"Wait a minute, if that really is Madara Uchiha, just how old would he be?!"
"No way, no way, Kazuyama, don't scare me like that."
Chōmei shook his head like a rattle drum.
But Kazuyama Gekkō quickly gave an explanation.
"Chōmei, are you seriously that naive? Do you think long-lived beings are rare in this world?"
"Take the Sage of Six Paths, for example—do you really believe someone who mastered the Six Paths power would just die and disappear?"
"Is it impossible that he still exists in some chakra form?"
"And even if we don't talk about the Sage, what about Ryūchi Cave or Mount Myōboku? The White Snake Sage and the Toad Sage have both been alive for who knows how long."
"You need to expand your perspective. Honestly, I think I could live to be 120."
Kazuyama boasted without a hint of shame, as if he truly believed he was immortal.
And clearly, Chōmei bought it. After thinking it over, he realized Kazuyama's words actually made sense.
I mean, how long had he himself been around?
And those giant snakes they'd encountered—they'd lived a long time too, right?
So maybe Madara Uchiha really was still alive.
[Ding! Host has successfully PUA'd Chōmei again, but the system can no longer stand it! Don't even think about exploiting Chōmei as a bug! This behavior is not allowed! No rewards this time!]
Game over. Kazuyama heard the system's irritated voice in his mind and knew his little scheme had been exposed.
"Then if he's still alive, why doesn't he act himself?"
"Why use the Third Mizukage as a puppet instead?"
Faced with Chōmei's question, Kazuyama couldn't help but let loose.
"Chōmei, where's your brain? Even if he's alive, he's an old man now. Just moving is already a huge effort for him, and you think he'd show up to fight in person? He's not afraid of his brittle bones snapping?"
"Most likely, he used Dōjutsu to control the Third Mizukage and had him do the dirty work."
"He just didn't expect us to take the Mizukage out. With no choice, he had to activate his backup plan."
"He probably thinks the two of us are interfering with his plans, so now he wants to eliminate me and force you back into freedom. That way, he can collect all the Tailed Beasts without resistance."
Chōmei nodded at that. After all, he understood Kazuyama's strength better than anyone. The guy wasn't just packing two types of Kekkei Genkai—his base power had skyrocketed to the point that even Chōmei was impressed.
When they first met, Kazuyama had just been an average ninja. But now, his strength had already surpassed a typical Jōnin.
That kind of growth was honestly terrifying.
"Kazuyama, if that's how it is, should we strike first?"
"Let's just kill him. Like you said, even if he's alive, he's just a feeble old man. The two of us could take him out easily, right?"
Kazuyama sighed.
"Chōmei, we could take him down, sure—but the problem is, we don't know where he is..."
"It's not like we can just go fishing with a net and hope we get lucky."
Chōmei immediately went quiet, realizing his brain wasn't quite firing on all cylinders today.
The two kept talking...
Meanwhile, on Madara Uchiha's side, the curse's power had left him feeling more irritated than ever.
"Zetsu, keep a close eye on those two. If it comes to it, we'll move the plan ahead."
"And from now on, track Kazuyama Gekkō's movements constantly. Even if I can't kill him myself, I trust the person I chose will be able to."
At the mention of this person, a glint flashed through Madara's eyes—clearly, he had full confidence in his chosen one.
"I understand. But right now, there's not much movement on the battlefield in the Land of Grass. Opportunities are slim."
"Your plan was to have one of them die, then bring the other here—but there's just no opening for that."
White Zetsu laid out the situation, and Madara's expression darkened.
If the Third Mizukage hadn't been killed, he could've reused that pawn.
All that effort—wasted. And taken down by a brat. Hmph, the so-called Five Kage—what a joke!
Looks like he'd have to switch strategies.
"Zetsu, go find Three-Tails' location and report back to me."
"Given the current situation, we need a new approach."
A cold glint flashed in Madara's eyes. For the sake of his plan, he was willing to push even this decaying body to its limits again.
"Got it. I'll head out right away. Anything else?"
White Zetsu didn't leave just yet, asking again:
"Hmm... If possible, have those two clash with Kirigakure. That'll give me an easier opening."
"As long as the plan succeeds, once my successor steps onto the battlefield, everything will fall into place."
Madara ended with a twisted smile. It was cold and sinister.
White Zetsu nodded, then turned and sprinted out.
...
Land of Rivers. Battlefield between Sunagakure and Konohagakure.
"Lord Orochimaru! Sunagakure has retreated!"
The news spread quickly.
Yes—Sunagakure had pulled back.
Without the power of One-Tail Shukaku on the front line, Rasa and Chiyo alone couldn't break through Konoha's defense.
And Orochimaru's strength wasn't just talk—it was proven in real battle.
Not to mention, there were still many Uchiha fighting here, and those Sharingan alone had inflicted devastating losses on the enemy.
"Good. Very good. With this retreat, Sunagakure won't be attacking again anytime soon."
Orochimaru exhaled in relief. Even though the threat of One-Tail was gone, Konoha's situation was still far from good.
They'd repelled Sunagakure multiple times—but the cost was heavy.
And then... there was his student.
"Kazuyama... Still no word from him?"
As soon as Orochimaru asked, the messenger ninja dropped his head in silence.
Seeing this, Orochimaru let out a soft sigh.
"...Alright, I understand."
His voice was low and heavy.
It had been who knows how many days since Kazuyama Gekkō had used Flying Thunder God to teleport the One-Tail away.
Since then, not a single word.
His three students were all deeply worried. And so was he, their teacher.
"Kazuyama... please come back alive..."
Little did he know, the student he was so worried about was currently having the time of his life in the Land of Frost.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
p@treon com / PinkSnake