"What are we afraid of? We've already died once."
Seeing the First, Second, and Third Raikage all ready to stake everything on this battle, the First Tsuchikage took a deep breath and spoke in a heavy voice.
"If we're going to fight, then we fight properly. Konoha wants to unify the shinobi world? Then let us see if they have the ability."
"Good."
The Second Tsuchikage smiled coldly and nodded.
"The risk is great, but the reward is just as high. We no longer have any other choice. Enter the Land of Fire and attack Konoha."
"Then we attack Konoha."
The Fourth Raikage, A, spoke with absolute resolve.
"At this point, there is no turning back. We fight."
"Agreed."
"We rest for one day, then advance toward Konoha."
"Victory or defeat will be decided in this battle."
Since everyone had reached an agreement, the First Tsuchikage, Second Tsuchikage, Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, First Raikage, Second Raikage, and Third Raikage all nodded one after another.
There was nothing more to say.
Life and death no longer mattered.
If war was inevitable, they would fight.
Only Orochimaru smiled thoughtfully, clearly hiding his own plans.
"Good. Very good."
Suddenly, a teasing voice rang out.
The space inside the meeting room rippled.
Then, under the shocked gazes of Ōnoki, A, Orochimaru, the former Tsuchikage, and the former Raikage—
a group of figures appeared.
Uchiha Madara.
Masked Uchiha Obito.
Black Zetsu.
White Zetsu.
The First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato.
The First, Second, Third, and Fourth Kazekage.
The First, Second, Third, and Fourth Mizukage.
In an instant, the originally spacious meeting room became crowded.
But no one cared about that.
Ōnoki's expression stiffened.
A's face changed.
Even Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly.
The identities of these newcomers were far too special.
Most shocking of all—
the legendary First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, had also been revived through Edo Tensei.
This was truly terrifying.
"What a lively gathering."
Hashirama's gaze swept across the room before landing on Madara.
"Madara, you really went to great lengths to deal with Konoha and the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Ren."
"You even revived the Kage of every major village."
"Hmph."
Madara smiled coldly.
"Hashirama, there are many things you still don't know."
"The battle at the Valley of the End may have looked like your victory…"
"But in truth, I was the one who laughed last."
He straightened slightly as he spoke.
"If Uchiha Ren had not appeared out of nowhere and ruined all of my plans, do you think I would be this passive now?"
By the end, Madara's voice was already filled with killing intent.
That damned Fifth Hokage.
If not for him, Madara would not have been forced to hide in the shadows like a cautious fool, adjusting his plans again and again.
"Is that so?"
Hashirama did not deny it.
He only shrugged and spoke calmly.
"Faking your death, awakening the Rinnegan, planning the Eye of the Moon Plan, and now reviving so many powerful shinobi with Edo Tensei…"
"Madara, you really have been busy."
"This is only the beginning."
Madara's eyes turned cold.
"I revived all of you for one purpose."
"To destroy Konoha and kill the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Ren."
"Destroy Konoha?"
Hashirama shook his head lightly.
The last time he had been revived by the Great Toad Sage, he had already seen Ren's terrifying strength for himself.
What surprised him was that in such a short time, Ren had already reached the point of attempting to unify the entire shinobi world.
Hashirama felt disbelief.
But also a faint, complicated sense of emotion.
Back during the Warring States Period, he had possessed the strength to unify the shinobi world as well.
Yet for the sake of peace, he had chosen to convene the first Five Kage Summit and distribute the Nine Tailed Beasts among the villages.
Now, it seemed Uchiha Ren intended to walk another path.
And strangely enough—
deep down, Hashirama wanted to see it.
He wanted to see what kind of world Ren would create after leading Konoha to unify everything.
"The Fifth Hokage is not someone you can handle casually."
Seeing his elder brother fall silent, Tobirama narrowed his eyes and spoke coldly.
"If my estimate is correct, Uchiha Ren has at least reached Six Paths-level power by now."
"No matter how strong he is, I will crush him."
Madara crossed his arms, his confidence undiminished.
"Once Konoha falls, the Eye of the Moon Plan will proceed perfectly."
"Fine."
Tobirama's lips curled slightly.
"Then I will watch how you crush the Fifth Hokage."
As Madara, Hashirama, and Tobirama exchanged words, everyone else in the room wisely remained silent.
After all, even though Hashirama and Tobirama had been revived through Edo Tensei, their status in the shinobi world was still enormous.
The First Hokage.
The Second Hokage.
Names that carried enough weight to silence a room.
And so, under the pressure of so many legendary figures, the atmosphere in the meeting room grew heavier and heavier.
The true storm was approaching.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 60 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/StrawHatStudios