After Akio revealed himself, he quietly observed everyone's reactions.
Orochimaru was first slightly surprised, then quickly showed an expression of realization, who knows what wild ideas he had just imagined.
Tobirama wore an "I knew it" look clearly, he'd never believed the rumors of Akio's death.
Hashirama, Jiraiya, and Sakumo were first shocked, then overjoyed.
Hiruzen's expression, however, was the most complicated: shock, then joy and excitement, and finally, a tinge of worry.
Not even a hint of guilt…? Akio thought to himself. So Watergate's death probably has little to do with him, it must've been Danzō. Or… is he just that good an actor?
These thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.
And in the next instant, he threw a punch!
Akio shook his arm afterward, looking at Madara, who had been forced back several steps, speechless.
"I'm not dead, and you're this excited to see me, Madara?"
Madara steadied himself and quickly regained composure.
His outburst had only come from… well, life's ups and downs hitting too fast.
A moment ago he'd felt elated, only to be crushed right after.
Now, as a mere reanimated body with less than half his original strength, he knew he stood little chance against Akio.
"Hmph! Old man! Why won't you just die already?!"
Akio smiled and greeted the others. "Hashirama, Tobirama it's been a long time."
"For us, it hasn't been long at all, Uncle," Tobirama said dryly, making Akio freeze for a second.
"…Right. To them, it's basically like closing their eyes and opening them again. Kind of awkward."
"It really has been a long time, Uncle," Hashirama added helpfully, playing along.
"Elder Akio! You, how are you still alive?" Hiruzen finally blurted out.
"If I hadn't 'died,' I wouldn't have realized how entertaining the world's become without me," Akio said evenly. (Of course, he wasn't about to admit he'd messed up in his training.)
"Elder! It's great that you're alive please, try to talk some sense into Orochimaru!" Jiraiya shouted.
Akio ignored him and turned toward Madara, asking the question that had long been on his mind: "Who took your eyes back then?"
"Hah! Old man, you think I'd tell you?"
Akio grinned, blowing on his fist. "Ever seen a fist this big before? Orochimaru, don't cancel the Reanimation just yet."
"As you wish, Elder," Orochimaru said calmly.
In the next second, Akio appeared in front of Madara. "Right hook!"
Madara raised his left arm to block but still got nailed across the face.
"You bastard!" Madara cursed, sent flying backward as a massive blue Susanoo formed around him.
Akio drew back his right arm, chakra swirling in his palm. "Susanoo, huh? Perfect chance to test this one, Eighty Gods Vacuum Fists!"
A storm of colossal chakra fists ripped through the air, obliterating Madara's Susanoo in an instant along with Madara himself disappearing into the onslaught.
"Uh… maybe that was too much. Forgot he's only at half power now," Akio muttered. "Guess I'll wait for him to pull himself together."
He scratched his head, turning around only to find that the area behind him had turned into a forest.
The shockwave from his punch had been blocked by Hashirama, protecting Hiruzen and the others.
"Forgot how strong I've gotten," Akio said casually, though inwardly, he was beaming with satisfaction.
"You've grown even stronger, Elder," Orochimaru remarked quietly.
Akio glanced at him and smirked. "So… did Akatsuki send you an invitation yet? Feel like working as my spy instead?"
Akio had gotten addicted to recruiting spies. After the news of his "death," Ringo Ameyuri had probably gone off the radar and with the Fourth Great Ninja War brewing, Amegakure had become one of the main battlefields. Who knew if she was even still alive?
"An invitation from Akatsuki? I haven't received one."
Akio blinked. "Then why'd you defect?"
"More importantly, where did you get Madara's cells?"
As he spoke, the trees Hashirama had summoned sank back into the ground, revealing Hashirama, Tobirama, and Hiruzen once more.
"Uncle, you've grown even stronger," Hashirama said with a smile.
Akio took a deep breath, glancing at the silent Orochimaru, then at Hashirama and Tobirama. Might as well catch up first.
"Of course I've grown stronger. Getting weaker is Hiruzen's specialty."
Hiruzen smiled bitterly, while Hashirama scratched his head. "Well, Monkey is getting old. He's not you, Uncle."
Tobirama, however, noticed something off in Akio's tone. "What happened, Uncle?"
Akio paused, sighing. "You're all dead already, no need to burden you with it."
"Elder Akio…" Hiruzen began, but stopped short.
"Elder, please talk to Orochimaru first," Jiraiya pressed again.
"Elder Akio, things aren't what you think," Sakumo interjected, defending Hiruzen.
"I hope not," Akio replied calmly.
Then he turned to Hashirama and Tobirama. "It's now Year 53 of Konoha. Give me another eleven or twelve years at most, and I'll bring you both back to life."
Hashirama chuckled helplessly. "Still haven't given up, have you?"
"How could I?" Akio smiled faintly, only for a furious roar to interrupt.
"Damn you, old man!"
Madara had recovered.
"Oh, you're back on your feet, Madara?" Akio grinned. "So, how's that giant fist feel?"
Madara's face twisted in rage. "Bastard!"
"The caster's name is Orochimaru, right? Remove these limits on my power otherwise, with this old man here, you'll never escape!"
Akio's tone was calm but playful. "Give it up, Madara. Orochimaru's on my side now. So right now, it's all of us… versus you."
To Madara's disbelief, Orochimaru actually nodded in agreement.
"Bastard…" Madara had now said that word more times today than in all his past lives combined.
Akio smiled. "Orochimaru, you've got potential. Don't defect come to Uzushio. I'll provide research materials; all you have to do is summon Madara once in a while to keep me entertained."
"You old fool!" Madara roared, then glared at Tobirama. "Damn this jutsu!"
Akio chuckled. "So, Madara are you going to talk or not?"
Before Madara could answer, Hashirama stepped in, trying to defuse things. "Uncle, you said someone took Madara's eyes?"
"Yeah. Some annoying group called Akatsuki. I've been investigating their leader for years."
Madara exhaled in relief. "So that guy's been doing well. Seems he's given you quite the headache, old man."
Akio smiled faintly. "Not really. I'm just curious. Madara, can't you tell? I'm already unbeatable. Didn't that last punch make it clear?"
"Unbeatable? Don't make me laugh!" Madara burst into loud laughter.
Akio sighed. "Is it really that funny, Madara?"
Then he clenched his right fist again, blowing on it. "Looks like you still haven't had enough of these giant fists, huh?"
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