" Madara Uchiha! How is this possible? Wasn't he already killed by Grandpa at the Valley of the End?" Tsunade was so surprised that she almost lost her voice.
However, this is quite normal. Madara Uchiha was a ninja from the same era Hashirama Senju. Now that Hashirama Senju has been dead for decades, how could Madara Uchiha still be alive?
Orochimaru, unusually serious, completely lost his casual demeanor and said earnestly:
"At first, I didn't believe it either, because he only appeared a few times while wearing a mask, and Madara Uchiha was just his self-proclaimed title. But the eerie and ominous Chakra belonging to the Uchiha, and the Mangekyou Mangekyō Sharingan that housed mysterious power, couldn't be faked."
Naoki Senju listened quietly from the side, glancing at Orochimaru from time to time, and exclaiming in amazement. He never expected Orochimaru to have uncovered even the Akatsuki's highest-level secrets. No wonder he wanted to leave the Akatsuki; knowing such a high level of secrecy, not leaving the Akatsuki would have been tantamount to courting death.
"Could it be another member of the Uchiha Clan in disguise? Like Uchiha Itachi this time..." Tsunade asked with great concern.
Orochimaru chuckled twice, giving Naoki Senju a meaningful yet brief look.
"My guess is the same as yours, but the timing doesn't match up. When I first discovered this secret, Uchiha Itachi had just graduated from the Ninja Academy, and his Chakra and the characteristics of his Mangekyou Mangekyō Sharingan are different from Madara Uchiha's."
The scene fell silent. There are Ninjutsu that can prolong life or bring the dead back to life, such as the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu that Orochimaru is secretly researching.
Perhaps Madara Uchiha achieved the miracle of resurrection through a similar method.
However, this is not good news for Konoha and its Konoha Ninja. You must know that the legendary Madara Uchiha was not only ruthless, but also deeply hated Konoha. If it weren't for the First Hokage killing him, Konoha might have been destroyed long ago.
Faced with the immense pressure from Madara Uchiha, Tsunade appeared somewhat downcast, and Naoki Senju opportunely changed the subject:
"Given Madara Uchiha's strength, the fact that he hasn't attacked Konoha yet suggests that he either lacks his former power or has a reason why he can't personally intervene."
"The most pressing issue right now is the Akatsuki Akatsuki. They just lost a core member. Will they send other core members? How many will they send? What will their strength be? And how should we respond?"
Orochimaru clapped approvingly and praised:
" Naoki-kun's thinking is indeed clear, but I've already prepared for that, so Naoki-kun doesn't need to worry."
The silver fox and the venomous snake exchanged a glance, both seemingly trying to see through the other's scheme, but ultimately both appeared to have gained nothing, and then harmoniously and familiarly looked away.
Land of Rain, the Amegakure, is the base of the Akatsuki.
Uchiha Itachi stumbled into the base, looking disheveled. Konan, who was responsible for guarding the base, looked on in surprise. Uchiha Itachi's strength was unfathomable, so how could he be in such a sorry state? And Kakuzu was Uchiha Itachi's teammate?
Konan suddenly had a bad feeling and questioned:
" Vermilion Bird, who hurt you like this? Where's Hokuto, your teammate?"
Uchiha Itachi's hair was disheveled, his auspicious cloud robe was tattered, and one sleeve was even torn off. There were also many injuries and bloodstains on his body.
Faced with Konan's question, Uchiha Itachi recalled Naoki Senju's instructions:
"On your first day back in Akatsuki, no matter what Akatsuki ask you, don't answer. Remember, you are a seriously injured person. If you feel you can't do it, falling into a coma is a good option."
Uchiha Itachi pondered for a moment, but realized he could never truly become the 'silent, heavily wounded soldier' that Naoki Senju had described.
After a moment of silence, Uchiha Itachi ultimately chose the latter, his body stiffening as he collapsed to the ground.
Konan was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting Uchiha Itachi's body to be so weak, but she still subconsciously used the piece of paper to support Uchiha Itachi's body.
"This... Pain, Uchiha Itachi is back, but something seems off. You should come here first."
Not long after, Pain's Deva Path, now dressed in a robe adorned with auspicious clouds, emerged from the secret passage.
"How is the situation?"
" Pain, you should see for yourself."
Konan controlled the paper, lifting Uchiha Itachi to Pain's Deva Path's side.
After observing for a moment, Pain produced a small black Chakra rod from his palm and plunged it into Uchiha Itachi's most serious abdominal wound.
Even though Uchiha Itachi was 'unconscious,' he frowned, but Pain didn't suspect anything. The Rinnegan's Chakra would be imbued with his will, so Uchiha Itachi's reaction was perfectly normal.
A moment later, Pain's Deva Path withdrew his Chakra rods and said:
"It's indeed a case of severe physical injury causing unconsciousness. Arrange for someone to treat him. Once Uchiha Itachi wakes up, find out exactly what happened during this mission." After saying this, he walked into the secret passage without another word.
" Nagato..."
Konan watched Pain's retreating figure, a hint of reminiscence appearing in her beautiful Shira eyes. Finally, alone, she left with Uchiha Itachi...
Somewhere in the Land of Rain.
Black Zetsu and White Zetsu entered a canyon, passed through a rock wall, and entered a dark secret chamber. In the completely dark chamber, a Sharingan emitted a scarlet light.
"What's the urgent matter that you're contacting me?" A deep male voice came from beneath the orange spiral mask.
" Kakuzu of the Akatsuki is dead."
The Masked Man showed no reaction and even tried to leave directly.
"The one who killed Kakuzu was a Senju Clan ninja named Naoki Senju, and this Senju Clan ninja had already awakened Wood Release." Black Zetsu guided the Masked Man step by step.
When the words "Wood Release " appeared, the calm Sharingan finally stirred, and the three Tomoe spun and connected to form a scythe shape.
"What about Uchiha Itachi? He also died at the hands of the Senju Clan?"
For some reason, Black Zetsu detected a hint of expectation in the Masked Man's tone, but unfortunately, that expectation was dashed.
"No, but Uchiha Itachi was severely injured by the Senju ninja and only managed to break through the Deep Forest Emergence by using Amaterasu. Uchiha Itachi should be receiving treatment at the Akatsuki's base right now."
The Deep Forest Emergence; have they really developed Wood Release to this extent...? The Masked Man felt quite troubled. He had learned about Wood Release Ninjutsu from the Ninjutsu scrolls left behind by the real Madara Uchiha.
Deep Forest Emergence is undoubtedly one of the most powerful Ninjutsu in Wood Release. It is not only extremely offensive, but also a relatively effective counter to it. It has a wide range and a long duration.
"Is there any other intelligence?"
Black Zetsu shook his head. He definitely couldn't tell outsiders about the fact that Naoki Senju was suspected to be the reincarnation of Asura.
The Masked Man's Sharingan lit up, the space around him began to distort, and he eventually disappeared little by little into the secret room.