"That can't be right. If it's really Uchiha Madara, then how old would he be???"
"No way, no way, Chizan, don't scare me like that."
Chōmei's head shook like a rattle drum.
But soon enough, Gekko Chizan gave an explanation.
"Chōmei, are you stupid? Do you think there are few long-lived beings in this world?"
"Take the Sage of Six Paths for example. Do you really believe that someone who mastered the power of the Six Paths would just die?"
"Couldn't he continue existing in the form of chakra?"
"Even if we don't talk about the Sage of Six Paths, whether it's Ryūchi Cave or Mount Myōboku, both the White Snake Sage and the Toad Sage have lived for who knows how many centuries."
"You need to broaden your horizons. Just speaking for myself, I think I could live to a hundred and twenty."
Gekko Chizan boasted with a straight face, not even out of breath, as if he really was some immortal sage.
And clearly, Chōmei bought it. He thought it over and realized Chizan's words didn't sound wrong.
After all, how many years had he himself lived?
And hadn't those giant snakes they met also lived for ages?
Hmm… maybe Uchiha Madara really was still alive.
[Ding! Host has once again successfully PUA'd Chōmei, but this system can no longer stand by! Don't even think about exploiting Chōmei to bug the system. Such a thought is not permitted! Therefore, no reward will be given this time!]
Crap. Hearing the system's angry voice in his head, Chizan realized his little scheme had been exposed.
"Then if he's really still alive, why doesn't he act himself?"
"Why would he control the Third Mizukage to make a move?"
Faced with Chōmei's doubts, Chizan couldn't hold back anymore.
"Chōmei, where's your brain? Even if he's still alive, he's just an old man now. Just moving around would already be a huge effort for him, let alone charging into battle himself. What, you think he's not worried about his brittle old bones breaking apart?"
"From the looks of it, he used his eye technique to control the Third Mizukage, letting him fight on his behalf."
"But he didn't expect us to take down the Third Mizukage. Left with no choice, he had to trigger his backup plan."
"He must think our duo has already interfered with his scheme, so he wants to get rid of me, free you, and then gather all the Tailed Beasts."
Chizan's reasoning made Chōmei nod involuntarily.
After all, he knew Chizan's strength better than anyone. Not only did he possess two Kekkei Genkai, but his power had also been growing steadily stronger, to the point that even Chōmei was shocked.
Back when they first met, Chizan had been just an ordinary ninja. But now, his strength already surpassed that of a typical jōnin.
The rate of growth was downright terrifying.
"Chizan, if that's the case, shouldn't we take the initiative?"
"Why don't we just kill him outright? Like you said, even if he's alive, he's just a dying old man. Wouldn't it be easy for us to take him down?"
Hearing that, Chizan let out a helpless sigh.
"Chōmei, sure, we could kill him. But here's the big problem—we don't know where he is…"
"We can't just wander around searching."
Chōmei instantly went quiet. He realized his brain wasn't really working today.
The two continued their discussion.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Madara was growing restless from the curse's power gnawing at him.
"Zetsu, keep a close eye on those two. If necessary, we move the plan forward."
"And from now on, track every move Gekko Chizan makes. Even if I can't kill him now, I believe the one I've chosen will be able to finish him."
When he mentioned his chosen candidate, a sharp light flickered in Madara's eyes, showing how much faith he had in that person.
"I understand. But right now, the battle in the Land of Grass is rather quiet. There aren't many opportunities."
"Your idea was to wait for one of them to die, then bring the other over. But the chance just isn't there."
White Zetsu reported the current situation helplessly. Madara's face turned dark after hearing it.
If not for the Third Mizukage being killed, he could have used that pawn again.
He'd wasted so much power, only for some brat to kill him. Hmph, the so-called Five Kage? Worthless!
At this rate, he might have to alter his battle plan.
"Zetsu, go locate the Three-Tails' position and report it back to me."
"Given the current situation, I'll have to adjust my methods."
A cold gleam flashed in Madara's eyes. To ensure his plan succeeded, he would endure using even this decrepit body again.
"Got it. I'll head out now. Anything else?"
Instead of leaving right away, White Zetsu asked again.
"Hmm… if possible, have those two fight Kirigakure. That'll give me the best chance to strike."
"As long as the plan succeeds, once my successor enters the battlefield, everything will fall into place."
Madara finished with a sinister laugh.
White Zetsu nodded and rushed off immediately.
...
Land of Rivers. The battlefield between Sunagakure and Konohagakure.
"Orochimaru-sama, Sunagakure has retreated."
The good news spread through everyone's ears.
Yes—Sunagakure had retreated.
Without Shukaku's power on the front lines, Rasa and Chiyo alone couldn't break through Konoha's defenses.
After all, Orochimaru's strength wasn't just talk. He had proved it in real battle.
Not to mention, there were plenty of Uchiha clan members on this battlefield. Those Sharingan eyes had inflicted immeasurable losses on the Sand shinobi.
"Good. Very good. With this retreat, Sunagakure won't be launching another attack anytime soon."
Hearing the report, Orochimaru let out a long breath. Even though the threat of the One-Tail was gone, Konoha's situation was far from ideal.
They had repelled Sunagakure several times, but the losses were still too great.
And his disciple...
"Any word from Chizan-kun?"
At those words, the messenger shinobi lowered his head instantly.
Seeing this, Orochimaru sighed softly.
"Enough. I understand…"
His voice was heavy.
Ever since Gekko Chizan had used the Flying Thunder God to relocate the One-Tail, days had passed with no word from him.
His three disciples were all deeply worried. And as their teacher, so was he.
"Chizan-kun… you must come back alive…"
Little did he know, the disciple he worried over was, at that very moment, enjoying himself in the Land of Frost.
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo