Konoha, Year Seven.
Ever since the battle at the Valley of the End, Madara Uchiha's heart had been unable to find peace.
According to what was written on the Nanga Shrine Tablet, he had already obtained Hashirama's cells through feigning his death. All that remained was to lay out his plans for the Shinobi World and wait for the Rinnegan to awaken.
Yet for some reason, his heart was constantly filled with fear and unease.
I, Madara Uchiha, have never even feared death. Why do I feel this strange way?
Several people with pale faces and snake-like pupils, who had appeared out of nowhere during his battle with Hashirama that day, surfaced in his mind.
My Mangekyo Sharingan swept over the entire battlefield several times before my battle with Hashirama. It was impossible for anyone to be hiding in the shadows!
Who exactly were those people who appeared out of nowhere...?
Should I tell that fool Hashirama to be on his guard? No... he has already betrayed the oath we once made. He has become someone who would kill me for the sake of the village!
Black Zetsu... I need power! I need the power to protect the Shinobi World if something unexpected happens in the future!
World 64, Land of Wind, Hidden Sand Village.
Inside Kazekage Tower, several dozen Jonin were packed together in disarray. Every one of them looked grim, as though their world had collapsed.
The dignified Hidden Sand had actually been infiltrated by a few people from the Hidden Leaf with ease!
The crucial point was that they had been completely powerless to fight back!
That feeling of helplessness weighed heavily on every one of them.
"Lady Chiyo! What happened after we passed out? Where are those Hidden Leaf shinobi?"
A Sand shinobi tried to