Watching this little interlude, the Great Toad Sage, Fukasaku, and Shima all looked toward Hashirama, Tobirama, Hiruzen, and Minato with complicated expressions.
In the past, they had all stood on the same side.
Jiraiya, one of Konoha's Sannin, and Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, had both learned Sage Mode at Mount Myōboku.
It could be said that Mount Myōboku and Konoha had once shared close ties.
But everything changed after the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Ren, rose to power.
Their relationship had slowly drifted apart.
Now that Mount Myōboku had chosen to stand with the Sage of Six Paths, it also meant that Konoha and Mount Myōboku had completely become enemies.
"Lord Fukasaku, Lady Shima, has Mount Myōboku truly decided to become Konoha's enemy?"
Minato frowned.
"With the Great Toad Sage's status, he shouldn't choose a side so easily."
"Haah…"
Fukasaku shook his head helplessly.
"Mount Myōboku has always been the Sage of Six Paths' loyal follower. We can only say that the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Ren, went too far. Even the Sage of Six Paths can no longer tolerate him."
"Minato, we walk different paths now."
Shima took a deep breath and spoke earnestly.
"The current Konoha is dancing on the edge of a blade. It is becoming more dangerous and more reckless."
"One wrong step can lead to eternal regret. Konoha's rise or fall now rests entirely on Uchiha Ren."
As she said this, Shima could not help shaking her head.
Clearly, she held a pessimistic view of Konoha's future.
In her eyes, the Sage of Six Paths would surely destroy Uchiha Ren.
"Is that so?"
Minato shook his head with regret and said no more.
Just as Shima said, people on different paths could not plan together.
Many things had already reached the point of no return.
As for victory or defeat, Minato believed Konoha would be the final winner.
To put it bluntly, the Sage of Six Paths did not even dare show his face.
And he still wanted to defeat the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Ren?
Wasn't that a joke?
When two sides clash, the one with greater resolve wins.
The current Uchiha Ren carried unstoppable momentum.
Anyone who stood in his way would be crushed.
He would dominate this era and unite the shinobi world.
"Great Toad Sage, Mount Myōboku has chosen the wrong path."
At that moment, after slapping Hiruzen, Hashirama spoke coldly.
"Once Mount Myōboku participates in the shinobi world's war, the result will be life or death. Perhaps the Sage of Six Paths can promise Mount Myōboku many benefits, but in my view, it isn't worth it."
"Hashirama Senju, what did you say?"
"You dare question the Great Toad Sage's decision?"
The moment he finished speaking, Fukasaku and Shima's expressions turned cold.
Sage chakra surged from their bodies.
They looked ready to fight if Hashirama continued.
"Heh…"
Facing Fukasaku and Shima, Hashirama merely let out a meaningful laugh.
His gaze remained fixed on the Great Toad Sage.
"Fukasaku. Shima. Say less."
Finally, fatigue appeared on the Great Toad Sage's old face.
He took the initiative to speak.
"Hashirama Senju, you are wrong. Choosing the Sage of Six Paths is the right path."
"You may not know this, but in the era before the Warring States period, the Sage of Six Paths only unified the shinobi world with my help."
"So I believe the Sage of Six Paths will be the one who laughs last."
Bang!
The moment those words came out, Black Zetsu, who had been suppressing himself, unconsciously clenched his fist.
This old toad truly deserved death.
Back then, if not for the Great Toad Sage giving the Sage of Six Paths the Sage Talisman and teaching Hagoromo and Hamura senjutsu, his mother, Kaguya, would never have been betrayed and sealed by those two treacherous sons.
The root of everything was this old toad from Mount Myōboku.
"Endure. I still have to endure."
Black Zetsu slowly loosened his fist.
"Mother has already revived. Once the right moment comes, I'll make all of you understand what true cruelty is."
Thinking this, Black Zetsu's expression returned to calm, as if nothing had happened.
"No. I believe the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Ren, will be the final winner."
Hashirama remained calm.
"The new era has already arrived. The old one should step aside."
"Whether it is the Sage of Six Paths, Madara, or you, all of you are already old."
"It is time to step aside."
"Then let us wait and see."
The Great Toad Sage shook his head with faint contempt.
After saying this, he turned his gaze toward Madara.
He had watched enough of the show.
It was time to decide.
If Madara refused to cooperate with the Sage of Six Paths, then after today, the shinobi world would enter a three-way deadlock.
But if Madara was not a fool, he would choose cooperation.
The enemy of an enemy was a friend.
They were all tied to the same fate.
"Great Toad Sage, we can cooperate."
Madara looked deeply at the Great Toad Sage and spoke indifferently.
"But after we cooperate, when will the Sage of Six Paths make his move?"
Ever since learning that the Sage of Six Paths had been hiding behind the scenes, Madara had developed a sense of danger.
Hagoromo wanted cooperation?
Fine.
Then cooperate.
But he had to show himself eventually.
Once the Sage of Six Paths appeared, Madara would be able to see just how strong he had become after so many years.
As for fear?
That was impossible.
He was Uchiha Madara.
After stepping into the Six Paths level, he was confident that even if he could not defeat the Sage of Six Paths, he could at least hold his own against him.
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