The next day, deep within the forests of the Land of Fire, Team 7 sped forward at full pace.
Yet—
whether it was Kakashi, Sasuke, Naruto, or Karin—
all of them wore thoroughly displeased expressions.
Because none of them had expected this.
They had just returned to Konoha after completing a major mission—
and were immediately sent out again.
"…What a pain," Kakashi muttered inwardly.
Naruto, however, was far less restrained.
"That panda-eyes old lady is seriously annoying!"
"…Agreed," Sasuke nodded coldly.
Saving Gaara?
He had absolutely no interest.
Even if it was a high-ranking mission—
over the past three years, had he ever taken anything low-level?
He would much rather stay back and train with Shisui…
or get guidance from Hikari.
These days, Sasuke had become extremely disciplined.
Whenever he saw Ren or Hikari—
he addressed them respectfully as "sir."
"…No choice," Karin said calmly, glancing at the three of them.
"Just do the job."
"Lady Hokage entrusted this mission to us—that means she trusts us."
"And besides…"
She adjusted her glasses slightly.
"The Fifth Kazekage has a very good relationship with Ren."
"If we do well…"
"…he'll be happy."
"…!"
Naruto and Sasuke froze.
Then—
their eyes lit up instantly.
If it was Tsunade's order—
they would obey.
But if it involved Ren—
that was different.
For Naruto, Ren was the older brother figure who had always taken care of him.
For Sasuke—
Ren had saved his clan.
And now, with everything he had learned about the truth behind the Senju and Uchiha…
his respect had only grown deeper.
The two exchanged a glance.
Both saw the same thing—
motivation.
"…Let's speed up."
Kakashi sighed inwardly.
"…So the Hokage's authority doesn't work…"
"…but mention Ren, and suddenly you're all fired up?"
He glanced at Karin.
"…These two are completely under her control."
Konoha.
Hokage's Office.
"YOU ACTUALLY REMEMBER HOW TO COME BACK?!"
Tsunade grabbed Ren by the collar and roared.
At the doorway—
Hikari and Yugao exchanged glances silently.
Neither spoke.
Because—
they were also annoyed.
Ren had disappeared for months.
No notice.
No explanation.
"…Come on," Ren said helplessly, spreading his hands.
"I sent intelligence reports, didn't I?"
"You know exactly what I was doing."
"The Akatsuki has been quiet—but that doesn't mean inactive."
"So I used this chance to meet my informant."
"And as expected…"
"…they've started moving."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
"…Akatsuki…"
She couldn't refute that.
After all—
the intelligence had come from him.
That was why she deployed Team 7 immediately.
"…But you were gone too long."
"You're still the Hokage's advisor, you know?"
Ren sighed.
"…It wasn't simple."
"And besides that…"
"…I got information about Orochimaru."
Tsunade's grip loosened instantly.
"…Orochimaru?"
That name—
was impossible to ignore.
"…He's been researching something for the past three years," Ren said seriously.
"Most likely—he's improved Impure World Reincarnation."
"That means next time…"
"…the First Hokage will be even closer to his peak."
Tsunade's expression darkened.
"…And?"
Ren's gaze sharpened.
"…Obito's group plans to use Edo Tensei extensively."
"They've received approval from the Hidden Stone and Hidden Cloud."
"And…"
"…there's one more card."
"A card even more dangerous than the First Hokage."
He paused.
"…Uchiha Madara."
Silence.
Tsunade's face turned grim.
Madara—
a name that carried absolute weight.
"…That's not good," she muttered.
"…Who is Uchiha Madara?" Hikari asked suddenly.
Tsunade froze for a moment.
"…He was one of Konoha's founders."
Explaining further…
was awkward.
Very awkward.
Given Hikari's identity…
Tsunade shot Ren a glare.
You really have no limits, do you?
Ren ignored it completely.
"…Don't worry."
"Even if it's Madara and the First Hokage together…"
"…we can handle it."
He smiled slightly.
"After all…"
"…Konoha has me and Hikari."
"People already say we're the modern Hashirama and Madara."
"I don't think we're inferior."
Tsunade snorted.
"…Tch."
But she didn't argue.
"When did Kakashi leave?" Ren asked.
"…About a day ago," Yugao replied.
"They should already be in the Land of Wind."
"And Guy's team is following behind."
Ren nodded slowly.
"…I'll go take a look."
Not just for safety—
but also for something else.
"…If I run into him…"
His eyes flickered.
Black Zetsu.
That thing—
might hold the key to his final step.
Land of Wind.
A lush oasis.
Madara stood silently, listening to Orochimaru and Black Zetsu.
"…So…"
"…this is the current era?"
His expression grew increasingly strange.
Konoha—
expanding influence.
Other villages—
gradually being absorbed.
And two figures—
standing at the peak.
"…A new Hashirama… and a new Madara?"
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"…That's what people say."
Madara scoffed coldly.
"Hashirama is unique."
"No one can replace him."
Black Zetsu spoke calmly.
"…They're not weak."
"…In fact…"
"…they might even surpass you back then."
Madara's eyes narrowed instantly.
"…What did you say?"
Black Zetsu continued:
"That Uchiha woman was saved by the Senju."
"The Uchiha clan is nearly gone."
"And the two of them…"
"…work perfectly together."
"Susanoo…"
"…combined with the Thousand Hands."
Silence.
Madara's fist clenched.
Back then—
he had been beaten down by Hashirama's Thousand Hands.
Again.
And again.
And again.
That memory—
was carved into his soul.
And now—
you're telling him—
Susanoo and Thousand Hands are working together?
"…Good."
Madara's lips curled into a dangerous smile.
"…Very good."
"Where are they?"
"I want to see them myself."
Black Zetsu hesitated.
"…You're still in Edo Tensei."
"He has Yin-Yang Release."
"He can counter it."
Madara waved his hand dismissively.
"…Doesn't matter."
"If I die—summon me again."
"I just want to see…"
"…who dares stand beside Hashirama."
Elsewhere—
inside a hidden cave.
The Demonic Statue loomed.
Gaara floated in midair—
his life force draining rapidly.
Nagato spoke calmly:
"Complete the extraction quickly."
"Konoha is already on the move."
"They'll arrive soon."
"Be ready to retreat."
"…Hmph."
Hiruko snorted dismissively.
"…Are they really that scary?"
The others exchanged glances.
"…Another idiot."
"…He'll learn."
Kakuzu smirked.
"…Everyone here has been beaten by Ren."
"Try it yourself if you don't believe me."
Nagato's voice turned cold.
"If you encounter him…"
"…run."
"…That's your only chance."
Meanwhile—
Team 7 had already arrived.
With them—
Chiyo.
"…You're coming too?" Kakashi asked.
"…That's my grandson," she replied coldly.
"…I'll deal with him myself."
Sasuke scoffed.
"…Or maybe he just runs too well."
Karin added bluntly:
"Ren said he's not that strong."
Naruto nodded.
"He beat Gaara in seconds."
Chiyo's face darkened instantly.
Kakashi quickly intervened.
"…Let's focus on the mission."
Then—
he froze.
"…!"
Ahead—
a figure stood.
Red armor.
Long hair.
An overwhelming presence.
"…You're finally here," the man said coldly.
"I've been waiting."
Elsewhere—
Sunagakure.
"…You're here to laugh at me?" Pakura snapped.
Ren chuckled.
"…You were up against Sasori."
"That's not surprising."
Then—
he suddenly paused.
"…Hmm."
His eyes sharpened.
"…Something's wrong."
He stood up.
"I'm going."
In an instant—
he vanished with Hikari.
A moment later—
in the oasis.
The battlefield was in ruins.
"…Looks like a fierce fight," Hikari murmured.
Ren closed his eyes.
Then—
his expression changed.
"…This chakra…"
"…feels familiar."
Hikari frowned.
"…It's similar to mine."
Ren's eyes gleamed.
"…I see."
"…Now this is interesting."
They stepped forward.
Ahead—
a red-armored figure stood.
Madara looked at Team 7 lying on the ground.
"…Disappointing."
"Two Sharingan users."
"A Jinchūriki."
"A pure Uzumaki."
"And yet…"
"…this is all you amount to?"
Naruto clenched his fists.
Sasuke's Sharingan spun wildly.
But—
they couldn't refute it.
Because they had been defeated—
instantly.
"…Who are you?" Sasuke demanded.
Madara didn't even look at him.
"…You're not worthy of knowing."
Then—
he sensed something.
A presence.
Massive.
Overwhelming.
Familiar.
His eyes snapped upward.
Two figures approached—
hand in hand.
The pressure—
like a tidal wave.
For a moment—
it felt just like that day.
The final battle.
"…Oh?"
Madara's lips curled slightly.
"…So it's you."
"…Uchiha Madara."
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