Kakuzu ultimately could not escape Madara's grasp. Uchiha Madara sealed the Earth Grudge Fear within him with Sealing Technique, and after setting up Genjutsu, he was enveloped by a White Zetsu and returned to the dark and dry cave with Madara.
There, Ban will be reborn.
October 10th, night, Konoha.
That night, Konoha was enveloped in an extremely serious atmosphere; just a few days earlier, the Fourth Hokage had even ordered a safety drill.
This was naturally proposed by Meikyō.
The Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's due date is in the next couple of days, so no amount of safety precautions is too much.
Minato Namikaze naturally agreed wholeheartedly.
Dan Katō, Tsunade, Uchiha Fugaku also knew that there was a hidden force in the Ninja World watching them.
At first, both Tsunade and Minato Namikaze thought it was Danzo. However, after Danzo was killed and the original Root was thoroughly raided, although a lot of Danzo and the Third Hokage was dug up, there was nothing related to White Zetsu.
After that, everyone learned that there was another hidden force in the Ninja World, watching Konoha.
Therefore, the end of the Shinobi World War and the maintenance of overall peace in the Ninja World do not mean that Konoha has no enemies or will not face threats.
If the enemy wants to make a move, then the production of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki would be the best opportunity.
The Anbu, Root, and Konoha Military Police Force —the three core combat units—were almost entirely mobilized to monitor every corner of Konoha. Most of the Jonin were also recalled to ensure that any incidents could Jonin.
Even though the Third Hokage and the two advisors thought that doing so was making a mountain out of a molehill and wasting resources, and that it would be enough to ensure the safety of the Jinchuriki by sending a few of Konoha's top fighters and leading an elite Anbu unit.
In reality, however, Dan Katō secretly issued a Level 1 combat readiness order to all departments of Konoha.
Kushina's production location was in an Anbu base outside Konoha.
This is to prevent a possible Nine-Tails rampage from occurring in the center of Konoha.
Aburame Nami, Inuzuka Ryo, and Hizashi Hyuga each led a team of ninjas from their respective clans, activating all their sensory abilities, including their sense of smell, Byakugan, and even their ability to detect insects.
Uchiha Shinjō, Uchiha Yōsuke, Uchiha Inohikari, and Uchiha Jin each stood at one of the four corners of the base. If the Nine-Tails went berserk, they would activate the Uchiha Flame Formation to confine the Tailed Beast within it.
There were three people in charge of the delivery: Tsunade, Sarutobi Biwako, and Shizune.
Tsunade superb Medical Ninjutsu, Sarutobi Biwako has extensive experience in midwifery, and Shizune assists the two.
Waiting outside the door were Kakashi, Uchiha Obito, and Nohara Rin from Team Minato.
Minato Namikaze and Uchiha Meikyō stood on the rooftop, taking turns activating Sage Mode to perceive their surroundings.
If an enemy attacks, there are three ninjas present who are proficient in Space-Time Ninjutsu who can quickly teleport Kushina. Even if the Nine-Tails Chakra leaks, there are two Mangekyō Sharingan that can suppress it.
With such an all-star lineup, even if Uchiha Madara and Hashirama Senju were at their peak, they could hold their own for a while.
As for the internal composition of Konoha, the combination of Dan Katō, the Third Hokage, Uchiha Fugaku, and Orochimaru was equally Jiraiya.
"What a prosperous village that Hashirama and I built."
Uchiha Madara stood on the Hokage Rock where the First Hokage, his hands clasped over his shoulders, looking down at Konoha below.
"Lord Madara, Konoha has deployed the highest level of security measures to ensure the safe production of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. Even Jiraiya was outside the village, has been recalled. Have you considered taking action?"
Black and White Zetsu far away and spoke to Uchiha Madara.
"The Earth Kakuzu Earth Grudge Fear can raise the upper limit of Kakuzu's strength, but it is difficult for me to unleash my full power. Moreover, my own eyes are not on my body. Without those eyes, I can only unleash 40% of my peak strength at most, and I am afraid I will not be able to deal with so many strong people at the same time."
Uchiha Madara clenched his fist and turned to Black Zetsu.
At this point, he no longer looked as old and decrepit as before, but he was no longer young either.
He looked to be around fifty or sixty years old, similar to Hiruzen Sarutobi now.
The Earth Grudge Earth Grudge Fear can restore some of Uchiha Madara's power, but there is a limit to how much of its power can be utilized.
Clearly, this thing's potential is nowhere near Uchiha Madara's.
Moreover, as Uchiha, Madara relied heavily on the Sharingan to unleash his full power.
Without the Eternal Mangekyo or the Rinnegan, even with his Yin Release skills, he would be unable to unleash the complete Susanoo.
The 40% strength figure is based on his own Three-Tomoe Sharingan, Fire Style, the additional abilities of Earth Grudge Fear, and Wood Release.
"Lord Madara, have you decided to abandon this plan?"
Black Zetsu asked again.
"No!"
Uchiha Madara turned around and stared at the Hokage Building with his two scarlet Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
"With the production of the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, half of Konoha's high-level combat power has been dispersed. The most troublesome Uchiha Meikyō is also not here. As for the remaining people, although I cannot deal with them, if I want to do something, these people in Konoha cannot do anything to me."
"Lord Madara, you mean to..."
"The Scroll of Seals. Although Tobirama is annoying, I have to admit that the forbidden techniques he developed are somewhat useful, especially the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu."
"I understand, Lord Madara. Are you planning to directly storm the Hokage Building and seize the Scroll of Seals?"
"The Hokage Building is the main focus of our defenses, so we should choose a secondary target to draw attention away from it and head to the Uchiha clan's territory! We can also take a look at that kid named Itachi and see if he has the potential to become my successor!"
Then you can take the opportunity to infiltrate the Hokage Building. And if you can lure Uchiha Meikyō and the others here, then you can execute the original plan perfectly!
"Yes, Lord Madara!"
Watching Black Zetsu's departing figure, Uchiha Madara formed a hand seal, and several wooden strips extended from his sleeve, twisting and forming a Spiral Mask, which he then put on his face.
Even now, some people in Konoha have seen Madara before, such as Hiruzen Sarutobi and Torifu Akimichi, who joined Konoha with their clans when they were eight years old.
At that time, Madara and Hashirama were the representatives of Konoha, so how could they not recognize each other?
"Finally, I can move my body a bit after a long time. It's a pity that the flesh and blood inside this body are filled with Earth Grudge Fear, so I can't feel the feeling of boiling blood."
Uchiha Madara twisted his wrist, jumped off the Hokage Rock, and Earth Flow step by step towards the Uchiha Clan's territory under the moonlight.
Uchiha Clan Compound.
Because Konoha's Konoha Military Police Force is located on one side of the Uchiha Clan Compound, its security is almost second only to the Hokage Building, on par with a few other places such as the Medical Department and Root.
"You are... a member of that clan? Don't stay here. The Clan Head said that the village will be conducting a combat readiness exercise tonight. Except for members of the Konoha Military Police Force and Uchiha of Chunin level or above, all clansmen should stay at home. In case of any emergency, you can go to the underground shelter."
A small Konoha Military Police Force squad approached Uchiha Madara.
This is a standard four-person team. The team leader is Uchiha En, Special Jonin with Double Comma Sharingan. The members are Inuzuka Yū Yu and two civilian ninjas, Nagano and Moritani Hiroshi.
"Captain! Something's not right. I haven't smelled this guy's scent for the past few days! That means he doesn't live in the Uchiha Clan Compound!"
Inuzuka Yū's expression suddenly changed to one of surprise, and he pointed at Uchiha Madara.
However, just as they were reacting, a pair of scarlet Three-Tomoe Sharingan caught everyone's eye.
"Take me to your chief's house."
Uchiha Madara looked at the surrounding bricks and tiles, and said absentmindedly to Uchiha En.
Decades have passed, and the Uchiha Clan Compound is completely different from what it was before he left Konoha.
"Yes..."
Uchiha En nodded blankly and led Madara to the clan head's residence.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Itachi was in his room, coaxing Sasuke to sleep, when he suddenly heard footsteps outside.
Who's outside?
Uchiha Itachi frowned slightly, recalling Fugaku's repeated reminders to them to be careful over the past few days. He quietly reached under the sheets and pulled out a Kunai.
"Young Master Itachi, it's me."
Uchiha En's voice came from outside the door.
"A cigarette? Is there something you need?"
"It's not that he wants to talk to you about something, it's that I want to talk to you about something."
The door was kicked open, revealing the towering figure of Uchiha Madara.
Sasuke was startled by the noise and woke up immediately, crying and screaming.
Itachi quickly threw Kunai out the door, then picked up Sasuke and jumped out the window.
Uchiha Madara gripped the Kunai with one hand, sneered, and then jumped out of the window.
He wanted to carefully observe the young Uchiha and, incidentally, create a commotion to attract Konoha's high-level combat forces, thus providing cover for Black Zetsu's actions.
Uchiha Itachi carried the infant Sasuke and ran quickly across the rooftops of the mansion.
In the next instant, Madara appeared in front of Itachi, grabbed Itachi's neck with one hand, and lifted him high.
Itachi continued to hold Sasuke, refusing to let go.
The next moment, Itachi's figure disintegrated, turning into a wooden stake.
"You used the Substitution Technique well. It seems you can still dance."
Uchiha Madara praised him, and the next second, a fireball quickly engulfed him.
However, all that remained was a piece of wood.
"You've only just entered the Ninja Academy, right? To be able to master the Great Fireball Style at such a young age and Sharingan, you certainly have the potential to grow to the Uchiha Meikyō, or even to the level of me."
As Uchiha Madara spoke, he couldn't Uchiha Sasuke.
Uchiha Itachi definitely has the potential to awaken the Mangekyo. If Uchiha Sasuke also has it, then he, like himself, has the potential to awaken the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.
Madara, the eldest son of the Uchiha Clan Head, was exceptionally talented and loved his younger brother. In Uchiha Itachi, Madara seemed to see a reflection of himself.
"I acknowledge your talent and will, but it's best to leave Uchiha as outstanding as you to me for training."
As Madara spoke, he reached out and grabbed Itachi.
Uchiha Itachi hurriedly resisted, but Madara had already seen what he wanted and confirmed Itachi's talent. He no longer held back and defeated Itachi with a single move.
"Hey! Masked man, aren't you overlooking something!"
A woman's voice rang out, Uchiha Mikoto appeared in the arena at some point, taking down a long sword hanging on the wall and slashing at Madara.
Madara, meanwhile, casually used the Kunai had thrown earlier to defend against Mikoto's attacks.
He was very familiar with the sword that Mikoto used, because it was the sword that Uchiha Tajima used a long time ago, and it was also a famous divine weapon in the Ninja World.
He was even more familiar with the moves Mikoto used.
Madara was also very familiar with the Uchiha Style school of swordsmanship.
Uchiha Mikoto was simply preparing a midnight snack for Itachi and Fugaku in the kitchen when she heard the sound of the Great Fireball and rushed over.
"It's clear that years of comfortable housewife life have dulled your fighting spirit."
Uchiha Madara turned around, snatched the long sword from Mikoto's hand, kicked Mikoto away, and looked down at her, saying...
With slow but firm steps, Madara raised his long sword.
He wanted to see if killing Mikoto would stimulate Itachi to awaken a higher level of Sharingan.
"Genjutsu: Sharingan!"
Uchiha Mikoto suddenly looked up and used her Sharingan with Three Tomoe to cast Genjutsu on Madara.
"Magic: Mirror Reversal of Heaven and Earth"
As if he had expected this, Madara also activated his Sharingan and deflected Mikoto's Genjutsu back.
Although Uchiha Mikoto was Jonin when she was young, her combat awareness was nothing compared to Madara's.
"Hmm!"
Uchiha Mikoto covered her eyes in pain and collapsed to the ground.
"Mother!"
Uchiha Itachi shouted anxiously.
"Amaterasu!"
A ball of black flame suddenly appeared out of thin air and burned towards Ban.
Madara nimbly retreated and fled, his body glowing with sky blue Susanoo skeleton, blocking the scorching heat of Amaterasu's flames.
"Susanoo... who exactly are you?!"
Uchiha Fugaku Body Flicker Technique appeared in front of Mikoto, protecting his wife and children, and looked at Uchiha Madara with a serious Mangekyō Sharingan.
He had witnessed the Susanoo of the Meikyō and had also guided Obito in developing his own Susanoo.
The color of their Susanoo is different from that of the mysterious Masked Man in front of them. Although Obito's color may be quite similar, Obito's is cyan, while this man's is light blue.
"Me? I am the spirit of the Uchiha! Uchiha Fugaku, your eyes are good, I'll take them!"
Uchiha Madara his arms, and a giant skeletal hand extended from his Susanoo skeleton, reaching out to grab Fugaku.
Simultaneously, brown-red Susanoo appeared on Fugaku's body, blocking Madara's attack.