Chapter 276
After the brief commotion,
The Great Toad Sage, Fukasaku, and Shima turned their eyes toward Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and Namikaze Minato. Their gazes carried complicated emotions.
Once, Mount Myōboku and Konoha Village had been close allies. Jiraiya, one of the Legendary Sannin, was their disciple, and Minato had trained Sage Mode there as well. At that time, their bond with Konoha could be described as a honeymoon.
But everything had changed with the rise of the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Yuta.
Now, Mount Myōboku standing openly with the Sage of Six Paths signaled a clear divide: Konoha and Mount Myōboku were on opposite sides.
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"Fukasaku Sage, Shima Sage… has Mount Myōboku truly decided to become enemies of Konoha?"
Minato's voice was heavy, tinged with disbelief. "With the wisdom of the Great Toad Sage, he normally wouldn't take sides so recklessly, would he?"
"...Well."
Fukasaku sighed, shaking his head helplessly. "Mount Myōboku has always been a loyal follower of the Sage of Six Paths. It isn't a matter of choice. The Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Yuta, has gone too far. Even the Sage of Six Paths can no longer ignore it. Even immortals have their limits."
"Minato, people who walk different paths cannot walk together," Shima said firmly, her eyes solemn. "Konoha dances now upon the edge of a blade, growing more dangerous with every step. The fate of the village, its rise and fall, rests entirely in the hands of Uchiha Yuta."
Her tone carried a grim finality, as though she already believed Yuta's defeat at the hands of the Sage of Six Paths was inevitable.
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Minato lowered his head slightly, regret flashing across his face. "...Really?"
Though he had no desire to continue the argument, deep down he disagreed.
To him, Yuta's strength was undeniable. The Sage of Six Paths didn't even dare show himself directly—how could he possibly defeat the Fifth Hokage of Konoha?
"When the road narrows, the braver one wins," Minato thought to himself. "And right now, Yuta is braver than anyone. With his momentum, he can slay gods or demons. He'll rule the shinobi world for a thousand years."
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"Great Toad Sage," Hashirama said coldly, his expression still stern after disciplining Hiruzen. "If Mount Myōboku involves itself in shinobi conflicts, it will only bring endless war upon you. Whatever benefits the Sage of Six Paths offers, they aren't worth the price."
"How dare you?"
Fukasaku and Shima's expressions hardened instantly. Senjutsu chakra surged around their bodies as they snapped in unison, "How dare you question the Great Toad Sage's decision?"
Hashirama didn't even flinch. He gave a low, disdainful chuckle, ignoring the two smaller sages and fixing his eyes only on the Great Toad Sage himself.
"Fukasaku, Shima… enough."
At last, the Great Toad Sage raised his weary face, exhaustion clear in his ancient eyes. His voice was deep, heavy with the weight of history.
"Senju Hashirama, you are mistaken. To stand beside the Sage of Six Paths is to walk a broader road. Do you not know? Before the Warring States Period, it was with my guidance that the Sage of Six Paths unified the entire shinobi world."
He let out a sigh, his words resounding with certainty.
"That is why I believe…the Sage of Six Paths will have the last laugh."
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Boom.
At those words, Black Zetsu, who had remained silent until now, clenched his fists tightly.
"This decrepit toad…" he cursed inwardly.
Long ago, it was the Great Toad Sage who gave Hagoromo the Sage Talisman, who taught Hamura and Hagoromo senjutsu. Without him, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki would never have been betrayed and sealed by her own sons.
For Black Zetsu, the true culprit behind all of his mother's suffering stood right before him.
But now was not the time. He forced himself to relax, letting his hands slowly unclench. His face returned to calm, unreadable as always.
"Patience. My mother has already been resurrected. When the time comes, this so-called 'Great Toad Sage' will learn the meaning of true cruelty."
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"No," Hashirama countered in a deep, steady voice. His conviction remained unshaken. "The Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Yuta, will have the last laugh. The waves of the Yangtze push ever forward, and the old must give way to the new. Whether it is Madara or even the Sage of Six Paths—you are all relics of the past. It is time to pass the torch."
The Great Toad Sage shook his head, contempt in his ancient eyes. "Wait and see."
At that moment, his gaze shifted to Uchiha Madara, who had been silently watching.
Madara's expression was unreadable, but his words cut through the air:
"Great Toad Sage, we can cooperate." His tone was cool, yet sharp. "But tell me—when will the Sage of Six Paths take action?"
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Madara's crimson eyes narrowed. Ever since he learned the Sage of Six Paths still lingered behind the scenes, a faint sense of unease had gnawed at him.
Cooperation was fine. But if Hagoromo truly wished to ally, he would have to appear. And when he did, Madara would finally be able to measure his strength.
As for fear? That word had no place in Uchiha Madara's heart.
Now that he had stepped into the realm of the Six Paths, even if he could not defeat Hagoromo outright, he was certain he could fight him as an equal.
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