In the deepest reaches of the Jashin underground cavern...
Tap. Tap. Tap.
In the darkness, the slow sound of footsteps and a cane striking the ground echoed. A torch on the wall flared to life, illuminating an elderly face with long, grayish-white hair. He wore a deep blue robe and leaned on a wooden staff, appearing frail and weak.
But when he slightly opened his eyes, a pair of evil, chillingly cold Three-Tomoe Sharingan glowed within his sockets.
This man was the one whose name alone represented peerless power: Uchiha Madara!
Madara found a squared rock and slowly sat down. Soon, another set of heavy, stiff footsteps approached. An elderly man with grayish-white hair and blue beads adorning his head walked forward, his eyes habitually closed. He wore a blue hat with the kanji for "Water" (Mizuchi), revealing his identity.
The most mysterious Kage of the Mist, the successor to the First Mizukage who attended the very first Five Kage Summit: the Third Mizukage.
He dragged a bandage-wrapped, sealed "mummy" and tossed it before Madara. After a silence, he spoke flatly: "Madara, I've brought the Three-Tails Jinchuriki."
Madara didn't reply. He simply pressed his palm against the sealed belly of the Jinchuriki. A massive amount of chakra was casually extracted, flowing through Madara's body, into the earth, and toward the Gedo Mazo in the Land of Frost. A refined life force fed back into Madara, giving him a brief surge of energy.
"You're early this time," Madara said coldly, looking up.
"Yagura Karatachi found out that I've been taking the Three-Tails Jinchuriki out of the village periodically," the Third Mizukage explained. "Madara, I need you to help me control Yagura. Because of the trouble Gengetsu Hōzuki left behind, Iwagakure is about to declare war. I can't let Yagura's faction run wild... they might do something dangerous."
"Hmph," Madara sneered. "Scared now? This is merely the consequence of your own mediocrity. For a talentless fool to insist on sitting in that seat, a backlash is only natural."
The Third Mizukage stared coldly. "So, Madara, what is your answer?"
He knew he lacked talent. While other guards of the First Kage became the Second Kage, he was suppressed by Gengetsu Hōzuki and only became the Third after Gengetsu's death. Lacking strength, he had to rely on the man before him to enforce a reign of terror in the Mist. It was a cold exchange of interests.
However, Madara simply looked up, his Sharingan indifferent. "Are you threatening me?"
Alarm bells rang in the Mizukage's mind. A massive blue hand—a Susano'o limb—erupted, grabbing him and squeezing hard, forcing his eyes open. He saw those cold, crimson eyes.
Genjutsu: Sharingan!
The Mizukage's pupils turned red, three tomoe spinning briefly before fading. He knelt like a marionette. "A mere speck of dust, not even half as worthy as I," Madara mocked, swatting him into a wall with the Susano'o hand.
Just then, a pale figure wrapped in a pitcher plant—Zetsu—emerged from the wall. "Madara-sama, something interesting is happening above. There's an intriguing Uchiha brat. Want to take a look?"
Madara stood up, leaning on his cane. "Oh? Then let's go."
Above ground, the castle doors stood wide open, as if welcoming guests. Ren Uchiha stood before the entrance, the hair on his neck standing up. Something felt very wrong.
"Don't worry, I've scouted it. No chakra reactions inside," Mei said coldly. She pointed to a circular mat in the center of the grand hall. "If we melt a hole there with Lava Style, the cavern is directly below. Hidan is there."
Ren followed Mei into the hall. It was a magnificent space supported by eight stone pillars with a vaulted ceiling and stained glass. Stone carvings, red carpets, and murals made it look opulent—a stark contrast to the refugee shacks outside.
But as soon as they stepped onto the carpet... Creeeeeak—Bang!
The doors slammed shut. Six figures dropped from the ceiling. All wore the Mist Anbu (Hunter-nin) uniforms with four-water-ripple masks. Five of them wove signs, and a thick, dark rain cloud formed under the dome. A fine drizzle began to fall.
The leader, a man with white hair and purple eyes visible through his mask, drew a long blade. "Mei Terumī, you aren't one of Yagura's people. There's no need to die for this. Tell me... where is Yagura Karatachi?"
Mei's pupils shrunk. She looked pale and tense. "This is bad... why is he here?" She whispered to Ren, "Run. You're no match for this man."
Ren stared at the six enemies, his eyes narrowing on the leader. White hair, purple eyes. The resemblance to a future member of Team Hebi was unmistakable.
This was the genius known as the "Second Coming of the Demon," the man who could master all seven ninja swords: Hōzuki Mangetsu!