The Shinobi World War had entered its final stages. The major battles had stopped, though small-scale local conflicts continued.
But compared with those minor conflicts, the news of Madara Uchiha's resurrection sent a far greater shock through the major shinobi villages.
Land of Lightning, Kumogakure.
In the meeting room, the Third Raikage had gathered Kumogakure's senior officials for a discussion.
"All right, everyone. I'm sure you've all received word that Madara Uchiha has reappeared in the shinobi world. I called this meeting to hear your opinions on what Kumogakure should do going forward. Speak freely if you have something to say. You know I don't like beating around the bush."
Dodai, still a young man, spoke after a moment's thought.
"Lord Raikage, could this be a smokescreen put out by Konoha?"
"What do you mean? Explain."
"Lord Raikage, here's the situation. According to the intelligence, the man claiming to be Madara Uchiha wore a mask. No one saw his face.
So whether this man really is Madara Uchiha remains an open question. We can't be certain.
I think Konoha might be plotting something. They may have found someone from the Uchiha Clan to impersonate Madara Uchiha, frightening the other shinobi villages while pursuing some goal of their own."
No sooner had he said this than another senior official voiced a different opinion.
"I think that's possible, but not very likely. Ever since that old fox Tobirama Senju became the Second Hokage, the relationship between the Uchiha Clan and Konoha has been very delicate.
Unless it's something that affects the entire shinobi world, like a Shinobi World War, Konoha's leadership can't order the Uchiha around. You all saw what happened in this war. At the very beginning, the Uchiha Clan operated entirely on its own, fighting on battlefields away from Konoha's