"Fighting three Kages alone?"
Madara's brow twitched almost imperceptibly, and he seemed to muster a faint trace of interest.
"This junior named Nangō Kumoi actually has some nerve. What was the outcome?"
"The three Kages' chakra was nearly exhausted, and they retreated in defeat.
Although Nangō Kumoi was also injured, according to observations, his wounds were not serious, and his combat power remains fully intact."
Black Zetsu added, a trace of solemnity perhaps not even fully understood by himself carrying in his tone:
"Lord Madara, during this battle, there was a rather bizarre detail.
The Third Mizukage once used his secret technique to launch a sneak attack and succeeded, but within an extremely short time, Nangō Kumoi escaped without a trace of injury using a... suspected purification method, and quickly counter-attacked.
I cannot fully analyze the nature of that power, but it is definitely not ordinary five-element ninjutsu or a known Kekkei Genkai."
"Purification?"
Madara repeated the word in a low voice, ripples of thought stirring within his Rinnegan.
Power that transcended conventional cognition could always arouse the vigilance of beings like him.
"Interesting.
How does the outside world evaluate this battle?"
"Rumors are rampant, all saying that the current Hokage, Nangō Kumoi, is close in strength to... and perhaps even comparable to Hashirama Senju of back then."
Black Zetsu reported truthfully.
"Close to Hashirama? Hah..."
Madara let out a short, cold laugh filled with endless mockery. The laughter echoed in the empty cave, carrying cross-time disdain and arrogance:
"After Hashirama's death, does every Tom, Dick, and Harry dare to compare themselves to him?
Boring flattery, the world is always so forgetful yet eager to create new idols."
In his heart, the figure of the only man who could rival him and eventually win his recognition was as insurmountable as