Uchiha Izuna's focus, however, was quite different from everyone else's.
After throwing some shade at the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, in the group chat, Tobirama surprisingly didn't react.
But someone else did.
That someone... was Uchiha Madara.
[Third Tsuchikage Onoki @ Uchiha Madara]:
So much for the legendary Madara! Haha! I was the key to suppressing you—that's undeniable!
[Fourth Raikage A]:
That move was definitely powerful! Even Madara acknowledged you. Respect, old man!
[Third Tsuchikage Onoki]:
Naturally! I'm the one who led Hidden Stone Village to its peak—the mighty Third Tsuchikage!
[Kurotsuchi]:
Grandpa is awesome!
[Uchiha Izuna]:
Nii-san! You let yourself get sealed like that?
[Second Hokage Tobirama Senju]:
Uchiha Madara, guess you're not all that after all!
[Uchiha Madara @ Uchiha Izuna]:
Izuna! I thought you understood me best! Can't you see? That level of sealing was never going to hold me.
[Uchiha Izuna]:
Nii-san! I was wrong! Please don't be mad!
[First Hokage Hashirama Senju @ Uchiha Madara]:
Madara! Didn't you say you wanted to show that guy Kabuto your full power? Is this what you meant?
[Uchiha Madara]:
Hahaha! Hashirama, you truly understand me best!
[Uchiha Izuna]:
Nii-san! I get you too! That was just a slip-up, really!
Izuna felt a strong sense of crisis rising in his chest.
From now on, he made up his mind — he would unconditionally trust his brother Uchiha Madara!
[Third Tsuchikage Onoki]:
But Madara, you were sealed by us — that's just a fact!
[Fourth Raikage A]:
Exactly! You're strong, sure — but we Five Kage still managed to seal you!
[Uchiha Madara]:
Oh really? Then keep watching and see what happens next.
At that moment, the group chat split into two camps.
One side believed Madara had truly been sealed by the Five Kage.
The other side suspected Madara had more up his sleeve — that this wasn't his final move.
And soon, the footage gave them the answer.
[Uchiha Madara: "I see... As expected of those who bear the name of Kage."]
[Uchiha Madara: "Then allow me — Uchiha Madara — to fight seriously."]
[As he spoke, the sealing technique exploded apart.]
[A never-before-seen, colossal Susanoo emerged.]
[In terms of size — on the left was the previous giant meteor; on the right was the Dust Release that destroyed 25 Susanoo clones; and in the middle... was the new, towering Susanoo.]
[Madara declared it: "This is my Complete Body Susanoo, capable of shattering the very fabric of reality!"]
[With a single swing of its blade, it leveled entire mountain ranges in the distance.]
[First Hokage Hashirama Senju]:
Now this is the Madara I know!
[Uchiha Izuna]:
Nii-san is terrifying! That power is enough to plunge any army into despair!
[Second Hokage Tobirama Senju]:
Tch. So what? He's just bullying a bunch of weaklings. If he went up against my big brother, he wouldn't stand a chance.
[Pretending-to-be-Young Old Lady @ Tobirama]:
Ahem, Tobirama, I'm in that fight too, you know!
[Uzumaki Mito]:
Tobirama! Are you underestimating my little Tsunade?
[Tobirama Senju]:
Sister-in-law! Tsunade is family, how could I look down on her? When I said "weaklings," I obviously wasn't including her!
[Uchiha Madara @ Third Tsuchikage Onoki]:
Well? You really thought you could seal me? Don't make me laugh.
The once-cocky Onoki suddenly fell silent.
These days, people had learned a new survival tactic — the same one Danzo once used:
When you've got nothing to say or you're extremely embarrassed, just stay quiet and play dead.
Seeing that Onoki no longer responded, even Madara lost interest in mocking him.
The footage continued.
[Faced with such a dimensional gap in power, Onoki finally lowered his arms.]
[Even so, he took one more step forward.]
[Even in the face of death, his will did not waver.]
[Just as the Five Kage were preparing to sacrifice their lives — a miracle occurred.]
[At that moment, Uchiha Itachi defeated Kabuto and broke the Edo Tensei Reanimation.]
[The Complete Body Susanoo instantly vanished, and Madara's body began to crumble.]
["Looks like the heavens haven't abandoned us yet!" Onoki laughed heartily.]
[Uchiha Sasuke]:
Itachi...???
[Pretending-to-be-Young Old Lady]:
Uchiha Itachi — so you were still loyal to the village.
[Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi]:
Even I didn't expect this. Turns out the one who saved the Five Kage and many from the Allied Shinobi Forces… was Uchiha Itachi.
[Uchiha Itachi]:
So this is the future? Interesting.
[Uchiha Sasuke]:
Itachi! You think I'll forgive you just because of this?!
[Uchiha Itachi]:
My foolish little brother… You really think I need your forgiveness? You're not even worthy of giving it.
[Uchiha Sasuke]:
Uchiha Itachi! I swear I'll kill you! Just wait!
[Uchiha Itachi]:
My pitiful little brother. All you ever do is talk big. You used to say "Just wait," but now you know I'm in the Land of Rain.
If you've got what it takes — come and find me.
Konoha, Chūnin Exam Hall.
Uchiha Sasuke gritted his teeth in fury.
Itachi had once been the person most important to him.
That's why his betrayal cut the deepest.
Now, after all the taunts in the chat group — Sasuke couldn't take it anymore.
His expression darkened as he turned and began walking out of the exam hall.
It was clear he intended to go after Itachi right now.
Luckily, Naruto Uzumaki arrived just in time.
[Naruto]:
Sasuke! Where are you going?!
[Sasuke]:
Naruto! Don't try to stop me! I'm going to the Land of Rain to kill Uchiha Itachi!
[Naruto]:
Sasuke, wait! Don't rush in like this! If Itachi's in the Rain Village, that means the whole Akatsuki might be there. You won't win alone!
[Sasuke]:
What — even you are underestimating me now?
[Naruto]:
That's not what I meant. I'm saying — wait. Let's get stronger first.
When the time comes, I'll go with you to take down Akatsuki!
Sasuke turned and looked at Naruto.
Naruto's gaze was firm. Sincere. Unshakable.
Sasuke knew — Naruto meant it.
[Sasuke]:
My grudge with Uchiha Itachi has nothing to do with you.
[Naruto]:
But Sasuke — you're the future Seventh Hokage! I'm still supposed to be competing with you for that title!
If you die on this mission… even if I win, it wouldn't be a victory to be proud of!
Sasuke fell silent.
He was... conflicted.
To him, two things mattered more than anything:
Avenging himself by killing Uchiha Itachi with his own hands.
Not losing to Naruto Uzumaki.
Now, he had to choose.
He could go kill Itachi now — but as Naruto said, Itachi was in the Rain Village.
And the rest of Akatsuki would likely be there too.
Even if Sasuke was strong enough now to beat Itachi...
What about the others?
Deidara, who had almost killed him before.
Nagato (Pain), who destroyed the Hidden Leaf by himself.
Kakuzu and Hidan, who killed Asuma-sensei...
The path forward was anything but simple.
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