The moment Tobirama's Flying Thunder God Slash was brought up, Izuna completely lost his composure and started talking nonsense.
"Does winning with a sneak attack even count as winning?"
"The Mangekyō made me lose control of my emotions. I didn't actually want things to end up like that—it couldn't be helped..."
"You know, Seisui? I eventually figured out four different ways to counter the Flying Thunder God. Want to hear them?"
For a while, the atmosphere became unusually cheerful.
At least, that's how Tobirama saw it.
After arguing for a while, even Izuna began to run out of steam.
'I'll have to stop sneaking my own bias into things. Seisui still tends to side with Tobirama a little... Maybe that's just how research-oriented shinobi naturally gravitate toward one another...'
Izuna cleared his throat, deciding to change the subject to something more pleasant.
"By the way, you've been handling Tomie very well lately."
"Just keep interacting with her naturally like this. There's no need to reject her outright. Let her gradually realize that you're simply not interested in romance, and it'll minimize the emotional shock."
"Given the current state of the shinobi world, as long as no major war breaks out or anything similar happens, she'll probably adapt to your pace and gradually calm down."
Originally, Izuna had hoped Seisui's hopeless emotional intelligence would accidentally nurture a pair of "research-type" Mangekyō Sharingan...
But he also had to admit that Seisui learned quickly.
He hadn't become some master of romance, but at least he hadn't repeated the same mistakes Uzumaki Shio had made.
Since that was the case, Izuna had no intention of deliberately encouraging Seisui to push Tomie into darkness.
That would violate his own principles.
"How does this suddenly have anything to do with war?"
Tobirama frowned, genuinely curious.
Was there really this much to human relationships?
"War represents loss... and death."
"It makes waiting lose its meaning."
"And extreme circumstances magnify obsession and emotion."
Izuna spoke quietly.
"That's also one of the reasons shinobi during the Warring States Era married and had children much earlier than people do today."
"But you don't need to worry."
"Given the current balance of power, Kirigakure has probably already realized just how dominant Konohagakure has become, and Amegakure is now allied with the village."
"The other three great villages will certainly react sooner or later. War is ultimately inevitable, but as long as nobody throws the first punch, they'll keep testing and probing each other for several more years."
"Peace should continue for quite a while."
"That's more than enough time for Tomie to sort out her feelings."
Tobirama nodded.
He thought the same.
With Konohagakure's current strength, even a limited regional war could arguably benefit the village.
But the other hidden villages weren't fools, nor were they a united front.
Without first suffering a painful lesson, there was no way they could overcome the mutual suspicion between them and launch an organized invasion of Konoha.
On the other hand, if only one village attacked...
Wouldn't they just be handing Konoha an opportunity?
Tobirama stopped thinking about Tomie.
He would just keep brushing the matter aside.
With research and training for the sake of the village occupying nearly all of his time...
There was simply no room for romantic feelings.
Recently, Tobirama and Shio had reconciled.
Taking advantage of Nagato's cooperation with the Uchiha, he had written her a sincere letter of apology.
Even so, their relationship had made no romantic progress.
Under Mito's guidance, Shio had devoted herself to mastering Tailed Beast chakra and studying her clan's inherited texts, choosing to enrich herself first.
Meanwhile, Tobirama quietly slipped in a bit of personal business.
Using research and training as an excuse—and the authorization slips Danzō had approved—he borrowed numerous Uzumaki clan texts.
Every so often, he would also ask Shio questions, subtly picking up bits of Mito's understanding of Fūinjutsu.
Back then...
All of that knowledge had been kept strictly away from him.
As for this arrangement...
Tomie had reluctantly accepted it for the time being.
What neither Tobirama nor Izuna realized, however...
Was that someone they both knew extremely well was already trying to rewrite the very logic of war within the shinobi world.
Madara himself would never have imagined that once war finally erupted...
Izuna might one day say something that would leave Tobirama stunned for an entire year:
"Seisui... it wasn't me who ruined your life."
"It was Senju Tobirama!"
...
Mountains' Graveyard.
Madara's hideout.
Ever since Tobirama had ended up with his own "life-sized Izuna figure," Madara had started putting together a collection of his own.
Over the past several months, Black Zetsu had worked day and night, gathering all the materials Madara needed.
Leading the White Zetsu through hidden bases in every village, he carried out one raid after another.
Twenty-four hours a day.
Without rest.
Everything had to be both efficient and completely covert.
There was no choice but to work overtime.
"Tch..."
Connected to the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path like a giant workbench, Madara used his Rinnegan as a carving tool while combining it with Impure World Reincarnation to create his Six Paths puppets.
Interesting...
The thought crossed Madara's mind, and the corner of his mouth curled upward.
Hi-kun, the White Zetsu, silently watched the scene.
He was having a hard time keeping a straight face.
It reminded him of something he'd recently read in one of the many books.
"If you're getting old and your mind is becoming rigid, try tearing up old newspapers or solving Sudoku puzzles. It helps keep your brain active."
To Hi-kun...
What Madara was doing looked pretty similar to tearing up newspapers.
He couldn't help feeling a little sorry for him.
The more books and historical records he read...
The more he understood just how high-spirited Madara had once been.
How had the legendary Shura of the Shinobi World...
Ended up becoming an old man who spent his time "tearing up newspapers"?
Well...
At least he'd gotten quite a bit younger now.
'And Black Zetsu... something about him feels off.'
Now that Hi-kun had gained true intelligence and the ability to think deeply, he had also noticed something strange.
Black Zetsu's control over the White Zetsu seemed to go far beyond simply being an extension of Madara's will.
Hi-kun wasn't one of the White Zetsu born directly from the Divine Tree.
Like Tobi, he came from a proper lineage and knew certain hidden truths.
He had simply undergone an acquired transformation later and, by chance, received additional enhancements.
'But I can't say anything.'
'The moment thoughts like that arise... I start feeling intense pain.'
'I'll just keep observing for now.'
'Maybe this is all part of Madara-sama's plan.'
Black Zetsu's method of controlling the White Zetsu resembled Danzō's Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal...
Except it was far stronger and far more sophisticated.
"Hm."
"A piece like this barely lives up to my reputation."
"But it'll do."
Madara nodded in satisfaction as he looked at the Second Mizukage and Second Tsuchikage standing before him.
If he wanted to create all six in a single day, it wouldn't have been difficult.
But the result would have been far too crude.
Those puppets would never have been capable of reproducing the abilities they possessed while alive.
Nor would they have been able to act independently.
He would have had to control every movement personally in real time just to make them fight competently.
"Such a pain."
Madara's ideal was to create puppets that could wield part of the Rinnegan's abilities, retain the powers and consciousness they had possessed while alive, and still contain a hidden failsafe that allowed him absolute control.
Something similar to the way Black Zetsu controlled the White Zetsu.
Now...
He had finally managed to make it work.
"If I'd devoted myself entirely to researching ninjutsu, Tobirama would've been nothing more than a mediocre talent."
Madara smiled smugly.
With a wave of his hand—
The Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Gengetsu, and the Second Tsuchikage, Mū, slowly opened their eyes.
To avoid exposing information, Madara had even specially modified their eyes.
Unless they suffered battle damage, no one would be able to see the Rinnegan ripples hidden beneath them.
Attention to detail.
"So... where is this?"
"Huh? Why is this bastard here?"
"Tch, you were already my defeated opponent. Are you really still following me around even after death?"
Gengetsu glanced around, immediately spotted Mū, and instantly launched into a stream of chatter.
He loved fighting...
But he was also an enthusiastic chatterbox.
"My defeated opponent?"
"The only thing a no-eyebrows freak like you knows how to do is run from my Dust Release and hide like a coward!"
Mū had clearly awakened as well.
He had been quietly observing everything with narrowed eyes, but the moment he heard Gengetsu's taunt, he completely lost his composure.
The two had fought each other countless times.
In the end, they had killed one another simultaneously.
Their rivalry was legendary.
"Hah? I'm the coward?"
"I'm not the one who turns invisible, splits himself in two, wraps himself head to toe in bandages, and even paints camouflage all over himself!"
Gengetsu wiggled exaggeratedly as he mocked him.
"What a pathetic Tsuchikage!"
"And all you do is hide behind a giant clam and a bunch of mist!"
"You even made those ridiculous exploding clones that are so stupid they're hilarious!"
"You call that a Mizukage?"
"My Dust Release is perfectly honorable!"
Nearby, Hi-kun stared wide-eyed as the two immediately launched into a shouting match.
Wait...
Shouldn't they first be asking where they were?
"If I may offer an objective opinion, gentlemen..."
Hi-kun cleared his throat.
"Both your techniques sound shady as hell."
"Neither of you exactly comes across as one of the good guys."
Gengetsu and Mū turned simultaneously to look at Hi-kun.
On the surface, they were arguing.
In reality...
Well, they really were arguing.
But they were also using the opportunity to gather information while lowering their enemy's guard through sheer absurdity.
Without exchanging a single word beforehand...
The teamwork between the two old rivals was impeccable.
"And who exactly are you?"
Gengetsu circulated his chakra.
The Water Gun Technique already glimmered at his fingertip, ready to fire.
"Who are you?"
Mū narrowed his dark eyes and folded his arms.
The moment Hi-kun made a move, the earth beneath him would swallow him whole.
"The biggest mistake you made..."
"...was letting us move."
"Tell that despicable schemer Senju Tobirama to get out here."
"This no-eyebrows idiot's brain stopped working years ago living on that little island. He didn't even realize right away that this is Impure World Reincarnation."
"But in today's shinobi world..."
"Only that man would ever use such a horrifying and disgusting technique."
Feeling that the chakra within his body was almost identical to what he had possessed while alive, Mū's expression gradually became solemn.
"He even perfected the technique..."
"I can't imagine what else he's been up to."
"Knowing him, he probably summoned both of us to start a war against Iwagakure and Kirigakure."
"And you, you white freak..."
"One look at you tells me you're another one of his research projects."
Mū fixed Hi-kun with a piercing stare.
"My sensory abilities tell me that you possess chakra extremely similar to the First Hokage's."
"It's much weaker..."
"But the only person capable of accomplishing something like that..."
"...is Senju Tobirama."
"After all..."
"He's Senju Hashirama's younger brother."
Gengetsu couldn't help glancing at Mū.
The man was as sharp as ever.
A smile spread across his face.
As expected of the greatest rival of his life.
Hi-kun blinked hard.
...Everything he said actually made a lot of sense.
Off to the side, Madara was struggling to keep himself composed.
The reason neither Mū nor Gengetsu could see him was because he was testing the hidden control mechanisms built into the puppets.
For example, making them unable to perceive him...
Or controlling their movements and speech.
What Madara hadn't expected...
Was that after letting Bandage Man ramble for a while...
He somehow ended up being identified as Senju Tobirama!
"Hi-kun."
"Tell them who I really am."
Madara communicated telepathically.
He had no intention of granting Gengetsu and Mū the ability to see him.
They only needed to obey orders.
Besides...
They were old acquaintances.
Madara had no desire for them to see what he looked like in his aged state.
"Actually, gentlemen..."
"It was Madara-sama—the Shura of the Shinobi World—who revived you."
"The purpose is to pursue true peace."
Hi-kun explained earnestly.
Mū and Gengetsu exchanged glances.
The corners of both rivals' mouths twitched.
Then—
They burst into uncontrollable laughter.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Hi-kun looked completely bewildered.
"No... why are you laughing?"
"Kid..."
"I'm guessing you're some kind of artificial human made using the First Hokage's cells."
"Looking at how bizarre you are, your brain probably isn't wired quite right either."
Mū raised the eyebrow Gengetsu lacked.
Well...
More accurately, the bandages over his brow bulged slightly.
"You could've picked almost anyone else, and I might've considered it."
"But Uchiha Madara?"
"Do you even know what kind of man Uchiha Madara was?"
"Would someone like him stoop to using schemes and underhanded tricks like Senju Tobirama?"
"Go read a history book."
"Learn what happened at the Valley of the End."
"Stop hiding, Senju Tobirama."
"I know you've left some hidden mechanism behind so you can observe us."
"It's been many years."
"You've gotten sloppy."
"Using Uchiha Madara's name to cover your own identity..."
"That fits perfectly with how wary you've always been of him."
"But this deception is far too crude."
"It lacks the standard you used to have."
Mū said coldly.
His voice remained icy...
But Madara's face...
Was beginning to turn red.
What exactly is that supposed to mean?
So I charged straight ahead when I was young.
Now that I'm old and my body isn't what it used to be, what's wrong with using my brain once in a while?
He makes it sound like I've completely lost my fighting spirit...
Not only does he mistake me for Senju Tobirama...
He even talks like I'm somehow inferior to that bastard!
"Madara-sama, calm down! Please calm down! Don't get angry!"
Hi-kun hurriedly tried to comfort him through their mental link.
"How could those two possibly understand someone of your caliber?"
"Don't stoop to their level."
"And besides..."
"Being mistaken for Senju Tobirama is actually a good thing!"
"It helps conceal your true identity!"
Madara paused.
Hmm...
That actually made a little sense.
Mū and Gengetsu had already assumed he was Tobirama.
And having a former Hokage strike at Konohagakure would also serve as a rather unique test of the Will of Fire.
Although Madara didn't think it meant much.
At worst, Hiruzen could simply summon Tobirama back with Impure World Reincarnation.
Besides, once he actually sent them to attack Konoha, the disguise would naturally fall apart.
'...No.'
'Impure World Reincarnation might not even work on that bastard.'
'And that bastard spent years using every underhanded trick imaginable against me. From the Warring States Era all the way through the founding of the village, he never stopped smearing my reputation.'
'It's about time he got a taste of his own medicine.'
'What a shame he's already dead.'
A smile slowly spread across Madara's face.
He had figured it out.
It didn't matter whether Gengetsu, Mū, or the other Six Paths puppets believed he was Tobirama.
Nor did it matter what the shinobi of Konoha thought.
First...
He'd blacken Tobirama's name.
After all—
Starting a rumor only takes one mouth.
Clearing your name wears out a thousand legs.
With a thought from Madara—
The light instantly vanished from Mū's eyes.
Gengetsu immediately panicked.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Second Hokage, let's talk this out!"
"I haven't been back long enough yet! That bandage freak dragged me into a mutual kill, and it was annoying as hell..."
"I'll do whatever you want!"
"Just don't make me attack Kirigakure!"
Of course...
Gengetsu was acting.
Once someone's consciousness was sealed away, they could no longer gather information.
There was no point in stubbornly provoking him now.
"Hmph."
"At least you're practical enough to recognize the situation."
Madara nodded before releasing the seal on Mū's consciousness.
This time...
Mū also chose to behave himself.
In his eyes, Senju Tobirama's perfected Impure World Reincarnation had reached an unimaginable level of control.
It was obvious the technique had gone through who knew how many generations of refinement.
"I'll make one thing clear."
"As long as you don't send me to attack Iwagakure, I'll cooperate with anything else."
Madara still said nothing.
Instead, he transmitted his orders directly into their minds through the Rinnegan.
They were to head for Sky Village and familiarize themselves with the ninja tools stored there.
Madara had no intention of using Gengetsu and Mū to attack Konohagakure.
Their identities were far too sensitive.
If anything went wrong and the Konoha shinobi overwhelmed them, the Six Paths puppets would reveal far too much information.
The ninjutsu those two knew alone was a priceless treasure.
Wouldn't that just be handing Konoha free military intelligence?
So...
The battle at Sky Village wasn't the stage for them.
However, thanks to their abilities to fly and become invisible, they were perfect as aerial reconnaissance platforms for Madara's command.
After Gengetsu and Mū departed to carry out their mission...
Madara resumed crafting his premium life-sized figures.
Next on his list...
The Second Raikage.
And Uzumaki Ashina—that true monster of a shinobi.
As for the Gold and Silver Brothers...
If they hadn't been the ones who killed Tobirama, Madara honestly wouldn't even have wanted to use them to fill out the roster.
"Hi-kun..."
After a while, Madara suddenly asked,
"...Do I really resemble Senju Tobirama?"
"Madara-sama..."
"...You don't."
Hi-kun hesitated for a moment before answering earnestly.
"In my eyes, you're one of a kind."
"No matter what you do, it's all in pursuit of peace."
"...Although..."
"You and Senju Tobirama do share one thing in common."
Madara frowned.
"What is it?"
"I think..."
"You both want Konohagakure to become a better village."
Remembering one of Hiruzen's favorite sayings, Hi-kun cautiously added, "The difference is that your standards are much stricter."
Madara fell silent.
I want Konoha to become a better village?
Perhaps...
There was a tiny bit of truth to that.
"Madara-sama..."
"...Did I say something wrong?"
After a long silence, Hi-kun asked nervously.
"No."
Madara answered in his hoarse voice.
"Did you polish my ninja tools today?"
"If you haven't, quit standing around and get to work."
"Yes, Madara-sama!"
Hi-kun actually had polished them already.
Still...
He hurried off with his tail between his legs.
...
Konohagakure
Orochimaru's house.
Jiraiya was enthusiastically recounting his training journey at Mount Myōboku.
He repeatedly emphasized how incredible his masterpiece, Ninja Breaks Through the Heavens, was.
Most importantly...
He couldn't stop talking about the overwhelming power of Sage Mode.
After a few drinks, Jiraiya grinned.
"Hey, Snake... Tsunade..."
"I'm not bragging or anything..."
"But with the help of the two Great Sage Toads, Shima-sama and Fukasaku-sama..."
"My strength has increased by far more than just double!"
"I'd really love for Sensei to witness my power firsthand!"
"I'm just worried it'd be too much of a blow for him."
"I've always thought of him like a father."
"When your disciple—or your son, for that matter—surpasses you..."
"You can't help but feel you've gotten old, right?"
Orochimaru nodded thoughtfully.
Then...
He took out a telephone-shaped ninja tool and called Hiruzen.
"Sensei?"
"It's Orochimaru."
"Jiraiya says he wants to fight you one-on-one."
"Would that be convenient?"
"...Tomorrow?"
Orochimaru glanced toward Jiraiya.
"Sensei wants to know whether one night is enough preparation for you."
"He'd like the village's shinobi to attend as spectators."
"Given the overwhelming strength of the Great Sage Jiraiya, he wants to use the match to promote the importance of developing the Curse Mark."
Jiraiya froze.
Then, almost instinctively...
He nodded.
...Why do I have the feeling Orochimaru is deliberately stirring the pot?
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