Video Footage:
In front of a secluded building stood the Second Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, accompanied by his not-so-short student Big Golem Ōnoki. They were met by a man who called himself Uchiha Madara. He wore long hair, a Konoha forehead protector above his brow, and his scarlet three-tomoe Sharingan spun coldly in his eyes.
To face either Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha was nightmare fuel for any shinobi. Against the God of Shinobi, you might survive if you could flee. Against Madara, you could only pray he was in a good mood.
Big Golem Ōnoki:"Why?" he demanded, glaring at the calm figure before him."You said there'd be an alliance. Hashirama-dono promised to help!"
Madara didn't respond. He never wasted words on fools.
Madara Uchiha:"There is no alliance. Before Konoha's might, you will submit."
His eyes narrowed at the mention of Tsunade. Only she was worthy to speak his name.
The Mangekyō Sharingan flared in his pupils.
Madara Uchiha:"Susanoo."
A pale blue spectral warrior erupted from Madara's form. His ultimate shinobi art roared into existence. Dismal thunder rumbled the ground. Big Golem Ōnoki was instantly slammed back.
Yet he clenched a rock in his hand and staggered forward.
Big Golem Ōnoki:"You still want to fight? But your technique is sloppy!"
But under Madara's genjutsu, the stone slipped from Ōnoki's fingers and the screen cut to black.
Offscreen Commentary:
Fourth Raikage Darui:"So that's your 'clash' with Madara? You got yelled at and glared at?"
Rasa:"Too cringe to watch..."
Mei Terumi:"You may not have fought him, but at least you stood up. Still, Ōnoki-dono..."
Hiruzen Sarutobi (ghostly voice):"Nonsense. In my time, charging at Madara or Hashirama meant instant death."
Hashirama Senju:"Huh... Am I really that fierce?"
Madara Uchiha:"Tch. So you finally acknowledge my strength, Senju Hashirama?"
System Notification:Video ended. Next live stream begins in 30 minutes: 'War of the Kais'.
Elsewhere, Danzo Shimura was already mobilizing Root agents to hunt Sasuke. If his future self had allowed Sasuke to escape, then the boy had become dangerous. Danzo could not afford such threats.
Meanwhile, the other villages hesitated. The Fourth Great Ninja War loomed. Konoha's value was increasing. Akatsuki's red clouds were stirring. And Konoha's vaults still held 153 forbidden jutsu coveted by all.
Why was the Masked Man so confident in facing the Five Great Nations and the Land of Iron? The Kage hesitated. Should they strike first or wait?
System:Live stream starting: 'Imperial War of the Kais'!
Even the Hokage spirits in the Pure Land tensed. Though they stood in a realm beyond life, the Pure Land mirrored the shinobi world and held its own mysteries.
Hashirama Senju:"This sounds awesome!"
Tobirama Senju:"I'm more curious. What is a Kai-Emperor? A person's name?"
Madara Uchiha:"Kais? Pathetic."
Nagato Uzumaki's Rinnegan gleamed silently.Another so-called god?
Tobirama Senju:"Never heard of a Kai-Emperor before."
Ōnoki:"Nor have I. Golem Ōnoki, stop talking."
Darui:"You two be quiet already."
Mei Terumi (laughing):"If Darui hadn't spoken up, I would've forgotten what this chapter was about."
Tsunade Senju:"Konoha does have a Kai, though."
Kakashi Hatake:"Are you sure?"
Might Guy:"Huh? Me?"
System:Playing video: 'Imperial War of the Kais'.
Video Footage:
In a deep canyon filled with shattered rocks, a green glow illuminated the dust. A figure approached, calling out to a white-haired man.
The man turned slowly."Who is that...? Why does he feel familiar?"
The image shifted.
A white-robed Madara appeared, hair now pale and flowing. A horned forehead protector curled to one side. He held the Sage's Staff, and six Truth-Seeking Orbs floated behind him. His eyes Rinnegan.
In the live chat, viewers froze. Staff, Orbs, Rinnegan... there was no mistaking him.
Might Guy:"That's... Madara?"
Kakashi Hatake:"Yes."
Minato Namikaze:"Only Senjutsu can harm him now."
He held a Totsuka-shaped kunai between his teeth. His hands were gone.
Minato Namikaze:"Sage arts... Senjutsu?"
Might Guy:"Senjutsu and taijutsu. Pure physical force!"
Darui:"Taijutsu? My time has come!"
Darui:"Eight Inner Gates!""Seventh Gate ,Gate of Wonder. Open!"
The green steam around Darui flared into deep blue. Rocks around him shattered. The very pressure from his body cracked the ground.
Madara blocked with his hand, shielding himself from the barrage. His mind raced.Blue steam? Seventh Gate? Close to the Gate of Death, but not red?
So this shinobi was holding back. Arrogant.
The battlefield held its breath under the pressure except for Minato Namikaze.As the wind surged, Madara's eyes widened.
To be continued...
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