"You know who I am, yet you still dare speak to me like that. Impressive courage. I just hope you won't disappoint me in the battle ahead."
Uchiha Madara reached up and tore off his black cloak, his battle spirit surging.
Ever since his fight against Senju Hashirama at the Valley of the End, he hadn't engaged in combat. Madara was a born warrior, and after such a long period of inactivity, he craved an exhilarating fight.
Jiraiya's strength was formidable—enough to make his blood boil with excitement. He eagerly anticipated the battle to come.
"You and Senju Hashirama are both regarded as legendary shinobi. I hope your strength lives up to that name. Otherwise, I'll be the one disappointed."
Jiraiya laughed heartily.
"Now then, prepare to dance."
Madara grinned before inhaling deeply.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
A massive wave of flames erupted from Madara's mouth, surging forward like an inferno. The scorching heat roared toward Jiraiya with immense force.
Though Great Fire Annihilation was classified as a B-rank jutsu, in Madara's hands, it possessed terrifying power.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
Jiraiya spewed a torrent of water, forming a sturdy barrier that effortlessly neutralized the approaching flames. A thick mist rose and spread in all directions.
"It's really him... Madara... but he was supposed to be dead! How is this possible?!"
Watching the battle unfold, Sarutobi Hiruzen's face paled, his eyes filled with dread.
Madara's very name carried a suffocating sense of oppression. During the era when he and Hashirama roamed the battlefield, the two of them alone stood as an overwhelming force, suppressing an entire generation of shinobi. They were existences far beyond the Kage level.
Only Hashirama had ever managed to defeat Madara.
Hiruzen's fear stemmed from two things—first, the sheer terror of Madara's power, and second, the fact that Hashirama himself had declared Madara dead. Yet here he was, alive and well, and attacking Jiraiya.
The battle at the Valley of the End had been waged because Madara sought to destroy Konohagakure, forcing Hashirama to slay his closest friend.
But now, with Hashirama gone...
If Madara still intended to obliterate the village, how could they possibly stop him?
Though Jiraiya was undoubtedly strong, Hiruzen did not believe he could stand against Madara. The difference in their power was simply too vast.
Even among the Kage, few could stand in Madara's presence. A mere glance from him had been enough to control the mighty Nine-Tails.
Jiraiya, despite being able to defeat most Kage-level opponents with ease, had risen to prominence far too recently.
"How... How can this be? That man should be dead! Lord Hokage, what's going on?!"
Several shinobi of the Fire Nation also caught sight of Madara, their eyes widening in disbelief.
Though he had betrayed the village and sought to destroy it, his image still remained among Konoha's historical figures.
"He was supposed to have perished at the hands of the First Hokage... So why is he here, alive?!"
The shinobi fell into stunned silence, their expressions shifting between shock and fear.
...
"Madara... is alive?! Clan Head, this is our chance! The Uchiha Clan's opportunity has come!"
Among those most shaken was the Uchiha Clan.
The radical faction within the clan, far from being afraid, was visibly thrilled.
For years, the Uchiha had been divided into two groups: the radicals, who sought to seize control of the village and gain absolute power, and the moderates, who wished to integrate peacefully into Konoha.
It was because of this divide that the Second Hokage, and later Hiruzen and Danzo, had deliberately suppressed the Uchiha.
Though the moderates remained the majority, the radicals had never truly disappeared.
Jiraiya's strength had long deterred them from making any moves, but now that Madara had appeared, their hope was reignited.
"Silence! Madara has nothing to do with the Uchiha Clan anymore."
Uchiha Fugaku's voice was firm.
As a staunch moderate, Fugaku had no desire for rebellion or power struggles.
In the original timeline, despite possessing the Mangekyō Sharingan and enough power to kill Uchiha Itachi, he had chosen to prioritize the village over the clan's ambitions.
Strictly speaking, Madara had already severed ties with the Uchiha Clan when he turned against Konoha.
After the village was established, most Uchiha had grown weary of war and couldn't understand Madara's obsession with power. To him, he had always been protecting the clan. But to them, his actions had only led to further division and suffering.
Misunderstood by both his own people and the village, Madara had abandoned Konoha—only to return later, bringing the Nine-Tails to destroy it.
He had never intended to spare the Uchiha, either.
"Keep your mouths shut, or I will personally deal with you," Fugaku warned.
His gaze was sharp as he addressed the radicals.
"Madara was declared dead at the Valley of the End. We don't even know if this person is truly him. If Jiraiya were to hear your reckless words, do you have any idea what disaster you'd bring upon our clan?"
Fugaku's voice was filled with barely restrained fury.
He had already made up his mind—once this ordeal was over, he would take measures to eliminate the radicals before they could bring ruin upon the Uchiha.
...
"Sage Mode!"
After a brief exchange, Jiraiya clapped his hands together and activated Sage Mode in an instant.
Madara's eyes gleamed with interest.
"You've got my blood boiling now. Instantly entering Sage Mode... Aside from Hashirama, you're the only one I've seen do it. You're worthy of my full strength."
With a leap, Madara swung his scythe at Jiraiya.
Clang! Clang!
A flurry of metallic clashes rang out as Jiraiya met Madara's attacks head-on, wielding the Lightning Flame Blade. The two clashed dozens of times in mere moments, neither gaining the upper hand.
Madara suddenly withdrew, flexing his fingers.
"Impressive... Your raw strength is remarkable."
His hand, still gripping his scythe, tingled with numbness.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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