CHAPTER 107

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In the mountain graveyard, Madara lay on his throne, his expression more haggard than before the war.

Soon after, Black Zetsu arrived. "Madara-sama," he greeted.

Madara spoke, "You've arrived, Black Zetsu. Did you confirm their whereabouts, the Three-Tails and Seven-Tails?"

"We didn't find them, Madara-sama. I even used your transcription seal genjutsu to hypnotize two ANBU, but there was no commotion like a tailed beast breaking out anywhere in Konoha.

After that, I also visited the Hokage Mansion, but there were no signs of them there either.

It's as if both tailed beasts vanished from the face of the world, and all trails end at Konoha's Third Hokage."

Madara nodded and asked, "Did you hear anything about the Hokage's death from Konoha?"

Black Zetsu replied, "The Hokage is in a coma, Madara-sama. His ten clones arrived moments after he returned and sealed him after he lost consciousness. This was reported by one of White Zetsu's scouts."

"I see. The two clones we met weren't that formidable, but if he can maintain clones in such a state, it seems he has improved the clone jutsu. Brilliant, Sarutobi Hiruzen."

Black Zetsu then asked, "Madara-sama, what about your battle? You didn't kill the Third Hokage then?"

Madara replied, "It wasn't that simple. His strength is formidable, equal to or slightly greater than Hashirama's.

He even developed Wood Style—not very proficient, but at a level matching mine. I couldn't defeat him head-on.

If his combat experience was as vast as mine, he wouldn't have fallen for my trick."

Black Zetsu's expression changed upon hearing of Sarutobi Hiruzen's prowess.

Someone like Madara admitting he couldn't defeat Hiruzen head-on spoke volumes about the Hokage's strength.

Black Zetsu continued, "There was a slight mistake, Madara-sama."

Madara's scrutinizing gaze narrowed. "What mistake?"

Black Zetsu replied, "The Third Hokage's wife was killed… accidentally."

Madara's eyes darkened. "Explain in detail."

After a pause, Black Zetsu said,

"When I inquired about the tailed beasts from the ANBU, they said that after the Hokage killed prisoners of war from three villages, he attempted to transfer the tailed beasts to Konoha ninjas.

However, only the Three-Tails was captured. We've already found the Two-Tails and the Five-Tails, but the Three-Tails was missing.

To keep tabs on the tailed beasts, I frequently asked about any new jinchūriki, but none were reported.

So, using your transcription seal, I tried to put Riasu Uzumaki under genjutsu, but she activated a sealing formation inside the Hokage office before fully succumbing to the genjutsu.

Despite that, I managed to control her and escape successfully by breaking the seal. However, during the incident, she was killed.

I didn't expect her to have such a powerful spirit. Even after I transformed into the Hokage and perfectly mimicked his chakra aura, she sensed me the moment I entered."

Madara pondered for a moment, then said, "Hmm… it's fine. Nothing to worry about. So, did you find anything from her?"

Black Zetsu replied, "She didn't know anything about the tailed beasts, but I found something interesting, Madara-sama.

Hiruzen Sarutobi wasn't in the village for many years. He lived in Uzushiogakure until the Uzumaki incident."

Their was a moment of silence.

Madara mused, "I see, ....He truly is peculiar."

Soon his expression shifted, "Take my Rinnegan and transplant it. Stage Nagato. We can't delay any longer."

Black Zetsu bowed. "Yes, Madara-sama. I will stage the events."

Madara spoke again, "One more thing—find a successor from the Uchiha clan. My life force is damaged beyond measure. The fight with Sarutobi Hiruzen was disastrous."

"Yes, Madara-sama," Black Zetsu replied and soon vanished after taking Madara's eyes.

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Meanwhile, news of the events in Konoha had spread across all five elemental nations.

The assassination of the Hokage's wife in broad daylight and the Third Hokage's critical condition reached every corner.

A day earlier, on the front lines near Kiri, in the Land of Forest, Sakumo sat in a tent with Tsunade and Hyūga Hiashi.

They were discussing war strategy when a scroll arrived. After reading it, Sakumo's expression turned grim. He quickly handed it to Tsunade and Hiashi.

Hyūga Hiashi was outraged. "What audacity—an assassination in broad daylight? Don't they fear Konoha's retaliation?"

Sakumo frowned. "How could someone injure Sensei? I don't believe it. What kind of power would be required to pull that off?"

Tsunade nodded, her face serious.

"Indeed. With Sensei's strength, even if all four Kage of the great villages fought him together, they'd still be beaten senseless. Is there truly a ninja stronger than Sensei?"

Sakumo spoke firmly, "This is not the time for doubts. We've to form a defensive line from the Land of Waves to the forest outskirts.

Tsunade, you must return to your post. We can't press forward recklessly, as it might provoke retaliation."

The Kiri camp had regrouped the day before the news spread.

On the Ame front, Orochimaru had just arrived when he received new orders to play defensively and be ready to support the Suna front at all times.

His thoughts mirrored the situation. "This ninja world is truly dangerous. Even someone as powerful as Sensei got injured. I wonder who has such strength."

As Kagami approached the Suna camp with Konoha's forces, he was also informed of the incident. "What? But we left only five hours ago. Who has the gall to attack Konoha?"

One of the jonin from his 100-man company asked, "Captain Commander, should we retu—"

"No!" Kagami's rebuttal was immediate. "The orders are firm, and the situation is under control.

At this time, Suna will be eager to deal a blow to us, as we've captured the Land of Rivers. We must intercept Suna with Jiraiya."

Soon, they moved forward.

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In the Suna camp, a day before their planned attack through Ame, the Kazekage received the news.

"What the heck? Konoha really dares to take the Land of Rivers? Don't they realize this might provoke retaliation?"

Chiyo agreed. "This is indeed unexpected, Kazekage-sama. If Konoha has captured the Land of Rivers, they can directly infiltrate Suna without needing access to the mainland through Ame.

Now, they surround us from the Rivers front and the Ame front. I've also heard that the Hokage's disciple, Orochimaru, is leading 3,000 ninjas toward Ame to support Konoha's front against Suna."

Ebizo added, "Our forces are mostly in the Land of Rain and divided toward Iwa. We can mobilize them toward Konoha."

The Kazekage frowned. "Then what are we waiting for? Let Ebizo remain here to handle the Iwa front.

Chiyo and I will deal with Jiraiya and the Uchiha. As for Orochimaru, we'll strike a deal with Hanzo."

Chiyo objected. "No, Kazekage-sama. If we mobilize troops from the Iwa front toward Konoha through Ame, we'll be intercepted.

Konoha's forces are concentrated in Rain. If Jiraiya stops our forces, the River forces will have time to launch an attack on Suna—or, even worse, ambush us from the front lines."

The Kazekage asked, "So, what's the solution, Chiyo?"

Chiyo explained, "We'll continue exploiting Iwa. In the first wave, we dealt them a heavy blow, and they've compressed their front lines.

Now, as you suggested, Ebizo will remain here. You and I, Kazekage-sama, will intercept Konoha's forces in Ame instead of them.

If we lead the assault there with our numbers, we can suppress Konoha's forces in Rain. Then, the River front forces will have no choice but to reinforce, halting their advance.

Once that happens, we can squeeze our forces from Suna again and launch an ambush to deal a heavy blow to Konoha's River village forces.

But our main objective is to fight Iwa rather than Konoha. We'll only halt Konoha's advances, nothing more."

The Kazekage smiled. "Good. Your suggestion is excellent. We'll proceed accordingly."

On the next day, as the Suna forces prepared to intercept Konoha's front, they, too, received the news of the assassination of the Hokage's wife and the injury of the Hokage.

The Kazekage laughed. "Haha… Now, all four villages' Kage have been attacked. This is Sunagakure's opportunity to rise above the others, Chiyo.

If we deal an unprepared Konoha a blow now, they'll retreat, and we can recoup our losses in skirmishes against them."

Chiyo agreed. "Yes, Kazekage-sama. This is indeed a good opportunity. But I don't understand—didn't the Hokage defeat three Kage? How come he's injured now? Is there truly a ninja stronger than the five Kage?"

The Kazekage scoffed. "Hmph! the Hokage must have been overhyped. It seems all that talk was just to consolidate his position. Don't you know?

Konoha's ANBU commander and three Uzumaki S-rank ninjas were present. He isn't as powerful as they claim."

Chiyo also somewhat nodded in agreement.

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