According to Ōnoki's calculations, if Uchiha Madara were still alive, he would only be around 70 years old. At that age, Madara would certainly still retain considerable combat power.
He might even still be at peak Super-Kage level. After all, Ōnoki himself was confident that even at 70, he could still display strength not inferior to his current level.
He refused to believe that a man who once stood at the very pinnacle of the shinobi world couldn't manage the same.
Hearing Ōnoki's question, Fujisaki didn't answer immediately. He carefully reviewed the intelligence he knew, along with what he observed later at the battlefield, before saying:
"We can't confirm it was Madara. What we do know is that person fired a continuous series of Tailed Beast Bombs. And most importantly… that mysterious figure may be able to use Wood Style—Deep Forest Emergence."
When Fujisaki arrived at the battlefield that day, the tsunami caused by Arata and "Madara" hadn't completely submerged the ruins yet. He was fortunate enough to witness the technique released before the mysterious man withdrew.
Countless roots burst from the ground, and several enormous flowers rose up that could blot out the sky. It looked extremely similar to the signature jutsu of Senju Hashirama.
The scale of that technique was no smaller than when Hashirama himself used it. That was why Fujisaki was utterly confused.
Was the mysterious figure Madara?
Or Hashirama, who could use Wood Style?
No one could answer that. But the Iwagakure leadership now realized something—
That mysterious expert might not only be Madara.
He could even be someone who wielded Wood Style.
Wood Style had long been considered Hashirama's exclusive ability.
In this era—where no one had witnessed the Sage of Six Paths' son Asura in battle—the only person anyone believed could use Wood Style was the "God of Shinobi," Hashirama.
And Hashirama's death was beyond dispute.
Back then, every nation had sent envoys to attend and verify his funeral.
Iwagakure had also sent a large delegation led by Ōnoki. Ōnoki himself had seen Hashirama's body and personally confirmed the death of the God of Shinobi.
That diplomatic visit was what stirred the ambitions of other nations.
Some even regarded that funeral as the fuse that ignited the First Shinobi War.
So no one present could believe that someone today could still use Wood Style.
Even the well-traveled Ōnoki had only just learned this detail. Fujisaki hadn't mentioned it before.
Already deeply wary, Ōnoki grew even more tense. If the mysterious figure were Hashirama, the situation would be far worse.
Hashirama had been the First Hokage—his stance would unquestionably favor Konoha.
Madara, though powerful, had opposed Konoha. If Madara were alive, that might actually benefit other nations.
But if it were Hashirama… then the other four great nations and the smaller countries around the Land of Fire would need to seriously reconsider how to deal with Konoha.
As for the possibility of another Senju using Wood Style—no one believed that.
The Senju clan was already gone. Every nation's leadership knew it was the scheming Hiruzen Sarutobi who had dealt the final blows. Even the last Senju heir, Nawaki, had died early in the Second Shinobi War.
Under those circumstances, how could there still be a Senju capable of Wood Style?
When Zōshirō was still alive, he might have showcased the clan through his prized "Ten Guardians," but now that he was dead and those forces had been reclaimed by Konoha, the Senju had effectively vanished.
As for Tsunade, the Senju princess—Ōnoki didn't underestimate her, but he didn't believe a mere woman could awaken Wood Style. In this era, still influenced by the Warring States mindset, most people assumed women were inferior to men.
Thinking this, Ōnoki said:
"No matter who that person is, once you return to the Land of Fire, focus on tracking them. And I want all intelligence on Arata immediately."
Fujisaki understood the gravity of it.
Whether Arata or the mysterious figure, both were peak-level shinobi capable of ending wars. Any move they made could lead to irreversible consequences.
Iwagakure had to keep pace and secure intelligence as quickly as possible.
Fujisaki replied solemnly:
"Understood."
After reporting everything, Ōnoki stopped dwelling on the mysterious figure's identity.
Because even if they figured it out, it wouldn't help their current predicament. It was more important to consider how to deal with Arata's looming threat.
After all, Arata was the victor of that battle. Even the mysterious powerhouse who could control the Nine-Tails and use Wood Style had failed to defeat him.
Such strength might already rival Hashirama's—or even surpass him.
Since none of them had seen the battle personally, they could only speculate.
If Arata himself were asked, he would admit he still couldn't compare to Hashirama. He hadn't mastered a powerful Sage Mode yet.
His Third-Stage "Lightning Armor Descends" had defeated Madara's armored Susanoo, but it wasn't the overwhelming victory Hashirama once achieved.
Moreover, he had only beaten an elderly Madara, not Madara in his prime. Age had already reduced Madara's stamina, so Arata didn't grow arrogant over that win.
But Iwagakure didn't know any of this. They could only judge based on limited intelligence.
After assigning Fujisaki's mission, Ōnoki looked at the grim faces around him and asked:
"So—what strategies do you have against Arata? He's a monster on par with Hashirama. If we continue like this, we may face catastrophic losses!"
Ōnoki wasn't exaggerating.
Even though Arata was just one man, in this situation his deterrence was greater than an entire army.
And Iwagakure had already been fighting for months. Logistics were tightening, the wounded needed care, and even food supplies were starting to run low.
If the war dragged on, their situation would become extremely dangerous.