As a result, the situation in the shinobi world became clear.
On one side stood Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Otogakure.
On the other stood Kirigakure, Sunagakure, Amegakure, Takigakure, and Konoha's other allied forces.
A war that would engulf the entire shinobi world was about to begin.
And that was exactly what happened.
Only one day later, the Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki of Iwagakure, Orochimaru of Otogakure, and the Fourth Raikage A of Kumogakure publicly announced the official start of the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Soon after, under the attention of every major force in the shinobi world, the main forces of Kumogakure and Iwagakure gathered in Otogakure.
The three sides had formed a shinobi alliance.
It had the feeling of one last desperate battle against Konoha.
Otogakure was the village Orochimaru had created after leaving Konohagakure.
Its symbol was an eighth note, and many of its shinobi specialized in sound-based techniques.
But after Orochimaru joined Madara's camp, Otogakure had changed completely.
Especially now that the main forces of Iwagakure and Kumogakure had arrived, the entire village was filled with a solemn, murderous atmosphere.
After all, no one here was stupid.
Now that they had officially declared war on Konoha, their alliance would inevitably face Konoha's ruthless counterattack.
Kirigakure, Sunagakure, Amegakure, Takigakure, Loulan, the Land of Demons, and other forces had already begun gathering under Konoha's banner.
It was easy to imagine how brutal the Fourth Great Ninja War would be.
As for whether they could win…
that depended on luck, and on how much power Uchiha Madara truly possessed.
Yes.
After declaring war on Konoha, Iwagakure, Otogakure, and Kumogakure publicly revealed the truth that Uchiha Madara had been revived.
Boom!
When the news first spread, the shinobi of the three allied forces became wildly excited.
This was Uchiha Madara.
A legendary shinobi.
And now, he had been revived and was secretly aiding Iwagakure, Otogakure, and Kumogakure.
How could that not inspire confidence?
For a time, the shinobi of the three villages became extremely self-assured.
After all, this was Madara with the Rinnegan.
His strength was beyond doubt.
Perhaps he was not much weaker than the Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Ren.
Once the Fourth Great Ninja War began, who could say for certain who would win?
At that moment—
inside a meeting room in Otogakure's central district.
Orochimaru, Ōnoki, A, the revived First Raikage, Second Raikage, Third Raikage, First Tsuchikage, and Second Tsuchikage had all gathered.
Since they now shared the same enemy, Madara did not control the revived Raikage and Tsuchikage.
After all, they could more or less be considered allies.
As for the revived First Kazekage, Second Kazekage, Third Kazekage, Fourth Kazekage, First Mizukage, Second Mizukage, Third Mizukage, Fourth Mizukage, Nagato, Itachi, and the others—
Madara kept them under control for emergencies.
"Konoha has accepted the war. When do we launch the full assault?"
"We must defeat Konoha and defeat the Fifth Hokage. Otherwise, the shinobi world will remain under Uchiha Ren's rule forever."
"Who would have thought that after all these years, Konoha would produce someone who surpassed even its previous Hokage?"
"Everyone here is in the same boat now. We must work together and bring down Konoha."
The revived First Raikage, Second Raikage, Third Raikage, First Tsuchikage, and Second Tsuchikage spoke one after another.
Some were angry.
Some were amazed.
Some spoke with open threat in their voices.
But all of them looked solemn.
After being revived through Edo Tensei and learning about the current state of the shinobi world, these former Kage had first felt disbelief and shock.
But once they heard that Konoha's Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Ren, intended to unify the entire shinobi world, their shock turned into fury.
Back then, even Hashirama Senju had not unified the world.
Now this Fifth Hokage wanted to overturn the entire order of the shinobi world?
Did he truly think Iwagakure and Kumogakure were easy prey?
Because of that, the revived Raikage and Tsuchikage were furious.
Even if Uchiha Ren was powerful, they wanted to teach this arrogant Hokage a lesson.
The shinobi world was not so easily unified.
"Heh…"
Hearing their words, Orochimaru's serpentine eyes flashed with helpless amusement.
He truly did not fear a godlike enemy.
What he feared was pigheaded allies.
Logically, these revived Kage should not have been this foolish.
Yet they kept talking about attacking Konoha and defeating Uchiha Ren.
Did they not understand?
Unless Madara personally took action, the so-called allied forces of Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Otogakure were merely marching off to be slaughtered.
Now Orochimaru could only hope the Fifth Hokage would not act personally for the time being.
Otherwise—
the consequences would be disastrous.
After all, the current Fifth Hokage, Uchiha Ren, had already reached a level comparable to the Sage of Six Paths.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 60 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/StrawHatStudios