Land of Rain, Konoha Forward Base.
Inside the commander's tent, Tsunade stood before a map, frowning in deep thought.
After being released by Yagyu, Tsunade had returned to Konoha.
However, the events within Konoha disappointed her greatly, leaving her disheartened with the entire village.
Uzumaki Kushina was under surveillance by Konoha's Anbu and even had her personal freedom restricted.
Given Kushina's fiery personality, how could she easily accept such conditions?
Kushina had made a huge scene in the village, but it ended with nothing changing.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, who used to be very tolerant of Kushina, was now surprisingly firm in demanding her surveillance.
After returning to the village, Tsunade had specifically gone to question Hiruzen and the others.
After all, Tsunade's grandmother was Uzumaki Mito, and she had a bond with Kushina cultivated since childhood.
However, the Konoha higher-ups, including Hiruzen, all firmly stated that Kushina should be monitored.
Even though they were all disciples of her granduncle (Tobirama), they showed no mercy.
Hiruzen bluntly told Tsunade that Kushina was an unstable bomb.
Hiruzen and the others could not tolerate someone who might turn against Konoha for a lover.
After receiving these explanations, Tsunade didn't know what to say.
Although what Hiruzen and the others said wasn't unreasonable, she still felt a chill in her heart.
Even more chilling was what happened next: Konoha's White Fang died inexplicably in battle.
With a top-tier combatant disappearing so strangely, Tsunade had already guessed something.
After discovering these things, Tsunade had begun to entertain thoughts of leaving Konoha.
The current Konoha was no longer the village her grandfather founded; it had become a stage for conspirators to play power games.
But this was, after all, the village her grandfather built, the home where she grew up.
Despite her immense disappointment in Konoha, Tsunade couldn't bear to see it destroyed.
So she postponed her departure from Konoha until after the war ended.
"Lady Tsunade, there is an urgent report for you."
Suddenly, a voice rang out from outside the tent.
"Come in!"
Tsunade sat down and spoke calmly.
"Lady Tsunade! According to our scouts, Uchiha Madara and Yagyu have appeared in the Land of Rain, and the two are currently fighting."
The Konoha ninja who entered the tent spoke with a look of absurdity on his face.
"Uchiha Madara? Yagyu?"
Tsunade was stunned and asked in disbelief.
"That's right!"
"According to the intelligence sent back by the scouts, Uchiha Madara is the very same 'Shura of the Ninja World' from back then, the one killed by the First Hokage at the Valley of the End."
"As for Yagyu... he's the Yagyu from Kirigakure, the one we know."
The Konoha ninja nodded, explaining with a strange expression.
"What nonsense are you talking about? Yagyu of Kirigakure is one thing, but how could Uchiha Madara appear in the Land of Rain?"
Tsunade shook her head, finding it hard to believe.
The Konoha ninja smiled bitterly. "But the scouts reported that the man who appeared in the Land of Rain looks exactly like the statue of Uchiha Madara carved at the Valley of the End."
Tsunade scoffed lightly. "Even if Uchiha Madara were still alive, he couldn't possibly look exactly like the statue."
"Because the Uchiha Madara on the Valley of the End statue is Madara in his youth."
"If Madara hasn't died by now, he must be incredibly old."
Boom!
Just then, Tsunade clearly sensed a powerful chakra erupting in the distance.
That chakra was so domineering that it rivaled even a Tailed Beast.
"How can a human possess this level of chakra?"
Tsunade's expression changed as she looked into the distance with astonishment.
The Konoha ninja beside Tsunade looked complex and said slowly, "That direction... according to the intelligence from the scouts, that is where Yagyu and Uchiha Madara are fighting."
Tsunade immediately issued an order: "Ninjas of the Yamanaka clan and the Sealing Corps, move out with me. Everyone else, stand by!"
Tsunade felt she had to go see this terrifying battle no matter what.
After all, both Uchiha Madara and Yagyu were enemies of Konoha.
With two powerful enemies killing each other, wouldn't it be a pity not to take advantage of the situation?
If she could pick up a bargain and subdue both of them, that would be fantastic.
Of course, Tsunade wanted to go not just to scavenge.
It was because the impression Yagyu and Madara left on her was too profound; they were basically the "invincible" type.
This was an opportunity for Tsunade to defeat these enemies. If she didn't seize it, she would regret it for the rest of her life.
...
Not far from the Konoha Forward Base lies the Sunagakure Forward Base.
The Konoha ninja who reported to Tsunade earlier was actually a transformed White Zetsu. White Zetsu, having absorbed someone's chakra, could perform a perfect transformation.
In the original story, apart from Naruto Uzumaki, who mastered a special sensory ability, almost no one could distinguish between White Zetsu and a real person.
Given the urgency of the situation and the fact that Tsunade and the others had never encountered anything like this, they naturally wouldn't recognize White Zetsu's identity.
While delivering intelligence to Tsunade, White Zetsu also sent relevant intelligence to Chiyo, the supreme commander of the Sunagakure Forward Base.
"Is it really Uchiha Madara?"
"The situation has become complicated!"
Chiyo narrowed her eyes, pondering in her heart.
"Elder Sister, I think we should go take a look."
Beside Chiyo, Ebizo suggested.
"Makes sense!"
"Uchiha Madara is a legend of the ninja world; we must take this seriously."
"The Shura of the Ninja World from back then had no equal except Senju Hashirama."
"However, whether the one active over there is really Uchiha Madara is still uncertain."
"If he really has lived until now in his youthful state..."
Chiyo stopped there, shook her head, and ordered those skilled in sealing jutsu to assemble.
They had also gathered some intelligence on Yagyu.
Although they were somewhat skeptical about Yagyu's abilities, they had to be cautious at a time like this.
Chiyo issued the order:
"The Sealing Corps, along with a few ninjas skilled in sensing, will set off with me. The others will stay behind with Ebizo to guard the base."
A high-ranking officer suggested,
"If we could receive such intelligence, there's no reason Konoha wouldn't have received it as well."
"Uchiha Madara was once a Konoha ninja, who later defected and attacked Konoha, even causing the death of the First Hokage."
"Upon receiving such intelligence, Konoha will definitely take it more seriously than we do and dispatch more personnel than us."
"I suggest we take this opportunity to launch an attack on the Konoha side to gain a greater advantage in the war."
Hearing this, Chiyo was silent for a moment before shaking her head.
"No! Sunagakure is currently negotiating with Konoha; we cannot act recklessly at a time like this."
"Konoha has shown great sincerity this time; we must support the village's decision. You must understand, victory in war is not the ultimate goal."
Speaking of this, a glimmer of a smile flashed in Chiyo's eyes.
Konoha was truly very sincere in this negotiation!
Even the murderer of her son and daughter-in-law—Konoha's White Fang—had been sent out by Konoha to meet his death.
How did the White Fang die?
Pretty much the same way Pakura of Sunagakure died in the original story.