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Chapter 53 - Chapter 53: Either Go to War! Or Give In!

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The Second Hokage's left arm was broken, and his right leg was completely gone.

Even the First Hokage had lost a leg.

They stood in a state of utter disarray.

But this wasn't the most terrifying part.

What was truly shocking was that the Impure World Reincarnation—an Edo Tensei technique said to grant immortality and unlimited chakra—seemed to have been overridden.

The injuries to the First and Second Hokage showed no signs of healing.

Or rather, they were healing, but at such a sluggish pace that it was practically unnoticeable.

Danzo, Orochimaru, and Uchiha Itachi stared with wide eyes, their lips trembling as they stood frozen, unable to speak.

Uchiha Haru had once again shattered everything they thought they knew.

To what terrifying level had this young Uchiha reached?

Even the masked man—who called himself Uchiha Madara—remained calm only on the surface. The exposed eye behind his mask shimmered with intensity.

Clearly, even he couldn't remain indifferent in the face of this scene.

"Let's go together!"

Danzo's eyes flashed coldly as he glanced at both Itachi and Orochimaru.

Things had progressed to a point where there was no turning back—Uchiha Haru had to die.

No one could predict what would happen if Haru was allowed to walk away today.

Even the Edo Tensei First and Second Hokage had suffered crippling damage at his hands. Danzo knew he couldn't possibly face Haru alone.

So he turned to Itachi and Orochimaru.

If two Kage-level legends weren't enough, they would add a third.

If three weren't enough, they would throw in a fourth and a fifth.

Surely five Kage-level shinobi would be enough.

Itachi stepped forward immediately, standing beside Danzo.

His loyalty to Konoha was unwavering.

More importantly, he had a pact with the village—one he was bound to fulfill.

Either reason alone was enough to lock him into this path.

Danzo was not surprised by Itachi's stance. His gaze now shifted to Orochimaru.

If Orochimaru joined, their chances would increase significantly.

If he declined, Danzo and Itachi would have to try regardless.

Orochimaru smirked and hesitated, his eyes narrowing.

"I want that kid's body," he said, voice low and greedy.

"Fine," Danzo replied instantly, without a hint of hesitation.

It was an empty promise—he could afford to make as many of those as needed.

What happened afterward could be dealt with later.

After all, Danzo had never cared about reputation.

"Very well."

Orochimaru's golden eyes gleamed. His long, snakelike tongue slid across his dry lips as he finally agreed.

Danzo turned again.

"Will you help us?"

This time the question was for the masked man.

But the masked man didn't respond. He stood still, silent, as if he hadn't even heard.

Danzo said nothing further.

He already knew the answer—just as he'd expected. This enigmatic figure who claimed the name Uchiha Madara would not intervene so easily.

And so, Danzo, Orochimaru, and Uchiha Itachi—three Kage-level titans—used the Body Flicker Technique simultaneously.

In an instant, they were at the frontlines, standing beside the wounded First and Second Hokage.

Facing Uchiha Haru.

Haru's expression was calm, but his eyes burned with anticipation.

He didn't fear Kage-level enemies.

Two at once were already within his ability to overcome.

But now there were five.

Five Kage-level shinobi.

Could he still handle them as easily as before?

Now it was getting interesting.

[Simulation Failed!]

The words materialized before him again.

Even as the Lord of Elements, Uchiha Haru had failed to defeat five united Kage-level opponents.

Though his Eighty Gods Air Strike—enhanced by elemental mastery—was devastating, none of them dared face it directly. They dodged, countered, and combined their strength to resist.

But such a powerful technique drained massive amounts of chakra.

Even with Haru's current reserves, it couldn't be used indefinitely.

The five Kage-level masters worked together flawlessly, opting for attrition over brute force. They whittled down his chakra bit by bit.

Eventually, Haru was exhausted.

Defeated.

But this failure was different.

Previously, the infinite regeneration of the Edo Tensei Hokage had been his greatest obstacle.

Now, that issue was resolved.

The power granted by the Lord of Elements overwhelmed even the undead regeneration of Edo Tensei.

Though he ultimately lost against the overwhelming coordination of five Kage-level masters, the process had been far more balanced.

Victory no longer seemed so far-fetched.

So he initiated another simulation.

Again, and again, and again.

He tried countless strategies, managing to severely wound two of his five enemies in one attempt.

Yet each time, he fell just short of victory.

The fourth simulation finally ended.

But the insight he gained was immense.

The elemental power he wielded was refining his strength in every direction.

With the Uchiha Clan Massacre drawing near, this ability gave him an edge he would desperately need.

After the simulation, he was meant to report to the Konoha Military Police Force and resume duties or take on missions.

But after killing the envoy from the Hidden Cloud Village, Uchiha Haru had been placed under house arrest.

He'd been advised to remain confined to his quarters.

Conveniently, that suited Haru just fine.

He needed time to simulate, to train, and to increase his strength layer by layer.

So, he didn't resist.

As he finished the fourth simulation, Haru immersed himself in reflection, just as he had after every past attempt.

It was his routine—break down what he had learned, identify his flaws, and polish himself.

However, what he didn't know was that during this time, the Hidden Cloud Village had already sent an ultimatum.

Their message was clear: Either go to war with the Hidden Cloud Village, or hand over Uchiha Haru for killing their envoy.

They showed no concern for why the envoy had died.

Nor did they acknowledge the attempted kidnapping of the Hyuga clan's eldest daughter.

To them, the facts didn't matter.

They had come to provoke.

And in the wake of this pressure, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, had no choice but to convene an emergency meeting.

Clan leaders, village elders, and key Jonin—including Kurenai Yuhi, Yugao Uzuki, Asuma Sarutobi, Hayate Gekko, and Might Guy—were summoned to discuss their course of action.

"Lord Hokage, if Kumogakure wants war, let them have it! Do they think Konoha fears them?!"

The speaker was a clan head advocating for battle.

His fists were clenched, eyes wide, face flushed with rage. The sheer audacity of Kumogakure infuriated him.

They had attempted an abduction, failed, and now they had the nerve to issue threats?

Konoha was the undisputed top shinobi village.

They were not going to be bullied.

His declaration resonated with many others present.

"Exactly! Hidden Cloud Village? Crush them! Let them learn the power of the Leaf!"

"Lord Hokage, give the order—we will never surrender!"

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