Chapter 272
After all, in these years, he had been secretly acting as Uchiha Madara's black hand, orchestrating the chaos of the entire ninja world, killing his sensei—Kushina Uzumaki—and committing many deeds that betrayed the Will of Fire.
If he were suddenly exposed, he might suffer the same social death as Kurama.
"It doesn't matter..."
In the next moment, as if remembering something, a cold glint flickered in the masked man's—Uchiha Obito's—eyes. He murmured to himself, "No matter what's revealed, it doesn't matter."
Indeed, whether or not he faced social death, he no longer feared the consequences. Everything he did stemmed from the warmth once held in his heart.
As for the Will of Fire, Uchiha Obito had long since abandoned it. He was no longer the hopeful youth of the past. After Rin's death, everything changed.
At that moment, Obito clenched his fists tightly.
He remembered the day when, after hearing from White Zetsu that Rin and Kakashi were under threat from Kirigakure ninja, he rushed to save them. With Tobi's help, he escaped the hideout, and even Madara did not prevent him.
But reality didn't match his expectations. When he arrived, he saw Kakashi's Chidori piercing Rin's chest.
In that devastating instant, both Obito and Kakashi's emotions surged. Their Sharingan awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan at the same time. Kakashi passed out, and the grief-stricken Obito unleashed a massacre using Wood Release to annihilate all the Kirigakure ANBU.
From that moment, he began to question the entire ninja world.
Meanwhile, others like the Third Hokage—Hiruzen Sarutobi, Uchiha Obito, Black Zetsu, and reincarnated figures such as Nagato, Uchiha Itachi, Kakuzu, Hidan, and Jūzō Biwa—looked at each other in resigned silence.
The situation had already spiraled beyond anyone's control. Now that the Fifth Hokage—Uchiha Yuta—had created a screen that broadcast live to the entire ninja world, there was no choice but to brace for what was coming.
They were all dead anyway. All they could do now was watch...
"Forget it, let's see what the Fifth Hokage—Uchiha Yuta—plans to do."
"Yeah, let's see what kind of secret he plans to expose next."
"Good... Let's enjoy the show. We can only take it one step at a time."
"Exactly. Let's see what else Uchiha Yuta has in store."
...
As for the Edo Tensei-revived figures—Tobirama Senju, Minato Namikaze, Sakumo Hatake, the First through Fourth Raikage, the First through Fourth Tsuchikage, the First through Fourth Kazekage, and the First through Fourth Mizukage—they all laughed bitterly and shook their heads.
But at that moment, as energy rippled through the space before them, three great figures appeared mid-air—Fukasaku, Shima, and the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku.
A stunned silence followed.
Everyone's expressions changed. No one had expected that, at such a chaotic time, even the elders of Mount Myōboku would appear.
While many had never met them in person, everyone knew of Mount Myōboku's Great Toad Sage and the powerful elders, Fukasaku and Shima.
They were known throughout the shinobi world as neutral observers, rarely interfering.
"The Great Toad Sage actually came in person?"
"Now that Ryūchi Cave has surrendered to the Fifth Hokage—Uchiha Yuta—what does this mean for the balance?"
"Even the Great Toad Sage is here. This is getting intense."
The reanimated leaders once again exchanged knowing glances.
Now that the revered Great Toad Sage had made an appearance, it likely meant he had aligned himself with Uchiha Yuta.
"Hahaha! Great Toad Sage, you're still alive?"
At that moment, Senju Hashirama burst out laughing. "After all these years, you're still going strong."
"Hmm..."
The Great Toad Sage's face darkened slightly. He glanced at Hashirama with a hint of exasperation. "I didn't expect you to be resurrected again through Edo Tensei."
He then turned his gaze to Uchiha Madara.
Buzz!
In an instant, their eyes locked—an intense, silent battle of will.
One was the Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku, a master of prophecy and ancient wisdom. The other, the fearsome Uchiha Madara, one of the most powerful shinobi in history.
Neither was a simple figure.
Crack... crack...
The very air seemed to split apart as their invisible auras clashed. The sky trembled at their silent standoff.
It was a terrifying sight.
Though neither spoke a word, the sheer force of their presence made everyone tremble with awe.