Chapter 311 – The Shattered Trump Card
"Who reveals their aura from the very start, only to be crushed a moment later? Uchiha Madara has truly stolen the chicken, only to lose the rice."
Even Ōtsutsuki Kaguya herself sounded incredulous as she spoke.
By logic, Madara should not have been so reckless. His abilities and cunning were undeniable, and his strength had been honed through countless battles. Yet reality mocked him. At the slightest provocation, he had challenged the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Yuta, to a battle of momentum — and was utterly suppressed.
The comparison was merciless.
In that instant, Uchiha Madara had placed himself a full step below Yuta.
For the first time, Kaguya felt the Fifth Hokage's presence firsthand — domineering, unmatched, and absolute, like an emperor whose very breath ruled the shinobi world.
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"Mother, Madara must have his own plan!"
Black Zetsu quickly tried to patch the situation, his voice carrying both panic and embarrassment. "Normally, Uchiha Madara would never act so rashly. He must have underestimated himself… and more importantly, he underestimated the true strength of the Fifth Hokage."
It was bitter to admit.
At first, Black Zetsu had believed Madara's aura would at least suppress Yuta's pride, showing that the Uchiha of the old era still reigned supreme. But instead, Madara's arrogance had been crushed, and with it the morale of the entire Ninja Alliance.
He had shot himself in the foot.
"Hmph. Then we'll simply watch the farce play out."
Kaguya's voice dripped with disdain. To her, this was no longer important. The Fifth Hokage was in his prime, overflowing with power, while she herself had yet to fully return to her peak. For now, she would endure — avoiding his sharp edge until the time was right.
"Yes… Mother."
Black Zetsu fell silent, unwilling to press further. Madara, after all, was nothing more than a slightly larger pawn. If he failed, then they would retreat and wait. It was only a pity — all the effort to gather the Ninja Alliance, wasted in an instant.
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"Something's wrong. Uchiha Madara's aura was crushed…"
"There's still a gap between him and the Fifth Hokage."
Among those bound by Edo Tensei, Nagato and Uchiha Itachi exchanged glances, surprise flashing in their eyes. They knew better than most how terrifying Madara was with the Rinnegan. Yet here he was, completely suppressed by Yuta, who hadn't even unleashed the full power of his own eyes.
Whispers spread across the ranks:
"No wonder the Great Toad Sage knelt before him. It wasn't cowardice — the Fifth Hokage is simply too powerful."
"Yes… the last lifeline of the Ninja Alliance has been severed."
"Their final card has been broken before reaching Konoha. This war is already over."
"The Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Yuta… is untouchable."
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The shinobi world erupted.
Across nations, civilians and shinobi alike watched the battle unfold on the great screen suspended in the skies. They had expected a clash of equals — a titanic struggle between Madara and Yuta. Instead, they were left gaping as Madara was defeated before he even began.
The Ninja Alliance… was no more.
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In Konohagakure, cheers swept through the village.
"Did you see that? Just from momentum alone, the Fifth Hokage has already defeated Madara!"
"Hahaha! With Hokage-sama leading, Konoha will soon unify the entire world!"
"The Great Toad Sage? That was it? Uchiha Madara? That's it too! Even the Ninja Alliance is nothing but a joke before our Hokage!"
Excitement and pride surged through every heart. The Alliance had marched arrogantly toward Konoha, but before they even reached the village, their strongest warrior had been humbled.
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"Madara has already lost…"
Among the crowd, Jiraiya of the Legendary Sannin spoke solemnly. "In a battle of masters, the smallest edge decides victory. Even in momentum, defeat already says everything."
"Exactly."
Tsunade, her expression easing for the first time in days, nodded. "With Madara crushed, the Alliance has lost its final trump card. Unless the Sage of Six Paths himself appears, there is no saving them now."
And in that moment, the truth was undeniable.
The Ninja Alliance's last hope had been broken.
The era now belonged to the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Yuta.
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