Chapter 219 – The Storm Before the War
> "Had the heavens not given birth to Uchiha Yuta, the world would have remained in darkness forever."
It was no exaggeration to say that the rise of the Fifth Hokage – Uchiha Yuta had reshaped the entire shinobi world, altering the destinies of countless ninja. Even the once-proud legendary figure Uchiha Madara couldn't help but feel a deep sense of awe.
Because of that, silence fell over the office.
The First Raikage, Second Raikage, and Third Raikage exchanged glances, the helplessness in their eyes clear. They had misjudged the Fourth Raikage – A.
It wasn't that he lacked strength.
It was simply that the one he now faced—Uchiha Yuta—was far too monstrous.
> "The strength of the Fifth Hokage—Uchiha Yuta—has surpassed even the Sage of Six Paths... this is terrifying."
> "Hah... How could such a freakish monster exist in the shinobi world?"
> "Konoha's luck is simply absurd. First they had Senju Hashirama, and now this madman Uchiha Yuta..."
The three Raikage let out weary sighs one after another. None of them could've imagined that even after their deaths, the world would change to such a degree—and that a being like Uchiha Yuta could exist.
> "Stand up."
Madara's voice broke the silence.
He looked calmly at Raikage A and said,
> "You're still the leader of Kumogakure. It's your turn to act."
> "Yes!"
The Fourth Raikage clenched his fists and stood up with resolve.
> "No matter how powerful Konoha is... I will have my revenge."
> "That's the spirit. There are no cowards in Kumogakure!"
> "Win, and the village reclaims its glory. Lose, and we die. Simple as that."
> "Go ahead, A. Start the Fourth Great Ninja War. We've died once already—we have nothing to lose."
Their killing intent blazed. They were once the thunderous might of Kumogakure. Even if Uchiha Yuta had become a god among men, they would fight.
> "Tell me straight," the First Raikage asked skeptically.
"Is Uchiha Yuta really stronger than the Sage of Six Paths?"
> "Almost," Madara replied without hesitation, his voice low.
The First Raikage gave a long exhale and nodded.
What more was there to say?
They were resurrected by Uchiha Madara himself. The wheels of fate were already spinning.
> "Then it begins."
Madara's Eternal Mangekyō shimmered coldly.
> "With lightning speed—we start the Fourth Great Ninja War."
> "Understood."
The Fourth Raikage slammed his fist into his palm.
"It's time."
> "This is it..."
> "A war against Konoha... against the Fifth Hokage—Uchiha Yuta."
Across the room, Uchiha Obito, Black Zetsu, and White Zetsu nodded in grim unison. The final storm was about to descend upon the shinobi world.
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The Next Day
Without warning, a shocking announcement spread across every hidden village like wildfire.
> The Fourth Raikage – A of Kumogakure,
The Third Tsuchikage – Ōnoki of Iwagakure,
and Orochimaru – the leader of Otogakure,
had jointly declared war against Konohagakure!
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> BOOM!!
The entire shinobi world erupted like an earthquake.
No one had expected this.
Just as Konoha's dominance was becoming a certainty—when the world had nearly accepted Uchiha Yuta as its inevitable ruler—three great villages had chosen to rebel.
> "They're going to start a war?! Against Konoha?!"
> "What are they thinking?! Has Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Otogakure gone mad?"
> "Don't they realize that the Fifth Hokage—Uchiha Yuta—is already practically invincible?!"
It was like ants declaring war against a dragon.
Konoha had already subdued Sunagakure, Kirigakure, Takigakure, and even Amegakure through diplomacy or force. Only a few stood defiant.
And now, they had declared open war?
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> "This is suicide."
> "Yuta will crush them. A, Ōnoki, and even Orochimaru are as good as dead."
> "Did someone give them the courage to try this? Madara, perhaps?"
> "Heh, I'm just here for the fireworks. I fully support Uchiha Yuta unifying the shinobi world."
The reactions were swift and ruthless.
Across the Five Nations, shinobi speculated, laughed, panicked, and watched.
Everyone now awaited the response of Konohagakure.
Everyone waited to see how Uchiha Yuta—the storm made flesh—would react.
Because when gods are challenged, the skies tend to burn.
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To be continued...
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