After receiving information from the White Zetsu Clone, Black Zetsu immediately reported to Uchiha Madara. The White Zetsu Clone transmitted intelligence very quickly, and if Wood Release roots were spread underground in advance, they could use Chakra to quickly relay intelligence observed by the clones.
"Hashirama has been revived too?"
When Uchiha Madara heard the name Senju Hashirama, he suddenly became interested. In the Ninja World, the only one who could pique his interest was Senju Hashirama, and perhaps another Uchiha descendant who had awakened the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan could do the same.
If Hashirama was still a Reanimation Jutsu body, his interest might be much less, but now that Hashirama had been revived, Uchiha Madara felt the urge to engage in battle.
"Is Hashirama coming to find me?"
Bringing so many capable ninja means they likely knew about his revival and came to look for him.
"It doesn't seem like that, Lord Madara."
Black Zetsu spoke, "It seems like they've gone to the Hidden Sand Village in the Land of Wind, and Konoha has dispatched numerous ninja corps, roughly around four to five thousand. This doesn't look like a small move; Konoha might be planning to completely destroy the Hidden Sand Village."
"Destroy the Hidden Sand Village?"
Upon hearing this, Uchiha Madara was stunned. Such a large formation not to find him but to deal with the Sand Village?
"Ha, Hashirama, that bastard...."
It seems he's really being underestimated. Hearing these people weren't coming for him, he didn't feel any relief, rather a bit of anger emerged in his heart.
Does this mean they think he doesn't matter?
"Lord Madara, maybe it's because our intelligence hasn't been leaked. Even if Senju Hashirama wants to find you, he doesn't know where you are; and right now, Konoha is led by the Fifth Generation Hokage. According to Uchiha Fugaku's intelligence, this was likely his order...."
Seeing Uchiha Madara having thoughts of going on the offensive, Black Zetsu hurriedly decided to advise against it. The hope of reviving Kaguya was close at hand, and it hoped this reincarnation of Indra wouldn't cause more trouble.
"Moreover, isn't this good, Lord Madara? With so many strong Konoha ninja deployed, we can let Mr. Fugaku return to the village to gather intelligence on Yugito. He could persuade Uchiha Itachi, and if we can capture the Two-tailed Jinchuriki, it would teach Senju Hashirama and Konoha Village a lesson...."
"Lord Madara, this way you're getting closer to your ideal. If you are exposed, other ninja villages might hide their Jinchuriki, and your ideal might become more distant."
Only targeting the Two-tailed because they know the Jinchuriki is very young, and the Nine-tailed Jinchuriki lives near the center of Konoha, making it difficult to act.
Coincidentally, Uchiha Yoichi lives at the village's edge because their family likes quiet places.
Uchiha Madara somewhat listened to Black Zetsu's advice. After all, the Moon Eye Plan was his dream, his way of denying Hashirama's illusionary dreamland of false peace.
Moreover, appearing publicly in the Ninja World now isn't a wise choice, and the Four-tailed and Five-tailed haven't revived yet. He just sealed the Six-tailed in the Hidden Mist Village, next are the Seven-tailed and Eight-tailed.
"Let's do it this way, Black Zetsu, this time you go together with Uchiha Fugaku."
Uchiha Madara spoke, then turned to Uchiha Fugaku and continued, "With Yin-Yang Release mastered, even without the Mangekyo Sharingan, ordinary people won't be your opponents. Along with White Zetsu's assistance, capturing the Two-tailed Jinchuriki shouldn't be a problem."
Uchiha Fugaku nodded, then thought of something and said, "Lord Madara, I'd like to bring my son. He's a genius, it's best for him to follow me."
"Suit yourself, let White Zetsu assist you at the time."
Uchiha Madara said indifferently. He had seen many geniuses; both he and his brother Izuna simultaneously awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, they were among the few geniuses in the Uchiha Race.
For the Uchiha, the Sharingan is the benchmark for measuring power. Without awakening the Mangekyo, one can never reach the top of the Ninja World.
"Let's go, Mr. Fugaku, while Konoha's ninja numbers have drastically reduced...."
Suppressing his inner excitement, Black Zetsu spoke to Uchiha Fugaku. Collecting each Tailed Beast brought Kaguya's revival closer.
It's almost time for Mother to be reborn.
Thinking excitedly, Black Zetsu directly submerged underground, planning to wait outside Konoha for Uchiha Fugaku, while also gathering intelligence.
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"Mother, I'm off to school."
"Wait a moment, Itachi, did you bring your lunch?"
Mikota saw the lunchbox on the table, quickly picked it up, walked to the door, and placed it in Itachi's hands. Recently, she's been waking up very early every day then comes to check on Itachi.
"You packed for Kimimaro and Shiro too, why do you always forget... take it with you."
But Uchiha Itachi was a bit troubled by this luxurious three-tier lunchbox; it was too conspicuous. Every time he ate lunch, many people gathered around him, making him recently have to hide to eat.
How Kimimaro and Shiro managed it, Itachi didn't know. He didn't really want to bring such a fancy lunchbox, and it was a bit too much in quantity.
"Mother, this is too much, make it less next time please, a simple rice ball is fine."
"This is based on your usual portions at home prepared for you; you're practicing your Breathing Technique now too, right? That technique along with training in Ninjutsu requires quite a lot of food."
Uchiha Mikota said with a gentle smile, then placed the lunchbox into Itachi's backpack, filling it to the brim.
"Your father's appetite was large too; he could eat meals for a dozen people. The more you eat, the stronger a ninja you are, Itachi."
Itachi sighed inwardly helplessly, then smiled at Mikota and said, "I understand, Mother."
After saying goodbye, he headed out the door, where Shiro and Kimimaro were already waiting for him.
Upon seeing Itachi's packed backpack, Shiro couldn't help but smile and said, "Itachi Nii-san still brought it. At school, swap with classmates, they seem to enjoy doing that."
"I'll... try."
Itachi said with a sigh. He prefers eating lunch alone; gathering with others... is too difficult for him.
"Shiro, Kimimaro, I'll look for you guys at lunchtime."
"Alright, Itachi Nii-san."
"We'll meet at lunchtime, Shiro and I'll both be there."
After agreeing, the trio headed to the Ninja Academy. Though they each had powers surpassing Genin, there were still many things to learn at the Academy. Having power without knowledge made one a ninja equivalent to a giant baby.
So, there was no longer any talk of graduating early unless one is exceptionally approved by Uchiha Yoichi.
On their way to the Ninja Academy, Uchiha Itachi suddenly noticed a mark at the roadside, which caught his attention and made him stop.
Seeing this, Shiro and Kimimaro also halted and turned back to ask, "What's wrong, Itachi Nii-san?"
"...I suddenly remembered something. I need to head back for a moment, you guys go to school first."
Uchiha Itachi paused then smiled to Shiro and Kimimaro. Upon hearing this, the two exchanged glances, then Shiro laughed and said, "Then we'll head out first, Itachi Nii-san, don't be late."
"Alright."
After Shiro and Kimimaro left, Uchiha Itachi hesitated for a moment but ultimately ran towards the side street; with his current abilities, even most Chunin weren't his match, and avoiding people on the street was easy.
Following the signs, he arrived at a more secluded construction site where he looked around but no longer found another sign.
"My son, indeed, Itachi, you've managed to notice such a hidden signal."
A person suddenly emerged from behind the construction materials, and as he walked closer, his familiar face instantly stirred Uchiha Itachi's memories.
"F, Father?"
"It's me, Itachi, long time no see."
Uchiha Fugaku looked at the significantly grown-up Itachi, can't help but feel a bit emotional; when he had left, Itachi was just three years old. Now he's already seven or eight.