Chapter 253: Konoha in Danger
Uchiha Madara hadn't truly mastered the Hyūga clan's Eight Trigrams Palms. He was simply imitating the form, relying on his own overwhelming chakra reserves to unleash it in the most direct and brutal way possible.
And this seemingly ordinary palm strike perfectly demonstrated the saying: "Sheer power creates miracles."
The Hyūga clan's seemingly flawless absolute defense was nothing before Madara's domineering chakra.
In the instant of contact, the defense of Rotation was shattered apart, and Hyūga Hiashi was sent flying backward, coughing up blood on the spot.
After taking care of this obstacle, Madara didn't even bother glancing back at Hiashi. He simply continued walking toward Konoha Village.
Along the way, he disposed of several Uchiha Police Force members who tried to block him, as well as some of Konoha's Anbu, before finally arriving at the village gates.
He didn't charge in immediately but stood before the gates, raising his head to look up at them.
"Hardly any different from when I left back then."
"All these years, and you haven't made the slightest bit of progress…"
Madara muttered to himself.
Speaking softly, he stepped forward into the village—only to be intercepted by several figures.
"You're not welcome here. This is as far as you go!"
As the voice rang out, a blur appeared in front of Madara.
He felt a gust of wind strike at him—yet there wasn't the slightest trace of chakra in the attack.
"Taijutsu?"
Madara was a little surprised.
For someone to unleash such force with pure taijutsu alone—this person was not simple.
But still not enough to be worth his attention.
With a casual half-step back, he dodged the sweeping kick.
At the same time, Madara saw clearly who had attacked him: a bowl-haired boy of about ten years old.
Around the same age as Uchiha Obito and Kakashi, whom he had defeated earlier.
Madara was only surprised that someone this young could wield such powerful taijutsu, but he didn't take him seriously.
After avoiding the attack, he casually continued forward into the village.
But Might Guy immediately struck again from behind.
"Leaf Strong Whirlwind!"
Guy charged forward once more, launching another sweeping kick, but this time Madara wasn't inclined to humor him.
In an instant, Madara vanished.
When he reappeared, he was already at Guy's right side, a black chakra rod in hand.
Guy had just witnessed Madara use this very move against Kakashi and Obito.
Both of them had been subdued in an instant.
He knew how dangerous this weapon was and naturally didn't dare clash head-on.
With a sharp change of stance, he kicked hard against the side of the thrusting rod, using the rebound to spring backward.
"Hmph…"
Seeing Guy evade, Madara let out a cold, dismissive chuckle.
Then he rushed forward, chasing at full speed. Guy was fast, but Madara was faster.
In a few exchanges, Madara had already closed the distance, swinging the black rod repeatedly at him.
Fortunately, Guy's years of relentless taijutsu training—days and nights of tireless effort—combined with his experience in the Third Great Ninja War, had forged strength far beyond that of ordinary shinobi.
By now, he could open the Eight Gates up to the Fifth Gate.
Facing Madara's relentless physical assault, Guy relied on his superb taijutsu and nimble footwork to narrowly dodge again and again.
But as the exchanges dragged on, he began to feel the strain.
Guy had no choice but to take it seriously, opening the Eight Gates straight to the Fourth Gate.
In an instant, his speed and strength surged. Though his body endured severe backlash from unleashing such power, it also gave him the confidence to face Madara more steadily.
Yet seeing he couldn't finish this boy quickly, Madara lost all interest.
"The game ends here."
"You're nothing special after all."
The Eight Gates taijutsu was nothing new to Madara, nor was he unaware of its power.
He had already recognized what Guy was using.
At first, seeing the boy's talent and taijutsu skill, Madara thought he might witness something interesting—perhaps the Sixth or even Seventh Gate.
But after the brief fight, he realized Guy was still far from true mastery.
Losing all curiosity, Madara grew serious.
In a single move, he seized Guy, grabbing him by the throat and lifting him like a helpless chick—with just one hand.
Guy's face changed drastically.
In that instant, all the chakra he had released seemed sealed away, leaving him powerless.
"Pssh—"
As Guy struggled, a black chakra rod pierced through his body.
This opponent was unusual.
From start to finish, he had fought only with taijutsu, with no intention of using ninjutsu at all.
Clearly, he wasn't skilled in ninjutsu.
So Madara didn't bother finishing him off.
He simply pinned Guy to the ground with the rod like an insect, then strode deeper into Konoha.
He had already sensed Nagato's chakra, as well as the locations of the other tailed beasts.
It was time to complete his objective.
To reclaim his eyes, then seize all nine tailed beasts.
If he succeeded, then with the Rinnegan and all nine beasts, he could summon the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and revive the Ten Tails.
At that moment, the legendary chakra fruit would be within reach.
And his ascension to an eternal godhood was already close at hand.
Step by step, Madara advanced toward his goal—when suddenly, he sensed something unusual.
"Now! Do it!"
A shout rang out from the roadsides.
At once, faint violet barriers rose up all around Madara, spreading rapidly until they formed a square-shaped formation, sealing him inside completely.
At the same time, the Konoha shinobi lying in wait all around revealed themselves in unison.