Uchiha Sasuke’s Resolve

This was exactly what she feared…

Tsunade's body stiffened instantly.

Though she had taken on the mantle of the Fifth Hokage and bore the weight of Konoha on her shoulders, she had always told herself she must not fear her old mentor, now turned enemy—Lord Shigen.

But—

The single blow she had received from Shigen during the Chūnin Exams had left a deep, indelible shadow in her heart. A part of her couldn't bring herself to face him.

Even now—

Tsunade feared she might freeze in place if she had to fight him again.

And just like Tsunade couldn't understand the Raikage's fear of Uchiha Madara, the Fourth Raikage couldn't understand Tsunade's fear of Shigen.

"Tsunade,"

"You're afraid."

The Fourth Raikage bluntly pointed it out.

"Fearing an enemy has no place in hearts like ours."

"…"

Tsunade shot him a scornful look.

Who the hell was he to talk?

Wasn't he the one nearly pissing himself just hearing Madara's name?

"That look is seriously offensive!"

The Raikage growled, rage flaring on his face.

"Just stay in your bed."

Tsunade sighed, turning to leave the hospital room. She had preparations to make. The Akatsuki's attack on Konoha was imminent.

Calling it "preparation" was generous…

It was more like struggling not to drown.

After all, during the Chūnin Exams, Shigen had merely released a fraction of his chakra—and most of Konoha's shinobi had collapsed under its pressure.

Still—

Tsunade had already anticipated this day.

All she could do now was pray that Orochimaru and Obito could cause enough trouble to force Akatsuki to pull back.

Rain Country border.

Kakashi Hatake and Uchiha Obito stood atop a ridge, watching Shigen and the others depart from the Rain Country.

"Now…"

"It's time to begin our plan."

Obito didn't even glance at Kakashi.

"Madara should still be in the Akatsuki base. I'll lure him out—you sneak in and locate the tailed beasts."

"Obito…"

Kakashi tried to speak.

"We don't have time."

"And I have no interest in chatting with you."

Obito's figure blurred into his Kamui space, leaving behind only a bitter sentence:

"This 'cooperation' is nothing more than borrowing my other eye to fight Akatsuki."

What he didn't say was—

This plan was far from safe.

He might very well die at Madara's hands.

If that happened, no words would matter anyway.

Akatsuki Base.

Madara and Sasuke continued their training.

Once again, Madara struck Sasuke down with Susanoo, sighing with a hint of resignation.

"Sending you to Konoha with Lord Shigen might not have been a bad idea. Maybe attacking Konoha could've triggered your Mangekyō awakening…"

After all—

Sasuke had grown up in Konoha.

If he could let go of his past and experience a powerful emotional shift, he might truly awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.

"It's unnecessary,"

Sasuke said coldly.

"I'll find a way to counter Susanoo myself."

"Then you'll have to exhaust his ocular power,"

Madara replied, revealing the secrets of the Mangekyō and exposing Itachi's weakness.

"Without the Eternal Mangekyō, every use of its abilities drains your vision… until blindness."

"But…"

"If he loses his sight, you may not be able to transplant his eyes to gain the Eternal Mangekyō yourself."

"I don't care."

Sasuke had no interest in the so-called Eternal Mangekyō.

"All I want is to kill him."

"Hah…"

"That's disappointing…"

Madara let out a laugh, amused despite himself.

"Lord Shigen and I see you as the successor to the Eye of the Moon Plan."

"Not interested."

Sasuke remained indifferent.

"Tch…"

"So blinded by hatred?"

Madara clicked his tongue but didn't fault Sasuke for it. In fact, he admired the kid's resolve.

"Then after your revenge, we'll talk."

"…"

Sasuke paused, then muttered,

"Thank you. When I kill him… I'll consider your Eye of the Moon Plan."

After all—

Madara and Shigen had treated him decently.

If their vision for eternal peace proved feasible, Sasuke wouldn't mind helping them see it through.

"…"

Madara chuckled again, saying nothing more.

If their plan worked…

They wouldn't even need Sasuke.

They'd trap him inside Infinite Tsukuyomi too.

In that dream world…

He'd have his clan, his family, his peaceful youth…

Inside Kamui Space.

Obito was finishing preparations.

He needed to lure Madara out of the Akatsuki base—without getting trapped or killed in the process.

"Relax."

"Everything's ready."

Orochimaru smiled, trying to ease Obito's tension. His eyes gleamed coldly as he looked toward several coffins.

"This time's Edo Tensei will be perfect. Their strength is closer to life than ever."

"They might not match Shigen…"

"But Madara shouldn't be a problem."

"Doesn't matter."

"As long as we get the eight beasts…"

Obito clenched his fist tightly.

"Then I'll be one step away from becoming the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki."

"Once we succeed…"

"Not even Shigen will be able to stop us. That ancient relic can stay buried in his story."

"Let's begin."

Obito turned to the figure beside him.

"Kisame, it's your move first."

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Powerstones?

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