Chapter 80

"Send a reply to Lord Hokage, that we are in a tense situation here and that it will take at least half a year to send reinforcements."

After completing a sparring session with Sakumo, Tatsuya took over the sword from Rin and prepared for another day of daily practice. Turning to Hyuga Hiashi, asked him to convey the message.

"Half a year?" Hiashi was momentarily stunned. Currently, the Cloud Shinobi army has almost completely withdrawn from Yunokuni.

Anyone with functioning eyes could see that the Cloud Shinobi were intent on protecting Killer B, to avoid repeating the mistakes of the past.

Hiashi believed that at this rate, the battle here would end in no more than a month. Tatsuya's statement about needing half a year to send reinforcements seemed contrary to this reality. It was clear that Hokage's orders were being ignored.

"What? Did you not understand me?" Tatsuya asked, raising an eyebrow when he noticed Hiashi's hesitation.

"No, no, I will convey to Hokage-sama the message immediately," Hiashi stammered before saluting and swiftly leaving.

"Master Tatsuya, is this the right decision?" Rin, an innocent girl, found Tatsuya's actions rather intimidating.

Tatsuya continued, "Let's make a bet. Who do you think will win in a battle between the Konoha Shinobi and the Mist Shinobi?"

"What?" Rin was taken aback, her mind racing to assess the difference in combat power between the two sides. With 8000 versus 4000, a double gap in combat power, and Hokage-sama being renowned as the strongest Hokage in history, logic would suggest a victory for the Konoha.

As she was about to respond, Tatsuya abruptly said, "Never mind, let's not bet. You don't have anything I want, anyway."

Tatsuya then turned and walked away, leaving Rin, once regarded as an angel by Obito, feeling a mix of frustration and disbelief. She had a gentle temperament, and Tatsuya's comments were quite unexpected.

She couldn't believe she had been subjected to such scrutiny, making her feel like she was being objectified. Rin couldn't help but express her grievances inside her mind.

...

...

The Uzumaki Clan, a family that once held a prominent place in the Sengoku era due to their sealing abilities, had been erased from history.

"Mizukage-sama, the land of Uzu has been captured by the army led by Third Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, and we can't advance any further," Yagura reported, kneeling before a middle-aged man with long black hair and sharp, narrow eyes.

This man was the Third Mizukage.

After a brief contemplation, Third Mizukage ordered, "Prepare to attack."

"Yes!" Yagura acknowledged before disappearing in a blur of speed.

"Tobirama's... disciple?" Third Mizukage muttered to himself as he was left alone in the camp.

He abruptly opened his eyes, and the focus of his gaze revealed an unexpected sight—a three-tomoe Sharingan!

"Yes, Sarutobi Hiruzen, Shimura Danzō, Mitokado Homura, and Utahane Koharu. They are the four-member group that has held the highest authority in Konoha for nearly 30 years since the death of Senju Tobirama," a white Zetsu emerging from the ground nearby explained.

"Sarutobi? Shimura? Well, it's their turn to lead Konoha, it seems," Third Mizukage mumbled to himself. The voice at this moment belonged to Uchiha Madara!

Indeed, the Third Mizukage had become a puppet under the control of Uchiha Madara's Sharingan, just like Yagura, the future Fourth Mizukage, and later Obito had been controlling the Mizukage.

Madara remembered that when he and Hashirama had founded Konoha, the Sarutobi and Shimura clans had been the first to lend their support.

"Sarutobi Hiruzen is also known as [The Strongest Hokage]," White Zetsu added from the ground.

"The strongest in history?" The elderly Madara, controlling the Third Mizukage, heard this title and couldn't help but chuckle. Even White Zetsu couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

"Strongest Hokage, huh," That man, Hashirama, had always been a thorn in his side.

"A disciple of Tobirama? Very well, let's see how capable you are," the Sharingan gleamed in the eyes of the "Third Mizukage."

Tobirama had slain Uchiha Izuna, a fact that had rankled Madara for years. Now, Madara wanted to gauge how much of Tobirama's legacy persisted in his disciple.

...

...

"Master Hokage! The Third Mizukage has launched an attack on us!"

More than ten miles away, in Konoha's camp, a member of the Hyuga clan rushed in with a panicked expression to report to Hokage and three elders, who were standing before a map, deep in discussion.

"!?"

The expressions of the four, who had just set up camp, shifted quickly. The attack had come much sooner than expected. Normally, the party with fewer troops would not dare to attack without some backup plan.

"How many soldiers did they bring?" Sarutobi Hiruzen inquired.

"By visual estimate, about two thousand," replied the Hyuga clan member, Kido.

"They've committed half their total combat force to this initial attack. It seems they want to gain an advantage from the outset," Homura commented, his brow furrowing.

"So what? Our strength is twice theirs. Since they sent 2,000, we'll send 4,000, and let this Land of Uzu witness the might of the strongest of the Five Great Shinobi Countries," Koharu declared.

"Alright, gather 4,000 troops. The three of you, come with me," Hiruzen instructed, addressing the trio.

Koharu, who had been so self-assured a moment ago, suddenly deflated. She had forgotten that she would be participating in the battle as well.

As Uchiha Madara manipulated the body of the Third Mizukage, he walked amidst the ruins of the Uzu, his heart filled with a sense of reflection.

After all, this was also part of the cause and effect of the never-ending cycle of war and hatred. It seemed that the only path to true peace lay through the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

"Master Mizukage, it's the Third Hokage!" Yagura suddenly shouted, breaking Madara's thoughts.

The "Third Mizukage" looked up, and before him, three elderly men and one elderly woman led a massive ninja army, advancing like a formidable force.

"That's Tobirama's disciple, right? Let's test his strength first," Madara thought to himself, somewhat irritated as he observed Tobirama's disciples in their current state. He couldn't help but feel a sense of displeasure.

Unfortunately, this wasn't his own body, and he couldn't employ Uchiha's fire ninjutsu.

"Ice release: Multiple Shuriken Jutsu," Madara commanded through the Third Mizukage's body, activating the bloodline limit, the Ice Release.

The air around them condensed rapidly, and a storm of ice Shuriken descended upon them.

"Be careful!" Hiruzen shouted, waving his arms and summoning Enma, his trusty ape summon, which transformed into its adamantine staff form.

Clang!

Enma managed to deflect most of the ice shurikens, but a few still found their mark. Two of them struck Koharu's left shoulder and Homura's right leg.

"Ah! Ah!"

The elderly duo convulsed in agony, collapsing to the ground.

Third Mizukage(Madara): "…"

Tobirama, why did you have to pick such weak students?

Madara, controlling the Third Mizukage's body, desperately suppressed the urge to vent his frustration.

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