[Akatsuki Organization Base, Hall]
Not long after Nagato and that woman went out, Madara walked over.
Minato's gaze immediately landed on Madara.
He recognized that the man in front of him, wearing a black robe with red clouds, with spiky hair, exuding an unusually domineering aura, was the one known only in legends as the Ghost of the Uchiha— Uchiha Madara.
This was still his first meeting with Madara, although he had already heard from Obito that the current Madara was not considered dangerous, even to some extent, was standing on their side.
But such a character, no matter how cautious the attitude used to deal with him, it wouldn't be too much.
His gaze gradually became serious.
Madara noticed Minato's unusual reaction, and asked with some interest, "You know me?"
Minato nodded, trying to keep his mindset calm, "First time meeting, you are the Uchiha Madara senior who co-founded Konoha with the First Hokage, right? You look exactly like the portrait I've seen."
Madara scrutinized Minato, and after a moment, a trace of appreciation appeared in his eyes, "Not bad. Under the circumstance of recognizing me, still neither humble nor arrogant, you're a character."
"You're also here to join Akatsuki? I acknowledge you, tomorrow I'll have someone bring you the uniform."
Minato became embarrassed and explained, "Madara-sama misunderstood, I am a Konoha ninja, this time coming to the Land of Rain is just for a mission, and I don't have the intention to join Akatsuki."
Madara became surprised, "You're a Konoha ninja? What's your name?"
Minato said calmly, "Namikaze Minato."
Madara revealed a trace of realization, "So you're the Jonin captain who led Obito, and learned the time-space ninjutsu invented by Tobirama, Namikaze Minato?"
Minato nodded, "Yes, the Flying Thunder God Technique of the Second Hokage-sama, in the whole of Konoha, indeed only three people have learned it. Besides the Second Hokage himself, there's only me and Obito."
Madara said lightly, "A genius. That technique of Tobirama's has high requirements in all aspects, it's not that easy to learn."
However, thinking of how Obito used Flying Thunder God to make him so embarrassed, and the death of his younger brother Izuna, his expression instantly turned ugly.
"Speaking of which, this technique really is annoying."
If it wasn't the current Akatsuki hall with narrow space, he even wanted to fight Namikaze Minato to test his quality.
Just like he did with Uchiha Shisui.
Seeing Madara's attitude suddenly turning unfriendly, Minato also had to raise his guard, preparing to activate Flying Thunder God at any moment.
But Madara just withdrew his aura, "Forget it, how can an adult fuss with a child?"
Then, he turned to look at Obito, "So, this time you came as a Konoha ninja, came to the Land of Rain for a mission?"
Obito smiled, "You can say that."
Madara's eyes narrowed, "I remember, Hanzo issued a ban prohibiting the entry of ninja from major countries, violators to be killed without mercy."
"This applies to you as well, the Land of Rain does not welcome people from Konoha."
Obito became speechless, "Madara, I remember Hanzo issued that only to those major nation ninjas who stir up trouble."
"We're not here to cause trouble."
Madara snorted. If Obito really came to cause trouble, he'd be helpless too, "Tell me then, what's your mission?"
A trace of a smile appeared at the corner of Obito's mouth, "Investigate the whereabouts of Shimura Danzo. If he's not dead, protect him and bring him back to the village. If dead, try to bring back the corpse."
Madara's expression immediately turned strange, "Konoha gave you this mission?"
Obito shrugged and said, "Why not?"
"We are the elites among the elite squads. Not long ago, we even captured the Fourth Kazekage Rasa alive and ended a war."
"Konoha sending us to handle this matter instead proves how much they value Lord Shimura Danzo."
Madara snorted coldly, "Looks like that little monkey from the Sarutobi clan is old too, eyes already dim. Danzo was killed by you."
Obito immediately showed an innocent expression, "That's not right. How could Lord Danzo have been killed by me? Clearly he was accidentally stabbed to death by a war orphan who isn't even a ninja. Madara, you saw it too, right?"
Madara couldn't help but mock, "You're becoming more and more shameless, more and more like that brat Danzo, full of bad ideas."
Obito returned to seriousness and said, "So, Madara, bear the blame for me again this time. Since the Hokage-sama needs an explanation, I can only report that everything was done by Akatsuki and Hanzo."
Madara just gave Obito a glance, "Do as you like. Anyway, even if you hadn't done it, I would've killed that brat. His personality is really infuriating."
"Danzo's corpse is still at the original place. Hanzo had someone bury it. If you want it, you can go dig it up."
Obito smiled, "Okay."
To the side, Minato, Rin, and Kakashi watched the two old monsters of the ninja world talk. In their casual exchange, many important matters seemed to be easily decided. They couldn't help but feel that these two were essentially the same as what Obito had experienced in the previous generation.
Both were behind-the-scenes manipulators of the ninja world.
Obito continued, "Besides investigating the matter of Danzo, we have one more thing to do."
"Both Kumogakure and Iwagakure are bringing armies toward the Land of Rain. A big war might break out again here."
"We're here to collect related intel."
Madara said lightly, "Is that so? Then no need to collect, I can directly tell you the result."
"Kumo and Iwa don't listen to advice, insist on attacking the Land of Rain, and in the end both suffer defeat."
Obito said calmly, "That's a good story. So we'll stay for now and watch the show."
"Madara, don't kill the Third Tsuchikage and the Third Raikage. At the end of the show, Akatsuki still needs to do some business with them."
Madara thought for a moment and said, "So, you want to spread chakra through all of the ninja world by using the Kage of each village?"
Obito said, "Exactly. I'm already about to conduct a trade with Sunagakure. As for the other ninja villages, I can't favor one over the others."
"Quickly stockpiling the entire ninja world's resources is a key part of the plan."
Madara reminded, "According to what I've observed, once people gain great power in a short time, their hearts swell rapidly and they start acting arrogantly."
"Resources also count as a form of power. So it's very likely that before the future you expect arrives, the major nations will start fighting again, and possibly fight even more fiercely."
Obito gave Madara a strange look, "This kind of phenomenon you're talking about, you didn't happen to observe it from Uchiha clan members, did you? Speaking of which, are you like that too?"
Madara snorted, "I'm different from them. I always stay clear-headed."
Obito couldn't help but think of Sasuke.
Sasuke and Madara were the same, reincarnations of Indra. Their personalities should have something in common.
Sasuke was exactly the type Madara described. After gaining strong power in a short time, he didn't even know who he was anymore. His heart swelled so much that even Obito thought it was excessive arrogance.
And then came one lesson after another from harsh reality.
But Madara was much more rational.
Even the battle at the Valley of the End, and fighting Hashirama, was done with a purpose.
Even the possibility of dying, of having his corpse taken back by Tobirama for research, he had thought of it. Preemptively activated Izanagi to deceive the heavens and cross the sea. Everything was within his plan.
'Why could Madara stay so clear-headed?'
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