Chapter 67: Madara's Gaze—Hōzuki Mangetsu
Deeper within the underground caverns of the Jashin Cult.
Tap, tap, tap.
In the darkness, the sound of slow footsteps and the tapping of a cane echoed.
A torch hanging on the wall ignited, illuminating the figure's face.
He had long gray hair and an aged complexion, dressed in a dark blue robe, leaning heavily on a wooden staff. He
Appeared frail and decrepit,
But when he slightly opened his eyes,
A pair of three-tomoe Sharingan—radiating an extremely sinister and cold brilliance—gleamed
Within his eye sockets.
This man was none other than the once-legendary Shura of the Shinobi World—
Uchiha Madara!
The name alone symbolized unparalleled power.
Uchiha Madara found a square rock and slowly lowered himself onto it.
Soon, stiff, heavy footsteps echoed again through the darkness.
A dignified elderly man with long gray hair, wearing a blue beaded headband, and habitually keeping his eyes closed, slowly approached.
He wore a blue hat emblazoned with the kanji for "water"—
A symbol of his position. He
Was the most enigmatic Kage of the Mist—the Third Mizukage—who had accompanied the First Mizukage at the inaugural Five Kage Summit and later succeeded him.
He dragged a bandaged, sealed body and tossed it before Uchiha Madara. After a moment's silence, he spoke calmly,
"Madara, the Three-Tails Jinchūriki is here."
Madara didn't respond, simply extending his hand and pressing it against the sealed Three-Tails Jinchūriki's abdomen.
A vast torrent of chakra was effortlessly extracted by Madara, flowing into his body, then down through underground channels, rapidly streaming toward the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path hidden in the Land of Frost.
Finally, it transformed into pure life force, feeding back into Uchiha Madara's body,
Slightly revitalizing him.
After a moment, Uchiha Madara slowly raised his head, looked at the Third Mizukage, and said coldly,
"You're earlier than usual this time."
"Karatachi Yagura has discovered that I've been regularly removing the Three-Tails Jinchūriki from the village."
The Third Mizukage shook his head and stated his purpose directly:
"Madara, I need you to help me control Yagura."
"Because of the trouble caused by Hōzuki Gengetsu, Iwagakure will soon declare war on Kirigakure."
"We cannot allow Yagura's faction to act recklessly during this time."
"They might do something extremely dangerous."
"Hmph." Uchiha Madara sneered. "Afraid now? But all this is your own doing."
"It's only natural that a mediocre person without talent would suffer backlash for stubbornly clinging to this position."
The Third Mizukage didn't respond, simply staring coldly at Uchiha Madara.
"So, Madara—what's your answer?"
He knew he lacked exceptional talent.
At the first Five Kage Summit, the guards who accompanied each village's First Kage became the Second Kage.
He alone was suppressed by Hōzuki Gengetsu, only ascending to Third Mizukage after Gengetsu's death.
Lacking natural ability, he could only rely on the power of the man before him to enforce oppressive policies in Kirigakure, silencing all opposition.
It was all a cold exchange of mutual interests.
However,
Uchiha Madara merely raised his head slightly, opened his crimson Sharingan, and glanced with indifference.
"Are you threatening me?"
Alarm bells rang in the Third Mizukage's mind, and his already-closed eyes tightened further.
A massive blue skeletal hand suddenly manifested, grasping him, and with a fierce squeeze, forced his eyes partially open.
Then, a pair of cold, sinister crimson eyes appeared in his vision.
Genjutsu: Sharingan!
The Third Mizukage's pupils contracted, turning crimson. Three tomoe swirled within them, then gradually faded.
Then, like a puppet, he knelt before Uchiha Madara, subject to his will.
"A mere speck of dust—not even half as capable as me."
Uchiha Madara, controlling Susanoo's massive hand, casually flung him against the wall with a scoff.
Just then, a pale figure wrapped in pitcher plant-like appendages emerged from the cave wall and excitedly announced,
"Madara-sama, something interesting appears to be happening above."
"Among them is an intriguing young Uchiha."
"Would you like to observe?"
Uchiha Madara raised an eyebrow, leaning on his cane to rise from the rock.
"Oh?"
"Then let's take a look."
On the surface,
The fortress gates stood wide open, as if welcoming visitors.
Tsukasa stood before the entrance, frowning slightly, feeling the hairs on his neck prickle.
Something felt wrong.
"Don't worry, I've checked—there's no chakra signature inside,"
Mei Terumi said coolly. She then pointed to the tatami-covered circle in the center of the fortress hall and added,
"If we use Lava Release here to corrode through the floor, we'll find a vast underground cavern below. Hidan is down there."
Tsukasa nodded without further comment, following Mei Terumi forward.
This type of fortress hall, built for a feudal lord,
Was typically used for formal audiences. The striking feature was a stone vault supported by eight pillars.
Colorful stained glass windows filtered light through, illuminating the hall.
The stone carvings, red carpet, and murals all appeared magnificent—
A stark contrast to the refugee shanties outside the fortress walls, which barely offered protection from wind and rain.
However,
Just as the two stepped onto the red carpet,
The two
Heavy doors slammed shut with a reverberating boom.
Six figures leaped down from the dome.
Six individuals—all dressed in the uniforms of Kirigakure's Hunter-nin corps—wore masks bearing four water drop patterns with expressions of false serenity.
Six cold gazes pierced through the mask's eyeholes, radiating hostile intent.
Five of them formed hand seals.
A thick, dark rain cloud suddenly materialized beneath the dome.
Then fine, cold rain began to fall.
The leader of the six—
A masked, white-haired ninja with visible purple eyes—slowly drew a long sword from his waist and said indifferently,
"Mei Terumi, you're not part of the rebellion faction. There's no need to risk your life for something like this."
"Tell me the truth—where is Karatachi Yagura right now?"
Hearing this voice and seeing this figure, Mei Terumi's pupils suddenly contracted,
Her expression tense and grim.
"This is trouble. Why is he here?"
She immediately tilted her head slightly and whispered urgently to Tsukasa,
"Run!"
"You can't possibly match this guy."
Tsukasa looked at the six figures before him, his eyes narrowing, lingering particularly on the one at the front.
White hair, purple eyes.
This hair color and eye combination was quite rare in the shinobi world, immediately reminding him of Hōzuki Suigetsu, a future member of Team Taka.
And this person was clearly a Kirigakure ninja.
His identity—like Hatake Kakashi wearing a Konoha ANBU mask—was obvious.
It was none other than the so-called "prodigy" of Kirigakure, the genius who could masterfully wield all Seven Ninja Swords and possessed the legendary "Seven Ninja Swords Summoning Scroll"—
Hōzuki Mangetsu!
End of Chapter 67
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