Pain is dead?
As Uchiha Madara's voice rang out, everyone couldn't help but freeze for a moment.
"Those eyes!"
Just then, Deidara suddenly let out an exclamation.
Only then did everyone notice that Uchiha Madara's eyes were none other than Nagato's Rinnegan.
"I don't care if you're Uchiha Madara or not! If you want to be our leader, defeat me first!"
Hidan hoisted his scythe onto his shoulder, speaking with an annoyed expression.
Hearing Hidan's words, the corner of Uchiha Madara's mouth quirked upward, and a faint smile appeared on his originally indifferent face.
"Come at me together."
Uchiha Madara's dismissive voice reached the ears of everyone present.
In that instant, the entire atmosphere suddenly fell silent.
"Well then, I also want to see the legendary strength of Uchiha Madara!"
Kakuzu's normally stiff face suddenly broke into a smile.
In the next moment, everyone transformed into blurs, rushing toward Uchiha Madara.
Standing not far from Uchiha Madara, Zetsu and Obito watched this scene with calm expressions, and Obito even showed a trace of reluctance on his face.
Boom!
A tremendous explosion reverberated throughout the entire Akatsuki base.
Immediately after, a completely one-sided situation unfolded before everyone's eyes.
Hidan's screams rang out intermittently across the sky.
After a short while, Uchiha Madara cracked his neck, looking down at the several Akatsuki members lying at his feet, and spoke in a calm voice:
"From today onward, I am the leader of Akatsuki."
With that, Uchiha Madara lightly tapped his foot and vanished from his spot, reappearing atop the head of the Gedo Statue.
"Report to me everything of significance that has happened in the ninja world during this time."
Uchiha Madara's calm voice reached Zetsu's ears.
Land of Fire · Konoha Village!
Having just emerged from war, Konoha was now in a completely ruined state.
The entire village had been more than half destroyed, with countless civilians left without shelter.
Fortunately, a large number of Konoha ninja were stationed around the area. Otherwise, in its current state, the entire village would have descended into chaos.
Konoha at this moment could be said to be at its weakest point since the village's founding.
Under normal circumstances, any hidden village in such a weakened state would need to devote considerable effort to guard against the prying eyes of other villages of all sizes, or even fend off attacks from those looking to take advantage of their misfortune.
But Konoha's situation was entirely different now, perhaps due to the legacy left behind by Hashirama Senju—the feat of single-handedly driving back four major hidden villages.
Such a record was enough to make anyone think twice before acting rashly.
Although there were still many small and large hidden villages probing around Konoha, not a single one dared to make any actual moves.
This situation came as somewhat of a surprise to the people of Konoha.
However, taking advantage of the other villages' wariness, all the ninja in Konoha, including even some students who hadn't yet graduated from the Ninja Academy, had joined in the effort to rebuild the village.
This wariness was only temporary. They had to rebuild Konoha's barriers and various defenses before all the other villages could no longer resist the urge to attack.
Otherwise, once problems arose, Konoha would truly be in danger.
In a forest within Konoha.
At this moment, the members of Team Guy were responsible for cutting down trees.
After Might Guy kicked down a large tree with a single strike, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and turned to look at Lee, Neji, and Tenten, who were busy cutting down other trees.
Might Guy's gaze fell upon Neji, who was cutting down trees but clearly distracted.
"Neji, cutting down trees is actually quite good training too. You can't slack off, right, Lee!"
Might Guy bared his teeth in a grin, giving Neji a thumbs up.
"Yes! Guy Sensei!"
On the other side, Lee responded in kind, swinging his axe at the tree with even greater speed.
Hearing Might Guy's words, Neji snapped back to attention, an apologetic look appearing on his face.
Standing not far from Neji, Tenten's eyes flashed with concern as she glanced at him.
Might Guy nodded, seemingly remembering something, and looked at Neji:
"By the way, I wonder how Hiashi-sama is recovering?"
"Thank you for your concern, Guy Sensei. The clan head was attacked by enemies and sustained heavy injuries. He still hasn't awakened yet."
Neji was slightly taken aback, then bowed his head slightly toward Might Guy.
At this moment, no one noticed the flash of nervousness in Neji's eyes as he lowered his head.
"If there's anything you need, just let me know."
Might Guy nodded and smiled at Neji.
With that, Might Guy turned around, about to attack another large tree behind him, when Neji's voice suddenly rang out.
"Sensei, do you believe in fate?"
A conflicted look appeared on Neji's face, his eyes filled with confusion as he suddenly looked at Might Guy and asked.
Hearing Neji's voice, Might Guy turned his head to look at him. When he saw the confusion in Neji's eyes, Might Guy was clearly taken aback.
The old Neji would never have shown such a lost expression.
Perhaps this sudden war had made everyone feel a sense of bewilderment.
With this in mind, Might Guy reached out and patted Neji's shoulder, a brilliant smile appearing on his face:
"Lee might be able to give you an answer to that question. You just need to believe in the path you're walking, stride forward with confidence, and then become someone that others can watch over with a smile."
Might Guy's words entered Neji's ears, making his spirit tremble.
Neji's eyes still held a trace of confusion as he turned his head to look in Lee's direction.
As if sensing Neji's gaze, Lee stopped what he was doing, grinned broadly, and spoke with determination:
"I've never believed in something like fate. Neji, you're my goal. One day I'll surpass you! I'll show everyone that hard work can defeat genius!"
As Lee's words fell, the tree he had been cutting suddenly broke and crashed to the ground with a heavy thud.
"I won't give you that chance!"
At this moment, the confusion in Neji's eyes had completely disappeared. As if making some kind of decision, a long-absent smile appeared on his face as he spoke to the sweat-covered Lee.
Seeing the smile on Neji's face, Might Guy also broke into a brilliant smile, giving a thumbs up to Lee and the others:
"Now that's youth!"
In the next moment, heavy thuds and the rapid sounds of axe strikes once again filled the forest.
Meanwhile, on the other side, near the destroyed area of Konoha.
The members of Team 7 were clearing away debris.
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