The Nine-Tails was lost in thought.
The more he pondered, the more he wanted to work with Naruto.
He was even starting to get frustrated in his heart.
"What's wrong with that kid Naruto? Why hasn't he come to talk to me about this yet?"
"Is he really waiting for me to bring it up first?"
"Does he even want to cooperate with me or not?"
He had already swallowed his pride just agreeing to work with Naruto in the first place.
But if he had to be the one to initiate the conversation, wouldn't that be humiliating?
While the group chat continued with everyone talking for their own purposes...
The massive scroll floating in the sky trembled again and burst into golden light.
Immediately after, a semi-transparent screen—now familiar to all—appeared in the sky.
Soon, a new scene began playing—
This time, it was about Ōnoki.
Scene Begins
"Here comes old man Ōnoki, a relic from the era of the First Hokage!"
"He once fought Uchiha Madara twice—once when Madara was alive, and once after his resurrection."
"Unlike others who sought immortality, he had no such jutsu, which is why by the time of Shippuden, he was already ancient."
"And in Boruto, he was literally in a wheelchair."
Group Chat
Uchiha Madara @First Hokage Hashirama: Hashirama! Do you have any idea what Shippuden or Boruto even mean?
First Hokage Hashirama Senju: Madara! I'm sorry. I'm happy you asked me, but I really don't know, my dear little brother! You've always been the smart one—do you know?
Uchiha Izuna: Nani? Since when is Tobirama the smart one? I object!
Second Hokage Tobirama Senju: Nii-san! If even you don't know, how would I know? @Uchiha Izuna, what's your point? Don't tell me you know the answer?
Uchiha Madara: Izuna! Since you're talking big, you must know—so go ahead, explain!
Uchiha Izuna:Ahem! Nii-san, I don't know either! I was just objecting to Tobirama being called smart!
Uchiha Madara: Hahaha! If even the four of us don't know, then probably no one does.
Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi @Nara Shikamaru: You're one of the smarter ones in the newer generation. You're always coming up with clever ideas—do you know the answer?
Nara Shikamaru: Lord Third, I don't know for sure, but I do have a theory.
Uchiha Madara: Out with it then.
Nara Shikamaru: I think Shippuden and Boruto refer to different time periods. Like in Jiraiya-sama's segment, where there was The Tale of the Gallant Jiraiya, and he hoped for a sequel after his death titled The Tale of Uzumaki Naruto.
Uchiha Madara: Not bad, kid. That makes a lot of sense. Hashirama, what do you think?
First Hokage Hashirama Senju: Madara! See? That's a Konoha ninja! Convinced now?
Konoha – Chūnin Exam Arena
Shikamaru couldn't help but smile—despite his usual maturity, he was still a teen after all.
He was clearly honored by the praise from the legendary shinobi.
The scene continued.
"But aside from his age, Ōnoki hasn't changed at all."
"Still the same old man who throws out his back and makes everyone laugh."
"Still the same Third Tsuchikage, earnest with the younger generation and embodying the Will of Stone."
"The world's hardest stone isn't literal—it's the unshakable will within your heart."
"And coming from Ōnoki's mouth, that line is truly convincing."
"When the young protagonist asks how to identify his true will—"
"Ōnoki replies: 'If after several setbacks, you still hold it tightly in your hand, then perhaps that is your true will.'"
"This line immediately reminds viewers of the scene where Ōnoki stands firm against a falling meteor."
"Faced with a powerful otherworldly foe, he inspired everyone to rise again, again, and again."
"Among the Five Kage of that time, Ōnoki possessed both the strongest will and the greatest strength."
Group Chat
Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki: Hahaha! That's absolutely right. Among the Five Kage, my will and strength were the greatest! Anyone want to argue? @Fourth Raikage A @ImmatureTsunadeFan @Fake-Youthful-Old-Lady @Gaara
Fourth Raikage A: I don't like it, but what can I say—my ranking's lower than yours. If I complain, you'll just use that to shut me up.
Fake-Youthful-Old-Lady (Tsunade): Ōnoki, I admit you're strong. No point denying it.
Gaara: I have no objection, senior.
ImmatureTsunadeFan: Even the old lady agrees, so I guess I can't argue either.
Uchiha Madara: Strongest? What a joke. So what if you were? All five of you teamed up and still couldn't beat me.
Ōnoki: …
Gaara: …
Raikage A: …
Tsunade: …
ImmatureTsunadeFan: …
The Five Kage all replied with ellipses—completely speechless.
Because—
The truth was right in front of them.
In the future scenes, the five of them teamed up but still couldn't defeat Uchiha Madara.
And those future battles had already played out, from each Kage's perspective.
No matter the angle, the outcome was the same—
Madara was terrifyingly strong.
But!
That was then.
Now, each of them had received their leaderboard rewards.
If they joined forces again against Madara—
It was no longer certain who would win.
Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki: Madara, don't be so cocky! Once I get my reward, I won't need the other four. I alone will crush you!
Fourth Raikage A @Uchiha Madara: I might not be able to beat you, but I'll definitely make you wish you were dead!
Gaara: I'm already stronger than my future self. If we fought again, the result might be very different.
ImmatureTsunadeFan: If the five of us still have to team up, I won't be just a support character anymore. @Fake-Youthful-Old-Lady, with your new power-up, you seem more suited for a support role now. Hahaha!
Fake-Youthful-Old-Lady: That's because you don't understand the true power of the Surgical Fruit. If you did, you wouldn't be laughing.
Uchiha Madara: So deep down, you still refuse to accept it, huh?
Ōnoki: Aren't you about to be resurrected? Once you are, come find me. You've only got one Revival Coin, and I'm going to make sure you go right back to the Pure Land! That way, the Fourth Great Ninja War won't even need to happen.
Uchiha Madara: Good! Ōnoki, remember what you said! When I come knocking, don't cry like a baby! Hahaha!
First Hokage Hashirama Senju: Madara! What's that "young protagonist" mentioned in the scene supposed to mean?
Uchiha Madara: Hashirama! I don't know either! @Nara Shikamaru, little guy—what do you think?
Nara Shikamaru: Well, in novels, the "protagonist" is the main character. So the "young protagonist" probably refers to the protagonist's childhood.
Jiraiya: Hahaha! Two so-called gods of the shinobi world, and neither of you understood that? Too funny!
First Hokage Hashirama Senju: Jiraiya?! You're getting cocky?
Jiraiya: Lord First! My apologies! I shouldn't have mocked you—please forgive me, your wisdom is boundless!
Pure Land (Afterlife Realm)
After seeing Jiraiya's apology, Hashirama first nodded in satisfaction… but then frowned.
He felt like something wasn't right—but couldn't quite put his finger on what it was.
Scene continued.
"However, Ōnoki's attitude toward Konoha hasn't always been so friendly."
"In fact, Hidden Stone Village and Konoha have long been at odds."
"Many of Konoha's enemies were Iwa shinobi."
"The Third Great Ninja War? The main clash was between Konoha and Hidden Stone Village."
First Hokage Hashirama @Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki: No wonder you've always mocked Konoha shinobi. So that's why!
Second Hokage Tobirama Senju: Nii-san, I'm sorry—it was my fault things turned out that way.
First Hokage Hashirama: Otōto, you've done your best already. Once we're revived, let's go teach a lesson to anyone who dares mess with Konoha!
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