"Konoha?" Madara was a little surprised. "Why would Konoha send an invitation to Fugaku?"

White Zetsu handed the scroll to him. "Read the contents. You will understand."

Madara put Shiro down and opened the scroll. The boy leaned over curiously and read along with him.

"To the honorable leader of Madara-gakure…"

"Based on the principle of peaceful coexistence, Konoha will be holding the Chunin Exams. We hope that you will appoint your village's elite Genin to participate."

"This exam will be attended by many daimyos and leaders from various countries. Genin from villages around the world will compete on the same stage. This will be an opportunity to showcase the strength of each respective ninja village."

"So, it's an invitation to the Chunin Exams." Looking at the contents, a slow, dangerous smile spread across Madara's face. "Interesting. How dare they send an invitation to my village? Are they looking for trouble? It just so happens that my first target after leaving the mountain is Konoha. Instead of simply defeating them, I would much rather humiliate them in front of the entire world."

Shiro's eyes lit up with excitement. "Dad, it seems like you're planning to send someone to participate. Just so you know, I want to go! I'm the right age, after all."

White Zetsu interjected, "The rules for the Chunin Exams require a team of three Genin, plus a supervising jonin."

"Then let me, Sasuke, and Izumi form a team of three," Shiro said. "We're still short a teacher, but we can just pick one from the village."

"There is no need to choose," Madara said, crossing his arms. "I will take you. We have already agreed that we would do this together. I want to see Konoha's humiliation with my own eyes."

"Lord Madara, do you truly wish for Madara-gakure to participate?" White Zetsu asked. "Shiro is one thing, but if Sasuke and the others show themselves, the fact that our village was founded by the Uchiha will be revealed to the world. Konoha will surely take action."

"Not necessarily," Shiro said with a knowing smile. "If we can achieve something of note, it will be exactly what my father and I want. But given the current attitude of Konoha's leadership, I don't think they would dare to move against the Uchiha in public."

"And," he continued, "I think Konoha has likely already discovered this secret. Madara-gakure has been established for a long time, and our clansmen have carried out countless missions. It is inevitable that there would be some omissions. Konoha is a powerful village; their intelligence network is surely not to be underestimated. There may be other reasons why they have not yet taken action, or they may have some unspoken, hidden motives."

Black Zetsu added, "What Shiro says makes sense. I have heard that the Sound Village, founded by Orochimaru, also received an invitation. Orochimaru is a known traitor to Konoha, yet they have done nothing to him. I truly do not know what goes on in the minds of Konoha's leaders."

Hearing this, Madara sneered with disdain. "I think they are cowards. Zetsu, who is the current Hokage?"

"The current one is the Third, Sarutobi Hiruzen, a rotten old man," White Zetsu replied. "The Fourth, Namikaze Minato, voluntarily abdicated due to the Uchiha rebellion, and the village's political power has been in Sarutobi's hands ever since."

"That brat Sarutobi has been in power for quite some time. He truly cannot bear to give up the power he holds, can he? The older people get, the more they fear losing what they have. I, of all people, have the most right to speak on this matter," Madara said, his eyes gradually darkening. "Hmph. After this Chunin Exam, I'm afraid he will lose more than just his power."

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