Dangerous Bond: Clan of Peace

Part 53

Naruto, Kakashi, and Gai stood frozen in shock at the sight of Madara Uchiha before them. Despite Kakashi's hopes that the current Hokage could stop him, it was now evident that Madara possessed the overwhelming strength that the legends had spoken of.

Obito, his tone devoid of kindness, remarked on Madara's defiance of the Reanimation Jutsu, suggesting a prior acquaintance between the two. However, the trio remained unaware of the true extent of their connection.

Amidst their conversation, Naruto's anger began to simmer, watching the two adversaries conversing as if they were not on a battlefield. He couldn't help but wonder about the fate of the Hokage, including Lady Tsunade, who had confronted Madara. If he was now standing before them, it could only mean one thing - the Hokage had fallen.

"Why is Madara here?" Naruto growled, his pupils dilating as they merged with Kurama's chakra.

As Madara and Obito continued their hushed conversation, Naruto's growing fury drowned out their words. Gyuki's realization that Madara's presence signified the Hokage's defeat only served to stoke his rage.

Naruto's nostrils flared with unrestrained anger. "What happened to everyone over there?" he snarled, receiving no response.

A moment of tense silence hung in the air before Naruto's pent-up rage consumed him. "I asked you, what happened?!" he bellowed, his fury mirroring the intensity that Kakashi had displayed earlier. His chakra spiraled wildly as his muscles strained under the unbearable tension.

Madara, seemingly bored, averted his gaze "I'm not sure but I suspect...that none of them are doing well." He concluded.

Naruto, through his anger, realized this battle would be the greatest he'd ever faced. In Uzumaki fashion, the blonde created a Kage Shadow clone and hid away as he tried to gather his chakra while his clone felt his raw emotions and acted on his behalf.

With an explosion of fury, Naruto's chakra manifested into tails, unearthing Obito's rods from Gyuki's body and hurling them at their enemies. Obito observed the spectacle momentarily before unclipping his Gunbai and tossing it back to Madara. "I'll return that to you. It's yours to begin with" he declared.

Madara effortlessly caught it, swiftly forming an azure-colored chakra wall that smoothly halted the oversized rods.

Naruto waited for a counter-attack but instead received one from his sensei who had jumped over and slapped him over the head hard enough to turn the blonde upside down with a large impact crater surrounding him.

"Control yourself," Kakashi muttered, keeping a watchful eye on the duo before them.

Despite the pain, Naruto grumbled as he got up, his anger momentarily subsiding, and glared at his sensei. "You're one to talk," he muttered under his breath, only to be ignored by Kakashi. 

Relieved, Gyuki sighed, exclaiming, "Finally, I'm free. Now, it's my turn!" Yet, Kakashi swiftly raised his hand in a halting gesture, stopping Gyuki in his tracks.

The trio listened intently to the conversation unfolding in front of them, realizing that Madara was already aware of Obito's plan even before their encounter on the battlefield.

"You were too hasty, Obito... Is that why I was resurrected in this state?" Madara inquired, turning his attention to the short-haired Uchiha. "Well, knowing you, I'm sure you have something in mind," he concluded. "What have you been doing all this time? Where's Nagato? You were supposed to determine the appropriate moment and revive me with Rinne Rebirth. That was our agreement."

Naruto grunted, realizing that they had used Nagato and had intended to do so until his demise. 

"He betrayed us" Obito clarified.