However, after the Four-tailed shattered the two massive stones that encircled it, eight octopus tails quickly reached out and tightly bound the Four-tailed.
"Sun Wukong, you bastard, can you let me finish my sentence."
After binding the Four-tailed, the Eight-tailed hurriedly said to it, "Shukaku, Saiken, and Chomei have already been captured, and Isobu's whereabouts are unknown. Can you stop resorting to violence right away!"
Upon hearing these words, the Four-tailed calmed down a bit and, without further struggle after being bound by the Eight-tailed, asked, "Gyuki, are you speaking the truth?"
"I have no reason to deceive you with lies. Although I'm here because Killer Bee requested it, I wouldn't use falsehoods to persuade you. This information was gathered by those ninja."
After the Eight-tailed finished speaking, Kitsuchi also spoke up, "It's true. A new Ninja World War could break out at any moment. We want to unite all forces, but after gathering intelligence, we've learned that several Tailed Beasts have already been captured..."
"Let go of me, Gyuki."
After the Four-tailed stopped struggling, it said, seeing that it was no longer in a combative stance, the Eight-tailed released its tails.
Then the Eight-tailed said, "I just came to help you reconcile, yet you started fighting as soon as we met, despite having fought together before..."
"That was then, and this is now!"
The Four-tailed glanced at the Eight-tailed and Kitsuchi on its head, then continued, "Speak, what do you wish to tell me?"
"I hope you can help us win the upcoming war..."
Kitsuchi did not beat around the bush and directly laid out the Hidden Rock Village's bottom line, having observed the Four-tailed's resistance to Jinchuriki. If he talked about other things, they might end up forcibly sealing the Four-tailed, and it wouldn't aid the Hidden Rock Village.
There might be a need to guard against the Four-tailed Jinchuriki running amok in the village, forcing them to allocate ninja for guards, which would be a loss.
After hearing Kitsuchi's words, the Four-tailed laughed loudly, then sarcastically said, "I wouldn't believe you humans. Back then, that bastard Senju Hashirama captured me from Huaguo Mountain, and I've been enslaved by your Hidden Rock Village for decades. Now that I've finally escaped, you dare ask me to return inside your ninja again..."
"Senju Hashirama has been revived, Four-tailed."
Kitsuchi interrupted the Four-tailed, then continued, "This news has spread throughout the Ninja World. Senju Hashirama's revival might mean he'll capture you again. Also, don't you want revenge, Four-tailed? If you lend us your strength... the Hidden Rock Village will not impose a seal on the Jinchuriki, ensuring your freedom!"
The last matter was something Kitsuchi devised on the spot, as the Ninja World War was impending, and they needed the Four-tailed's power.
"No need for a seal, hehehehe, it seems you're afraid, otherwise you wouldn't come to me so submissively..."
Upon hearing this request, the Four-tailed laughed with surprise. After pondering for a moment, it glanced at the Eight-tailed, then said to Kitsuchi, "I can agree to your request, but if there's even a hint of deception, then..."
"Thinking of joining forces to fight Senju Hashirama? You're naïve, but there might not be the chance..."
In the spacious cave, a stranger's voice suddenly resounded.
The Eight-tailed, the Four-tailed, Kitsuchi, and others all turned to the source of the sound, discovering that somehow, there was now an additional person in the cave.
Warring States Period armor with the slowly turning Three-Tomoe Sharingan brought immense pressure to them, as if the atmosphere in the cave had turned heavy.
Even the Eight-tailed and Four-tailed felt uneasy under the gaze of those Sharingan eyes, as if they were being instinctively suppressed.
Not to mention Kitsuchi and others, upon seeing Uchiha Madara, Kitsuchi even swallowed hard; although Uchiha Madara merely said a few words, the aura he exuded put them under considerable pressure.
"...Konoha ninja, this is the Land of Earth. Do you intend to start a war?"
Kitsuchi forcefully mustered his courage to loudly question Uchiha Madara. He didn't know how Konoha produced such a strong ninja again, but those Sharingan eyes couldn't be faked, likely a hidden powerhouse of Konoha.
"Konoha ninja? Ludicrous. Senju Hashirama's compassion let you other villages survive until today, which shouldn't have happened. If Onoki, that little kid were here, he should recognize me..."
With a cold laugh, Uchiha Madara then jumped down from a high place.
Bang!
Dust and rubble emerged, and then Uchiha Madara walked out from it. At this point, Black Zetsu emerged from beside him and said to Uchiha Madara, "Lord Madara, it seems the Four-tailed revived faster, but the Five-tailed might need another month."
"Has the Five-tailed's revival location been confirmed?"
"I've already had White Zetsu keep an eye on it."
"Then that's fine..."
Uchiha Madara and Black Zetsu did not hide their conversation, and every word was heard clearly by Kitsuchi, the Eight-tailed, and others.
Their terminology and intentions were completely heard by Kitsuchi and the others.
"Madara... you are Uchiha Madara?"
Kitsuchi was astonished upon recalling the name, full of disbelief and asked, "Uchiha Madara is dead, how could he be revived!?"
Uchiha Madara walked while saying, "If Senju Hashirama can be revived, why can't I."
Kitsuchi hurriedly reminded, "Eight-tailed, Four-tailed, be careful. He's after you!" Then quickly performed a Double-Handed Seal, preparing to refine Chakra.