Chapter 52: Madara-sama! Your Good Friend Has Revived!
Chapter 52: Madara-sama! Your Good Friend Has Revived!
Ōnoki's question couldn't be answered immediately.
Back to the Five Kage Summit.
Such a significant meeting can't be convened with just a word. Each great ninja village has its own important matters and demands. Unless they are forced into a corner—like the Akatsuki collecting tailed beasts everywhere or leveling Konoha—or unless Hagoromo Gengetsu does something that deeply hurts the Five Great Nations, it is hard to reach a consensus in a short time.
Compared to the large-scale Five Great Nations, other factions are much more straightforward. The black market quickly posted Hagoromo Gengetsu's portrait, offering an astronomical bounty of 800 million Ryo.
This time, however, the bounty was not for a corpse but for the living person himself or, to be precise, the mystery of Hagoromo Gengetsu's revival.
For those powerful figures who are not ninjas, hearing the news of Hagoromo Gengetsu's revival, they were not concerned with changes in the ninja world's structure but immediately focused on the concept of resurrection. Who wouldn't want to live a second life? Especially for those who lack nothing in material wealth but are short on time and fear death the most.
So, one billion, two billion, three billion... Keep adding the bounty! As long as they can obtain the secret of resurrection, money is never an issue.
It must be said that throwing out such a large sum, combined with the secret of resurrection, indeed attracted a large group of eager bounty hunters. They may have heard of Hagoromo Gengetsu's strength, but so what? As long as it's a human, it can be killed. Maybe if they get lucky, this immense fortune will be theirs.
At this moment, inside a bounty station that looks like a public restroom, a group of fierce-looking bounty hunters was excitedly pointing at the top of the bounty list, featuring Hagoromo Gengetsu's portrait.
Suddenly, a crisp ringing sound came from behind them. The faces of these people immediately changed, and they became silent with fear.
Ding ding~~~
Kakuzu, wearing a hat and a black robe with red clouds, carrying a box full of money just exchanged for a corpse, habitually walked towards the bounty list to find a new target. Seeing this, the bounty hunters quickly made way for this legendary figure among them.
No one knows how many years Kakuzu has been a bounty hunter. Even the most senior hunters vaguely remember that when they entered the business, Kakuzu was already there.
Some had tried to cause trouble for him, thinking he must have amassed a fortune over the years. However, the result was always the same; they ended up as corpses, adding to Kakuzu's wealth.
Over time, Kakuzu became a taboo in the black market, and no one dared to offend him. However, today, the always-composed Kakuzu showed a rare moment of agitation upon seeing the 800 million Ryo bounty, but quickly calmed down after seeing the target's identity. He didn't record the target in his notebook as he usually would.
He took a deep look at the lifelike portrait of the bounty target, Hagoromo Gengetsu, and left without a word.
As one of the few individuals still alive from the Warring States period, though Hagoromo Gengetsu had never met him, Kakuzu knew of him very well. After experiencing a harrowing encounter with Hashirama Senju, he decided to become a bounty hunter, living solely for money rather than following orders.
Earning a quick fortune or steady money for a lifetime—Kakuzu understood this clearly. It was best not to take this hot potato.
As for the secret of resurrection, having mastered the secret technique *Earth Grudge Fear*, which made him not entirely human, he wasn't concerned with the concept of resurrection.
Ding ding~~
Just as Kakuzu stepped out of the stinking public restroom, his impatient companion Hidan, pinching his nose, complained, "Finally out! Seriously, Kakuzu, can't you find a better place to get the money?"
"No," Kakuzu replied calmly.
"You're such an evil atheist!" Hidan could only curse.
Kakuzu glanced at him. Just as Hidan couldn't do anything to him, he couldn't kill Hidan. Otherwise, he would've already killed him for money like his previous partners.
Unaware that the bounty he coveted was right beside him, Hidan said, "The boss sent a message; we need to find a place to meet."
"What's the matter?" Kakuzu asked.
Hidan shrugged, "Seems like something big happened recently. Who knows."
Kakuzu thought of Hagoromo Gengetsu. The so-called big event might refer to him.
"Madara-sama! Madara-sama! Have you heard? Your good friend has revived!"
In the cold tower, Tobi, also known as Uchiha Madara, was quietly watching the continuous rain outside when he heard White Zetsu's voice behind him. Turning around in confusion, he asked, "A good friend revived? What do you mean?"
Currently, he didn't have any good friends. If he did, it would only be those from his time as Uchiha Obito, like Kakashi. But those people weren't dead.
"Hagoromo Gengetsu! Someone from your era has revived!" White Zetsu replied with a smile, while Black Zetsu frowned.
"Hagoromo... Gengetsu?" Tobi thought to himself, "Who is that?"
As a poor student, Obito never cared about ninja history. As for the time spent with Uchiha Madara, Madara had no interest in mentioning a man who was already dead and would not have any further involvement with the living world.
Thus, Tobi, posing as Madara, didn't know who Hagoromo Gengetsu was.
Understanding the true nature of Obito, Black Zetsu briefly explained, "He was a contemporary of Uchiha Madara and highly regarded by him."
Tobi instantly understood. Soon, his visible eye narrowed slightly, focusing on the main point, "Without the Rinne Rebirth Jutsu, how did this man come back to life?"
Black Zetsu's voice deepened, "I don't know."
This was precisely what worried him. The plan to save his mother was proceeding smoothly. During this time, the last thing he wanted was an unforeseen event. Yet, the revival of Hagoromo Gengetsu occurred at this critical moment.
Not only were the Five Great Nations very concerned, but even he was worried about the potential impact Hagoromo Gengetsu's appearance could have on their plan.
Tobi thought of this too and was about to speak when a holographic figure appeared before him.
The visitor spoke:
"Madara-sama."