With Madara Uchiha in the lead and Ajin and Zabuza close behind, the three entered the temple without obstruction.
"Tok, tok, tok..."
The sound of a wooden fish being struck echoed through the temple. Madara Uchiha followed it into the main hall.
Wrathful Vajra guardians flanked the hall, and a Buddha statue sat in the center with its eyes lowered. An old monk in a kasaya sat before the statue, chanting sutras.
"Benefactor, my Dharma name is Kūkai. Judging by your appearance, you are not from our Kirigakure. May I ask what brings you here?"
The wooden fish had fallen silent after Madara entered the temple. The monk chanting the sutras was none other than Kūkai, the eminent monk Zabuza had mentioned.
It seemed that the monk had sensed Madara at the same time Madara discovered him, though how he had seen Madara's face and clothing remained a mystery.
"I came to help Kirigakure escape its sea of suffering."
After discovering the monk, Madara Uchiha had gone ahead alone while Zabuza and Ajin remained hidden in the shadows. Thus, only Madara stood before Kūkai.
Though elderly, the monk named Kūkai possessed a distinctive bearing. But what sort of person had Madara not seen? Never mind an enlightened monk—Madara would not spare even a demon from hell a second glance. Though he appeared young, his presence matched the old monk's.
"Where is this sea of suffering?"
Hearing Madara's answer, the old man slowly turned around. He looked like a bald elder on the verge of passing away, but the sharp gleam that occasionally flashed through his eyes marked him as anything but ordinary.
"If there is no sea of suffering, why does an old Buddha like you still need Vajra guardians to protect him?"
As Madara finished speaking, his chakra erupted.