"Tsk, tsk, tsk!"
Funan, hiding off to the side, watched with gleeful interest and murmured, "Now this is one intense fight."
Senju Hashirama shot him a dark look.
"You're just gonna stand there and watch?"
"You're right!"
After a moment's thought, Funan plopped down on the ground, pulled out a scroll, and unfurled it.
With a puff of smoke, out popped a full setup—table, several chairs, snacks, and a pot of hot tea.
Senju Tobirama: "…"
"Come on, sit!"
Funan waved to those nearby.
"What are you all standing around for? After fighting for so long, aren't you tired? Take a seat, have some tea, nibble on some snacks—relax a bit."
"…You're unbelievable," Tobirama said, and he meant it.
Everyone around them solemnly nodded.
Uchiha Funan… truly one of a kind.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield—
The clash between Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara had only grown fiercer.
"We can't let this fight go on any longer," Tobirama said, now visibly uneasy. He fixed his gaze on Funan.
"If they keep going, this whole area will be reduced to rubble."
In Tobirama's mind, the shinobi world would eventually be under Konoha's control.
Especially with this area so close to the village—Konoha's influence would naturally reach it in no time.
He had every confidence in that.
This battle, however, was like preemptively destroying Konoha's future backyard.
And more importantly—
If they couldn't defeat Uchiha Madara, everything would be for nothing. Which meant Funan had to step in.
"No rush," Funan said with a cheerful smile. "Look—hasn't the First Hokage's backup already jumped in?"
Tobirama turned his head.
Sure enough, Naruto and Sasuke had charged into battle.
The tailed-beast cloak and Susanoo were visibly larger than before.
Damn, they'd already been smashed once and now came back stronger?
What were they, Saiyans?
Tobirama's face darkened. He gritted his teeth.
"Those two?!"
Just a couple of brats?!
"Now, now, what kind of comment is that, Second-sama?" Funan said with a hint of surprise. "Personally, I think they're stronger than you. Am I wrong? Fugaku-sama, what do you think? How's your son doing?"
Fugaku's mouth twitched. He sighed helplessly.
"Hokage-sama, please don't speak to me so respectfully… It gives me the creeps."
That tone—like he was about to send him off to die.
However...
Fugaku's expression turned serious as he asked solemnly, "Hokage-sama, what exactly is going on with Sasuke and Naruto? One suddenly gained control over the Nine-Tails' chakra, and the other suddenly awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan. And it's not just any Mangekyō—since the battle started, their power has already increased multiple times."
This was getting ridiculous!
Fugaku looked at Sasuke, feeling like he was about to crack.
Sure, he was his own son—but wasn't this way too much of a cheat?
Just look at the others—every single one of them awakened the Mangekyō through agonizing pain and hatred, practically tortured half to death.
Even Uchiha Funan had to be betrayed and sink into utter despair with Konoha before finally awakening his Mangekyō.
That's what he said, anyway. Whether it's true or not—who cares?
But this kid? He just takes a nap and boom, Mangekyō!
That's not just unfair—it's unsettling.
Funan casually took a sip of tea and said, "Don't overthink it. He's the son of a big shot. Of course he gets special treatment."
"Big shot?" Fugaku was stunned. "You mean… me?"
Am I still considered a big shot these days?
Does the Hokage really value me that much?
He didn't notice the strange looks from the others around him.
Somehow, Funan's words carried a deeper meaning—one that made the others glance at Fugaku with newfound curiosity.
"No more nonsense!" Tobirama was about to blow a gasket. These people were actually having a casual chat right now?
Did they not see where they were?
Was this really the time or place for this kind of conversation?
"Fifth Hokage! What on earth are you thinking?! Why have you let things escalate this far?" Tobirama was clearly baffled.
You're already here—why aren't you joining the fight? Even if those two kids are helping Hashirama, do you really expect them to defeat Uchiha Madara on their own?
Wouldn't it be better if you stepped in too?
Hashirama, plus Naruto and Sasuke, might not be enough to bring down Madara.
But if Uchiha Funan joins the battle too? Then the outcome is almost guaranteed.
"Don't rush things, Tobirama," Funan said slowly. "I understand everything. On the other hand, there are things you don't understand. And frankly, you don't need to. Just trust me."
Tobirama's brow furrowed deeply, but he said nothing more.
Funan had made his point clear—what else was there to say?
...
Meanwhile—
Senju Hashirama, along with Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha, was locked in fierce battle against Uchiha Madara.
The three working together had actually managed to suppress Madara for the moment.
Once again, Naruto and Sasuke's powers surged.
They were getting closer and closer to the level of the Six Paths.
The two had also noticed something odd—every so often, their strength would suddenly increase.
It was strange, yes—but in the middle of an intense battle, who had time to worry about the details?
If you've got power—use it!
Besides—
Both of them had something to prove.
Naruto wanted to show the entire village what he was made of.
Sasuke, on the other hand, wanted to prove himself to his brother—and to his father.
Now that they had this chance, there was no way they'd let it slip by.
...
"Uchiha Madara!"
Hidden in the shadows, Black Zetsu watched the scene unfold, momentarily stunned.
This was Uchiha Madara! The man who had awakened the Rinnegan!
And yet... he was being overwhelmed? Pushed back? Brutalized?
This shouldn't be happening!
"We need to give him some support," Black Zetsu said grimly.
"Support? From you, me, and this useless puppet? What could we possibly offer?"
White Zetsu's original body gave a sideways glance at the barely-functioning Obito, then casually installed another Sharingan into his eye socket.
Three tomoe.
As for Obito's original eye? It was nowhere to be found.
The one on Kakashi's face didn't count—it didn't belong to Obito anymore.
They didn't need to think hard to figure out who was behind it.
It had to be Uchiha Funan.
Ever since their first encounter with him, they'd had this feeling—like everything had already been set in motion by someone.
Funan definitely knew things—possibly too many things. It wouldn't be surprising if he was one of the masterminds pulling the strings.
Sometimes, even Black Zetsu couldn't wrap his head around it.
How the hell did Uchiha Funan know so much?
He shouldn't. Most of this knowledge should've been exclusive to him, to Black Zetsu.
Back then, Funan wasn't even an embryo.
His grandfather hadn't even been born yet!
And now, despite many plans being executed successfully, Black Zetsu couldn't shake the growing sense that they were just being pushed along by someone else.
"We can't do much ourselves… but he can!"
Black Zetsu turned his gaze toward the Great Buddha.
That reckless bastard was still being stalled by a woman.
Sure, Konan had her explosive tags—but seriously?
You're telling me you're being pushed back by a woman?
What are you, a pig?
Under White Zetsu's cover, Black Zetsu carefully maneuvered Obito's body toward the Buddha.
[RUMBLE!]
The moment they got close, a deafening series of explosions rang out.
Black and White Zetsu both looked fed up.
This is getting ridiculous!
The explosions just wouldn't stop!
Who the hell could withstand this?!
How many explosive tags did this woman have, anyway?!
Kamui!
Using Obito's Sharingan, Black Zetsu instantly warped behind Konan, hand reaching out to grab her.
"Hmm?"
Konan immediately sensed the threat. With a flap of her paper wings, she soared into the air.
"You…"
She eyed Obito suspiciously.
"Hehehe… You damn traitor."
"Traitor?" Konan repeated, sneering. "I'm a missing-nin. But what does that make you? You're controlling Obito's body like a puppet—how is that not betrayal?"
"I serve Uchiha Madara!"
"Oh, perfect then," she replied coldly, her face full of disdain. "I created Akatsuki. I was never anyone's subordinate. How could I betray something I never served?"
"Hmph!"
With a cold snort, Black Zetsu used Kamui again and vanished.
Konan let out a frosty smile and waved her hand.
At once, countless tiny paper cranes filled the sky, blanketing the airspace above them.
The moment Black Zetsu reappeared above her—
[BOOM!!!]
"Aaaaahhhhh!!!"
A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the air. Obito's body was smoking from head to toe, charred black.
"You worthless piece of trash! Are you still just going to stand there?! What the hell are you waiting for?! I'm telling you—Madara-sama has already been revived! If you don't want to die, get your ass moving!"
Black Zetsu's furious scream rang out.
From atop the Buddha's head, a strange White Zetsu poked his head out.
The masked man who used Wood Release.
He glanced at Black Zetsu, muttering under his breath, "Smells like crap."
But then—
He felt it.
Madara's chakra.
In that instant, his expression shifted to one of shock.
He's already been revived?!
Damn! I took this too far!
Without hesitation, the Great Buddha began to tremble—and a storm of fists came crashing down toward Konan.
"Huh?"
The sudden attack left Konan stunned.
She tried to dodge—
But how could she possibly evade an attack from the Great Buddha?
Just as it seemed she was about to perish—
Someone calmly stepped in front of the Buddha's massive fist.
[Boom!]
A deep, muffled sound rang out.
Funan's body was much smaller than the Great Buddha's fist.
Yet at that moment, standing there, he effortlessly blocked the colossal strike.
"I've been holding back all this time because I didn't want to interfere," Funan said coolly. "But if you try to hurt my woman, then don't blame me for getting involved."
His voice was calm and cold.
As he exerted force through his hand, the Buddha's arm began to shatter—
Breaking apart, inch by inch.
"Impossible!"
Everyone watching was utterly stunned.
They all knew Uchiha Funan was powerful. He had even suppressed Uchiha Madara once.
But even so—
What had just happened was simply too shocking.
Until now, no one had ever withstood a direct punch from the Great Buddha.
And Funan didn't just block it—he broke its arm.
"Hmph."
Funan let out a cold snort.
Then he closed his eyes—
But this time, when Funan opened his eyes—
Everyone saw them.
Even Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama, who were still locked in fierce combat.
"This is…"
"No way!"
The two shouted in shock, their fight coming to a sudden halt.
"Who, who, who?!" Naruto shouted wildly. "Is someone attacking me!?"
"Shut up, Naruto," Sasuke muttered sharply, eyes darting around with caution.
That single glance—
It felt as though it had come from the past… or perhaps from the future.
Just one look, and he nearly lost the will to resist.
He had never encountered anything like this before.
Not even Uchiha Madara, the strongest Uchiha in history, had shown such power.
In that instant—
With just a single glance from Uchiha Funan, the world came to a standstill.
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