"My Lord, the results of the war between Konoha and the Hidden Sand have arrived."
In the palace of the Land of Wind, the Daimyo sat lazily, popping grapes into his mouth and sipping wine as he glanced at the documents presented by his ministers.
Lately, the Daimyo hadn't been in the best of moods. He had originally planned to use Konoha's invasion as an opportunity to strip Shiraishi of his position as Jonin Commander and reclaim interests in the Land of Rivers and several eastern mining areas.
As for branding him a rogue ninja, the Daimyo saw no need—Shiraishi's strength served as a deterrent against Konoha; a little "knocking him down a peg" would have sufficed.
However, the Hidden Sand had rejected all his overtures, and even Rasa remained silent on the matter. Shiraishi's previous "act first, report later" attitude had left the Daimyo incredibly disgruntled. To him, a mere ninja daring to slight him was intolerable.
"So, how much is the Sand prepared to pay in reparations? Tell them, if Konoha's price is too high, I won't approve it."
"Actually... Konoha suffered a crushing defeat. They have already retreated from Mount Kikyo and returned to the Land of Fire's mainland."
The grape nearly fell from the Daimyo's hand. He doubted the intelligence's accuracy. "Konoha lost? How is that possible? How could the Sand stop a lineup like Konoha's?"
As the minister detailed the battle's specifics, the Land of Wind Daimyo's brain seemed to stall. The ministers of the Kitajima family shook their heads at the sight; their Daimyo's current expression made it far too easy to underestimate him.
Setting the grapes down, the Daimyo mused, "I see... Jonin Shiraishi broke through Konoha's blockade single-handedly. For a hero who has rendered such service to the state, how can we not reward him?"
A smile quickly spread across the Daimyo's face. He immediately decided on a new medal for Shiraishi and sent invitations to Kazekage Rasa, Shiraishi, Ebizo, and other high-level officials to visit the capital for a grand celebration.
The Daimyo's shift in attitude was simple: Shiraishi's combat power was comparable to a modern-day Madara Uchiha.
Having such a formidable force in the Land of Wind was a guarantee of the nation's prosperity. Shiraishi's previous "slights" were now, in the Daimyo's eyes, merely the eccentricities of a great man.
"Madara, the results of the war between Konoha and the Sand are out."
Beneath the massive Gedo Mazo (Demonic Statue of the Outer Path), an aged Madara Uchiha was resting with his eyes closed. Zetsu's sudden appearance interrupted his meditation.
"Oh?"
Seeing Madara's cold indifference, Zetsu—who had hoped for a bigger reaction—shook his head and chuckled. "It was a total rout for Konoha. 'Black Mist' Shiraishi defeated the Leaf army single-handedly."
Single-handedly?
This finally piqued Madara's interest. He knew the intelligence regarding Konoha's deployment: the Third Hokage, Jiraiya, and a luxury lineup of bloodline clans.
He had expected Konoha to suppress the Sand's recent rise; instead, Konoha had tripped over their own feet.
"Does this 'Black Mist' Shiraishi specialize in a particular Kekkei Genkai?"
While Shiraishi's name had been ringing out across the shinobi world, he had never been worth Madara's notice. Madara only knew such a person existed.
This time, however, he finally began to pay attention. To suppress so many of Konoha's powerhouses alone... only he and Hashirama Senju in their youth had been capable of such a feat.
As for others, like the "Demi-god" Hanzo, they never even entered Madara's sight.
"It's not a Kekkei Genkai. He seems to be a commoner ninja, but he has developed many new techniques, including a type of cyan flame that burns endlessly."
Zetsu's information-gathering skills were peerless. Though he hadn't seen the flame's full power with his own eyes, he had infiltrated the vicinity of Konoha's retreat camp, sealed a portion of the cyan flame using Wood Style, and brought it before Madara.
"Open it. Let me see this fire."
As Zetsu undid the seal, a clump of burning cyan flame suddenly appeared. Madara stared at the small flicker for a long time, sensing the domineering power within.
"Impressive fire. In the Uchiha clan's records, members who awakened certain bloodlines produced similar special flames. They required techniques like the Fire Sealing Method to be contained."
Zetsu smiled. "This is just one of his many techniques. He has various other miraculous new jutsus..."
Listening to Zetsu's description, Madara shook his head. "How many years would it take to develop so many techniques? He is barely eighteen. He must have obtained some kind of inheritance."
"But in the history of the shinobi world..."
"History?" Madara scoffed. "In the Warring States period, the number of secret bloodline clans far exceeded what exists today. The Hagoromo Clan, who once stood against the Senju and Uchiha, has long been forgotten by the world, hasn't it?"
In Madara's youth, the Hagoromo Clan was a major enemy alongside the Senju; several of his uncles had died at their hands. Over time, they vanished. If it weren't for Madara living so long, who would remember their unique bloodline?
Therefore, Madara did not believe Shiraishi was simply a genius who developed these jutsu from scratch. However, the situation warranted his vigilance.
While White Zetsu discussed Shiraishi with Madara, Black Zetsu, lurking in the shadows, breathed a sigh of relief. Madara had finally noticed this boy. Unlike the oblivious White Zetsu, Black Zetsu's wariness toward Shiraishi had started much earlier.
As a monster who had lived since the era of the Sage of the Six Paths, Black Zetsu had seen more secret techniques than even Madara.
The series of jutsu Shiraishi developed was unheard of. This forced him to consider other possibilities—perhaps Shiraishi, like his mother (Kaguya), was an Otsutsuki from another realm.
If he were an Otsutsuki, Black Zetsu knew they were enemies, not friends, for their goal would be the same as his mother's: the Chakra Fruit. His level of alert regarding Shiraishi far surpassed Madara's.
Realizing Shiraishi might be an unknown variable, Madara coughed several times and looked at White Zetsu. "Keep a close watch on the Hidden Sand's intelligence."
Madara allowed no variables in his plan; he had to be prepared.
"What about Obito?"
"Proceed as planned."
Madara was nearing his end. To ensure he could return to the world in a perfect state, he had to groom the boy, Obito, to be his executor. But before that, he had to cultivate the powerful darkness within Obito's heart.
The more intense an Uchiha's love, the more violent their transformation into negative emotion. Madara, a master of this truth, was preparing a perfect tragedy for Obito.
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