Ryo's figure vanished into the clouds, leaving behind a scene of devastation at the Kumo training grounds.
Massive meteor fragments were piled like small mountains. The ground was scorched black, and the air reeked of sulfur.
The Third Raikage stood there like a block of black iron, his expression terrifyingly grim. He stared hard in the direction Ryo had disappeared, eyes burning with unwillingness.
His breathing was heavy, and the knuckles of his clenched fists turned white. Though his Lightning Release Armor had long since dissipated, it felt as if something heavier was now pressing down on him.
Around him, the Kumo shinobi, who had narrowly escaped death, no longer showed any joy. Only an oppressive silence remained.
They kept their heads lowered, not daring to look at the Raikage, their gazes fixed on the broken stones and scorched earth at their feet. The cheers from earlier now felt distant and hollow.
"Raikage-sama…" Dodai stepped forward, his voice trembling slightly. "They're gone."
"Gone?" The Third Raikage rasped, then suddenly turned with the fury of a provoked lion. "Just gone like that? Stole our Scroll of Forbidden Jutsu, stomped on our pride like squashing bugs, and then just left?!"
He roared, every word pounding into the hearts of the Kumo shinobi, making them lower their heads even further.
Beside him, his son A, eyes bloodshot and muscles tensed, ground his teeth hard. "Father! This disgrace, we must—"
"Silence!" The Third Raikage's shout cracked like thunder. His bloodshot gaze swept over, cutting the words in A's throat.
His chest heaved violently as he forcefully suppressed his rage. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, they were cold as ice.
He looked toward Dodai, voice low but resolute. "Dodai."
"Yes, Raikage-sama." Dodai immediately straightened his back.
"Today's events," the Third Raikage said, enunciating each word clearly, "how Kamiyama Ryo subdued Kumo, how he stole the Scroll of Forbidden Jutsu… every single detail—spread it throughout the entire shinobi world. I want the Five Great Nations, every village, to know of the 'might' of Konoha's Asura!"
A looked up sharply, shocked. "Father! Why?!"
This was branding humiliation into their foreheads, while helping the enemy gain fame!
Dodai trembled slightly, hand frozen mid-motion adjusting his glasses. A flash of realization passed through his eyes.
The Third Raikage gave a cold snort, but did not explain further. His gaze returned to the skies where Ryo had disappeared, sharp as blades, as if piercing through space and landing on Konoha.
"The shinobi world now," he spoke coldly, "doesn't need another Hashirama, nor another Madara. Kamiyama Ryo's strength has already shattered the fragile balance the Five Great Villages have spent decades building. If he could suppress Kumo today, he could suppress Iwa, Suna, and Kiri tomorrow. Even Konoha itself!"
His voice suddenly rose, filled with ruthless determination. "If we can't deal with him ourselves, then we make the entire shinobi world go against him! Make Kamiyama Ryo's name a blade hanging over everyone's heads! Use fear as a weapon! Send the highest-level message to the other four villages. Detail everything that happened today! Especially emphasize that Kamiyama Ryo possesses the power to destroy a village. Tell them, if they don't want to be the next Kumo, then they must unite and pressure Konoha—force them to handle the monster they can no longer control!"
He paused, a cold arc curling at the corner of his mouth. "And Hiruzen, that old schemer who toys with balance and politics… can he really tolerate Kamiyama Ryo? Do you remember?" His gaze swept across Dodai and A. "Not long ago, Konoha's White Fang, Hatake Sakumo, a top-tier shinobi who contributed greatly to the village, was driven to suicide by mere rumors and gossip."
"Kamiyama Ryo isn't someone who will allow himself to be shackled. He's sharp, rebellious, and uncontrollable! The Hokage can't tolerate him. The rotten Konoha upper echelon can't tolerate him. Even those within Konoha who fear and envy him… won't tolerate him either."
The Third Raikage's voice was firm. "I'll wait and see… if Konoha will collapse under the fire they've lit themselves!"
"The higher he's raised, the harder he'll fall. When everyone fears him to the point of being unable to control him, he will become the enemy of the world. Konoha will either destroy this sword… or be devoured by it. All we need to do is throw fuel on the fire!"
His final words pierced into everyone's hearts like an ice pick.
The flames in A's eyes died out, replaced by a cold realization. He nodded firmly. "Understood, Father."
Dodai took a deep breath, suppressing the chill in his chest. "I'll carry out the order immediately!" He turned and quickly departed, executing an order that would shake the entire shinobi world.
With Kumo's decision made, elsewhere…
A cavern.
The stone walls were embedded with faintly glowing ores, and the sound of dripping water echoed monotonously.
At the bottom of the cave, atop a massive, pulsing wooden mass sat an aged figure—Uchiha Madara.
His head was lowered, long white hair covering his face. Several thick tubes connected to his body, keeping him alive.
Only when his eyes opened slightly did a pair of chilling Sharingan pierce through the gloom.
A blob of white mud-like matter rose from the ground, forming into a half-humanoid form.
"Madara-sama," White Zetsu spoke in his usual light but respectful tone. "Do you remember that new 'Asura' from Konoha? Kamiyama Ryo, who shares your title?"
Madara's eyelids seemed to twitch slightly.
White Zetsu continued on its own, exaggerated tone creeping in. "He did something big in Kumo today! Summoned a meteor that could flatten a village, scared the so-called strongest shield—the Third Raikage—half to death, and forced him to hand over the Scroll of Forbidden Jutsu! Then guess what? He used one sword strike—just one!—to split that meteor into four pieces! Tsk tsk, the Raikage's face turned green…"
Its voice turned cautious. "Madara-sama, his power… it's a bit eerie. Could he possibly… interfere with our plan?"
The cave was silent for a few seconds. Then a hoarse, aged voice filled with gravitas broke the silence.
"Understood."
Madara slowly lifted his head. From between strands of white hair, his scarlet eyes gleamed like ghostly flames as he looked at White Zetsu, gaze seeming to pierce through space and land on Ryo.
"I'll make my move."
His tone was calm and indifferent, as if stating a simple fact.
Ryo's display of power had indeed stirred a flicker of interest in his long silence.
But that was all.
Meteor summoning, splitting a star with a sword—at Madara's peak, such feats were no more than routine.
As long as the Eye of the Moon Plan continued to progress, once he returned to the shinobi world at full power, wielding the might of the Ten Tails…
Kamiyama Ryo?
Nothing more than a speck of dust on the path to the Infinite Tsukuyomi. A grain of sand, easily swept away.
Compared to this newcomer bearing the title of "Asura," what Madara truly cared about right now…
Was victory or defeat.
He stopped looking at White Zetsu, his gaze shifting deeper into the darker reaches of the cave as he asked the question that truly concerned him:
"Have you found a suitable Uchiha?"
White Zetsu immediately shed its earlier theatrics and respectfully answered, "Yes, Madara-sama. After extensive observation and filtering, we've identified a young boy named Uchiha Obito. He fits the criteria you set."
"Oh?" Madara's tone lifted slightly with a trace of interest.
"He's cheerful, kind, enthusiastic, full of life, and deeply loyal to his comrades. His emotions run so rich, it's almost… un-Uchiha-like." White Zetsu described plainly. "He cherishes bonds, clings stubbornly to ideals and goodness, and is naturally optimistic. He gets along well with others."
"Sounds like… a decent seedling?" Madara's voice betrayed no emotion.
"But…" White Zetsu's tone dropped. "There's one issue. Uchiha Obito… is a complete underachiever. Whether it's ninjutsu, taijutsu, or genjutsu, his performance is… extremely average. He ranks at the bottom of his peers. Madara-sama, can he really shoulder your grand plan and become the inheritor of your will? His talent and…"
The cave once again fell silent.
On Madara's withered face, the corner of his mouth lifted slightly. It was hard to tell if he was smiling or mocking.
"A loser…" the old voice murmured, tinged with detached insight. "That doesn't matter."
In the depths of Madara's Sharingan, a flash of Uchiha pride and near-obsessive conviction flickered.
"The power of the Uchiha… is never defined by talent or mediocrity. As long as the eyes awaken…"
His voice took on a rhythm as cold as fate. "As long as those eyes reflect enough pain and despair… they can bear my power. They can become the sharpest tool for the Eye of the Moon Plan!"
"The more light-filled the soul…" Madara's tone suddenly grew colder, like the chill of the underworld. "The more complete the collapse when everything they treasure, everything they believe in, is torn apart before their eyes, devoured by darkness. When pure light falls into the abyss, the darkness that erupts… is most absolute. Most pure. And most… malleable."
"Go…" Madara gave his final command, beyond dispute. "Monitor him carefully. I want to see every day of his growth, every emotional shift, every crack that could become a fracture in the future. When the time is right, I will personally 'guide' him onto this path… the one that must be taken for true peace in this world."
"Yes, Madara-sama." White Zetsu's body sank back into the ground like melting wax, leaving only a faint echo.
The dripping sound returned as the dominant rhythm in the cavern, and Madara's figure once again vanished into the darkness and his white hair, as if the conversation had never happened.
Only those two scarlet Sharingan remained in the shadows, cold and unblinking.
Tutai moved quickly.
Under the Raikage's order, Kumo's intelligence network went into high-speed operation.
Detailed intelligence reports shot out like invisible arrows.
Iwagakure.
A scroll was unrolled across a thick stone table.
"Tsuchikage-sama. Top-secret intel from Kumo. Kamiyama Ryo of Konoha…"
The voice echoed through the sealed chamber.
Under the flickering light of an oil lamp, the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, sat with a blank expression for the first time.
He sat still in his stone chair, fingers tapping the armrest unconsciously, eyes fixed on the scroll.
Heavenly Obstruction Meteor… One Sword Split the Stars.
His breathing grew heavier.
Behind him, several elders wore grim expressions. One sucked in a cold breath.
"Meteor… cleaved in one strike…" one elder murmured hoarsely.
"Kumo's Scroll of Forbidden Jutsu…" another's eyes were filled with fear.
Ōnoki suddenly slammed the stone table, cracking it. "Enough!" he barked. His voice carried none of its usual tact, only anger and a trace of fear.
He raised his head, eyebrows twitching, and barked an order. "Get in touch with the other villages, especially Konoha! They must give an explanation!"
Sunagakure.
By the time the intel reached the Kazekage's office, sand-laden wind was already beating against the windows.
The Third Kazekage, known for his Magnetic Release and calm temperament, gripped the scroll so tightly his knuckles turned white.
The composure on his chiseled face had vanished. Only heaviness and doubt remained.
"Kamiyama Ryo…" he murmured, each word weighty.
He rose and walked to the map, gaze sweeping over village defenses, finally stopping on the direction of Konoha with a complex expression.
Behind him, Chiyo's fists were clenched. Ebizō's brows were furrowed. The senior advisors whispered, unease filling the room.
"Notify all elders. Emergency council. Now." The Kazekage's voice was decisive. "Respond to Kumo. We agree to joint pressure."
Kirigakure.
The intel pierced through thick fog and reached the Mizukage.
In the shadowy Mizukage building, the lighting was dim.
His face was hidden beneath the brim of a straw hat.
After reading the scroll, the air in the room seemed to freeze, a murderous aura flooding the space.
"Konoha… Asura…" came his cold voice from under the hat, filled with killing intent and deep wariness. "Send word. The Seven Ninja Swordsmen are to return and stand by. Contact the other three villages. Kiri agrees to joint action."
Konohagakure, Hokage Office.
The setting sun cast golden light into the room.
Hiruzen sat behind his desk, pipe between his lips, brows furrowed, his aged gaze heavy. The intelligence scroll in his hand was already creased from repeated reading.
"Kumo… Scroll of Forbidden Jutsu… Heavenly Obstruction Meteor… One Sword Split the Stars…" he muttered, burdened.
Scattered across the table were Kumo's public statement, as well as stern-worded reports from Iwa, Suna, and Kiri—demanding Konoha explain and punish Ryo.
A knock came at the door.
"Enter," Hiruzen said, weariness in his voice.
Shimura Danzō walked in, cane tapping, single eye scanning the documents. A familiar sinister smile tugged at his lips.
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu followed behind, faces grave.
"Hiruzen," Danzō said, voice raspy, cane pausing. "This is serious. Kumo's intel has spread. Kamiyama Ryo's actions have caused a massive incident. Stealing the Scroll of Forbidden Jutsu. Violating taboos. His power has terrified the other four great villages. Their fear has turned into hostility toward us. A Five Kage Summit could happen at any moment… and its goal—might be to pressure us. Or worse… war."
(To be continued.)