Chapter 244 – The Hokage Civil War?
"You guys... seriously."
Just as the First Raikage and the others were about to explode in fury, they were suddenly interrupted by Uchiha Madara.
"Alright. Shut up."
Tch.
Even before the battle against Konoha had begun, they were already arguing among themselves. These were all former Kage, yet they were acting so short-tempered.
Of course, Madara wasn't worried about the cooperation of the First to Fourth Kazekage or the First to Fourth Mizukage.
After all, he had resurrected them using Edo Tensei. As the caster, he still held a certain degree of control.
Silence.
After Madara spoke, the conference room fell completely silent.
Whether it was the Raikage, Tsuchikage, Kazekage, or Mizukage—no one dared speak. Everyone understood clearly:
Uchiha Madara was the one calling the shots.
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"Well..."
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who had been silent until now, let out a heavy sigh.
He once believed that everything he did in his lifetime would be buried with his death.
But reality was often cruel.
Despite his ideals, after death he was revived by Edo Tensei, forced to face the consequences of his leadership.
The thought of returning to the Leaf Village in his current state made his soul tremble. He knew all too well...
Ever since the rise of the Fifth Hokage—Uchiha Yuta, the truth behind many of his past actions had been laid bare.
He wasn't just criticized.
He had become a symbol of disgrace. The Will of Fire he had once preached was now mocked. His policies—especially his tolerance toward foreign powers and harshness toward his own people—were now taught in textbooks as cautionary tales.
Even academy students knew:
> "The Sandaime Hokage—Hiruzen Sarutobi—is a prime example of what a Kage should not be."
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"Senju Hashirama... I want you and the other Hokage to lead the first wave against the Leaf Village."
Madara suddenly grinned as he issued the command.
"As former Hokage, it must feel interesting... attacking the very village you once led."
"I'm really looking forward to seeing that civil war."
His smile widened. He had fantasized about this for a long time—Senju Hashirama, the so-called "God of Shinobi," leading a charge against Konoha.
Finally, he would get to witness that scene.
It would be symbolic. Devastating. A blow to Konoha's morale like no other.
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"Whoa..."
"This... this is too insane."
"Hahaha, if the First Hokage uses Deep Forest Emergence, Konoha might literally be leveled."
"All the Hokage—First through Fourth—vs. the Fifth Hokage?! That's next-level drama."
Gasps and murmurs spread across the room.
Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage; A, the Fourth Raikage; Orochimaru; and the many Kage resurrected by Edo Tensei all looked stunned.
No one expected Madara to have such a dark sense of humor—sending the former Hokage to destroy their own legacy.
It wasn't just twisted. It was poetic.
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"Madara, you really are something."
But rather than getting angry, Senju Hashirama just crossed his arms and replied calmly, "Don't worry. I won't disappoint in this 'Hokage War.'"
"Do I really have to fight against Konoha...?" Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, gave a bitter laugh.
Still, he composed himself quickly.
> "If it's fate, so be it. And besides, with Uchiha Yuta's power… I doubt we'd win anyway."
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"Naruto..."
A quiet whisper escaped Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage.
After being revived, the only thing on his mind was seeing his son again—Uzumaki Naruto.
Knowing that Naruto was alive and strong in the Leaf Village gave him peace. Surely, Kushina in the afterlife would feel relief too.
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"Minato..."
Seeing his expression, Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a stabbing guilt in his heart.
He opened his mouth to speak, but couldn't find the words.
How was he supposed to tell Minato the truth?
That his son had been ostracized since birth.
That he was called a monster by the villagers.
That he survived on expired milk and fished in the river just to eat.
If Minato found out, he might erupt on the spot.
The shame was unbearable.
For a moment, Hiruzen wished he had stayed dead.
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"What's wrong?"
Minato turned to him with a puzzled look.
"Sandaime-sama?"
"N-Nothing," Hiruzen quickly wiped the cold sweat off his forehead. "Just… feeling a bit ashamed to return to the village like this."
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"Don't worry," Minato smiled.
"The Fifth Hokage—Uchiha Yuta—is very powerful. He even helped awaken two pairs of Tenseigan for the Hyuga Clan. I'm sure everything's under control."
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"Y-Yeah…" Hiruzen mumbled awkwardly. "I'll work on my mindset."
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> Next Chapter Preview:
Konoha prepares for a historic siege—facing its own past leaders on the battlefield. But can Uchiha Yuta stand against legends… and protect the village from itself?
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