Konoha: Starting with Sage Mode

Hattori Masanari is strong, but most of Amegakure's people are dead. How could he possibly withstand the partitioning of the Land of Rain by the three major powers surrounding it?

If Hattori Masanari were killed by the people of Kumogakure, that would be even better. Amegakure would then be completely defeated and would no longer be a threat to Konoha.

Ultimately, Konoha and Amegakure were still fighting to the death a year ago, and there are many grudges and conflicts between the ninjas of both sides. The reliability and timeliness of this alliance need to be considered.

“Gentlemen, you can’t be so short-sighted. We’ve already lost a great ally in the past, and now we’ve finally found a good one. If we lose it again, what will the younger generation think of us old folks?”

Seeing that the three of them remained silent, Tao Hua instantly understood what they were thinking and said angrily.

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the three generations of people changed instantly.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu's expressions turned extremely ugly, while the Third Generation looked guilty.

The destruction of Uzushiogakure is a long-standing and difficult-to-heal wound in Konoha, and also a major mistake made by the three leaders shortly after they began to take control of Konoha.

At the time, Konoha had just emerged from a major war, and the power transition had only recently been completed, leaving the village internally unstable. Out of caution, they did not extend a helping hand to Uzumaki Village, which ultimately led to Uzumaki Village being destroyed by the combined forces of the other four great ninja villages. The Uzumaki clan's legacy also fell into the hands of the four great ninja villages, allowing them to make up for the deficiencies in their own sealing techniques and obtain stable combat power such as Jinchuriki, greatly enhancing their own strength.

From then on, Konoha began its decline, never to regain the glory it had during the lives of the First and Second Hokage.

"Momoka, the destruction of Uzumaki Village cannot be blamed on Konoha. The blame lies with the Uzumaki clan for being too stubborn and arrogant, unwilling to integrate into Konoha. Moreover, no one could have imagined that the four great ninja villages would join forces against Uzumaki Village. It was too late for Konoha to come to its aid."

Koharu, who was turning the bed, clearly didn't want to admit her mistake and answered righteously.

"So, is Konoha going to abandon its allies again?"

Tao Hua countered with a question.

Xiaochun, who was switching dorm rooms, was speechless and didn't know how to respond.

No matter how noble her reasons may be, for Konoha, failing to help an ally in distress is ultimately a dishonorable act, and their subsequent treatment of the Uzumaki clan was also rather unkind.

"Lady Mito has passed away, but her contributions to Konoha during her lifetime are undeniable. If she were still alive, do you think she would want to see Konoha betray its allies again?"

Tao Hua continued.

The three generations of people dared not look into Momoka's eyes at this moment, and all lowered their heads in silence.

They knew very well that when Lady Mito stopped concerning herself with Konoha and instead secluded herself in the Senju clan's territory, fading from the sight of the people of Konoha, it was actually an expression of her dissatisfaction, and her dissatisfaction with them.

Furthermore, they all understood another meaning behind Tao Hua's words.

Kirito is Mito-sama's personal disciple, so Kirito must hate the things that Mito-sama hates.

The three of them can disregard the feelings of Amegakure, and even the feelings of Tsunade and Mito, but they cannot disregard Kirito's feelings.

“Amegakure is a good ally. They are now at odds with Kumogakure. Helping Amegakure is actually helping Konoha. With Amegakure around, Kumogakure will have virtually no chance of threatening Konoha. So I personally agree with Tsunade’s opinion.”

The third generation understood the implied meaning in Momoka's words and readily offered their support.

Regardless, Kirito is the pillar of Konoha now, and he will be in the future. If the future Hokage wants to get things done smoothly, he will need Kirito's support.

He actually has a pretty good relationship with Kirito.

Also, Kirito appears to be a member of the Senju clan, but it's only a matter of time before he forms his own clan. Strictly speaking, he actually belongs to the commoner ninja clan.

Therefore, he didn't want to continue having unpleasantness with Kirito because of this.

Moreover, what he just said makes sense. Helping Amegakure would indeed benefit Konoha, but it might leave behind a hidden danger that Amegakure might rise again in the future and threaten Konoha once more.

However, by then, he will most likely no longer be the Hokage, so these troublesome matters can be left to the new Hokage to handle.

"That makes sense, and I also agree with sending troops to support Amegakure now."

Seeing that the third generation had cast his vote, Mitokado Homura also cast his vote decisively, nodding in agreement.

Koharu, who was switching rooms, was the same.

"Very well, now that we have reached a consensus, let's talk about who will lead the troops to aid Amegakure this time."

The third generation quickly changed the subject.

The situation in Amegakure is basically clear: with Konoha's support, the already weakened Kumogakure is doomed to defeat.

That means that whoever leads troops to support Amegakure now can make a great contribution.

"Is there even a need to choose? It was Tsunade who proposed supporting Amegakure, so naturally she should be in charge of handling this matter."

Tao Hua realized that the third generation wanted to take the peaches, and immediately argued against it.

"It's fine to have Tsunade in charge, but even though the Cloud Village is weakened, they're not pushovers. They still have Kage-level shinobi. Tsunade would definitely suffer a great loss if she faced a Cloud Village Kage-level shinobi. We need to send someone who can help her."

The third generation did not object to Momoka's words and spoke frankly about them.

Tsunade deserves credit for Konoha's support in driving away Kumogakure; she is undoubtedly the primary contributor. However, her only goal is to share some of the credit with Orochimaru. Whether Orochimaru can seize this opportunity and gain even greater credit depends on his own abilities.

"How about letting Kirito go and help Tsunade? Anyway, the war in the Land of Wind is basically over."

Tao Hua asked tentatively.

It wasn't that she didn't trust the people the Third Hokage sent to help Tsunade; she was just unwilling for Tsunade's credit to be shared. Rather than letting the Third Hokage benefit from it, she preferred that it stay in the pot.

"No, Kirito is a Jinchūriki now, and he's at the height of his power. If he appears on the battlefield again, he might attract powerful enemies from outside Kumogakure. At that time, let alone protecting Tsunade, he might not even be able to protect himself."

The third generation immediately expressed their opposition.

“Hiruzen is absolutely right. Kirito needs to return to the village as soon as possible. Sending him to the battlefield now would be too risky.”

Mitokado Homura decisively sided with the Third Generation once again.

Seeing this, Momoka knew that it was impossible for Kirito to go and support Tsunade. She also felt that what the Third Hokage said made sense. Kirito should indeed return to Konoha as soon as possible. This time, she had been too eager for quick success.

With this thought in mind, she finally gave up.

Momoka did not continue to obstruct, and the Third Hokage quickly and smoothly appointed Orochimaru as the person in charge of leading the troops to support Amegakure.

……

Meanwhile, in a dark underground cave, a pair of scarlet eyes suddenly opened in the darkness, and Uchiha Madara successfully returned to his lair.

As soon as Madara Uchiha returned, a White Zetsu dragged a huge cocoon to him and said in a respectful and fervent tone, "Lord Madara, I have brought what you asked for. Rest assured, the things inside have been revived by the stone statues. Even if the stone statues are temporarily deprived of their supply, they will not die."

Chapter 252: Madara Uchiha and the Bedbugs

"Open."

Upon hearing White Zetsu's words, Madara Uchiha carefully examined the contents of the cocoon before issuing a command.

The nameless White Zetsu immediately obeyed the command, quickly tearing open the outer skin of the cocoon to reveal what was inside: Hatake Sakumo.

In Madara Uchiha's Sharingan, Sakumo Hatake was in terrible condition. His face was as pale as paper, almost bloodless, and his life force was very weak. He looked much older, like someone recovering from a serious illness.

This is understandable. After ingesting the chili pill with severe side effects, and then having the first seven of the eight gates of the human body forcibly opened by Kirito in an abnormal way, he suffered even more severe side effects. If it weren't for Madara Uchiha's timely rescue, he would have died from the backlash long ago.

However, Madara Uchiha's treatment at the time only kept Sakumo Hatake afloat, temporarily suppressing his injuries and backlash. Without professional treatment, he would still die suddenly.

Madara Uchiha, of course, had no interest in being a doctor or a nanny. He simply dumped Sakumo Hatake on the Gedo Mazo, letting the Gedo Mazo treat Sakumo in his place.

The Gedo Mazo is a replica of Hashirama Senju created from his own flesh and blood. Therefore, it possesses some of Hashirama Senju's abilities. It can not only fuse Hashirama's cells with White Zetsu to enhance their combat power, but also use Hashirama Senju's Yang Release chakra, which has amazing self-healing abilities, to heal living beings.

The Gedo Mazo did not disappoint him. Hatake Sakumo may look to be in terrible condition, but he has actually passed the most dangerous period. As long as he continues to recuperate well, he will be able to regain his health. However, a reduction in lifespan and strength is inevitable.

"Not bad, it should last until I finish my deal with that kid. Besides, this guy will become a burden to that kid, killing two birds with one stone."

Madara Uchiha lifted Sakumo Hatake up with one hand and sneered.

After emerging from the cocoon, Hatake Sakumo gradually regained consciousness. Now, stimulated by Uchiha Madara, he finally woke up and struggled to open his heavy eyelids. Then he saw Uchiha Madara's Sharingan, which was radiating an evil red light.

Then, his consciousness once again fell into chaos.

"Hopefully you can give that kid a surprise, hehehe~"

Madara Uchiha looked at Sakumo Hatake, whose eyes had now transformed into Sharingan eyes, and sneered.

Of course, he couldn't possibly make a deal with Kirito sincerely. Kirito had stolen his Rinnegan and used it to threaten and mock him. How could he so easily return Sakumo Hatake? He had to teach Kirito a lesson.

"However, that kid is no pushover either. Although he is young, he is incredibly cunning. He inherited that woman's sealing technique, and he might be able to use it to tamper with my Rinnegan. I have to be careful about that."

Madara Uchiha stopped his cold laugh after a short while, his face once again covered with anger, and he said in a cold voice.

"Lord Madara, it's time to stock up on goods. How about we start with Uchiha Homura's granddaughter? Tohsaka Kirito is no longer in the Land of Wind, so this is the perfect opportunity."

Black Zetsu suddenly spoke up, offering advice to Madara Uchiha.

What he meant by "purchasing goods" was, of course, stealing the Sharingan from the Uchiha clan.

In Black Zetsu's view, as long as Madara Uchiha holds onto Izanagi, the forbidden Sharingan eye technique that can rewrite reality, no matter how cunning Kirito Tohsaka may be, Madara Uchiha will be the ultimate victor.

When Madara Uchiha heard Black Zetsu say that, he instinctively felt a sense of resistance.

He has always disdained anyone who is not a real threat to him, and he is unwilling to do anything that would be beneath his dignity, such as bullying the weak.

"Uchiha Homura's granddaughter, Uchiha Chizuru, and Tohsaka Kirito were childhood friends, and she was also quite talented, possessing the aptitude to awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan. Uchiha Homura was her only living relative, and if she learned of Uchiha Homura's death, she might awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan."

Furthermore, many of Kirito's subordinates are among the Konoha ninja in the Land of Wind. Eliminating these people would be equivalent to severely weakening Kirito's power.

Seeing that Madara Uchiha didn't respond immediately, Black Zetsu instantly understood what was going on and continued to persuade him.

That's interesting.

The next moment, Madara Uchiha finally spoke.

Compared to the possibility of gaining a new pair of Mangekyou Sharingan, letting go of that little bit of resistance in my heart is nothing.

Moreover, if Uchiha Chizuru can truly awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan, then the Mangekyou Sharingan of Uchiha Homura on his body might evolve into the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan, and there's even a slight possibility that it could evolve into the Rinnegan.

With his Rinnegan in danger of being damaged at any moment, the discovery of a potential replacement was extremely tempting for Madara Uchiha.

"But before we take action, let's get our hands on what that bug Danzo left behind. We can't do everything ourselves. It's time to find a good group of subordinates to use."

Madara Uchiha continued.

"Lord Ban is wise."

Upon hearing this, Black Zetsu immediately began to flatter him.

That makes perfect sense. No matter how powerful Madara Uchiha is, he's still just one person, and he's an old man who could die at any moment. If he continues to do everything himself like this, even with the Gedo Mazo, he probably won't live much longer.

Therefore, it is necessary to recruit a group of good subordinates to do things for him.

The Impure World Reincarnation technique, improved by the old Root organization left behind by Danzo, could completely solve Madara Uchiha's manpower shortage problem.

"Lead the way, Black Zetsu."

Madara Uchiha issued the order.

"Yes, Madam Madara."