Madara clenched his fists as power continuously surged through his body. The feeling of youth was something he had not experienced in an incredibly long time.
"Hahahaha!"
As the leader of the Four Great Laughing Uchiha, Madara finally could not suppress himself any longer. His body trembled slightly as his wild laughter echoed through the underground chamber.
One had to remember that he had spent decades hidden beneath the earth, away from sunlight and the outside world. For the sake of his resurrection plan, he had even faked his own death. Now that everything had finally reached this stage, it was only natural that he would release the emotions he had suppressed for so long.
Madara's laughter carried the joy and excitement of someone who had finally regained everything he had been waiting for.
After an unknown amount of time, Madara finally calmed down. He turned his head toward Black Zetsu and asked with a smile, "How is the plan progressing?"
"The plan... encountered some minor problems," Black Zetsu answered in a low voice.
"Minor problems? How minor?" Madara's expression instantly became cold.
According to the plan he had created before his death, Nagato should have revived him in his youthful prime.
After his resurrection, the Rinnegan should have been returned to its original owner, and Fugaku should have gathered all the Nine-Tailed Beasts to revive the Ten-Tails.
The first part had been completed perfectly.
But where was the Ten-Tails?
Madara closed his eyes and sensed the surroundings. However, he could not feel the enormous Chakra belonging to the Ten-Tails.
It seemed that the plan had indeed encountered unexpected obstacles.
"Our plan has been exposed to a certain extent. We have now become enemies of the entire Ninja World," Black Zetsu explained.
"We are currently facing the worst possible situation. The Five Great Nations have formed the Shinobi Allied Forces and are preparing to attack us."
"Oh? The Shinobi Allied Forces?" Madara's interest was immediately aroused.
"The Five Great Nations, which have always been hostile toward each other, actually managed to unite. Interesting."
"Speaking of which, Hashirama once mentioned the possibility of the Five Great Nations joining together."
In reality, Hashirama had not only mentioned that idea, he had also tried to make it happen.
During the first Five Kage Summit, following Hashirama's proposal, the Five Great Nations established a mutual aid alliance.
However, that alliance was built on the foundation of Hashirama's existence. After the First Hokage passed away, the alliance naturally fell apart.
Beside him, Black Zetsu did not think deeply about it. He lowered his head and silently thought.
That was the first time.
The first time Madara had mentioned Hashirama since his resurrection.
Madara did not continue discussing the topic. Instead, he changed the subject and asked, "What about the Gedo Statue?"
In Madara's eyes, the so-called Shinobi Allied Forces were nothing more than a gathering of weak individuals.
Even without the Rinnegan, he could defeat the Five Great Nations by himself with his Perfect Susanoo.
Now that he had regained the Rinnegan, he looked down on them even more.
Without Hashirama, there was no one in the current Ninja World capable of stopping him.
Seeing Madara's excitement, Black Zetsu quickly replied, "The Gedo Statue has already sealed seven Tailed Beasts, but the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails have not been captured yet."
"Not captured?"
"Yes. However, Fugaku has already sealed one of the Eight-Tails' tentacles inside it, and he is currently heading toward Kinkaku and Ginkaku."
"The Eight-Tails' tentacle? Kinkaku and Ginkaku?"
Seeing Madara frown, Black Zetsu hurriedly explained the current situation of the Ninja World and Fugaku's actions over the past few years to the newly resurrected Uchiha.
After hearing everything, Madara shook his head with a mocking smile.
"If he couldn't obtain the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails, he simply sealed some random leftover Chakra instead?"
"As expected of Fugaku. He is still as useless as ever."
"Then what do you mean by that?"
Madara did not answer directly. Instead, he asked another question.
"You just said Kinkaku and Ginkaku were resurrected?"
"Yes. It seems that someone among the Konoha Shinobi used Edo Tensei, intending to use those reincarnated Ninja as additional combat power against us," Black Zetsu explained.
"Edo Tensei... Tobirama's technique."
Madara thought for a moment. Then, a flash of excitement appeared in his eyes.
"Then, has Hashirama been resurrected?"
Black Zetsu's eyes narrowed slightly.
Hashirama again.
"Probably not. White Zetsu has not discovered any trace of the First Hokage," Black Zetsu answered.
"I see."
Madara shook his head, looking slightly disappointed.
"What a pity. Without Hashirama, who in this Ninja World can stop me now?"
"Even if the First Hokage were resurrected, he should not be your opponent anymore, right?" Black Zetsu asked in confusion.
"Hmph. What do you know?"
Madara glanced at Black Zetsu with disdain.
"Without an audience, what is the meaning of my performance?"
A faint smile appeared on Madara's face.
"However, once the stage has been prepared, resurrecting Hashirama afterward will be no different."
"Then, what should we do next?" Black Zetsu asked after thinking for a moment.
"Naturally, we gather the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails. Without those two beasts, the Ten-Tails is incomplete."
Madara was not like Fugaku, who would settle for collecting fragments of Chakra.
He was a true perfectionist. There were certain things he would not stop pursuing until he obtained them.
Such as Hashirama.
Such as the Tailed Beasts.
Madara did not believe anyone in the current Ninja World could stop him.
However, Black Zetsu still reminded him, "The current Fourth Hokage, Uchiha Hayashi, is quite powerful."
"The Fourth Hokage?"
Madara raised an eyebrow.
"Not bad. That kid actually managed to obtain the Hokage position from Hiruzen Sarutobi. He is quite capable."
"If Tobirama were still alive and knew that the current Fourth Hokage was an Uchiha, his expression would certainly be interesting."
Madara still remembered how Tobirama had argued with Hashirama in the Hokage office back then, intentionally allowing him to overhear their conversation.
"That kid must have awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan as well, right?" Madara asked.
"Yes. He also learned the Second Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique and defeated Nagato, preventing us from obtaining the Nine-Tails."
"Currently, the Shinobi Allied Forces are also being led by Konoha."
Black Zetsu had been eager to revive Madara precisely because he believed Fugaku was no match for Hayashi. It was better to let Madara personally handle the situation.
After listening to Black Zetsu's explanation, Madara became even more interested.
He did not hide his appreciation for Hayashi.
Madara had once considered making Hayashi his successor, but after careful consideration, he ultimately chose Fugaku instead.
Looking at the current situation, it seemed that his judgment had been wrong.
However, Madara's expression remained calm as he spoke.
"Since I have been resurrected, it no longer matters whether it is Hayashi, the Five Kage, or the Shinobi Allied Forces."
"Believe it or not, in only a few minutes, I can obtain the Eight-Tails and Nine-Tails."
"I believe you, but..."
Black Zetsu wanted to mention Himeji, but Madara interrupted him immediately.
"Enough. We can discuss other matters later. First, I am going to meet the Shinobi Allied Forces."
Madara's tone left no room for argument.
Before capturing the Tailed Beasts, he needed to test his strength.
With a casual motion, Madara took the Uchiha fan from Black Zetsu's hands. He weighed it in his grasp, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
"As for Fugaku... if he wants to collect Kinkaku and Ginkaku, then let him."
Black Zetsu remained standing respectfully with his hands folded, watching straight ahead until Madara finally left.