Madara was completely unaware of this.
The information obtained from Konoha was probably intentionally left as a trap to lure people into it.
Knowing about the existence of the Rinnegan, yet showing a completely unaware state, concealed until the time of his action, then unfolded accordingly.
Moreover, how Hakushi noticed Nagato and was able to conduct real-time surveillance, finding his way here through Nagato in a short time, Madara was equally unclear.
The information network deployed throughout the Ninja Realm might not be inferior to White Zetsu's, and in some aspects, might even surpass it.
Tricky.
Incomparably tricky.
Originally, he planned to use the Yasaka Magatama to see if he could force out Hakushi's techniques, but unexpectedly, it was directly blocked by Ayane, leaving him unable to learn Hakushi's other abilities.
This figure hidden behind the scenes must have more unknown methods beyond what is shown on the surface.
In any case, it's better to be cautious.
After all, the power he has now is not what it used to be.
Compared to his peak state, this is already considered extremely weak.
Understanding this, Madara parted his cracked, dry lips and spoke with minimal movement, but his voice clearly reached the ears of Hakushi's trio.
"Before the battle, I'd like to ask a question. Your teacher, the Konoha White Fang, was driven to suicide by Konoha's higher-ups, and you yourselves have suffered unfair treatment from them. Even now, as renegade ninjas living like rats, enduring this despairing world, do you really still have hope in such a tedious world...?"
A magnificent torrent of chakra erupted from Ruri, instantly forming a red chakra giant.
Using the formidable donjutsu of the Sharingan and Sage Art Chakra as a foundation, the Susanoo Jutsu was forged.
The overwhelming oppressive force surged from the red chakra giant. Even though he had seen it before, Madara was still left in awe.
Being able to achieve this level with the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, the application of the Sharingan could be said to have reached the pinnacle.
It even surpassed his own Three-Tomoe Sharingan state from back then.
"I don't have time to listen to an old man ramble. If you are a ninja of the Uchiha clan, then speak with the blade in your hand!"
Ruri stood atop the red chakra giant, with Ayane and Hakushi standing alongside her, the three of them gazing down at Madara from above.
Madara laughed softly.
"A different path from the same clan huh... What an impatient young girl. Alright then, as ninjas of the Uchiha, we should indeed converse with our power!"
Madara wanted to laugh heartily; though it was difficult, the thrill was undeniable.
His body surged with chakra far exceeding Ruri's, and in an instant, the external blue skeleton giant grew taller, fully materializing its lower half with chakra.
The blue chakra giant presented was taller than Ruri's red one.
Madara stood on top of the blue chakra giant, releasing a terrifying pressure from his Three-Tomoe Sharingan, pressing against Hakushi's trio through the air.
"To be able to manifest the Fourth Stage of Susanoo with merely a Three-Tomoe Sharingan, even a regular Mangekyo Sharingan cannot achieve that. You've earned my recognition!"
The blue chakra giant, under Madara's control, extended its arms to the sides; two large, twisted, blue chakra swords were firmly grasped, and with a cold gaze, Madara directed the twin swords to mercilessly slash forward.
Boom!
The sweeping winds and dust immediately blew away everything around.
"Lord Madara!"
The masses of White Zetsu that had not yet retreated were also swept away in the storm caused by the massive sword of light, fiercely devastated by the raging storm, as they loyally shouted Madara's name while being blown away.
Their cries were abruptly silenced, drowned by the sound of the explosion from the attack.
A red chakra giant sword took form amidst the air's distortion, blocking Madara's blue chakra swords.
Yet due to the immense force of the twin blue chakra giant swords, the red chakra giant began to retreat, forming slight cracks on its body, but quickly repairing under the influence of chakra.
Though the repair time for the red chakra giant was brief, it did not escape Madara's notice.
Despite being the Fourth Stage of Susanoo, the power seemed ordinary. It was, after all, not a true Mangekyo Sharingan, only slightly stronger than a Third Stage Susanoo, far from the true Fourth Stage Susanoo.
Madara felt that using the true Fourth Stage Susanoo against these young Uchiha might seem somewhat overbearing.
Nonetheless, since there were three opponents, a bit more force should not be an issue.
In any case, this state was already the limit he could handle now.
Any further growth could lead to the body being unable to withstand, collapsing in advance.
Yet, even with that, if this aged body were to suddenly collapse, Madara wouldn't find it strange.
With Ayane gone, only Hakushi and Ruri remained on the red chakra giant's head.
When Madara sought out Ayane's figure, the blue chakra giant suddenly slid at its foot, collapsing backward.
Just numerous blue chakra shards scattered into the dark night sky, bringing beautiful, mysterious blue arcs of light, only to swiftly vaporize after losing the caster's control, turning into blue chakra flames and completely disappearing.
The blue chakra giant's one leg was shattered.
"There?"
Through this action, Madara noticed Ayane's movement.
As it collapsed, he raised an arm and slashed down with its blue chakra giant sword.
Boom!
Ayane, with her fair hand, directly collided with the blue chakra giant sword, causing it to shatter, fragments dancing into the night sky, gradually fading away.
Blood streamed from Ayane's arm, rendering one of her hands useless.
The chakra within her body was halved.
Madara perceived all this, showing an intrigued smile on his face.
The power of a move like 'Divine Sky Strike' could be directly influenced by the amount of chakra infused into it.
However, the stronger the power, the greater the immense risk the caster must bear.
To elevate the force to shatter the Fourth Stage Susanoo, the casting hand would have to face complete devastation as its price.
Surely the entire arm's bones were shattered?
A truly reckless young brat.
With that hand crippled, it equated to losing half her power, leaving the other two opponents to deal with.
Ayane's expression was indifferent, showing no concern on her face as she swiftly moved, leaping in a few moves to stand atop the red chakra giant.
Hakushi touched Ayane's shoulder, and he enveloped her body in a vibrant green glow full of life force.
The chakra within Ayane filled, her crippled hand instantly restored, functioning nimbly and unimpeded, with the blood traces vaporizing in the air.
Madara, witnessing this scene, suddenly narrowed his eyes.
Ruri manipulated the red chakra giant, swinging down the red giant chakra sword in its right hand.
The fierce impact left Madara's blue chakra giant struggling, causing blood to seep from the corner of Madara's mouth.
This spells trouble!
The potency of such powerful medical ninjutsu was on par with that of his dear friend, Senju Hashirama.
Also performed without seals, it instantly healed a shattered arm.
Unless Hakushi, with such formidable medical ninjutsu as its core, was eliminated, victory seemed unattainable.
While Madara considered this, the air became imbued with a humid sensation.
"Is this... water?"
A surge of water, originating who knows where, cascaded forth, with a massive vertical crimson pupil glowing within it.
A colossal snake, formed from the gathering water, entangled the blue chakra giant controlled by Madara, tearing it open with its jaws, and absorbing the solidified chakra of the Susanoo.