EBE Chapter 642 Shadow Spots?
Chapter 642 Shadow Spots?
Minato also felt a sense of confusion. Watching the strange conversation between the Third Hokage and Tsunade, and recalling Zhang Hai's earlier comment, "You can't use a sword," he felt a vague unease. But he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was. This strange atmosphere made him feel uneasy.
"Kage Madara?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice trembled slightly. He suppressed his shock and unease, striving to maintain the dignity and composure of a Hokage.
"Zhang Hai, the 'Shadow Madara' you mentioned, is it the codename from many years ago?" The Third Hokage's gaze was sharp as a knife, fixed on Zhang Hai's eyes, trying to find any clue. He knew that he absolutely could not reveal any weakness now.
“If that’s the case, then I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed,” Hiruzen Sarutobi said, feigning calmness. “‘Kage Madara’ is not a resident ninja of the village. He went out on a long-term secret mission many years ago and has not returned since.”
However, Zhang Hai's face remained expressionless, as if he had already anticipated the Third Hokage's answer. He simply shook his head slightly, a faint hint of mockery playing on his lips.
"Third Generation Lord, are you... deceiving a child who has lost their family?" Zhang Hai's voice remained calm, but it contained a chilling undertone. "While our teacher was alive, Senior Shadowflame never left the village. He was always there. It wasn't until after our teacher's death that he 'went on a mission,' was that it?"
He didn't directly expose the Third Hokage's lie, but every word he uttered hinted at the falsehood in the Third Hokage's words. Although his dark eyes lacked the sharpness of the Mangekyou Sharingan, they were still as deep as black holes, as if they could see through all illusions.
"I just want to fulfill a small wish of a teacher's disciple. Don't you think it's not excessive?" Zhang Hai said softly, his tone pleading yet also seeming to be a kind of provocation.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's heart sank. Zhang Hai's words were tantamount to directly stating that he already knew the true situation of "Kage Madara," and might even know more. This made the Third Hokage's gaze sharpen even more, even carrying a hint of hidden killing intent. He realized that Zhang Hai likely already knew many inside stories of the Hatake Sakumo incident, including "Kage Madara's" role in it.
If Zhang Hai truly knows the truth, then his request at this moment is far more than a simple "sparring session." Agreeing to his request would be tantamount to inviting a wolf into the house, exposing the village's secrets to danger.
“Zhang Hai, you…” The Third Hokage was about to refuse, knowing that he could not agree to Zhang Hai’s seemingly simple request.
However, at this moment of stalemate, a gloomy voice, like a ghost, abruptly broke the silence of the scene.
“Sarutobi, since he wants to see ‘Kagemaru’, then let him see him.”
As the sound rang out, a hunched figure slowly emerged from the darkness. His face was covered with hideous scars, his right eye was wrapped in bandages, and his left eye gleamed with a sinister light. He was none other than Shimura Danzo, the dark source of Konoha.
Behind Danzo, a figure also clad in an Anbu uniform, exuding a chilling aura, followed closely like a shadow. The man was tall, carrying a long ninja sword wrapped in cloth on his back, his aura restrained yet powerful; he was none other than the legendary Anbu figure—"Kage Madara."
The Third Hokage's face instantly turned ashen. He turned sharply and glared angrily at Danzo.
"Danzo! What nonsense are you spouting?! Who told you to bring 'Kagemaru' here?!" Hiruzen Sarutobi roared through gritted teeth.
Danzo ignored the Third Hokage's anger, and just smiled sinisterly: "Since the Hokage is hesitant, then I will make the decision for you. A rebel who dares to challenge the Hokage's will should be taught a lesson."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's anger flared instantly. He knew that Danzo's actions were entirely aimed at using Zhang Hai's anger and power to weaken his own authority, and even to eliminate Zhang Hai as a potential threat. Now, with the appearance of "Shadow Madara," there was no room for maneuver between him and Zhang Hai. Danzo had completely muddied the waters.
The moment "Shadow Madness" appeared, Zhang Hai's eyes instantly turned extremely cold. His dark eyes, like prey locked on by its prey, were fixed on "Shadow Madness." An intense killing intent, almost tangible, surged from Zhang Hai's body, and even the Kage-level ninjas present could clearly feel its bone-chilling coldness.
That murderous intent did not arise from personal grudges, but stemmed from extreme anger at betrayal, indifference, and all injustice.
"Shadow" seemed to sense Zhang Hai's undisguised killing intent. He stopped, and his eyes, hidden beneath the ANBU mask, also shot out a sharp light, clashing fiercely with Zhang Hai's gaze in mid-air, stirring up invisible chakra fluctuations. Between the two, it was as if tangible sparks were flying in the air.
Danzo watched this scene, a sinister smile creeping onto his lips. He stepped forward and coldly said to Zhang Hai, "Zhang Hai, 'Kagemaru's' swordsmanship is unmatched in Konoha. He was once Sakumo Hatake's partner; his sword shows no mercy."
He paused, his tone laced with threat: "If you insist on sparring with him, then be prepared... to die."
Zhang Hai ignored Danzo's threat. He calmly took out a scroll from his pocket and quickly wrote a few words on it. Then, he handed the scroll to "Shadow Spot" who was standing next to him.
"A sparring agreement." Zhang Hai's voice was cold and firm. "Since we're going to spar, then let's follow the rules of the ninjas."
Danzo's eyes flashed, and he immediately gestured for "Shadow" to take the scroll.
"Shadowspot" took the death warrant, his cold eyes scanning its contents. Without hesitation, he signed his name at the end of the scroll.
Aside from the Third Hokage, Minato and Tsunade, who were also present, were baffled by this scene. It was just a sparring match; did they really need to sign a death pact? They had no idea what kind of untold grudge existed between Zhang Hai and "Kage Madara."
Tsunade looked at Zhang Hai's pale face, her heart filled with worry. She secretly took out a specially made soldier's ration pill from her bosom and put it into Zhang Hai's hand.
"Hey kid, don't push yourself too hard!" Tsunade whispered to Zhang Hai, a hint of concern in her eyes. "This pill can help you recover some chakra and stamina. Finish this quickly! Don't get yourself killed!"
Zhang Hai felt the warmth from Tsunade's palm. He turned his head and gave her a grateful smile.