Chapter 232: Submit or Die
Uchiha Madara, of course, wasn't idle.
Jigen had told him to wait here for a day, but he wasn't about to sit around obediently.
Lifting his head to look ahead, his sensory perception clearly picked up a powerful chakra presence in the distance.
Right now, he intended to search for a more suitable sacrifice for reincarnation, so that this body could better adapt to his original strength.
That way, he could possess power even closer to his peak in life.
Once he completed that, he could set out again to reclaim his eyes—perhaps without needing Jigen's help at all.
"But why did that guy suddenly leave in such a hurry?"
Madara slowly rose into the air, flying toward the source of the chakra signature, a trace of doubt forming in his mind.
He certainly didn't believe Jigen would sincerely cooperate with him.
After all, this was someone who had tried to destroy the shinobi world and seize all the chakra from every living creature for himself—no different from Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
Working with someone like that was the same as seeking the tiger's help to skin it.
"That guy said himself his body wouldn't last much longer, which is why he needs to find a more suitable vessel."
"So it's because of his body…"
Madara quickly pieced it together.
At the same time, a bold idea began to take shape in his heart.
If Jigen's body was that frail, unable to withstand the erosion of his true form's massive chakra, then why not seize that power for himself?
That way, he wouldn't have to risk joining forces with such a dangerous foe who could stab him in the back at any time, and he'd gain the strength to face even stronger enemies.
For instance—Uchiha Dali.
From the last time they met, Madara knew that even at his peak, defeating Dali would not be easy.
But if he possessed the power of Ōtsutsuki Isshiki himself, that would be another matter entirely.
Once the thought arose, it spread like uncontrollable weeds, quickly overtaking Madara's mind.
He could hardly wait to act.
Of course, he suppressed that impulse for now.
The most important thing at the moment was to increase his own strength and understand all the steps and details of the larger plan.
"That guy mentioned reviving the Ten-Tails, but didn't say anything about the nine tailed beasts—does that mean there's another reason?"
Madara himself knew that once all nine tailed beasts were gathered and sealed into the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, the Ten-Tails could be revived.
But Jigen hadn't mentioned it, which made him suspicious.
Was it intentional, or was there some other possibility?
For now, he couldn't be sure. He would have to wait until that man showed himself again to clarify before making any moves.
Besides, even if he wanted to act right now, with his current strength he likely couldn't kill Jigen and take his power.
That man's chakra was absurdly, terrifyingly strong.
…
The Fourth Raikage had just led the people of Kumogakure in eliminating every hidden threat across the Land of Lightning.
Now, not only had Kumogakure submitted to Konoha, but the entire Land of Lightning, from top to bottom, shared the same stance. Anyone who dared oppose or refuse cooperation—including the Land of Lightning's own daimyō—had already been dealt with.
At present, the Fourth Raikage was assigning tasks to his subordinates and preparing to take two of his most trusted aides to the Hidden Leaf Village in the Land of Fire to meet with Uchiha Dali.
"From today onward, the shinobi world is unified. We and Konoha are one. I need to discuss with the Fourth Hokage how to govern such a vast, newborn nation."
"The village is in your hands!"
Just as he finished speaking, one of his aides beside him frowned slightly, speaking in a low, grave tone: "Raikage-sama…"
Sensing the change in his voice, everyone turned to look.
"A very powerful chakra is approaching… it's an unfamiliar presence…"
The Kumogakure sensory ninja's expression had grown heavy—cold sweat already forming.
He had never felt such a terrifying chakra before. Other than Uchiha Dali, not even the Fourth Raikage possessed such an overwhelming aura.
At his warning, everyone instantly became alert.
The Fourth Raikage lifted his head toward the distant sky, his rugged features tightening with a rare note of caution.
"An enemy?"
He too had sensed the approaching chakra—Madara's.
This chakra was enough to make even a battle-hardened man like him feel a twinge of dread.
Under the watchful, battle-ready gazes of those present, it wasn't long before Uchiha Madara came into view.
He flew swiftly toward them, descending slowly before their ranks in moments.
"Kumogakure shinobi from the Land of Lightning, hm…"
Arms folded, Madara swept a casual glance over them, identifying their affiliation from their clothing and the forehead protectors they wore.
"Who are you?" the Fourth Raikage demanded in a deep voice.
But Madara ignored him completely.
Instead, he spoke as if to himself: "Not bad… I'll give you a choice—join my banner and fight alongside me against Uchiha Dali."
His words immediately caused a stir among the Kumogakure shinobi. The Fourth Raikage's gaze hardened. "So you're not from Konoha! A rebel, then…"
"Hmph! The shinobi world is already unified, and a new era of peace has begun. And yet scum like you still want to stir up trouble? I won't allow you to cause chaos!"
As he spoke, lightning flared around the Fourth Raikage, his powerful chakra surging forth, making his entire presence bristle with force.
Madara, however, remained utterly unmoved.
"My name… is Uchiha Madara."
"Submit to me, and you live. Defy me, and you die."
The moment the name "Uchiha Madara" left his lips, everyone present—including the Fourth Raikage—reacted sharply.
"You're Uchiha Madara?"
The Raikage's body tensed.
No wonder this man felt both familiar and unfamiliar.
His attire didn't belong to this era either.
He was the legendary Shura of the Shinobi World, Uchiha Madara!
But… wasn't this man supposed to be long dead?
And why did he look so young?
Questions flashed through the Raikage's mind, but he took a deep breath and snapped back to the present. "So you intend to make an enemy of the entire shinobi world, Uchiha Madara?"
"The shinobi world can never have eternal peace. And you know nothing of this world."
"Forget it. Ants cannot speak to the heavens. Perish here."
Without another word, Madara acted—his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan genjutsu activating.
In an instant, all but the Fourth Raikage were subdued.
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