"Back then, the ones brought back with the Impure World Reincarnation were the First and Second Hokage!"
Fourth Raikage A: "Meaning Senju Hashirama is definitely dead. Then…"
His expression drastically changed.
If the masked man in the scene really was Uchiha Madara…
Then the entire ninja world would fall into chaos!
Iwagakure(Hidden Stone Village)
Ōnoki's eyes widened.
Beside him, Kurotsuchi asked in confusion, "Grandpa! Is that masked man Uchiha Madara?"
Ōnoki shook his head.
"I can't confirm it! I've seen Uchiha Madara, but that was decades ago. And this man is masked, plus he's only shown in an image—I cannot sense his chakra."
Despite what he said, shock surged through Ōnoki's heart.
He was beginning to suspect that masked man really might be Uchiha Madara.
Because—
Not only could the masked man control the Nine-Tails, but he also clearly possessed the Uchiha's Sharingan.
Sunagakure(Hidden Sand Village)
Chiyo's expression was extremely solemn.
"Besides Uchiha Madara, who else could control the Nine-Tails?"
Whether the masked man was truly Madara or not no longer mattered.
What mattered was:
He was a member of the Akatsuki.
He could control the Nine-Tails.
The power balance of the Five Great Ninja Villages was about to be reshaped.
And with Hidden Sand Village currently without a Kazekage—and with no one on track to rank for rewards—their situation was the most precarious of all.
Kirigakure(Hidden Mist Village)
Terumi Mei's beautiful eyes widened.
"That's Uchiha Madara? Why is he still alive? And why the mask?"
Chōjūrō said, "Lady Mizukage, we still haven't confirmed the masked man is really Madara!"
Terumi Mei: "But besides Madara, who else has the power to manipulate the Nine-Tails?"
Chōjūrō had no answer.
"Regardless of who he is… Since he's in Akatsuki, we must prepare."
Terumi Mei nodded solemnly.
Hidden Leaf Village — The Most Shocked of All
Chūnin Exam Arena
Sasuke stared blankly at the masked man sitting atop the Uchiha statue.
"Uchiha Madara is alive? Impossible!"
"If he were alive, how could he watch Itachi wipe out the Uchiha clan?"
The rest of the Konoha 12 were equally stunned.
Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama—no matter good or bad—were legendary figures.
To think a legend was still alive? Impossible not to be shaken.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's eyes nearly popped out of his skull.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Uchiha Madara cannot be alive!"
"If Madara were still alive and wanted Konoha destroyed, Konoha wouldn't still exist!"
"But if he's not Madara… then who IS he?"
"Among the Uchiha, only Sasuke and the missing Itachi remain!"
Though unwilling to admit it, part of him had already begun believing—
The masked man might indeed be Uchiha Madara.
Root Base
Danzō stared at his newly acquired Rinnegan in shock.
"Uchiha Madara? How could he still be alive?"
"If he IS alive, how am I supposed to become Hokage!?"
"He'll definitely be an enemy of Konoha. Without the First Hokage, who in Konoha could defeat Madara?"
"Before this scroll appeared, I knew about Akatsuki but never took them seriously."
"But now! Even Uchiha Madara might be one of them!"
"At this point, who would dare underestimate Akatsuki?"
Amegakure — Akatsuki Base
Aside from Obito and Nagato, everyone stared at Tobi in shock.
Deidara practically screamed:
"Tobi, you bastard! You're Uchiha Madara? Hmm!?"
Hidan: "Damn! Tobi, you're actually Madara!? Madara is a simpleton!?"
Cold sweat poured down Kakuzu's face.
He had bragged about fighting the First Hokage for hundreds of rounds…
If Tobi was Madara, then his lie—
Would be instantly exposed.
Inside his puppet, Sasori was shocked beyond words.
Joining Akatsuki had been the right decision.
He never imagined he'd be in the same organization as the legendary Uchiha Madara.
Though he never expected Madara to be such a buffoon.
Kisame yelled excitedly:
"I thought Tobi joined through connections, but you're actually the legendary Uchiha Madara!"
"With you here, Akatsuki is unbeatable!"
Uchiha Itachi stared at Tobi intensely.
He had always felt a strange sense of familiarity toward him.
So he was a Uchiha.
But he never imagined Tobi would be Madara.
Even now—Itachi did NOT believe this man was Madara.
But if not Madara… then who?
Besides him and Sasuke, no other Uchiha should be alive!
Konan was stunned silent.
Nagato also remained silent.
He had cooperated with Tobi because Tobi claimed to be Madara.
Thus Nagato wasn't shocked—
Instead, he now began doubting:
Was the masked man truly Madara?
Tobi raised his hand dramatically.
"Correct! I am Uchiha Madara!"
"So stop doubting me. We are all comrades of Akatsuki."
"As for why I hid my identity—surely you all understand."
"We're all members of Akatsuki. That's what matters!"
"As for your other questions—like why I'm still alive—I'll explain after the Summoned Beasts Ranking ends."
Obito had no choice but to continue tricking the others.
Claiming to be Madara now was too early, but—
He'd already been exposed.
There was no turning back.
The Pure Land
[Hashirama: Madara! They think that masked man is you—this is killing me! Hahaha!]
[Madara: Hashirama! What's so funny!?]
[Hashirama: Isn't it funny!? They think the masked man is you, meaning in their hearts you're some creepy, scheming ghost!]
[Tobirama: Brother is right. Uchiha Madara IS a creepy, scheming ghost.]
[Madara: Hashirama! Don't laugh so early. If I'm a ghost in their eyes, then you—my equal—aren't any better!]
[Izuna: Brother! Don't bother with Hashirama. He's a fool.]
[Mito: Who are you calling a fool!?]
[Tobirama: Uchiha Izuna, insult my brother one more time—have you forgotten how you died~?]
Everyone in the Pure Land found it hilarious.
Uchiha Madara himself was right here chatting casually with Hashirama and the others!
How could he be that masked man in the scene?
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