Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a powerful killing intent rise within him. His almost tangible presence enveloped the area, making everyone shudder.
I haven't even gone looking for trouble with you, and now you, the rat behind the scenes, are here to provoke me?!
"Exactly..."
Obito Uchiha felt fantastic. Even though he knew Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't someone to take lightly, he wasn't the least bit afraid.
His transformative brush with death and his Mangekyō abilities gave him plenty of confidence. He didn't even flinch at the sight of the most seasoned Hokage.
"You can call me"
"Madara!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen's mouth twisted into a grin. He almost laughed out loud.
"Since when did Uchiha Madara cut his hair short?"
"And when did he lose an eye..."
"If the Second Hokage knew, he'd probably laugh himself to death!"
Sarutobi Hiruzen mocked him aloud, but had other thoughts in mind. He didn't plan to expose Obito Uchiha's identity, lest the brainless fool lose his temper and do something unpredictable.
"Damn it..."
The exposed Mangekyō Sharingan in Obito Uchiha's eye narrowed slightly.
He knew he couldn't bluff this old man, who had lived long enough to know better.
Given Sarutobi Hiruzen's age, he might really have seen Uchiha Madara's appearance and bearing. No matter how much Obito Uchiha tried to fake it, he was still just a brainless brat.
He was nowhere near Uchiha Madara's domineering presence in the Ninja World.
"Let's make a deal..."
"Third Hokage..."
Obito Uchiha changed the subject, refusing to dwell on the matter.
As long as he didn't reveal his identity, that was all that mattered. The name Uchiha Madara was mostly just a smokescreen.
"I'll trade Hatake Kakashi, who's in my hands, for the guy you're holding..."
Obito Uchiha thought he had the upper hand.
He had originally come to