Pain is dead?
As Madara's words fell, everyone's expressions froze.
"Those eyes!" Deidara suddenly cried out.
Only then did the others notice—Madara's eyes were Nagato's Rinnegan.
"I don't care if you're Madara or not! If you want to be our leader, beat me first!" Hidan said, slinging his scythe over his shoulder with an annoyed look.
Hearing that, the corner of Madara's mouth curled up. A faint smile appeared on his previously indifferent face.
"Come at me together."
Madara's contemptuous voice reached everyone's ears.
For a moment, the air itself went silent.
"Then I want to see the strength of the legendary Uchiha Madara too!" Kakuzu suddenly laughed, his face no longer stiff.
The next instant, everyone turned into blurs and charged straight at Madara.
Zetsu and Obito, standing not far from Madara, watched calmly. Obito even showed a hint of pity.
BOOM!
A massive explosion echoed through the entire Akatsuki base.
Right after that, a completely one-sided scene unfolded before everyone's eyes.
Hidan's screams rang out again and again overhead.
A moment later, Madara rolled his neck and looked down at the Akatsuki members sprawled at his feet, speaking flatly.
"From today on, I am Akatsuki's leader."
With that, Madara lightly tapped the ground and vanished—reappearing atop the head of the Gedō Mazō.
"Report to me everything major that's happened in the shinobi world during this period," Madara said calmly, his voice carrying to Zetsu.
Land of Fire—Konoha.
Konoha, having just endured war, was now utterly ruined.
Half the village had been destroyed. Countless civilians didn't even have a place to live.
Fortunately, a large number of Konoha shinobi were stationed around the area—otherwise, in their current state, Konoha would've fallen into chaos already.
Right now, Konoha was at its weakest point since the day it was founded.
Normally, when any village became this weak, it would have to spend enormous effort guarding against prying eyes—against opportunistic attacks from every major and minor village.
But Konoha was different.
Perhaps because of the jutsu Hashirama had left behind—because Konoha had once repelled four great villages with the power of a single village.
That kind of record was enough to make anyone think twice before making a move.
Even though probing from nearby villages still happened nonstop, not a single one dared to truly act.
That outcome actually surprised Konoha's people as well.
But with the other villages wary, every shinobi in Konoha—甚至 even students who hadn't yet graduated from the Academy—joined the rebuilding effort.
Because that fear wouldn't last forever.
Before the other villages couldn't resist attacking, Konoha had to rebuild its barriers and defenses.
Otherwise, if anything went wrong, Konoha would truly be in danger.
In a forest within Konoha—
Team Guy was currently assigned to cut down trees for reconstruction.
After Might Guy kicked a massive tree in half, he wiped the sweat from his brow and looked over at Rock Lee, Neji, and Tenten as they chopped down other trees.
His gaze landed on Neji—who was swinging his axe, but clearly distracted.
"Neji, cutting trees is excellent training too. You can't slack off—right, Lee?" Might Guy said, flashing a wide grin and raising a thumbs-up at Neji.
"Yes! Guy-sensei!" Lee shouted back, then swung his axe even faster.
Hearing Guy's words, Neji snapped back to himself, apology on his face.
Nearby, Tenten's eyes flickered with worry as she glanced at Neji.
Guy nodded, as if remembering something, and looked at Neji.
"By the way… how is Clan Head Hyūga Hiashi recovering?"
"Thank you for your concern, Guy-sensei," Neji said after a brief pause, lowering his head slightly. "The clan head was attacked and suffered severe injuries. He still hasn't woken up."
No one noticed that as Neji lowered his head, a flicker of tension crossed his eyes.
"If you need anything, just tell your teacher," Guy said with a smile, nodding.
Then he turned, about to strike another tree behind him—
when Neji's voice suddenly rang out.
"Sensei… do you believe in fate?"
Conflict flashed across Neji's face. His eyes, filled with confusion, looked up at Guy.
Hearing him, Guy turned back. When he saw the lost look in Neji's eyes, he clearly froze.
The old Neji… wouldn't have shown confusion like that.
Maybe this sudden war had left everyone feeling lost, in one way or another.
With that thought, Guy patted Neji on the shoulder, his smile bright and confident.
"That question… Lee might be able to give you an answer."
"You just need to believe in the path you've chosen, and stride forward."
"And then—become someone others can watch over with a smile."
Guy's words struck Neji like a jolt.
Still carrying a faint trace of uncertainty, Neji turned toward Lee.
As if he'd sensed Neji's gaze, Lee stopped, grinned widely, and spoke with firm conviction.
"I've never believed in fate, Neji! You're my goal—one day I'll surpass you!"
"I'll prove to everyone that effort can defeat genius!"
As Lee finished speaking, the tree he'd been chopping suddenly snapped and crashed to the ground with a heavy thud.
"I won't give you that chance!" Neji said.
The confusion in his eyes was gone now, as if he'd made a decision. A long-lost smile returned to his face as he looked at the sweat-soaked Lee.
Seeing Neji smile, Guy's grin became just as radiant. He raised his thumb again toward the three of them.
"That's youth!"
In the next moment, heavy thuds and rapid chopping sounds echoed through the forest again.
Elsewhere—near the destroyed part of Konoha—
Team 7 was clearing rubble.
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