!"
Lord Madara snorted coldly.
That was his right eye—absolutely no one was allowed to touch it!
No matter who that woman got help from,
Unless it was Hashirama himself or that sly fox...
Whoever it was had just sealed their own doom!
"Where is she now?"
"She's already left Amegakure… Destination unknown..."
"Step up the search. Once you locate her trail, report back to me immediately—I'll go myself to reclaim my right eye!"
"At once!"
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