Chapter 289
Although they felt relief in their hearts, the resurrected Hokage and Kage had no control over their own bodies.
It was obvious that Uchiha Madara had seized control, fearing that the pro-Konoha faction might rebel.
But even though their bodies were bound, it didn't diminish the satisfaction within the First Hokage—Senju Hashirama, the Second Hokage—Senju Tobirama, the Fourth Hokage—Namikaze Minato, as well as the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Kazekage, and the First through Fourth Mizukage, all brought back by Edo Tensei.
The Shinobi Alliance appeared formidable, but… before the overwhelming might of the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Yuta, they were utterly powerless—dominated entirely by his presence.
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"Why… why is this happening?"
Uchiha Madara, silent until now, finally let his expression shift.
He had considered many possibilities—that the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Yuta, had reached an unpredictable, almost untouchable realm. And although it sounded unbelievable, the facts left no room for doubt.
The reason he hadn't moved just now wasn't because he didn't want to, but because Uchiha Yuta's strike had been too fast. By the time he reacted, Fukasaku and Shima of Mount Myōboku had already been obliterated in an instant.
And besides, with the Great Toad Sage already on the field, if he acted rashly, wouldn't it seem like overstepping?
"Six Paths Sage… I hope you intend to act at the critical moment," Madara murmured, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Otherwise… all your pawns will be dead."
Madara's resurrection had been for his own ideals. He had come too far to give up now. He wanted to see this to the very end—who would have the last laugh in the fate of the shinobi world.
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But even as he thought this, Madara's face twisted. The image of Uchiha Yuta's energy projection killing Fukasaku and Shima through the air flickered in his mind, and his heart froze.
What else could he say?
The Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Yuta, had already surpassed him in strength.
Even the Great Toad Sage hesitated, doubting that if he himself tried to act, he might not meet the same end as Fukasaku and Shima.
Worse, Uchiha Yuta seemed to exist beyond the flow of fate itself. No matter how the Great Toad Sage tried to predict, Yuta's future remained hidden. If he forced the vision, backlash followed. It left him both humiliated and frustrated.
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The Great Toad Sage was furious.
First, Uchiha Yuta had mocked him, calling him the "Great Dog Sage." Then, before the entire shinobi world, he had killed Fukasaku and Shima. One humiliation after another.
"If I had known it would come to this, I should never have agreed to Hagoromo's request…"
The Great Toad Sage sighed heavily. He knew all too well that seeking Madara's cooperation this time had been a blunder. Instead, he had been crushed beneath Uchiha Yuta's overwhelming power, his ancient reputation shattered in moments. Centuries of reverence, erased.
As for the deaths of Fukasaku and Shima—he hardly cared. To him, they were just pawns. Their deaths were nothing. What weighed on him now was not grief, but the suffocating eyes of the entire shinobi world. Everyone was watching his every move. Every word and action would shape what came next.
"The Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Yuta, killing Fukasaku and Shima like that… You have gone too far!"
At last, the Great Toad Sage drew in a deep breath and spoke in a heavy voice. "The Sage of Six Paths asked me to cooperate with Uchiha Madara to prevent you from dominating the shinobi world and plunging it into chaos!"
"Oh?"
In the sky, the massive projection of Uchiha Yuta smiled faintly. "And if you are not convinced… what will you do? Fight me?"
"The Sage of Six Paths is nothing but trash. He hides in the shadows and sends you—a mere dog—to die in his place."
"You—!"
The Great Toad Sage's voice trembled with fury. "Do you really think I dare not act? I am the Great Toad Sage—not some dog!"
"Yes. You're the Great Dog Sage."
Yuta's massive projection nodded mockingly, his words laced with utter disdain.
"You… very well. Very well!"
The Great Toad Sage was on the verge of madness. Humiliation burned through him, yet when he tried to retort, his words caught in his throat.
The shinobi world watched in dead silence. Not a soul dared to breathe, all eyes fixed on the Great Toad Sage, waiting to see if he would act.
But in the end—he disappointed them.
Though he burned with rage and humiliation, he lacked the courage to face Uchiha Yuta head-on. Perhaps he had lived too long—so long that even one of the most ancient sages of the world was filled with fear of death.
"Forget it. I will not pursue the matter of Fukasaku and Shima. After all… they offended you first."
The Great Toad Sage's words shocked everyone.
Silence. Absolute silence.
The shinobi world was left speechless.
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