"Back when I was still a Jōnin leading a team, Sasuke and the others and I were attacked by Zabuza, a Missing-nin from Kirigakure. While dealing with Zabuza, I also helped them kill the Fourth Mizukage, who was being controlled by the Akatsuki."
Hokage Madara answered Shikamaru's question truthfully. His words plunged everyone in the Land of Fire's court into silence.
The Fourth Mizukage had been a perfect tailed beast Jinchūriki. If the Fifth Hokage had casually disposed of someone that powerful before even becoming Hokage, just how strong was he?
Even setting aside the Bodyguard Unit's ninja, who already regarded Hokage Madara as a god, the nobles who had just suffered an attack by Kage Level fighters and lost their Daimyo now had a rough idea of his strength.
I knew the Fifth Hokage was strong, but I never imagined he was this strong.
Yuanxin and Shinhiko quietly exchanged a glance. Before, their wholehearted respect for Hokage Madara had stemmed from the rapport built through years of cooperation and their appreciation of his wisdom and vision. Now, that respect held a trace of awe.
"While you were at it..."
Shikamaru looked at Hokage Madara's calm expression and sighed helplessly.
No wonder Dad said Lord Hokage would have my back and told me to do whatever I thought best.
Whether this mission succeeded or not, Shikamaru was now certain that their safety would be guaranteed.
"One more question, Lord Aoyama. How did you gather intelligence on the other Four Lands so quickly?"
Hokage Madara had used the word "help" in his answer, which meant Kirigakure naturally knew about the incident. Everyone could therefore readily infer that Kirigakure was probably in a dark alliance with Konoha.
"My wife's name is Takahashi Sakura. After the Daimyo's death, the Land of Wind split