Madara shot a sideways glance at Black Zetsu.
Black Zetsu lightly shook his head. He naturally understood what that look meant—Madara wanted to know when the First Mizukage, Yuto, had revived.
But Black Zetsu truly didn't know.
If he'd known earlier, he wouldn't have revived Madara so hastily.
Madara and Yuto silently stared each other down. Two forces—one overwhelming, one violently ferocious—collided and clashed in midair, forming a terrifying pressure that spread outward like a heavy tide.
The entire forest abruptly fell silent.
Behind Madara, Obito's forehead was drenched in cold sweat. Just the aura leaking from that standoff was enough to make him feel a sharp sense of danger.
Not far behind Yuto, Konan was the same.
All this time, Konan had believed Nagato's strength was already terrifying… but only now did she realize she'd been a frog at the bottom of a well.
A "god"… was nothing more than a chess piece belonging to a man who had died many years ago.
And besides the resurrected Madara, the legendary First Mizukage—who was said to have been killed by Hashirama and Madara back then—had somehow revived long ago as well, watching this shinobi world from the shadows.
If Nagato hadn't attacked Kirigakure—if Madara hadn't suddenly revived right here—then the First Mizukage, Yuto, probably wouldn't have stepped into the public eye so soon.
Just what else was this shinobi world still hiding?
Thinking that, Konan suddenly felt a ridiculous, bitter sorrow deep inside when it came to Nagato—the man who had called himself a god.
People like us… the smaller villages… in the eyes of people like them, we probably don't even count as pieces.
In this silence—so quiet it felt suffocating—Madara's voice rang out first.
"Back then, in that battle… even though Hashirama and I 'won' in the end, it was the two of us who truly lost."
"And now—Yuto—you might not be able to beat me."
Madara lifted his head high, dazzling light flashing in his eyes as he looked at Yuto.
Hearing Madara's arrogant words, Yuto raised an eyebrow and yawned, lifting a hand lazily.
"Yeah? Confidence is a good thing."
So it really couldn't be avoided.
Yuto still looked relaxed, almost sloppy—but there was a rare seriousness in his eyes.
The moment he spoke, the air between them tightened like a drawn bowstring.
A faint smile appeared on Madara's face. A subtle, hidden glint flashed through his Rinnegan.
"Rinbo: Hengoku (Limbo: Border Jail)!"
This was a unique power belonging only to Madara's Rinnegan—using "Limbo" to split off his own shadow.
Ordinary shinobi couldn't see it.
They couldn't even sense it.
Only someone who also possessed the Rinnegan—or someone who had mastered Six Paths power—could perceive those shadows.
As Madara activated the ability, one of his shadows split off instantly.
The moment it appeared, that Madara shadow charged straight toward Yuto.
Madara had already launched his attack, yet everyone present couldn't see it—couldn't even feel it.
Watching his shadow close the distance, the corners of Madara's mouth slowly curled upward.
This is the power of the Rinnegan.
Yuto… we're not even on the same level anymore.
But at that exact moment, Madara's expression abruptly stiffened.
Because just as the shadow was about to reach Yuto—
Yuto suddenly turned his head toward the direction the shadow had come from, and smiled.
"Got you~"
A violent surge of energy erupted from Yuto's fist and smashed into the Madara shadow before it could even react.
BOOM!
It was as if the air itself exploded.
Konan and the others stared blankly at Yuto striking what looked like empty air, clearly not understanding what had just happened.
"Rinbo: Susanoo (Limbo: Armored Warrior)!"
In the place no one could see, a half-formed Susanoo arm burst into existence around Madara's shadow, shielding it.
Yuto's savage power slammed into that Susanoo arm, and in an instant, countless cracks spread across it.
The shadow rapidly retreated, pulling back until it returned to Madara's side.
"Blocked? Guess I didn't land it," Yuto said calmly, narrowing his eyes slightly.
The feedback from his punch didn't feel like hitting a person—it had been stopped.
For the first time since reviving, Madara showed an expression he hadn't anticipated. A flicker of disbelief flashed in his eyes as his voice turned heavy.
"You shouldn't have been able to see that… or sense it."
Yuto clicked his tongue, expression cold and indifferent. Then he slowly spread his arms.
"I can't see it, and I can't sense it."
"But anything that moves will inevitably produce energy. Within my range… I am the king of that energy."
"And the movement of energy… tells me everything."
"No matter how strange or hidden your attack is, I am the ruler of all energy. I am—king."
That indifferent, domineering voice echoed through the forest, shaking everyone present to the core.
So this is the presence of the "Three Greats"…?!
Obito and Konan couldn't help swallowing hard, their eyes filled with shock.
Black Zetsu's gaze flickered.
The First Mizukage, Yuto… truly was terrifying.
If someone like this didn't die—
He would become the greatest obstacle on the road to reviving Mother!
"Hahahahaha—!!"
At the same time, wild, unrestrained laughter exploded through the entire forest—and it came from Madara.
Madara threw his head back, one hand covering his face.
After laughing for a long while, he lowered his head and slowly removed the hand from his face.
Now, the Madara standing before them wore a look of intense excitement—battle intent blazing, completely unhidden.
"You really didn't disappoint me, Yuto! Now this is fun! This is what a fight between people like us should look like!"
Madara's voice trembled—trembling with pure, overwhelming exhilaration.
"Then I've been itching to beat the hell out of you too—Madara."
Yuto rolled his neck, lips pulling into a slight grin as he spoke low.
The instant Yuto's words fell, a strange chakra surged out, instantly spreading over his entire body.
And under the effect of that chakra, on Yuto's forehead…
a thumb-sized black circle slowly appeared.
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