Chapter 308 – Shadows of Unease
The tension across the battlefield deepened.
Everyone knew it — even the simplest fool could see. If the shinobi world was truly unified under Konohagakure, the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Yuta, would never allow Iwagakure, Kumogakure, or even the remnants of Otogakure to remain as they were.
That inevitability left many uneasy.
The reincarnated Kage of Iwagakure and Kumogakure — the First Tsuchikage, the Second Tsuchikage, the Second Raikage, the Third Raikage, and the Fourth Raikage — all bore grim faces. A shadow of foreboding weighed heavily on their chests.
The situation… was slipping away from them.
By contrast, the expressions of the Kage from Konohagakure, Sunagakure, and Kirigakure — those once great figures brought back through Edo Tensei — grew brighter and brighter.
The First Hokage, Senju Hashirama.
The Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama.
The Fourth Hokage, Namikaze Minato.
Hatake Sakumo, the White Fang of Konoha.
The First through Fourth Kazekage.
The First through Fourth Mizukage.
Even in undeath, their hearts lifted.
"Hahaha! The Great Toad Sage has been reduced to this, cowering in shame. Even the Sage of Six Paths dares not appear! Tell me — isn't it only a matter of time before the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Yuta, unifies the shinobi world?"
"Though we are dead, to witness this new age after being revived through Edo Tensei… it is strangely satisfying."
"Still… when will Uchiha Madara force us into action against Uchiha Yuta?"
Their words carried both amusement and unease. For though they admired Yuta's overwhelming strength, they knew Madara too well.
The meaning was simple.
If pushed to desperation, Uchiha Madara might turn them all — these reincarnated Kage — against the Fifth Hokage.
But Senju Hashirama finally spoke, breaking his silence. His voice was calm, yet there was an edge of truth he could not deny.
"Don't worry. Madara isn't foolish enough to act blindly. Our strength, combined, is indeed immense. But against the Fifth Hokage, who stands at the level of the Sage of Six Paths… it is still not enough."
His words rang heavy.
"Therefore, unless Madara has truly lost his mind, he will not send us against Uchiha Yuta. No… if it comes to that, he will act himself."
Hashirama's lips tightened. A bitter feeling welled within him.
Though he did not wish to admit it, even he — the God of Shinobi, the First Hokage — could no longer stand as Yuta's opponent.
Most likely, the reason Madara had revived them was not to challenge Yuta directly, but to deal with Konoha's other formidable shinobi.
As this thought crossed his mind, Hashirama's gaze shifted toward Madara.
And at that very moment, Uchiha Madara's eyes turned to meet his.
A heartbeat of silence.
"Hmph…"
Two sharp, cold snorts. And then both men turned away, neither willing to reveal the turmoil in their hearts.
Yet a single thought echoed in both: Why was he looking at me?
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"Rise."
The Fifth Hokage's chakra projection — Uchiha Yuta's towering energy form — broke the silence. His eyes lingered briefly on Madara and Hashirama, then shifted to the Great Toad Sage.
"I understand your little schemes," Yuta said softly, his tone like ice. "But they mean nothing to me. I will drag you into despair, piece by piece."
The Great Toad Sage froze, his body trembling. He took in a deep breath, then forced his voice into calmness.
"Fifth Hokage, you misunderstand me. I only wish to survive. What other intentions could I possibly have?"
Yuta's lips curled into a cold smile.
"Heh… survival? Don't you simply want to sit back and watch the spectacle unfold? Very well. Then get out of my sight."
His disgust was plain. Yuta's patience for shamelessness was already stretched thin — and the Great Toad Sage was the most shameless creature he had ever seen. To lie so brazenly, without even blinking… it was revolting.
"Understood, Lord Hokage."
The Great Toad Sage bowed his head, dragging his bloated body aside.
But before he could retreat far, a sound split the air.
Boom!
In a blur, Uchiha Madara appeared before him, his eyes sharp, his voice colder than steel.
"To think a toad could fall so low… it's pitiful."
The Great Toad Sage did not flinch. Instead, he chuckled darkly and said,
"Uchiha Madara, don't delude yourself. The Fifth Hokage is stronger than you. Like me, you should kneel down and admit defeat."
Madara's brow furrowed, his voice deep.
"Ridiculous. I will clash with him head-on, no matter what it takes."
Then, raising his eyes, he locked his gaze on Uchiha Yuta's chakra projection across the field.
"Fifth Hokage… your power is undeniable. But do not underestimate me. I too wish to witness your true strength."
Yuta sighed, shaking his head. His voice carried neither anger nor fear, only cold truth.
"Uchiha Madara… from the beginning, you have been nothing but a pawn. A fool among fools."
The words hung heavy in the air, cutting deeper than any blade.
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