After learning from White Zetsu what had recently happened around Mount Kikyo,
Uchiha Madara, deep in the underground cavern, felt his PTSD was about to flare up.
Originally, Mikami Yuu already shared many similarities with Senju Tobirama: the white hair, decent Water Release and swordsmanship, and the trait of being good at "improving" ninjutsu. Now, because of his battle achievements, he had even received the Sword of the Thunder God that Tobirama had once used…
Honestly, for one brief moment, Uchiha Madara genuinely wondered whether this fellow named Mikami Yuu was actually Senju Tobirama's reincarnation.
Only without memories of his "previous life," retaining only part of his talent and habits. If he did have those memories, he probably wouldn't do something like become Tsunade's disciple. After all, by seniority, Senju Tobirama was Tsunade's granduncle. No matter how shameless he was, he shouldn't be that low.
That damned Senju Tobirama…
He really was a lingering ghost!
He had been dead for so many years, yet he still popped out from time to time to disgust him. If not for the smooth advancement of the Eye of the Moon Plan, this old man would personally—
"Hoo…"
Uchiha Madara let out a long breath. After closing his eyes for a moment, he opened them again and forcibly suppressed the anger rising within him.
To accomplish great things, one had to keep calm.
His goal had never been to kill a mere Senju Tobirama, but to fundamentally overturn this ninja world and bring humanity back from the wrong path to the right one.
If he had merely wanted personal revenge, then back when Senju Tobirama was still alive decades ago, he would have had plenty of chances to act. There would have been no need to wait until now.
From a certain angle, Madara even very much hoped that Senju Tobirama could personally witness the successful implementation of the Eye of the Moon Plan. After all, there was no more wonderful method of revenge than defeating—even killing—a former enemy on a spiritual level.
After a brief silence,
Uchiha Madara spoke again, asking the White Zetsu opposite him, "What is the situation with that Namikaze Minato recently?"
This was another person similar to Senju Tobirama, though the similarity mainly lay in the Flying Thunder God. Toward this junior who had mastered Flying Thunder God to such a miraculous degree, Madara was still somewhat wary.
Another White Zetsu answered:
"He is carrying out missions against Kumogakure along the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Hot Water. He has already had several small-scale clashes with Kumogakure ninja, but no large-scale battle has broken out yet. Judging from the current situation, he probably won't need to be transferred back to the Sunagakure battlefield."
After all, the Kazekage had already become a prisoner. At present, the only suspense was how long Sunagakure could hold out under Konoha's offensive. Turning defeat into victory was almost impossible.
Unless the missing Third Kazekage and Sasori of the Red Sand suddenly appeared together and killed either Jiraiya or Orochimaru, it was more likely for Mikami Yuu and the others to be transferred to the northeastern battlefield than for Namikaze Minato to return to the southwestern front.
"Hmph. As expected."
"Those Sunagakure people have always been like this—self-important and arrogant. Back then, they clearly rejected Hashirama's proposal to equally distribute the tailed beasts, and they even spoke rudely to him… I originally intended to crush them by force, but Hashirama refused to allow it!"
"Now, under circumstances where the Third Kazekage is missing, the fact that they could rely on their remaining strength to hold Konoha off for this long already counts as a miracle."
Uchiha Madara could not help once again recalling the past, especially Senju Hashirama, the man who had once been as close to him as a brother. Even though the two had ultimately crossed blades, Madara still felt that Hashirama was his closest friend.
As for now…
Since Sunagakure could no longer accomplish anything,
then next, it was time to consider drawing Iwagakure and Kirigakure into this war.
"White Zetsu, continue keeping strict watch on Obito and the people around him."
"This time, Root caused so many civilians to die right in front of him. A seed has already been planted in his heart. Next, we must make that seed germinate and grow, let him see even more darkness and despair… and at the right time, direct a grand tragedy for him!"
"Only this way can he become the most perfect agent of the Eye of the Moon Plan and accomplish the goal I desire."
Thinking of that scene,
even Uchiha Madara somewhat admired his own foresight and deep planning.
Aside from him, how many people could lay out such a great game lasting decades and involving the entire ninja world? Could that fellow Senju Tobirama do it?
"Just wait a little longer, Hashirama. I will let you see with your own eyes how fragile the peace you believed in truly is… Only my plan can bring true tranquility to this world."
…
In the mountains and forests near Wildfire City,
a clear mountain stream murmured beneath the trees, washing away the stuffy heat in the forest. On the sandy ground beside the stream, thin wisps of smoke rose, accompanied by the rich aroma of roasting meat.
Mikami Yuu, Nohara Rin, Kakashi, and Obito sat around a flat rock beside the stream, enjoying a rare break after finishing a patrol mission.
In front of them, several plump rabbits had been skinned and bled, then placed on a simple grill. Rin held a small brush and coated the rabbits with the sauce she had prepared in advance. As they were roasted by the flames, they released a gradually thickening fragrance.
He just didn't know how they would taste.
If they turned out good, Yuu thought that next time he returned to the village, perhaps he could consider making another business deal with Barbecue Q and Ichiraku Ramen, to see whether he could sell this self-developed sauce recipe too.
"Here, Yuu. Be careful, it's hot."
Rin took a piece of rabbit meat sizzling with oil from the grill and handed it to Yuu with a smile, her voice very gentle.
"Thanks."
Yuu also smiled, accepted the meat, and took a bite. The fragrance immediately filled his mouth.
Beside them, Obito and Kakashi also each received a few pieces of rabbit meat and immediately began wolfing them down. Obito, in particular, was extremely enthusiastic.
Suddenly,
Rin noticed a tiny bit of oil at the corner of Yuu's mouth. She naturally took out the handkerchief she carried with her, leaned slightly closer, and gently helped wipe it away.
This scene fell into Obito's eyes across from them, and the roasted meat in his mouth instantly stopped tasting good. The smile that had originally been on his face quietly faded, replaced by a rising flush.
Under these circumstances, Obito held himself back several times before finally being unable to endure it any longer. He shouted loudly:
"Hey! Rin! Why… why are you helping Yuu wipe oil off his mouth?! Doesn't he have hands of his own?!"