Hokage:madara level start

The Next Day

Underground Base of the Akatsuki Organization – A Secluded Room

Uchiha Sasuke slowly opened his eyes, his mind still foggy from sleep. But as his vision cleared, he realized something was wrong.

This wasn't where he had fallen asleep. It was a strange room—cold, unfamiliar, and dimly lit.

"Where's the teacher...?" he muttered instinctively.

His thoughts immediately turned to Leo.

Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed behind him. A voice he had heard countless times in his nightmares.

"You're awake."

Sasuke froze. That voice—smooth, cold, distant—made the hairs on his neck stand on end.

He slowly turned around and saw him.

The figure standing in the shadows was unmistakable.

"Uchiha... Itachi…" Sasuke's voice trembled, filled with a whirlwind of shock, confusion, and rage.

It was him.

The demon who haunted his childhood.

The man he had sworn to kill.

"Uchiha Itachi!!"

In an instant, Sasuke's Sharingan flared to life. His right hand sparked with electricity.

[Lightning Style: Chidori]!

"Go to hell, Itachi!!"

Sasuke roared in fury as he lunged forward. His Chidori, crackling with deadly energy, aimed straight at his brother's chest.

But—

Bang!!

Before Sasuke could land the blow, Itachi moved.

With a single swift motion, Itachi caught Sasuke by the throat, effortlessly suppressing his Chidori and slamming him against the wall.

The scene was eerily similar to their encounter years ago in Konoha.

"You're still weak, Sasuke," Itachi said coldly, his crimson Sharingan glowing ominously. "Because your hatred for me isn't strong enough."

"Shut up!!" Sasuke screamed, his rage boiling over.

His own Sharingan fully activated—Three Tomoe—matching his brother's gaze.

Despite being pinned with one hand, Sasuke wasn't done. Using his free hand, he charged up another Chidori.

He had been training relentlessly. Back in Konoha, even during sparring sessions with Leo and his Wood Clones, Sasuke had refined his mastery over Lightning Style.

Now, he could switch between left and right hand usage with ease.

The second Chidori ignited fiercely in his palm as he aimed it at Itachi's side.

Itachi's expression remained unreadable, but inwardly, he was surprised.

'He's become this proficient in Chidori… and his Sharingan has matured to Three Tomoe...'

Despite the grim nature of their meeting, Itachi felt a flicker of pride.

But it didn't last.

"Mangekyō Sharingan!!"

Zheng!!

In a flash, Itachi's eyes transformed. The Mangekyō Sharingan opened, exuding overwhelming pressure.

In an instant, Sasuke's Three Tomoe Sharingan was rendered useless before the vast power of Itachi's Mangekyō.

In the blink of an eye—

Sasuke collapsed, defeated.

"Forgive me, Sasuke…"

---

Meanwhile – Konoha Village

Hokage Building – Rooftop

Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!

Several figures suddenly appeared on the rooftop in a flicker of light.

Flying Thunder God Technique!

Their arrival was immediate and startling.

"Konoha…" a deep, resonant voice muttered.

Uchiha Madara stood at the front, his black eyes scanning the vast village before him. There was a glint of emotion in his gaze—nostalgia? Bitterness?

"Hashirama…" he whispered as he stepped forward, standing at the edge of the rooftop with arms folded.

Behind him, Leo watched silently. He didn't want to disturb Madara in this moment of reflection.

"This is Konoha, huh?" Konan said softly, her eyes scanning the village.

"I came here not long ago with Itachi," Kisame added with a chuckle. "Didn't think I'd be visiting again so soon."

Nagato nodded, his gaze distant. "The village of Master Jiraiya…"

Konan glanced sideways at Nagato, a trace of warmth in her expression. Seeing him healthy again—able to walk—made her heart swell with gratitude.

But beneath that warmth lay the weight of a harsh truth.

The two "Uchiha Madara"—Leo and the real Madara—had taken possession of Yahiko's body and soul.

In exchange, they had offered a deal neither Konan nor Nagato could refuse.

They promised that once the ninja world was unified, Yahiko would be resurrected. The three of them would be together again.

It was a hope they couldn't abandon.

And a price they couldn't escape.

Konan and Nagato were now bound to obey.

"Tch. What a pain," Deidara muttered. "Boss, we have enough power to take over the ninja world without all this. Why bother coming to Konoha?"

Almost all the Akatsuki members had come, except Itachi. His ties to Konoha made his presence too sensitive. He had requested to remain behind.

Leo had agreed without protest.

He could join later when necessary.

At Deidara's complaint, Leo finally spoke.

"Because I want their surrender. Not just a victory."

"In the battles to come, we'll reveal our true strength to the entire ninja world. Let every village see it with their own eyes."

"Until they have no choice… but to submit."

"This," Leo said, his black pupils flashing with determination, "is military unification."

Konan, Nagato, Sasori, and others silently regarded him.

A few moments later—

"Madara!"

A loud voice rang out, followed by the arrival of a beautiful woman flanked by elite Anbu ninja.

It was the Fifth Hokage—Princess Tsunade.

Her sharp eyes swept over the Akatsuki members, lingering especially on Leo and the man next to him.

Their chakra was immense—especially the two "Uchiha Madara."

Tsunade had sensed it the moment they arrived above her office.

"What is the meaning of this?" she snapped, fists clenched. "Why are you here? Why have you brought these criminals to Konoha?!"

Even if the Akatsuki weren't yet openly attacking tailed beasts like in the original timeline, their reputation was well known in the ninja world.

Each member was a powerful rogue ninja. Dangerous and unpredictable.

Tsunade stared at Leo, baffled and angry.

Why would someone like him bring such threats directly to her village?

Leo met her gaze calmly.

"Listen closely."

"There will be no more Hokage in Konoha from today onward."

"Soon, there will be no Konoha at all."

"We are going to create a new, unified world."

"A world without endless wars, lies, or hidden villages."

"We will… unify the entire ninja world!"

---

To Be Continued...