Madara's eyes widened slightly.
The candidate list had been… uncomfortable.
The first option: Ōnoki.
Yes, he remembered that one.
Back when Hashirama wanted peace talks and a Five Kage summit, Madara had other ideas.
He intercepted the visiting Kage to demonstrate Konoha's strength.
The Second Tsuchikage hadn't dared speak when Susanoo appeared.
But the young disciple standing behind him—
A big nose.
Stubborn eyes.
Even in fear, he hadn't stepped back.
That boy had been Ōnoki.
For a brief moment, Madara had seen something familiar in him—
The same stubborn dream he once shared with Hashirama when they named the village after a leaf.
And so—
Madara hadn't killed him.
Tobirama had arrived shortly afterward.
Reported everything.
Hashirama confined Madara.
Classic Tobirama.
The Second Option
The Mizukage.
Madara's expression darkened.
That one was…
Complicated.
He had manipulated the Second Mizukage.
Then the Third Mizukage.
Later—
Obito controlled the Fourth Mizukage.
The entire Bloody Mist era?
Very related to them.
Inviting the Mizukage would be…
Messy.
The Third Option
Rin Nohara.
Obito's emotional trigger.
The Three-Tails incident.
The turning point that broke him.
Absolutely not.
If Rin entered the group and exposed everything—
Obito might stop cooperating entirely.
Unacceptable.
Madara reached forward to make his selection.
Too slow.
[Ding!]
Time expired. Random selection initiated.
Attempting to invite current Mizukage…
Error. No active Mizukage detected.
Selecting Kage-level shinobi from Kirigakure…
Welcome, Fifth Mizukage — Mei Terumī.
Madara: "…?"
Fugaku coughed politely.
"There's a timer."
Madara did not appreciate this mechanic.
Mei Enters
Mei Terumī appeared inside the group chat.
[Fifth Mizukage]: …Where is this?
[Fifth Mizukage]: Why are there so many Sharingan?
[Fifth Mizukage]: Is this a genjutsu?
Fugaku responded calmly.
"This is not an illusion."
"But the system message said Kirigakure has no Mizukage?"
Madara remained silent.
Of course there hadn't been.
Between his manipulation and Obito's manipulation—
Kirigakure hadn't exactly been politically stable.
Mei Recognizes Names
[Fifth Mizukage]: Uchiha Fugaku?
[Fifth Mizukage]: Shunshin Shisui?! He's dead!
[Fifth Mizukage]: And more Uchiha?
[Fifth Mizukage]: Since when are you people this overpowered?!
Izuna snorted.
"Having talent is a crime now?"
Mei's tone sharpened immediately.
"Then answer me."
"Which one of you controlled our Fourth Mizukage?"
"Who caused the Bloody Mist era?"
Silence.
Madara typed nothing.
Absolutely nothing.
System Intervention
[Ding!]
Mei Terumī has acquired a new title: "Uchiha Visual Simp."
Shortened title: "Uchiha Face-Con."
Dead silence.
Then—
[Uchiha Face-Con]: WHAT IS THIS TITLE?!
[Uchiha Face-Con]: This is slander!
Pause.
[Uchiha Face-Con]: …I mean, yes, Uchiha are… generally attractive.
[Uchiha Face-Con]: But that doesn't make me a face-con!
Izuna leaned into the situation immediately.
Young.
Handsome.
Basically a prototype version of Sasuke.
"Is that so?"
Mei sputtered.
"If I hadn't been busy cleaning up the Fourth Mizukage's disasters—"
"I wouldn't have missed my marriage window!"
Madara quietly noted something important.
Obito had failed.
Mei had risen.
Kirigakure had broken free from control.
Interesting.
The Confrontation
Madara finally spoke.
[Old Madara]: What do you mean by controlling the Fourth Mizukage?
Mei squinted suspiciously.
"And you are?"
[Old Madara]: Uchiha Madara. Clan ancestor.
A long pause followed.
[Uchiha Face-Con]: …Am I dead?
Madara stared at the screen.
Of all possible first reactions—
That was not what he had expected.
He made an immediate internal decision.
Yes.
Inviting Mei Terumī had been much safer than inviting the Third Mizukage.
Far safer.
At least she hadn't started by presenting evidence.
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