Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado looked at Obito, somewhat suspicious that this might be a trap set by Madara.
But after thinking about it, they decided to let it go; at a time like this, there was no point in making a fuss.
They were indeed wary of the Uchiha, but they weren't as intent on exterminating them as Danzo was.
After all, Obito belonged to the Uchiha's dove faction.
If even the doves were targeted, they might as well call it quits and let the Village and the Uchiha fight it out to the death.
The Third Hokage gave Obito a meaningful look: "Obito, tell everyone about how you were captured by Uchiha Madara and make his goals public."
Obito nodded: "Alright."
The Third Hokage still remembered Obito's previous regrets and was determined to let him show off big time this time.
Then, Obito recounted everything that had happened during the months he spent undercover under Madara.
Undercover!
Obito emphasized that he was undercover, not controlled like some incompetent husband.
Everyone listened patiently.
Many who were unaware of the situation came to understand that Madara hadn't been resurrected by Ryou; he had been alive all along, hiding underground.
It was Ryou who used his Forbidden Jutsu to restore Madara's youth.
Members of the various Ninja Clans stole glances toward the Uchiha Clan.
Ryou seemed to be the sworn brother of the Police Force chief's wife.
However, the Uchiha Clan had already stripped Ryou of his surname and expelled him, so his actions couldn't be pinned on the Uchiha.
In these extraordinary times, Konoha desperately needed the elite power of the Uchiha.
The Uchiha were the number one Ninja Clan in Konoha; even the Senju Clan acknowledged this.
Obito then made the Eye of the Moon Plan public, leaving everyone horrified.
"By the Sage of Six Paths, is this still the Ninja World?"
"Casting genjutsu on the entire world using the moon? That's impossible! That's something only a god could do."
Akimichi Torifu said: "Nothing is impossible. The First Hokage was the God of Shinobi, and Uchiha Madara, who was his equal, is a great demon. Their power is already beyond our imagination."
Akimichi Torifu was the same age as the Third Hokage and was also born during the Warring States Period.
They were seven or eight years old, mere Genin, when Hashirama and Madara fought at the Valley of the End.
But even as Genin, it was an age for wielding blades and roaming the martial world.
After the battle at the Valley of the End, Konoha's Ninjas cleaned up Hashirama and Madara's battlefield.
That kind of destructive power was like a map-wiping weapon; the very earth had been pulverized.
That battle served as a full stop to the Warring States Period and acted as a massive deterrent to all nations.
As long as Hashirama lived, no one dared to start a Ninja World War, let alone touch the Land of Whirlpools.
They were an entire era ahead.
The term 'Ninja World War' sounds grand, but by definition, it's only called that when most Ninja Villages are involved.
The battle between Madara and Hashirama was, a war between a God and Demon.
In the three Ninja World Wars, none of the destruction could match the 'Battle of Sages' between Madara and Hashirama.
If Hashirama hadn't worried about affecting the Ninja World, their war would likely have sunk the entire Ninja Continent.
Akimichi Torifu asked Obito: "Obito, you're saying Uchiha Madara wants to capture the Nine Tailed Beasts and resurrect the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, right?"
Obito nodded.
Jiraiya added: "The Great Toad Sage once said that the Sage of Six Paths was once the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, and the Nine Tailed Beasts were created by him using Yin-Yang Release to split the Ten-Tails."
Shikaku rubbed his chin and analyzed: "In that case, the ancient giant beside Uchiha Madara is the husk of the Ten-Tails."
"Uchiha Madara wants to gather all Nine Tailed Beasts within it to resurrect the Ten-Tails."
Obito nodded: "Yes, that giant is called the Gedo Statue; it's the Ten-Tails' husk that Uchiha Madara summoned after awakening the Rinnegan."
Akimichi Torifu said: "So you're saying Uchiha Madara intends to seize the Tailed Beasts from all the Ninja Villages in the Ninja World?"
Obito nodded. Kushina lowered her head, not daring to look anyone in the eye.
Utatane Koharu and Homura Mitokado instinctively looked at Kushina.
Akimichi Torifu, the Senju Clan, and the Hyuga Clan also looked at Kushina.
Although Kushina said only Konoha's higher-ups knew the Nine-Tails was within her, others could still figure it out.
Having served as the Second Hokage's personal guard, Akimichi Torifu was naturally aware of the connection between the Tailed Beasts and the Uzumaki Clan.
As for the Senju Clan, the First Hokage and the first Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Mito, were both part of the Senju household.
Even if it was deeply hidden, one could still find out through certain clues.
Why did the Hyuga Clan know?
Because nothing can be hidden from the Hyuga Clan's Byakugan; they know everything, but they say nothing.
Ao of Kirigakure could tell the Fourth Mizukage was controlled by genjutsu with just one Byakugan, subsequently dispelling it and sparking Kirigakure Revolution to overthrow the Fourth Mizukage's cruel reign.
The Hyuga Clan has so many Byakugan; what jutsu could block their penetration?
None! Unless it's a special barrier.
They probably knew when Ryou was conducting his Forbidden Jutsu research, but they just didn't say anything, nor did they try to seize his technique for longevity.
In the original work, there was the Sharingan under Danzo's bandages, as well as the Hashirama cells and Sharingan on his arm.
The Byakugan's see-through range is a radius of 1 kilometer, and a Hyuga Jonin can increase that to 10 kilometers.
How big is Konoha, and how deep is Root?
Once the Byakugan is activated, isn't it crystal clear what Danzo is made of?
Now that Orochimaru is lurking underground, the Hyuga Clan likely also knows about him using Impure World Reincarnation on the Previous Hokage and Hatake Sakumo.
The Hyuga Clan knows everything, but they never get involved.
Their consistent low profile makes everyone instinctively overlook the Byakugan's powerful scouting capabilities.
The Third Hokage took a puff of his pipe and said to everyone: "We absolutely cannot accept an illusory world made of genjutsu, and Uchiha Madara won't listen to our opinions."
"Therefore, a battle is inevitable."
"..."
The crowd fell silent, some even showing signs of fear.
With the Third Great Ninja War nearing its end, everyone was gradually becoming exhausted, and now they had to fight Madara.
It's like just driving out the 'Little Japs' only for the 'Yanks' to barge in with giant warships and Atomic Bombs.
How are we supposed to fight this?
Fight with our lives? But our heads aren't a renewable resource!
Seeing the severe fear of battle, Shikaku, as the Jonin Commander, stepped forward to comfort them: "Don't be afraid. It's not just Konoha fighting Madara alone. This time, we will unite with the other four great Ninja Villages."
"To form the Shinobi Allied Forces and subjugate Uchiha Madara."
A frontline commander said: "The Village's envoys have been away for some time, but no good news has been sent back yet."
"The Five Great Ninja Villages have only just been at war with each other. Can they really lay down their weapons and form an alliance together?"
Everyone nodded; their hands were stained with the blood of each other's loved ones. How could they just unite like that?
For instance, Iwagakure and Kumogakure.
Ōnoki plotted and killed the Third Raikage. Given the Third Raikage's prestige in his Village, if the Fourth Raikage dared to ally with Iwagakure...
Kumogakure would have a mutiny the very next second.
"The Fourth is incompetent and has brought national humiliation; it seems I must come out of retirement."
Hatred isn't always etched into the bone; hatred can be forgotten.
Right now, the hatred between the various Ninja Villages has only just been forged and is at its peak.
Even if allied, would you dare turn your back to your enemy?
Shikaku continued: "Uchiha Madara's goal is to plunge the entire world into a world of genjutsu; he wants to rule the entire Ninja World."
"The Feudal Lords and the Nobles will never agree. As long as they disagree, the other four great Ninja Villages must take a clear stand against Uchiha Madara."
"Only by forming the Shinobi Allied Forces can we stop Uchiha Madara!"
The crowd slowly began to realize that in the Warring States Period, Ninjas could never have united.
But now is the era of Ninja Villages. Besides being Ninjas, they are also professional soldiers employed by the state.
In addition to completing missions commissioned by Feudal Lords and Nobles, Ninjas from the Ninja Villages must also protect the country's territorial security.
When necessary, they also accept war commissions from the Feudal Lords.
They are the blades of the Feudal Lords and Nobles. Since they are blades, they should embody the definition of a tool and have no thoughts of their own.
The Third Hokage nodded: "Shikaku, send the details of Uchiha Madara's Eye of the Moon Plan to the envoys as soon as possible and have them inform the four great Ninja Villages."
"At the same time, spread the news to the Black Market and announce it to the entire Ninja World."
Shikaku nodded: "Yes, Hokage-sama!"
Madara's Eye of the Moon Plan is an act of hostility against the entire Ninja World. Anyone who isn't utterly despondent about reality will be his enemy.
Perhaps even rogue ninjas will join in to subjugate Madara.
The Third Hokage then announced a very important piece of news: "Everyone, I want to tell you a top secret that has been hidden since the time of the First Hokage, known only to the Village's higher-ups!"
"That is, the strongest of the Nine Tailed Beasts, the Nine-Tails... has always been in Konoha!"