Chapter 181

Instantly, the room turned hostile. Ōnoki clapped his hands together, preparing to activate his Dust Release. Though the arm that Sakumo Hatake had severed last time still caused him issues, he'd trained hard—he could still use Dust Release, albeit slower.

The Raikage's Lightning Armor flared around him in a flash of electricity.

Uchiha Madara. His very name carried enough weight to shake the shinobi world.

One man had flipped the world upside down.

But none of them expected him to actually show up here.

This was a Five Kage Summit!

Did he really think he could take on five Kage-level fighters?

Well… even if the Kage weren't all here, the village reps still weren't weak.

And yet…

"Just as Big Brother Yukika said... a meeting full of clowns pretending to be important."

Two people seemed utterly unfazed, even laughing with Madara.

They were the Konoha representatives—Uzumaki Kushina and Uchiha Mikoto.

"Well, if he's here, the others will show up too."

Mikoto nodded, agreeing with Kushina.

"Say, isn't he your Uchiha ancestor? Aren't you going to greet him?" Kushina teased.

"I'm part of the Senju clan now," Mikoto said, face flushed but firm.

In Japan's traditional culture, women often took their husband's family name. Mikoto was now a Senju. Despite being the daughter of an Uchiha elder, she had chosen the Senju name by marrying in.

Though they weren't officially married yet, everyone knew she was one of Yukika's fiancées.

"You seem pretty proud of that new surname," Madara said, the smile on Mikoto's face making him uncomfortable.

An Uchiha woman becoming a Senju?

It was a disgrace.

Was there no one left in the Uchiha worthy of her?

Still—he had long since disowned the Uchiha of Konoha. When he asked them to follow him, they refused. They'd already lost their pride.

"Lord Madara, she's the one I told you about. The descendant of yours that was 'polluted' by the Senju," Black Zetsu whispered behind him.

Did I ask for your opinion?

Madara gave him a cold glare and looked away.

"No rush. I want to hear what this so-called summit has to say."

Madara stepped forward and sat at the table, clearly enjoying making everyone uncomfortable before taking action.

Suddenly, Hashirama's face appeared on his chest.

"Relax," Madara said. "You can see Konoha didn't even bother sending a Hokage. Just two little girls."

"No Hokage—how are we even calling this a Five Kage Summit?"

He casually raised his hand, and a wooden chair extended from his body. Wood Release did have its conveniences.

He sat down and tapped the face of Hashirama on his chest.

"This guy here is the First Hokage. But if his brother hadn't resisted so hard, I would've been the first Hokage."

"I named Konoha. So this time, I'll represent it and hear what you all have to say."

Disgusting.

Ōnoki stared at the face of Hashirama on Madara's chest, utterly lost for words.

What the hell was that?

But Kushina and Mikoto ignored him, calmly flipping through their documents.

"Well, now that everyone's here, let's begin."

Begin the summit?

Raikage and Tsuchikage exchanged looks of disbelief.

Wasn't this whole meeting about Madara?

Now he was here—and acting like he owned the place.

Kushina opened the file and began relaying information.

She wasn't here for a summit.

Yukika had predicted Madara would appear in disguise, but they weren't worried.

Everything was prepared.

Now it was time for Madara to see what the Senju were really capable of.

"These are the words of Senju Yukika, Clan Leader of the Senju Clan," Kushina said.

"Don't interrupt me before I finish. Otherwise, Yukika won't be pleased. You know the consequences."

Kushina cleared her throat and glanced at Mikoto.

"First—regarding the compensation for the Second Great Ninja War. Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and Sunagakure have yet to submit what was promised."

Mikoto coldly tossed a list of missing supplies toward the village leaders.

"Brother Yukika said he has no tolerance for broken promises. Lord Raikage, you've been the most reliable."

"We ask the others for an explanation."

Awkward silence.

Everyone glanced at Ōnoki. He didn't look happy. Elder Gen and Chiyo shared uneasy glances.

Only the Third Raikage nodded slightly.

He had fulfilled his end of the deal.

He hoped Yukika would recognize his sincerity.

He knew—better than anyone—how powerful Senju Yukika truly was.

The others still talked about politics.

Couldn't they see the situation clearly?

"Let's be honest," Elder Gen said. "We all know Madara is collecting Tailed Beasts and Jinchūriki."

He swallowed nervously and looked at Madara.

"Last I checked, the Senju Clan holds both the Two-Tails and the Nine-Tails."

"So what?" Kushina slammed the table. "You think we need your power? Is that why you're trying to dodge payment?"

"Or do you think this old fossil can actually steal a beast from my brother Yukika?"

Oof.

When Kushina pointed at Madara, the room went dead silent.

Everyone looked at Madara, waiting for him to explode.

But surprisingly—he didn't.

He just sneered.

Uzumaki women sure had big mouths.

Maybe they'd never seen a true powerhouse.

Besides, Hashirama was dead.

No way Yukika could hold up that legacy.

Should he attack?

No—not yet. He wasn't done playing.

Yet… the insult stuck with him.

"Ahem, moving on to point two," Mikoto said, pulling out another file.

"If it's more about reparations, I don't need to hear it," Ōnoki muttered.

"It's not," Mikoto replied. "It's a warning—from the Senju."

She looked up.

"It's about the final fate of the Tailed Beasts—and Madara's intentions."

Now, even Madara's expression darkened.

If Yukika knew his plan, then maybe his people did too.

"Infinite Tsukuyomi may be a dream to some," Mikoto said, "but to Yukika, it's worthless."

"He said it's just a brain-dead fantasy for fake peace."

Madara's fists clenched.

Unlike Kushina's earlier jab, this hit a nerve.

She wasn't insulting him—she was mocking his ideals.

"If you make a move," a lazy voice echoed, "I promise, even with your little black shadow puppet, you won't win."

Everyone looked up in shock.

There, lounging on a ceiling beam, a man sipped from a gourd.

In his lap—a fluffy-tailed fox.

Senju Yukika.

He was here!?

But how had none of them noticed!?

Even Madara tensed.

He hadn't sensed Yukika at all.

"I told you—everyone's here," Kushina smirked, waving at him.

"Yukika! This bastard's clenching his fists! Hurry up and punch him before he does something stupid!"