Senju Hashirama's existence is inevitable.
Back during the Chunin Examination, many in Konoha witnessed Orochimaru use Reanimation on Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama to attack Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Tsunade had long been prepared for this. She nodded slightly and said, "Yes, granduncle's strength is indeed formidable, but the Reanimation Jutsu cannot fully utilize his power…"
"No."
Uehara Naraku interrupted Tsunade, his voice gradually growing colder, "I have seen Orochimaru's first Reanimation revival of the First Hokage and the Second Hokage. At that time, their strength was not truly mighty…
But haven't you noticed during our recent encounters, Lady Tsunade, how different the strength of the current Second Hokage is compared to back then?"
"During the Chunin Examination…"
Tsunade furrowed her brow; she wasn't present during the Examination, so she wasn't clear about the details.
Uehara Naraku slowly clasped his hands, speaking softly, "The Reanimation Body of Second Hokage Senju Tobirama appears far stronger than during the Chunin Examination day… I suspect Orochimaru has found a way to let these Reanimated warriors unleash power close to their peak!"
"What a joke!"
Third Tsuchikage Onoki immediately jumped in.
Even before Tsunade could speak, this Third Tsuchikage could not sit still after hearing Naraku's words!
Onoki's face was extraordinarily grim as he spoke, "Though I have never personally seen how powerful the First Hokage can be, I've watched the strength Uchiha Madara displayed before he was killed by him, and if it's akin to their peak power…"
This battle is pointless.
That was Onoki's underlying message.
Years ago, Senju Hashirama single-handedly suppressed the Ninja World Continent into inaction until his death, which allowed others to dare emerge…
Uehara Naraku frowned, softly reassuring Onoki, "No need to rush, Third Tsuchikage. The Uchiha Madara you speak of should also be among the Reanimated ninjas."
Onoki: "..."
This is chaotic as hell!
Onoki truly felt panicked!
Droplets of cold sweat gradually appeared on this Third Tsuchikage's forehead. He murmured, "Uchiha Madara, that guy is indeed a complete monster!"
Truth be told, Onoki was more terrified of Uchiha Madara!
Merely mentioning the First Hokage Senju Hashirama made the Third Tsuchikage Onoki slightly apprehensive; but when it came to Uchiha Madara, Onoki was panicking!
More so when the legendary God of Ninja and Ninja World Asura cooperated, this lineup suppressed the newly established other great nations dead into silence!
During his childhood, Onoki grew up with the First Tsuchikage and Second Tsuchikage and knew very well the fear held by the stubborn old man First Tsuchikage and the somewhat prideful Second Tsuchikage Mu towards Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara!
Once upon a time, when Onoki and Second Tsuchikage went to Konoha seeking an alliance, they were effortlessly crushed by Uchiha Madara, not even acknowledging them with a direct look…
"What troublesome characters…"
Tsunade couldn't resist furrowing her brow.
Upon hearing Uchiha Madara's name, Tsunade felt uneasy. Two nearly peak ninjas, in the combination of Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara… even a complete Nine-tails, thrown over, wouldn't suffice!
Moreover, half of the Nine-tails is in the enemy's possession.
It truly is vexing.
Uehara Naraku sighed softly, "Compared to the First Hokage Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, it seems mentioning the Second Hokage, Third Hokage, Golden Flash Fourth Hokage, Konoha White Fang Hatake Sakumo, and Kato Dan isn't that important…"
"..."
The other people present were all speechless.
Initially, they thought they were miserable enough. For example, the Fourth Raikage always felt uneasy when learning his late father was unearthed…
Yet now it seems they might actually be lucky?
It's as if Orochimaru dug up the graves of previous Hokages from Konoha!
Aside from the living Fifth Hokage Tsunade, all other Hokages have been subjected to Reanimation, making it both laughable and terrifying!
After all, Fourth Raikage A has met Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato, deeply knowing Namikaze Minato's fearsome power!
"Wait!"
Tsunade's gaze suddenly froze; she abruptly looked at Uehara Naraku and somberly said, "Have you personally seen Dan?"
Not only Tsunade, but even Jiraiya and Shizune couldn't stay seated any longer upon hearing this string of names, especially the last one, Kato Dan!
"Huh? Dan? Kato Dan? Is his strength really formidable?"
Uehara Naraku gave Tsunade a puzzled look.
At this moment, he seemed like an ignorant boy.
Tsunade shook her head, slowly returning to her seat, "It's not about strength, he just… forget it, continue speaking!"
Uehara Naraku looked at Tsunade inexplicably, then softly continued, "Back when Yakushi Kabuto was undercover in Akatsuki, during our attack on The Hidden Rock Village, he once demonstrated his collection to me, aside from the Kages, there were plenty of other powerful warriors…"
As Uehara Naraku spoke more and more, everyone's expressions became increasingly grim, even somewhat heavy.
To be honest, they had lost quite a bit of confidence even before this war had begun. This wasn't due to their personalities but rather reason and reality. Just dealing with Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara alone was not something they could resolve easily.
These were two legendary warriors who once suppressed an entire era of the Ninja World, and even to this day, hearing their names instinctively inspired awe!
Especially the Third Tsuchikage Onoki...
As the oldest living person present, his age brought more experience and thus more considerations.
"If all the information is as Lord Uehara says, then we can almost predict a disastrous outcome before this war even begins..."
The Third Tsuchikage Onoki slowly lowered his head, and a trace of heaviness entered his voice: "Based on the power I've witnessed, in front of the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara, especially since they are Reanimation Ninjas, ordinary ninjas cannot gain any special advantage..."
"Hmm..."
Everyone's gaze began to shift.
In order to deal with the First Hokage and Uchiha Madara, at the very least, it requires ninjas with extremely powerful abilities to engage them in battle or entangle them, and currently the strongest ninja...
After everyone exchanged glances, they finally settled their gaze slowly on Uehara Naraku. Based on the combat results alone, Uehara Naraku should be the strongest in the paper comparison of the Ninja World!
Indeed, there is hope in confronting those two!
After all, Uehara Naraku had performed remarkably well even when facing other Kage-level ninjas, almost defeating them with overwhelming strength!
Moreover, now under Uehara Naraku's command are the members of Akatsuki, who could serve as forces against other Reanimation Ninjas in the future!
"..."
Uehara Naraku's fingers lightly tapped the surface of the table.
Yes, yes, this is the kind of attention I wanted!
Just a moment ago, Uehara slightly exaggerated the threat of Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama, precisely to make them recognize that he is the hope of this war!
"Let's have a discussion!"
Tsunade's hands gradually came together, as she glanced at everyone present, and spoke softly: "Let's discuss forming an unprecedented Ninja Alliance to counter the threat of Orochimaru and Uchiha Obito's group!"
"Agreed."
Gaara, naturally, would not object to this proposal. He calmly nodded his head: "Faced with a threat that could destroy this Ninja World, uniting is the best outcome..."
"Agreed."
Terumi Mei also nodded, speaking softly: "This way, it will also facilitate information sharing and unified command among us, to avoid further suspicion..."
"I have no objection to this point."
The Third Tsuchikage Onoki slowly nodded before turning to scrutinize the attendees, speaking coldly: "Then to whom should we give the command of the Ninja Alliance?"
The Fourth Raikage also nodded, his voice weighty: "If it's a little guy who doesn't understand war, it could be disastrous!"
"Hmm, you're right..."
Uehara Naraku nodded slowly, speaking softly: "It's best if it's someone who knows Orochimaru and Uchiha Obito well, someone realistic enough to see the situation clearly..."
After saying this, Uehara Naraku pointedly continued: "It shouldn't be someone who doesn't recognize their own strength and just recklessly charges forward..."
"Bastard, what did you say!"
The Fourth Raikage's temper exploded instantly!
This Raikage slammed his fist heavily on the table, but it seemed host Mifune had anticipated this, for the table's material was quite durable and didn't shatter immediately!
But this commotion instantly alerted everyone else!
All the guardian ninjas of the Kage raised and landed on the ground, assuming it was a signal from the Raikage to ambush the Kage of their village!
"Stand down!"
Uehara Naraku waved his hand, and a gust of Wind Release Jutsu abruptly blew from his hand, throwing the guardian ninjas aside: "This has nothing to do with you!"
"Bastard..."
Kankuro awkwardly supported his waist and stood up.
Even though Kankuro felt he was completely different from the Chunin Examination before, he was still taken down by Uehara Naraku in one move!
Kurotsuchi also stood up again, her gaze fixed on Uehara Naraku with a hint of seriousness: "Is this... the power of the Sin of Hidden Rain?"
Darui, Temari, and Chojuro also dusted themselves off and stood up. They never expected to be thrown aside by Uehara in one move just after landing!
Konan wanted to rush down as well, but was stopped by Jiraiya: "Konan, don't worry, nothing disruptive will happen, just sit quietly here and watch..."
As expected.
All the other Kages showed less than pleasant expressions, each waving their hands to make their subordinates retreat.
Tsunade glanced unexpectedly at Uehara Naraku, bringing her hands slowly together: "Alright, let's continue to discuss the matter of the Ninja Alliance! To avoid mutual suspicion among the Five Great Countries during actual combat, and to have adequate strength to change the tide of war, I have found a suitable candidate..."
Tsunade slowly raised her head, looking at Uehara Naraku: "Leaving aside the highest commander of the alliance for now, purely to handle emergency situations in wartime, I nominate Uehara Naraku from The Hidden Rain Village as the Ninja Alliance Commander-in-Chief!"