Chapter 115: Encounter on the Hills

Uchiha Madara was a being beyond Kage-level.

And that was before he awakened the Rinnegan.

No one could guess how much stronger he had become since. Even in his old age, Madara could surely unleash power reminiscent of his prime for a short time.

Against such an opponent, there could be no room for arrogance.

As for whether her grandfather would disapprove, Tsunade didn't care.

"Grandpa would understand," she said firmly.

The room went still.

"Are you really saying that, Tsunade-sama?" asked Guy, wide-eyed.

"You returned to Konoha just yesterday, talked about resurrecting my grandfather with my grandmother and even a cousin—and now you're telling me this is wrong?" she shot back.

"If Grandma doesn't mind, why should I? At least this way, we can see them again, speak to them. Even if it's not true resurrection."

She regularly communed with her grandmother. This was nothing new.

"…Oh. Fine," Guy sighed. "If you already know everything… then we'll find time to resurrect the First and Second Hokage."

Gin smiled wryly. "The best sacrifice material for Edo Tensei would be White Zetsu."

Though it might draw Madara's or Black Zetsu's attention, they were already planning to act against them. The risk was acceptable.

"Do as you see fit," Tsunade waved dismissively.

Minato, however, frowned.

"Are you sure about this? Using the First and Second as tools—doesn't that disrespect your ancestors?"

"In my opinion, it's fine," Kushina said nonchalantly. "We should use all the resources available to us."

Mikoto only gave a tight smile, not quite agreeing, but not objecting aloud either.

Suddenly, Gin's body tensed. In a blink, he leapt out of the room. Two jumps later, he was on the rooftop of a tall building, scanning the distance with intensity.

Tsunade, Minato, and the others followed.

"What is it?"

Activating Observation Haki, they extended their senses.

Everyone felt it—

A surge of chakra, vast and terrible.

"That's… Madara?" Tsunade whispered, horror in her voice.

Gin's eyes darkened. "Looks like he came for me. My power and potential must have finally scared them—Black Zetsu, White Zetsu… and Madara himself. Looks like they're trying to eliminate a future threat before it's too late. Interesting."

A flicker of mockery crossed his face.

"How fitting. I was planning to hunt him down soon. A shame this is just a Wood Clone. Still, if he wants to play, I'll pay him a visit soon."

To anyone else, this clone might've felt like the real thing. But not to Gin. With his mastery of Observation Haki and chakra control, he could easily tell—it wasn't the real Madara.

The Wood Release was too strong, and the chakra volume too low for a being of Madara's caliber.

"Wait… it's a Wood Clone?" Tsunade blinked.

"I couldn't tell either," Minato admitted.

"Your chakra control, your Haki, and your sense-cleansing techniques aren't at that level yet," Gin explained. "A few more years of training should fix that."

He turned.

"No more talk. I'm going to intercept him. Don't follow—it's too dangerous. Gather the Konoha forces and stay out of the battlefield."

Before they could protest, he vanished.

A thousand meters west of Ame, Gin reappeared on a low hill.

On a hill across the valley, Madara stood calmly—staring.

A chill wind swept across the grass.

Madara raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You sensed me even from there? Impressive. Truly an exceptional Uchiha… though still just a boy."

"Here to die, little one?"

Gin chuckled. "Hardly. I've already sent for reinforcements. Against you, that's all I can do for now. But given the chance, I would prefer to kill you myself, Madara."

Madara laughed—hard and loud.

"You? Kill me?" He shook his head, grinning. "Bold words. At ten years old, I wasn't even this strong. You're a rare genius, no doubt. But that makes your arrogance even more amusing."

Still, something in Gin's eyes made him pause.

He wasn't reckless. He'd called for help. He didn't overestimate himself.

This child… was rational. Dangerously so.

"Pity this isn't the real you," Gin said calmly. "If it were, I'd save the trouble and end you now. But don't worry—I'll find your true body soon enough."

Gin smirked. "Maybe I'll resurrect you later, let you keep the First Hokage company. Not at full strength, of course. That'd be problematic."

Madara's expression shifted.

So Gin knew.

He understood too much.

"Convincing him to switch sides or make a contract?" Gin thought. "Unlikely. His pride won't allow it. Not anytime soon."

Madara studied the boy silently.

"You're an unusual one," he muttered. "You could tell this was a clone… intriguing. So where's your backup?"

Gin's eyes narrowed. "Ah. You wanted to kill me, my mother, and Lady Mito all at once. Eliminate three threats in one move. How unlike you. I thought Madara Uchiha feared nothing. When did you start cutting down seedlings before they bloomed?"

A sharp edge crept into his voice.

"You're getting old."

Madara's gaze sharpened, his killing intent flaring like wildfire.

In that moment, Gin's shadow clone appeared nearby—bringing with it two women.

Uchiha Hikari. Uzumaki Mito.

The clone vanished, dispersing its knowledge directly into Gin's mind.

"Mother. Grandma," he greeted with a calm smile.

Both women nodded—and immediately turned to Madara.

"Wood Clone?" they asked in unison.

Madara frowned.

"Since when did Wood Clones become so easy to identify?" he muttered.

"Even Tobirama couldn't tell with this level of precision," he thought. "Did I miss something in the clone structure?"

"It doesn't matter," Hikari said, waving off the clone's presence. "We planned to track you down anyway. Your constant surveillance is annoying."

"Shame the real you didn't come. This version can't fight me—and with Mito here, it's a joke."

"Send your real body next time."

Madara's eyes narrowed again.

"You knew I was alive. You knew about the Black and White Zetsu. You know I possess the Rinnegan. Did you read the stone tablet at the Naka Shrine? Did you… awaken the Eternal Mangekyō?"

Hikari snorted. "I haven't even awakened my Eternal Mangekyō yet, much less the Rinnegan. But yes—I saw the tablet. Most of it was nonsense."

Madara looked puzzled. "You know the value of that information. Why dismiss it?"

Hikari's smile was cold.

"Because power without vision is just chaos. That tablet might hold truth—but it's tainted with lies. You chased ghosts, Madara. We won't."

End of Chapter 115