The moonlight bathed Konoha in a silvery glow, casting long shadows and giving the village an ethereal, peaceful ambiance. However, within the walls of the Hokage Office, the atmosphere was anything but serene.
Minato Namikaze sat at his desk, his expression serious and contemplative. His blue eyes were sharp with focus as he looked over the group assembled before him. The room was filled with the low murmur of concern and the quiet shuffling of feet, the tension palpable among the gathered shinobi.
Kushina stood to his left, her fiery presence adding a sense of urgency to the room. Menma, their son, stood beside her, his posture attentive and ready. Sakura and Kakashi were next, both with expressions of determination and readiness. Sasuke stood with Naori, their usual calm demeanors now tinged with a hint of curiosity.
Kurenai stood with her team, Kiba, Hinata, and Shino, each of them poised and ready for whatever information might come. Asuma and his team—Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji—stood nearby, their faces reflecting a mix of seriousness and readiness. Gai and his team—Neji, Lee, and Tenten—were present as well, their usual spirited energy subdued but still evident in their stances.
Minato's gaze swept across the room, taking in the sight of his trusted shinobi. Candles flickered on his desk, casting a warm glow that contrasted with the cold moonlight outside. The silence in the room grew heavier as everyone waited for him to speak.
Finally, Minato broke the silence. "I apologize for calling you at this hour," he began, his voice steady but carrying the weight of the urgency. "But we have received new information pertaining to Madara, from Kumogakure."
The shinobi in the room straightened, their focus intensifying. Minato continued, "The date wasn't disclosed, but some time recently, Madara attacked Nii Yugito of Kumogakure, also known as the jinchūriki of the Nibi."
The room remained silent for a moment longer, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Then, Kushina stepped forward, her expression a mix of unease and determination. "What happened?"
"Nii Yugito, utilizing the power of the Nibi... killed Madara," Minato announced. Gasps filled the room, followed by a flurry of indistinct chatter among the shinobi.
"What?!" Naori's voice cut through the noise. "There's no way Madara would die like that!" she shouted, her face contorted with disbelief.
Sakura crossed her arms and smirked. "Guess you didn't know him as well as you thought you did, huh?"
Ignoring their banter, Kakashi stepped forward, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "Didn't Madara mention he can revive himself?" he asked.
Minato gave a solemn nod. "Kumogakure also refused to provide a body or any evidence besides Madara's blood. It's entirely possible that Madara is training somewhere, steadily gaining strength. So the Madara Capture Squad will need to gain strength as well."
Kushina tilted her head slightly. "Minato! We've all dedicated all of our time to training! At some point, we need to rest."
Minato nodded. "I know, I'm not telling you to train," he replied.
"What are you suggesting?" Menma asked.
Minato's gaze shifted to Kiba. "Inuzuka Kiba, due to your actions during the very first encounter with Madara, you are officially excluded from the Madara Capture Squad."
"WHAAAT?!" Kiba roared. "YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS!"
Minato's gaze hardened. "Whether you like it or not, Madara is a threat. Judging from the reports I received from your comrades, your actions could've resulted in the deaths of four people, including yourself. That is unacceptable."
YOU ARE READING
Uchiha Naruto: The Strongest
ActionUchiha Madara had one goal in his life: peace. He was unfortunately unable to accomplish his goal, due to the struggles of his best friend, the death of his younger brother, and his own humanity. But Madara didn't give up hope. He had a child, and h...
