"Boom..."
The earth trembled as the Amaterasu Black Dragon, with unstoppable force, directly crushed Uchiha Madara's Susanoo-Clad Wood Golem.
The powerful aftershocks even altered the terrain of the canyon where the two were fighting.
The previous battle between the two had already widened the entrance to the canyon, making it a Y-shaped terrain. Now, this terrifying Amaterasu Black Dragon has changed the Y-shape into an X.
A single sword stroke cleaves the mountains in two!
"Call..."
Meikyō exhaled a heavy breath, her left hand covering her bleeding left eye, which had been caused by releasing a large amount of Amaterasu Black Flame in a short period of time.
That means he was able to unleash so much Amaterasu while his eyes were still at the Mangekyō Sharingan stage. Even if it were Uchiha Fugaku, he wouldn't be able to do that, even with the Golden Potion.
With his powerful physique and years of dedicated practice in Sun Breathing, Meikyō's Yang Release has reached a considerable level.
The Wood Human Technique collapsed with a crash, and half of the forest formed by Uchiha Madara's Wood Style: Forest Creation was cleared away. In the distance, between the mountains, there was a canyon opened up by the sword of the Meikyō, and the rocks on both sides were still burning with Amaterasu Black Flame, and the earth was scorched and crystallized.
"Cough cough, cough cough, what a nostalgic feeling! Back then, my great battle with Hashirama also resulted in the birth of the Valley of the End, but the current valley seems a bit smaller."
Uchiha Madara struggled to his feet from the rubble, bright red blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, and his left arm was severed.
Strangely, no blood flowed from Ban's severed arm.
"Whoosh!"
Countless black lines flew out from Ban's severed arm, wrapped the severed arm back, and stitched it back together.
Having mastered the Earth Grudge Fear technique, Madara's body was no longer what that of a normal ninja.
"Do you know, Madara, that I once killed a monster with five heads and seven hearts with my own hands?"
Uchiha Meikyō took out a bottle of Golden Potion from his Ninja Tool Pouch, swallowed it, wiped his mouth, and spoke to Uchiha Madara in the distance.
"So, you can see what's inside my body."
Uchiha Madara's face darkened.
Of the five hearts of the Earth Grudge Fear, the two representing water and wind were destroyed by the Meikyō in the recent battle.
This means that Meikyō can see his weaknesses and can target them.
With Transparent World, the Meikyō can naturally see the condition of the stigmata's body clearly.
"Isn't it pathetic? The once-mighty Asura of the Ninja World now has to transform himself into a monster just to survive in this new era. Madara, I told you long ago that you are no longer suited for this era. The new era has no stage for an old man like you who should be dancing in Pure Land!"
"How can shallow waters nurture a dragon? Uchiha Meikyō, the ninjas of your generation are far inferior to me and Hashirama. It's not that the new era doesn't have a stage for me, but that the Ninja World is too small to satisfy me. However, I can create a new world, an Infinity wonderful world. Uchiha Meikyō, are you interested? In my era, there Hashirama could be my opponent, but for you, isn't this era too boring?"
Uchiha Madara finally revealed his true purpose to Meikyō.
"Ah, I don't really think so. This world may be small, but it's big enough for me to survive."
Meikyō shook his head indifferently.
Is the Ninja World too small for me to do anything and I'll find it boring?
But aren't there other worlds?
"I think I can understand how you feel. Is it because you have ties to your family, friends, and mentors that you can't bear to leave this world?"
Uchiha Madara believed that if Izuna and his other younger brothers hadn't died, he probably wouldn't have had such thoughts.
Given his personality, he's more likely to protect his younger brothers, spar with Hashirama from time to time, and have a drink together.
As for peace in the Ninja World, it's not a difficult task for him and Hashirama, given their strength.
That's why Madara set up such a trap for Obito, causing him to feel heartbroken, awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, and feel disappointed with the world because of Nohara Rin's death at Kakashi's hands, thus severing his ties with the world.
But there are no "what ifs" in this world.
The death of Uchiha Izuna is a foregone conclusion, and Uchiha Obito's situation has not continued as Madara had envisioned.
Ban could only rely on himself and continue walking this path alone.
"It seems your reinforcements have arrived."
Uchiha Madara and Meikyō both looked up at the distance.
"Think carefully about what I'm saying, Uchiha Meikyō. Hashirama chose a different path from mine, and several Shinobi World War have proven that the path he chose was wrong. As for you, you also have the qualifications to stand alongside me. I look forward to your choice."
Also, if your eye power is sufficient, go and look at the ancestral stone tablet in your family that has been passed down for thousands of years. After seeing it, perhaps you will understand my actions.
Uchiha Madara gave Meikyō a deep look, then a White Zetsu emerged from his body and enveloped him. He then activated the Mayfly Technique and quickly burrowed into the ground.
"It's not that easy to leave."
Meikyō frowned slightly, and the Ama-no-Ohabari in his hand was once again wrapped with black flames. He slashed the ground with all his might, leaving behind a bottomless abyss.
The next second, a whooshing sound rang out as a trident-shaped Flying Thunder God Kunai pierced the ground not far away.
Minato Namikaze placed one hand on Dan Katō's shoulder and the other on Uchiha Fugaku, and the three of them simultaneously appeared beside the Flying Thunder God Kunai.
With Might Guy, who had opened the Seventh Gate, Asuma and Yūhi Kurenai successfully broke through the encirclement and found Konoha's border outpost. They used the newly set-up telephone line there to contact the Hokage's Office.
Telephones are still a novelty in the Ninja World. Modern ninjas are still used to traditional methods of communication, and using avian summoning beasts to deliver messages is considered fast.
After Meikyō became Konoha High Command, he took the lead in introducing these technological devices into the Intelligence Analysis Unit to improve the efficiency of intelligence work. Orochimaru's Root followed suit.
Upon seeing this, Dan Katō, after consulting with Meikyō and Orochimaru to obtain some specific information, began to promote these technological creations within the Konoha Ninja community.
Of course, since intelligence received using these methods could be eavesdropped on or tampered with by the enemy, this method is only used for transmitting information that is not very important.
"Meikyō, where is the enemy?"
Dan Katō's eyes flashed with blue light, and he scanned his surroundings with his mental power but found nothing. He then asked Meikyō.
"They ran away, but after sensing that you were getting close, they probably realized they were no match for you and chose to retreat. In the end, I beat them to a pulp... well, I should say four-fifths dead."
Four out of five hearts were shot out, so it wouldn't be wrong to say that four out of five people were dead.
"Four out of five dead? Does that mean the enemy had five lives, and you, Meikyō, took four of them?"
I can't believe Minato Namikaze asked curiously.
"Yes, we can now confirm that the enemy is Uchiha Madara. Although the eyes on his body are not his own, he still possesses great strength. As for why he has been able to survive until now and maintain such combat power, it is mainly due to his mastery of the Earth Grudge Fear Secret Technique."
This is a secret technique from Takigakure many years ago, which was later stolen by the Takigakure Rogue Ninja Kakuzu, and now it's in Madara's hands. The true form of that thing is actually those masked monsters that stood on the Wood Human Technique's head last time, each representing one of Madara's hearts."
"I see. So, you've seriously injured Madara."
Minato Namikaze concluded.
At this moment, Uchiha Fugaku walked to the side of the canyon, stroked the mountain wall, and looked at the Amaterasu Black Flame that were still burning in the distance.
"To cause such destruction, even my Third Stage Susanoo n't be done in a short time. Meikyō, just how powerful are you and Madara?"
"Uchiha Fugaku said with a hint of regret."
Every Uchiha member craves power and possesses the Mangekyō Sharingan; Uchiha Fugaku, of course, also desires to possess such power.
"This is not Madara's full strength at his peak. Don't forget that he didn't use his original eyes. As for me, I didn't rely entirely on the Mangekyō Sharingan to have this strength. Swordsmanship, Ninjutsu, Senjutsu techniques, Taijutsu are all combined to give me the strength to rival Madara now."
In the previous battle, I only managed to win by a narrow margin by taking advantage of the situation when no one was paying attention. Madara must have sensed your arrival afterward, which is why he chose to abandon two hearts to escape. We just need to wait a while longer for him to collect all five hearts again, and he will regain his current strength."
Are you sure he can regain his strength?
Uchiha Fugaku found it hard to believe.
He knew the truth that Madara most likely used Izanagi to survive the First Hokage, which meant that Madara had lost at least one eye.
"Don't forget the relationship between those White Zetsu and the First Hokage's Cells; this isn't impossible for Madara."
After listening, Uchiha Fugaku nodded in agreement.
Judging from his own experience, if he had once possessed such great power, but it disappeared at some point, he would definitely try every means to regain it.
Looking back now, these White Zetsu Uchiha Madara's research into the First Hokage's Cells in order to restore his own eye power.
Uchiha Fugaku thought about it more and more and it seemed very possible.
"Let's go back and discuss it first."
Dan Katō rubbed his temples, feeling a bit of a headache.
Of Hokage in history, he felt that being the Hokage was the most difficult.
The First Hokage was able to dominate the world single-handedly, and he also had a capable younger brother, so he could leave everything to his brother. Although the Second Hokage and Third Hokage each had their own problems during their reigns, they mostly fought the Shinobi World War and faced enemies at the level of the Kage and Jinchuriki from rival villages.
He's the only one who's been in office for only a few years. The Shinobi World War had just ended when Uchiha Madara, who should have been dead for many years, suddenly appeared.
Fortunately, Konoha is currently in a relatively prosperous period, possessing many Kage Level powerhouses, as well as Meikyō whose strength clearly exceeds the Kage Level, so it is still within Konoha's ability to cope.
Dan Katō, Minato Namikaze, and Uchiha Fugaku arrived in a hurry, but they didn't leave very quickly on their way back.
Even so, as top- Kage Level ninjas in the current Golden Ninja World, the group returned to Konoha smoothly in just one or two hours, and even took Asuma and the others with them along the way.
Might Guy was dragged back by Dan Katō using his telekinesis.
In his previous battle against the giant fused White Zetsu Afū White Zetsu the main body, he drank Golden Potion that allowed him to barely bear the power of the Seventh Gate.
Although they defeated the enemy and successfully broke through with their companions after opening the Seventh Gate, they also suffered serious injuries as a result.
Without the Golden Potion, forcibly opening the Eight Gates Formation, which one cannot open on their own, could lead to death in severe cases, or at least result in a situation like Rock Lee during the Chunin Ninja Exams the original timeline, where he almost couldn't continue being a ninja.
Upon returning to Konoha, Dan Katō immediately convened a meeting of all the Konoha's high-ranking officials, and even Tsunade, heavily pregnant, attended the meeting.
"So, you're really certain that person's identity is Uchiha Madara...?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi asked, puffing on his pipe, looking quite distressed.
No one knew better than those born in the Sengoku Period just how terrifying the power Uchiha Madara and Hashirama Senju truly possessed.
If a Kage Level ninja can single-handedly destroy a small country, then a figure like Madara could absolutely wipe out a large ninja village single-handedly, and even dominate the Ninja World.
"This is indeed bad news, but the good news is that Meikyō's strength is barely a step above Madara's current level. But the problem is, Madara's target this time is Meikyō. What about next time? Among all of you here, apart from Minato who has the Flying Thunder God Technique, do any of you have the ability to survive Madara's attacks?"
Dan Katō's question stumped everyone.
"That's probably very difficult. Even if I were twenty years younger, I probably wouldn't be able to escape from Ban."
Hiruzen Sarutobi sighed.
He had fought Madara in that previous battle as well.
It was during that battle that he finally realized that his strength had declined significantly, and that in a few years, he might have to start transforming himself from a hexagonal ninja to Ninjutsu turret-type ninja.
Orochimaru's expression was stern, but he quickly relaxed.
If he were to encounter Madara, he would indeed be no match for him, but killing him wouldn't be so easy either.
He was fairly confident that he could save his life even if he paid a certain price.
"Fourth Hokage, also, I think we need to recall Jiraiya- sensei as soon as possible. If Madara really intends to target Konoha's high-level combat power, he, who has been traveling around, will definitely be the first one to be targeted."
Minato Namikaze said with a hint of worry.
"It's alright for the short term, but it's really time to recall Jiraiya- senpai. Uchiha Madara, who has mastered Earth Grudge Fear Chakra Fear, possesses five hearts, each representing one of the five chakra natures: wind, thunder, water, fire, and earth. In the previous battle, four of his hearts were shattered, and he should be trying to reassemble them now. And given Madara's standards, he probably wouldn't even consider the hearts of ordinary people."
Meikyō added.
"Earth Grudge Fear... Next, the Anbu and Root need to keep a close eye on it. Whether it's Konoha or any other ninja village, if Jonin- level or higher person dies, it means that Madara may have done it to obtain the heart. This information should also be sent to other major ninja villages so that they can step up their defenses."
Dan Katō and gave the order.
"Given the strength of the other ninja villages, they would be powerless to resist if Madara wanted to make a move."
Orochimaru suddenly added, and continued:
"I'll take the Root ninjas to Takigakure. Since Earth Grudge Fear originated there, Takigakure might have some relevant information. However, I hope that Meikyō- kun or Minato- kun can come with me. If we really encounter Madara, I'm afraid only you two are capable of taking me out."
Orochimaru was quite curious about the Earth Grudge Fear.
Although he already has more than one way to achieve immortality, he has not yet made any practical progress in the field of cultivating immortality. Although the blood of ghosts can also grant immortality, the drawbacks are too great.
On the contrary, the Earth Grudge Fear seems to have almost no side effects.
Furthermore, Orochimaru himself, as a scientist, was also eager to explore the principles behind this thing.
"Although the battle with Madara yielded some results, I also suffered some injuries and gained some new insights that I need to digest quickly. So I apologize, Senior Orochimaru."
After hearing Meikyō's words, everyone looked at him with a strange expression.
Getting injured in a fight with Madara might seem normal to others, but every fight brings new insights...
"No wonder your strength has improved so quickly. You can gain insights and improve your strength just by fighting."
Uchiha Fugaku's rant revealed what everyone was thinking.
"In that case, I'll accompany Senior Orochimaru. I can also call Jiraiya- sensei along the way. If we really encounter Madara, we'll have a better chance of winning."
Minato Namikaze said with a gentle smile.
While Uchiha Madara's battle against six Kage Level ninjas during the previous attack on Konoha was impressive, he was gradually put on the defensive as the fight progressed.
If we take "one" as the average strength of the current Kage Level ninjas in the Ninja World, then Uchiha Madara's current strength is probably slightly less than six.
Six Kage Level powerhouses were able to suppress Madara in his current state. If one or two fewer were removed, even if they couldn't suppress him, they would most likely be able to fight to a draw. If they had three or four, even if they weren't a match for Madara, they could at least hold him off for a while.
This is somewhat similar to Pain in the original timeline. Against a single Kage Level expert, Pain could absolutely crush them, but if two or three Kage Level experts cooperated, although they couldn't kill Pain, they could probably keep him occupied for quite some time.
The difficulty of drawing, winning, and killing the opponent is different, unless neither side is thinking of escaping and wants to fight to the last moment, just like the battle between Madara and Hashirama at the Battle of the Valley of the End. In the end, even if Chakra as much chakra as Hashirama, he was so tired that he could only fight with his sword and eventually killed Madara.
If it really came down to it, Uchiha Madara could definitely have escaped, but given Uchiha Madara's personality, it was impossible for him to run away from Hashirama Senju.
After the meeting, Minato Namikaze and Orochimaru quickly made some arrangements and headed to Takigakure Dan Katō, Hiruzen Sarutobi, and Uchiha Fugaku returned to their respective posts to continue their work.
Torifu Akimichi home to recuperate. Even with the Golden Potion, the overload of the Butterfly Technique still took a toll on him, and he may need several more months to fully recover.
During this period, the Logistics Department was personally arranged by Dan Katō, who was the Fourth Hokage.
After treating Meikyō at Might Guy Konoha Hospital and leaving the follow-up treatment plan to Yakushi Nonō, Mingjing returned home.
Reincarnator's Wristwatch, activate!
Inside the room, a faint blue light flashed, and Meikyō's figure vanished instantly, leaving only a shadow clone sitting Shadow Clone on the bed.
The streets were bustling with traffic.
On both sides, tall buildings stand tall, and in the distance, several cranes are under construction.
A woman in uniform, carrying a cup of coffee and a briefcase, Earth Flow to work.
Most of the pedestrians, like her, were walking in a hurry.
Meikyō walked out from the street corner, looking at the fast-paced, modern city streets in the morning, her eyes filled with emotion.
How many years has it been since I last saw this familiar scene?
The technological level of the Naruto World is currently equivalent to that of the 1940s and 50s. Even if it were to develop into a modern city, based on the original timeline, it would have to wait until thirty years later—when Naruto becomes the Seventh and Boruto: Naruto Next Generations begins.
Demon Slayer World is an even earlier story, set in the late Taishō era of the 1920s.
The technology in the Pirate World is relatively advanced, but the technology tree is too skewed, so the average level is still not high. Moreover, due to the power system and the diverse creatures there, as well as the existence of Haki and Devil Fruit, the weapons created by technology are not the mainstream of warfare; at most, they are things like Fire Pistol, warships, and cannons.
"Let's find out the specific details of this matter first."
Meikyō hid in a corner, concealed himself with Genjutsu, made a hand Hand Seals, and activated Transformation Jutsu, turning into a person dressed in a suit and tie.
While his original Jonin Vest and wide blue-black haori looked cool, dressing him up like this makes it less likely to feel out of place.
After glancing around at the surroundings, Meikyō quickly analyzed all the information she had gathered.
"The billboards on the street are in Japanese, which means that language communication is not a problem here."
"The people around here are relatively weak in physical condition, which is consistent with the physical condition of modern people, indicating that the situation here is generally peaceful."
There are no newspapers or magazines nearby, but there is a library.
These places usually have old newspapers and other kinds of reading materials, so you can get more information from them.
Mother Pig's Postpartum Care
The King's Court Secret History
Unveiling the Secrets of Sweet Mask's Idol Journey!
Hero Encyclopedia
Meikyō raised an eyebrow slightly and took down the two books, "Unveiling the Secrets! Sweet Mask's Idol Path!" and "Hero Encyclopedia".
The pages turned rapidly, Meikyō activated his Sharingan ten lines at a glance, quickly finishing the contents of the two books.
Damn, the drop rate for Sasuke this time was so bad, the more I think about it, the angrier I get.