Chapter 141 - Gathering Storm
Back when his old comrade, Taketori Sōchō, was still alive, things had been much easier.
All Yagura Karatachi had to do was stand behind Sōchō, gather chakra, and unleash his jutsu.
But now, everything had changed. Taketori Sōchō had been sliced apart by Orochimaru two years ago.
And without a frontline tank to shield him, how was a long-range caster like Yagura supposed to fight against hordes of assassins?
The major clans in the village all understood one thing: it would only take three elite Jōnin to bring down Yagura.
But if Yagura succeeded in becoming the Three-Tails Jinchūriki, then the situation would be entirely different.
Right now, every ninja in the village proficient in sealing techniques served under Yagura in his personal sealing corps.
And without interference from top-tier powerhouses or master sealers, Tailed Beasts couldn't be dealt with through sheer numbers alone.
Especially not Isobu, the Three-Tails—known among the Bijū for its docile nature. It had long been cared for by Kirigakure, and unlike most Tailed Beasts, it wouldn't resist its host upon being sealed.
So, if Yagura could fully control Isobu, not even a united front of all the village's clans could stand against him.
This was Yagura's last chance.
If he succeeded, everything in the village would remain under his control.
If he failed—well, he'd be dead, and none of it would matter.
It didn't take long for Yagura to arrive at a clearing on the far side of the lake. Strange symbols had been etched into the ground all around the area.
The ANBU agent who had disappeared earlier reappeared and approached him. "Mizukage-sama, the sealing corps is ready."
The sealing jutsu possessed by Kirigakure had all been plundered from Uzushiogakure during the war with the Land of Whirlpools. After their victory, those techniques became Kirigakure's spoils of war.
In terms of sealing technique hierarchy, they ranked among the most advanced in the entire shinobi world.
Compared to Sunagakure's sloppy seals that allowed Tailed Beasts to randomly break loose and wander around, Kirigakure's methods were vastly superior.
Aside from Konohagakure, no other village rivaled the number of seal masters Kirigakure had in its ranks.
"Then let's begin," Yagura said softly after taking one last glance in the direction of the village.
Moments later, the clearing began to glow with radiant light. Not long after, the roar of a turtle echoed through the air.
---
Land of Earth Border
Inside a pitch-black cave—
Madara, now aged, sat silently on a cold stone, eyes tightly shut.
Opposite him, deep within the shadows, a pair of Sharingan glowed with pain and hatred. Their owner was none other than Uchiha Makoto.
"When will you let me leave? I must avenge my father," Makoto said coldly, his voice devoid of emotion, like a doll repeating lines.
Though Madara appeared to be resting, Makoto could feel he was fully awake.
"Didn't you already kill the ones responsible for your father's death?" Madara slowly opened his eyes. Even his crimson Sharingan had dulled, clouded with age. Despite the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path keeping him alive, time was clearly running out for him.
"The ones who killed my father weren't those shinobi. The real murderer... is this twisted world. I'll make it feel pain."
Makoto's eyes blazed with hatred, his words saturated with loathing for everything.
Madara, hearing this, allowed a faint look of satisfaction to cross his face. His efforts over the past year and a half had not been in vain—Makoto had finally seen the world's true nature.
He looked up at Makoto's Mangekyō Sharingan with pride and said, "You can leave now. Zetsu will follow your every command. From this day on… you are Uchiha Madara!"
With that, Madara took a decisive step forward, tearing himself free from the tubes connected to his body.
No longer sustained by the Demonic Statue, his body collapsed, eyes forever closed.
Unbeknownst to him, neither Makoto, the disciple he had painstakingly trained, nor Black Zetsu, whom he believed to be his own will incarnate, made any move to catch him.
With his death, Uchiha Madara truly ceased to exist.
From that moment on, no one could restrain Uchiha Makoto.
As Madara's life ended, the cave's barrier dissipated, and light poured in through the newly opened entrance.
Makoto gazed at the light without hesitation and stepped out from the darkness. Black Zetsu silently followed behind him.
Sunlight struck Makoto's pale face—a face untouched by light for so long.
But he didn't flinch.
Instead, his glowing red Sharingan stared directly at the sun.
A faint smile played across his lips.
From today onward, I am Uchiha Madara!
---
Land of Lightning
A wide plain near Kumogakure—
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Supersonic Thunder Blade!!!
Righteous Thunder Rage Axe!!!
Fourth Raikage A soared through the air, crackling with lightning. He raised his right leg and struck down toward the head of the Eight-Tails, Gyūki.
His brother, Killer B, raced across the ground, brandishing a massive sword vibrating with energy. Blue light flared from it as he slashed upward at Gyūki's head.
But Gyūki didn't just sit there. Two of its tails lashed out at them while the remaining six coiled protectively around its body.
Boom! Boom! Crash! Crash! Whoosh! Whoosh! Boom! Boom!
Their attacks landed—right into the beast's tails. The Raikage was flung into a boulder, and Killer B slammed hard into the ground.
Dust rose thickly, obscuring Gyūki from view.
The two brothers staggered to their feet and regrouped.
Even through the smoke, a tall figure approached them.
"…Sensei, we lost again."
The Fourth Raikage clenched his fists and lowered his head, speaking to the man stepping through the haze—Burubi, the former Jinchūriki of the Eight-Tails.
"Your attack patterns are too obvious," Burubi scolded. "I didn't even need to look to know what you two were planning."
"And you, A—leaping so high makes you an easy target!"
His expression betrayed his frustration. It seemed that everyone who learned Lightning Release Chakra Mode eventually became a muscle-brained brawler.
That kind of brute force might work against weak defenses—but if your opponent's tougher than you? You're just throwing yourself into the fire.
This was just training. In real combat, your reckless moves would've ended with a Tailed Beast Bomb blowing you to ashes.
While Burubi lectured A, Killer B let out a quiet chuckle.
It wasn't loud, but of course, ninja could hear everything.
Burubi's attention snapped to B.
You're laughing now? Are you mocking me?
Fuming, he turned his wrath to B. "And you! That was a perfect chance to strike my legs—why aim for my head?"
"You completely wasted a golden opportunity. And now you dare to laugh at A?"
"Sigh… You two have been sparring for ages and still haven't figured out any decent tactics?"
Burubi massaged his throbbing forehead and pointed toward the village. "Go back and come up with a strategy. If you charge in brainlessly again tomorrow… I'll really make you suffer."
"Yes, Burubi-sensei!" x2
The brothers perked up—training was over for the day. They stood at attention and replied in unison.
Then, they strolled back to the village together. On the way, the Raikage could be heard grumbling, asking B why he laughed—so disloyal!
As for tomorrow's strategy… well, they'd think of something. One way or another, they'd figure it out.
Burubi watched them go with mixed feelings. He was glad they got along so well. But he couldn't help worrying as he glanced in the direction of Konoha.
Sigh. Konoha is just too strong these days.
Neither Orochimaru nor Hatake Kazane seemed like the type to rest easy.
It wouldn't be long before Konoha made its next move.
But looking at A and B now… they were still far from ready.
It was time to contact the other Kage and discuss how to counter Konoha.
Though unbeknownst to him, Konoha had no time to deal with them at the moment.
---
Konohagakure
Orochimaru's Laboratory—
Flashing lights of every color lit up the various machines scattered around the lab.
Both Kazane and Orochimaru focused intently on a cube-shaped device, watching as the numbers on it ticked down:
5°C → 4°C → 3°C → (-)10°C
Once the temperature reached -10°C, Kazane opened the device, nodded in satisfaction at the frost gathering inside, and smiled.
That's right—this cube-shaped device was the legendary "refrigerator"!
Over the past year, thanks to Kazane's suggestions, Orochimaru had first developed the lightbulb, and then spread electricity and lighting throughout every household in the village.
One month ago, Konohagakure had officially lit up the night.