Sage Art Kingdom

Konoha, Year 10.

Senju Hashirama had been Hokage for ten years.

At Senju Hashirama's insistence, the Hokage of the Land of Fire's Hidden Leaf Village could serve for a maximum of ten years. Each Hokage's term lasted five years, except in especially unusual circumstances, when it could last eleven.

The second Hokage was Uchiha Izuna, with Senju Tobirama still serving as Deputy Hokage.

Uchiha Madara didn't want to be Hokage, so he let his younger brother take the position.

The Sannin were born, (Hatake Sakumo was probably born around this time), and Sarutobi was nineteen.

In Konoha Year 16, Uchiha Izuna lost the vote to Senju Tobirama.

Senju Tobirama took office as the Second Hokage, and Uchiha Izuna became Deputy Hokage.

Meanwhile, Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama were preparing to travel to the Ninja Holy Land, the Sage Art Kingdom.

The Ninja Holy Land, the Sage Art Kingdom.

Towering high-rises, ablaze with lights, stood majestically against the night, like enormous guardian deities watching over every corner of the city.

The high-rises stood in rows like giants, imposing and magnificent. From their rooftops, the view stretched far and wide. Standing atop one of the tallest buildings, you could see the entire city spread out below: an endless urban landscape, winding rivers, and busy roads, all like a vast painting.

At night, the brilliant lights shone like countless stars, adorning the city's night sky.

And this was the Sage Art Kingdom.

"It's been a hundred years since I was last here. How did it become like this?"

Otsutsuki Yuhao's lips curled into a smile, revealing a row of white teeth.

If Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama hadn't been right beside him, he would have wondered whether he'd traveled back to the world of the past.

Looking at the familiar city lights before him, Otsutsuki Yuhao recalled the memories that had once been hidden away.

"This is incredible. No wonder the Ninja World calls this place the Ninja Holy Land.

"They have so many chakra tools, and people seem to use them as everyday appliances.

"I never imagined chakra could be used like this!"

Uchiha Madara gazed at the city below with keen curiosity.

He could sense chakra everywhere, its presence filling the streets.

The lamps were powered by chakra, and so were the cars.

The houses were built from earth. In the Ninja World, only the daimyos' residences were built that way.

"There are a lot of shinobi here!"

Senju Hashirama said seriously.

"Yeah, that's right! Even counting the Genin, Konoha only has a little over ten thousand shinobi. That's about one shinobi for every ten people.

"But here, one in every five people is a shinobi.

"And I can sense that there are at least a hundred thousand shinobi here."

Uchiha Madara exclaimed in surprise.

"A hundred thousand? It's more than that. There are at least three hundred thousand!"

Senju Hashirama's sensory abilities surpassed Uchiha Madara's. He spoke with a serious expression.

"What are you doing up there? Don't you know you're breaking Traffic Regulation 99? You can't stand on top of someone else's high-rise."

Just then, a traffic officer in a blue-and-white uniform appeared before Senju Hashirama, Uchiha Madara, and Otsutsuki Yuhao.

He had long black hair and wore a tight white combat suit beneath blue-and-white armor that marked him as Kage Level.

The word "Traffic" was emblazoned in blue across his shoulders and back.

A blue traffic insignia was fastened to his forehead.

Four other officers in the same uniform stood behind him. Two had Byakugan, and two had Sharingan.

The leading officer had a Three Tomoe Sharingan, and he stared intently at Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara.

"Sharingan and Byakugan. Are you from the Uchiha and Hyuga Clans?"

Senju Hashirama looked at the traffic officers in surprise.

"What Uchiha and Hyuga? That's not my surname. My surname is Otsutsuki."

The man stared coldly at Uchiha Madara, Senju Hashirama, and Otsutsuki Yuhao.

"Sorry, we didn't know we weren't allowed to stand here.

"We just came from the Ninja World to the Sea Realm, so we're not familiar with the traffic rules here.

"Could you let this one go?"

Senju Hashirama stepped forward and apologized.

"People from the Ninja World? Then all the more reason for you to come back to the Police Station with us.

"Take them away."

The leading officer ordered his teammates.

"Then I'm afraid I'll have to offend you."

Uchiha Madara said calmly, his eyes shifting to the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan.

[Genjutsu]

With just one glance, all five officers fell under the genjutsu.

"Madara, you really acted too hastily. Now the situation's gotten even more complicated. Making enemies of the traffic officers is the same as making enemies of the entire Traffic Bureau.

"You've really made a mess of things."

Though Otsutsuki Yuhao said this, he wore a smile.

"[Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique]"

Suddenly, the officer broke free of Madara's genjutsu and launched a two-meter-wide fireball at the three of them.

They dodged it with ease.

Boom!

The enormous fireball exploded in midair.

Its brilliant colors bloomed across the night sky, lighting up everything in the darkness.

"So you have the Mangekyō Sharingan—and its ocular power is even stronger than mine.

"You're from that cult!"

The officer's eyes also shifted to the Mangekyō Sharingan as he glared at Uchiha Madara, his expression turning grim.

"A cult? We're not part of one.

"I told you, we came from the Ninja World.

"Still, I didn't expect your eyes to be Mangekyō Sharingan. Does every random shinobi have eyes like these now? Have Mangekyō Sharingan become that common?"

Senju Hashirama asked curiously.

"Mangekyō Sharingan? This is the perfect chance to test your strength."

Seeing another person with Mangekyō Sharingan, Uchiha Madara grew more interested.

[Amaterasu]

A drop of blood welled from Uchiha Madara's left eye. His pupil widened, releasing a powerful surge of ocular power.

Black flames suddenly appeared on the officer's body.

[First Form Susanoo]

The officer reacted quickly, his eyes widening sharply as he released ocular power.

Centered on the officer, a skeletal chakra form enveloped his body, instantly keeping Amaterasu's flames out.

[Three Thousand Weak Waters]

A drop of blood ran from the officer's left eye.

A swarm of bubbles appeared around Uchiha Madara. The next second, a torrent of water engulfed him.

"So that's your ability?"

"That ocular technique is the opposite of Amaterasu. You've surprised me!"

Uchiha Madara likewise wrapped himself in the First Form Susanoo, blocking the officer's ocular attack.

"It's not over yet!"

"Hyah!"

[Violent Chaos God]

[Second Form Susanoo]

The officer immediately activated the Second Form Susanoo.

Veins and flesh covered the skeletal frame, and a cloak of chakra enveloped it. A large blade appeared in each of the Susanoo's hands.

"What? Is that your ocular technique?

"It makes your Susanoo even bigger, and its strength is several times greater than that of an ordinary Susanoo."

Looking at the Second Form Susanoo before him, Uchiha Madara was momentarily astonished.