"Hahahaha!"
Madara Uchiha laughed heartily.
He laughed for a long time before finally stopping.
"Not only are there so many powerful individuals,"
"But they also completely obey our commands!"
"This time, we are certain to achieve a great victory!"
Madara Uchiha said with full confidence.
Zetsu also revealed a sinister smile.
"Indeed!"
"Moreover, we have the White Zetsu Army."
"I truly wonder how the so-called Leaf Village plans to deal with us!"
Hearing Zetsu's words,
Madara Uchiha's confidence surged once more.
It was as if he had already witnessed the victory with his own eyes.
Then, he thought of something.
He asked Zetsu, "By the way, have there been any recent news about Aoki and the others?"
He was now very concerned about the enemy's strength and movements.
Zetsu immediately produced a scroll.
"This contains intelligence on Aoki's subordinates."
"They have been developing their own forces during this period."
"Additionally, although most people from the Rock Hidden Village and Kumogakure have surrendered,"
"There are still a small number who remain dissatisfied."
"And intend to cause some trouble!"
Upon hearing Zetsu's intelligence,
A satisfied smile appeared on Madara Uchiha's face.
"Excellent!"
"I knew their unification wouldn't be so smooth and peaceful!"
"The Rock Hidden Village and Kumogakure..."
"They will be our allies in this war!"
"Let's go!"
He said to Zetsu, "It's time to visit some people!"
After plotting together,
Madara Uchiha and Zetsu split up to act separately.
They headed for Kumogakure and the Rock Hidden Village respectively!
Madara Uchiha arrived at the former location of Kumogakure.
Looking at the terrifying ruins caused by a massive ninjutsu,
He was secretly astonished.
"That guy Aoki... the scale and power of his ninjutsu are truly astonishing!"
Madara Uchiha thought to himself.
This made him extremely displeased.
He understood clearly in his heart
That Aoki's existence would likely be his greatest obstacle!
At this time, most of the people from Kumogakure had already pledged allegiance to the Leaf Village.
They had left these ruins
And gone to other parts of the Leaf Village to live their new lives.
Madara Uchiha pondered for a moment before retrieving a coffin from a scroll.
He had prepared this coffin for a long time, waiting for the right moment to use it.
"Edo Tensei!"
After the Ninjutsu was performed, a figure stood before him.
It was none other than the Third Raikage, who had been killed by Aoki!
The Third Raikage stared at Madara Uchiha in utter shock.
"You... are Madara Uchiha? How is this possible? Didn't you die many years ago?"
Madara Uchiha snorted coldly.
"I have always been alive!"
Seeing the Edo Tensei markings on his body, the Raikage quickly understood what had happened.
Recalling the scene just before his death, he gritted his teeth in anger.
"That damned Aoki! He actually destroyed my Kumogakure! I must have my revenge!"
Madara Uchiha observed the Third Raikage's reaction with great satisfaction.
"It seems I won't need to persuade you. You will join my side!"
His words left the Third Raikage momentarily stunned.
Madara continued, "That's right. I also intend to deal with Aoki. Let's work together!"
The Third Raikage glanced around before replying, "Though I hate him to the bone, this is impossible! It seems you haven't witnessed his true power. His strength is far beyond what any ordinary ninja can handle. Even I am no match for him!"
Madara frowned. "Are you afraid? Are you willing to let the people of Kumogakure be ruled by the Leaf?"
These words struck a nerve with the Third Raikage. If not for the control of the Edo Tensei, he would have attacked Madara on the spot.
He roared angrily, "How could I be willing? I hate him to the bone and must have my revenge! But what you're proposing is laughable. Just the two of us? To face a monster like Aoki? How is that possible? He has countless elite ninja under his command who could wear us down to death!"
As soon as the Third Raikage finished speaking, Madara formed a hand seal.
"Let me show you my true power!"
From the shadows emerged a large group of people—all powerful individuals Madara had previously revived through Edo Tensei.
The Third Raikage's eyes widened in shock.
"Kinkaku! Ginkaku! And so many others..."
In that moment, he was utterly astonished, yet his confidence surged.
With such a formidable army of Edo Tensei warriors, there was real hope of defeating Aoki!
He said to Madara, "Very well! I will do everything in my power to bring my former subordinates to our side."
Madara nodded in satisfaction.
Indeed, what he wanted was not just the Third Raikage's formidable combat strength but also his influence over the ninja of Kumogakure—both were crucial.
Meanwhile, elsewhere, Zetsu's body emerged from the ground.
"Who's there?" Onoki, who had been resting on a recliner, suddenly noticed the stranger's appearance.
"Don't panic. I am not an enemy," Zetsu said, spreading his hands toward Onoki.
His account to Onoki was nearly identical to that given to Madara Uchiha.
Onoki himself was no different.
After Aoki unified the Ninja World,
the elite ninjas of Rock Hidden Village either went to the Leaf headquarters
or worked for Aoki in branch offices.
Onoki's disciples were no exception.
Onoki was deeply displeased by this.
Aoki had forced their surrender through sheer combat power,
and Onoki had always harbored resentment over it.
Thus, he used his advanced age as an excuse
to refuse working for Aoki.
Claiming retirement, he stayed at home,
but in reality, he spent every day contemplating how to revive Rock Hidden Village.
After Zetsu explained his intentions,
he showcased the spectacular Edo Tensei Army.
Seeing this,
Onoki felt excitement in his heart.
He sensed that the revival of Rock Hidden Village was now within his grasp!
Faced with perhaps the only opportunity,
Onoki hesitated only briefly before agreeing to cooperate.
The remnants of Kumogakure, the remnants of Rock Hidden Village, and Madara Uchiha's Edo Tensei Army
formed a tripartite alliance!
Ultimately, Madara Uchiha was appointed as the leader,
with Zetsu responsible for liaison.
Onoki and the Third Raikage each commanded their own subordinates.
All three parties gathered their forces, preparing to launch an offensive against the Leaf!
To annihilate the Leaf!
Their movements were quickly detected by elite ninjas under Aoki's command.
Within less than half a day, the news reached Aoki.
Aoki observed the movements of Madara Uchiha and the others,
and sneered contemptuously.
"Finally coming out?"
"Cooperation? It won't change the outcome!"
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