The ninja villages go on high alert

Elsewhere, after Konoha received another urgent report from its spies in Kirigakure, its four senior leaders gathered in the meeting room once again.

Looking at his three silent old friends, Hiruzen Sarutobi took a troubled drag from his pipe and said, "You've all read the report. Let's hear what you think."

Utatane Koharu and Mitokado Homura simply lowered their eyes, showing no intention of speaking.

Based on the urgent intelligence from Kirigakure, they could conclude that the two people who had fought there were already a full tier above the current Five Kage.

Their strength was approaching that of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and Madara Uchiha when they founded Konoha. They were not opponents the current Five Kage could match.

"Danzo, what do you think? Your Root should be one of the groups most familiar with Wood Release," Hiruzen Sarutobi said pointedly.

"The man wearing the Spiral Mask may really be Madara Uchiha." Danzo had no choice but to speak. "Judging from the report, his mastery of Wood Release has already reached seventy percent of the First Hokage's level. Outside Sage Mode, of course."

"Madara Uchiha?!" Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were stunned. Last time, Danzo had said nothing about his suspicions regarding the Mysterious Man's identity.

From what Danzo said, he clearly hadn't only just learned of the Masked Man's existence. He might have been in contact with him already.

But they couldn't concern themselves with that now. They knew this old friend of theirs had plenty of secrets that couldn't bear the light of day.

"It can't be Madara Uchiha! How could Madara Uchiha use Wood Release?!" Mitokado Homura immediately objected.

"Exactly." Utatane Koharu nodded in agreement. "The Second Hokage personally confirmed Madara Uchiha's death."

She looked at Danzo. "There can be no mistake about that! Teacher