[V2] - Chapter 88. I Just Got on the Stage
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Familiar music.
Familiar dance.
Familiar formation.
Familiar rhythm.
Wasn't this the very square dance that the Konoha Square Dance Team performed every day?
However—
Perhaps under the tense atmosphere and high pressure—
This dance...
It suddenly appeared incredibly graceful, rhythmic, powerful, and pleasing to the eye in everyone's eyes.
The Konoha Square Dance Team—
They broke through on the battlefield!
"Hiss~"
Everyone sharply drew in a breath.
No wonder they're Konoha's powerful unofficial organization!
It's truly terrifying!
Even Killer Bee and the Third Raikage at the side suddenly stared solemnly at the Square Dance Team led by Jiraiya, their expressions growing serious.
"As expected of the number one ninja village in the ninja world… They're not to be underestimated!"
"Yo yo~" Killer Bee snapped out of his earlier seriousness, his body swaying again. Looking down, his eyes showed appreciation. "My little cuties—! Dance, flutter like butterflies—yo! That was a brilliant performance, my heart is cheering again! But for me! You all! Can't possibly win! Yo~"
As soon as he finished—
On the other side, Uchiha Madara frowned slightly as he looked at the match and said blandly, "Konoha lost!"
"Huh? Why?" Hashirama, who had been cheering, froze and looked at Madara in confusion. "How did Konoha lose? Wasn't it great?"
"Boring! Idiot!" Madara curled his lips and replied expressionlessly, "Not interested. Don't ask me."
"But… Madara, you were clearly watching seriously just now—even your shoulders were moving!"
"…Shut up!"
...
At that moment—
Many people noticed it too.
Just based on the square dance currently being performed by the Square Dance Team, it was already impossible to win. They sighed in regret and shook their heads.
"Who would've thought… After I've been dead for so many years, such wonderful things would appear in the ninja world."
"Right! If we hadn't experienced it ourselves, we wouldn't have imagined the ninja world would become like this!" Hearing the Third Kazekage's calm words, Pakura also nodded with emotion and said, "Actually, our Sunagakure's Dance of the Wind and Puppet Dance are also pretty famous~"
"I-Is that so?"
"Of course! If you don't believe me, you can check it on your phone!"
As she finished—
The Third Kazekage went silent for a moment, then took out his phone. Just as he opened the browser and was about to search… a notification suddenly popped up: [Seventy-year-old grandma still…]
He was momentarily stunned, then tapped on it.
Moments later—
He frowned and said coldly, "Advisor Chiyo… is still looking for her grandson?"
"What else could she do~ He's her only grandson after all." Pakura shrugged. "Even if he did something unforgivable, as his grandmother, Advisor Chiyo would still want to see him—even if she had to deal with him herself."
"…"
Hearing Pakura's words, the Third Kazekage fell silent again.
He knew… Many villagers had blamed him at the time. After all, during the Second Ninja World War… he was the one who advocated for war with Konoha. He had mobilized all of Sunagakure's strength and waged a war of attrition. Even after heavy casualties… he had refused to withdraw. In the end, Sunagakure suffered tremendous losses, and countless families were destroyed.
Sasori was just one such case.
"He committed an unforgivable crime. Assassinating the village's Kage is a serious offense!" The Third Kazekage looked at Pakura and sighed. "I won't trouble Rasa. So, let's just consider Sasori… dead. Let him never appear before me again."
"Whatever you want! I'm just carrying out the Fourth Kazekage's order, bringing you out to relax and get familiar with the current ninja world!" Hearing the Third Kazekage's words, Pakura smiled, then waved her fist and shouted, "Come on!"
However—
It really did look like—
Konoha was about to lose.
After all, compared to Killer Bee's improvised performance, even though Konoha's side had shown some breakthroughs, it still felt too old-fashioned.
The music stopped.
The dancing ceased.
Led by Jiraiya, the Square Dance Team halted their movements in unison.
Many people began to smile.
Didn't they… dance quite well?
Even Jiraiya couldn't help but smile slightly, then let out a small sigh.
Just then—
"Thank you to the Konoha Square Dance Team for their performance! Let's give them a big round of applause!" Captain Yuto appeared once again, and after the applause died down, he turned, "Now… let our judges score the performance!"
As he spoke—
To everyone's surprise, a young man with golden hair and a bright, sunny smile appeared.
When did the Fourth Hokage arrive?!
"Thank you to Kumogakure and the Konoha Square Dance Team for their performances!" Minato cheerfully waved. "That was truly a wonderful show!" Then he continued, "Contestant Killer Bee's impromptu performance was filled with the unique wild charm of Kumogakure. It seamlessly integrated freestyle rap, dance, and rhythm. On Konoha's side… there was clear progress, powerful momentum, and perfect synchronization—it felt like they had become one, which was quite moving. Unfortunately…" He sighed with regret. "The winner is… Killer Bee from Kumogakure!"
As the words fell—
There was a brief pause around them.
Then… the whole crowd erupted in cheers, offering congratulations to the victor, Mr. Killer Bee!
"As expected." Jiraiya wasn't sad. He sighed with a trace of regret and shook his head. "We still lost."
"Yo yo~ brilliant dancing, splendid rhythm, a performance worthy of wisdom! BUT THANK U——! It's still me! Killer Bee-sama takes the VICTORY!"
"Hahaha!" The Third Raikage, watching the scene, also laughed heartily and nodded at Killer Bee. "You've grown, Killer Bee! You actually defeated Konoha!"
As soon as he finished—
The Konoha side immediately glared furiously at the old man!
"Damn it! Who's next?"
"Go! Defeat Kumogakure!"
"Let's go! Show them… that Konoha is the strongest!"
"Where's Itachi? Where's Obito? Let's show these guys what we're made of!"
Immediately—
Obito at the side twitched and shrank his body deliberately.
Don't say anything! Don't say anything!
I'm not here!
"Hahaha!"
Yugito couldn't help but burst into laughter.
However—
Even with Konoha's furious shouts… still, no one came up to fight and defeat the arrogant Kumo ninja. Many people started to feel disappointed.
Even though it was just a dance-off, they still didn't want Konoha to lose!
"Forget it! Forget it! Let's call it off!"
Just as everyone was about to disperse—
Suddenly—
"Let this old man do it!"
A deep voice rang out. Everyone was stunned and turned their heads toward the source of the sound.
Immediately—
A figure.
Hunched over, hands behind his back, bell-bottom pants, trendy shirt—walked across the lawn through the night breeze under everyone's gaze.
It was as if the air itself had frozen!
"He is…"
Everyone's pupils shrank as they stared at the figure.
"Konoha's Old Dance King—Uchiha Setsuna!"
No one expected…
The old dance king to suddenly step onto the stage, even wearing his battle outfit from back in the day!
The atmosphere instantly tightened.
Heavy with pressure!
A storm was about to break out!
Even Uchiha Madara noticed Uchiha Setsuna and was slightly taken aback, "Setsuna, that kid?"
His aura wasn't weak at all!
"Dance King! Dance King! Dance King!"
"Take down that arrogant guy!"
"Did any of you hear a siren?"
"Nope! Cheer for the Dance King!"
While everyone was cheering for the old Dance King—
Suddenly—
The sirens of the Konoha Police Force rang out. Everyone froze… then turned around and saw police cars of the Konoha Police Force densely surrounding them.
"?!"
What was going on?
Even Uchiha Yuto was stunned, and before he could ask, Minato stepped in to block him, sweat beading on his forehead, "Someone reported a public disturbance and a mass brawl, so… the Konoha Police Force came. I'm off! I'll leave the rest to you!"
Before Yuto could respond—
Minato vanished on the spot.
"…"
Leave it to me?
Hell no, even if that's my own brother, they'll still arrest me for disturbing the peace.
So.
Without a second thought, he shouted loudly, "Scatter! Scatter!"
As the words fell—
Everyone came to their senses and knew the dance was over.
They quickly turned and bolted.
Only—
Uchiha Setsuna, who had just made his grand entrance, stood there speechless as he watched everyone leave, "What about me? What about me? I just got on stage!"
"Let's go! Stop pretending!" The Elder Hana walking by rolled her eyes at him, "You're so old already! You still love joining in the fun. Don't you feel embarrassed?"
"How is it embarrassing? What's embarrassing about it? Damn! I even pulled out my battle outfit for this!"
Muttering and grumbling, the two of them also left!
On the other side, upon hearing the Konoha Police Force had arrived, Uchiha Sasuke shrank his neck and looked at Naruto, "Let's go! Let's go! Hurry up!"
If his father saw him now… he'd probably get scolded hard!
However—
At that moment—
A serious, low voice called out to him, "Sasuke!"
As the words landed—
Sasuke trembled all over, then without hesitation, turned and ran at full speed, "Whatever it is, we'll talk at home, Father!"
The speed he had trained all these years… even Uchiha Fugaku didn't react in time before he disappeared into the crowd.
"Haha! That was hilarious!" Hashirama chuckled, "I never thought Konoha would have such fun things these days!"
"Let's go!" Uchiha Madara, seeing it was over, sighed and stretched out a hand so Hashirama could help him along, "Boring! What's so fun about it?"
"Madara! I saw you swaying just now~"
"Shut up!" Madara snorted coldly, but stopped in his tracks. His eyes seemed to glance deeply at the large speaker left behind with no one to carry it.
Even Hashirama next to him grew puzzled, "What is it? Madara?"
"Nothing~"
"Madara~, how about putting your eyes back in? That way… we can play games together!"
As those words landed—
A moment of silence.
Just as Hashirama sighed in regret, thinking Madara would reject again—
"Hmm~"
A calm response echoed.
Then—
Hashirama froze, but his face immediately lit up with a smile, "That's great! Madara!"
"Hmm!"
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