Chapter 260: UOS Chapter 260 : The Ninja World is About to Become Chaotic
The moment Sarutobi Asuma saw Uchiha Taiga, he subconsciously took a deep breath.
His chest heaved high before he slowly exhaled. He repeated this twice, barely suppressing the unease in his heart. His hands hung by his sides, fingers trembling slightly, though the movement was so subtle it was imperceptible without a close look. Perhaps even he hadn’t noticed it himself.
Beside him, Yuhi Kurenai stared at Uchiha Taiga’s face. Whatever she was thinking about caused a faint blush to creep up her cheeks.
The redness spread all the way from her neck to the tips of her ears, looking especially distinct under the sunlight. Her eyes narrowed slightly as her gaze rested on Taiga’s face, as if she were admiring a piece of art she hadn’t seen in a long time.
Sarutobi Asuma noticed this and quietly took a step forward, blocking Yuhi Kurenai from view. His broad frame shielded her completely, leaving only a small tuft of her black hair visible over his shoulder.
He spoke in a deep voice, “It’s been a long time, Uchiha Taiga.”
His voice was somewhat tight, clearly betraying his current state of mind.
Uchiha Taiga followed the voice, his gaze sweeping over the group. He looked from Sarutobi Asuma to Yuhi Kurenai, then to Might Guy, Hatake Kakashi, and finally the young ninjas.
He tilted his head slightly before a look of realization washed over his face, followed by a smile.
“It’s you, wild monkey.”
His tone was casual, as if he were simply calling an old friend by their nickname.
Sarutobi Asuma’s mouth twitched.
Uchiha Taiga then looked at Might Guy.
“Mr. Youth.”
Then he looked at Hatake Kakashi.
“Deadpan joker.”
His smile deepened.
“You’re all here. How nice. To think I’d actually get to see you guys again.”
His tone carried a sense of genuine nostalgia.
Finally, his gaze landed on Yuhi Kurenai. Peering past Sarutobi Asuma’s shoulder, he caught sight of her flushed face.
He grinned.
“Kurenai, you’ve become quite the woman.”
Sarutobi Asuma’s face darkened. He immediately shifted another step, completely obscuring Yuhi Kurenai so that not even the tuft of her black hair could be seen.
He glared at Uchiha Taiga. “Please refrain from calling me a wild monkey.”
“I have a name. It’s Sarutobi Asuma.”
His tone was dead serious, as if he were correcting a grave mistake.
Uchiha Taiga looked at him and nodded.
“Yeah, yeah, I know.”
His voice remained nonchalant.
“Who told you to be so rebellious back then? You were the one who refused to acknowledge the Third Hokage first.”
He spoke as if it were a matter of fact.
Sarutobi Asuma opened his mouth to retort, but the words died in his throat.
He found himself unable to argue, because it was the truth.
In his youth, he had indeed been incredibly rebellious. He had a poor relationship with his father, the Third Hokage, and had even run away from home.
Uchiha Taiga wasn’t wrong.
His expression soured further, but he remained silent.
At that moment, Might Guy stepped out from behind Asuma. He walked to the front and flashed Uchiha Taiga a brilliant grin, his teeth practically sparkling in the sunlight.
“Long time no see, explosion guy!”
His voice boomed, filled with the joy of reuniting with an old friend.
Hatake Kakashi stood to the side, saying nothing.
His right eye was slightly narrowed, and with his mask covering most of his face, his expression was unreadable.
Yuhi Kurenai peeked out from behind Sarutobi Asuma, the blush on her face not yet fully faded. She looked at Uchiha Taiga, the corners of her lips curling up into a faint smile.
Seeing these people filled Uchiha Taiga with an inexplicable sense of nostalgia.
His thoughts instantly drifted back to those few days over a decade ago when he had first entered the academy.
Back then, he was just a kid, walking through the gates of the Ninja Academy with a backpack, sitting in the classroom, and looking at all those unfamiliar faces.
Sarutobi Asuma had been a brash brat sitting in the corner, ignoring everyone.
Might Guy had already been wearing his green jumpsuit, running laps around the field while shouting about youth.
Hatake Kakashi had been a prodigy, maintaining a deadpan expression all day long.
And Yuhi Kurenai had sat by the window, looking beautiful as the sunlight bathed her face.
Although he hadn’t enrolled normally and had dropped out after only a few days, he had still been in the same year and class as them, making them classmates for a brief time.
They had all been children back then. Now that they were meeting again, it was only natural to feel a bit sentimental.
He smiled at Yuhi Kurenai. “Do you have anything to say, Kurenai?”
“Back in class, I always thought you’d grow up to be a great beauty. Looks like my intuition was spot on.”
Yuhi Kurenai’s face grew even redder. She looked at Uchiha Taiga, her lips curving upward.
“Thank you for the compliment.”
Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of shyness.
Namikaze Minato coughed dryly. He had been standing to the side, watching Uchiha Taiga catch up with the Konoha ninjas. After a moment of silence, he spoke up.
“Taiga. Yugito left instructions for us to keep an eye on the women around you.”
Uchiha Taiga’s expression immediately turned serious.
He dropped his smile, looking at Namikaze Minato and then at the Konoha ninjas. “So, what brings you all here?”
His voice was strictly business, like someone getting down to serious matters.
Namikaze Minato looked at him and remained silent for a moment.
“It’s about Naruto.”
His voice was somewhat heavy.
Uchiha Taiga nodded in understanding.
“They came looking for Uzumaki Naruto, only to find he didn’t come to the Land of Rain?”
Namikaze Minato nodded.
“Exactly.”
Uchiha Taiga then spoke.
“Simple.”
His voice was casual.
“Go find Uchiha Madara. He was definitely taken by that guy.”
His tone was absolute, as if stating an undeniable fact.
Namikaze Minato’s expression changed.
It wasn’t just him; the others also paled upon hearing that name.
Sarutobi Asuma’s mouth fell slightly open, his eyes wide. Yuhi Kurenai covered her mouth with her hand, her pupils shrinking. Might Guy’s smile froze on his face, his entire body going rigid as if paralyzed.
Hatake Kakashi’s Sharingan spun faster, the three tomoe whirling rapidly within his eye socket.
Although the young ninjas didn’t know who Uchiha Madara was, seeing their teachers’ reactions told them the name was anything but simple.
Nara Shikamaru’s brow furrowed deeper as his mind raced to search for information regarding that name.
Then, he remembered.
Uchiha Madara.
One of the founders of Konoha, the Asura of the Ninja World, a legendary man.
His expression also changed.
Namikaze Minato took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
He looked at Uchiha Taiga and asked in a deep voice.
“Taiga, how can you be so sure?”
His voice was slightly strained.
Uchiha Taiga gave him a strange look.
“Who else in the ninja world would be interested in the Tailed Beasts?”
His voice was calm, as if he were discussing something completely ordinary.
Namikaze Minato’s body trembled slightly.
His eyes snapped wide open, his pupils constricting, and his lips parting slightly.
A flurry of thoughts surged through his mind in that instant.
Tailed Beasts.
Naruto had the Nine-Tails inside him.
The Nine-Tails was the strongest of the Tailed Beasts.
Uchiha Madara’s goal was the Tailed Beasts.
If Madara had taken Naruto, what was his purpose?
He didn’t dare think any further.
His expression turned completely grim.
And Uchiha Taiga’s next words made it even harder for him to maintain his composure.
“Get ready.”
Uchiha Taiga’s voice was calm.
“I have a feeling that the ninja world is about to become chaotic.”
As his words fell, everyone present felt an inexplicable surge of pressure. Namikaze Minato hurriedly asked, “How do we find Uchiha Madara?”
Uchiha Taiga looked at him weirdly. “How should I know?”
Namikaze Minato fell silent.
Seeing him like this, Uchiha Taiga shook his head. “Forget it. Since things have come to this, it looks like my peaceful life is about to be disrupted too.”
With that, he looked at the Konoha group. “Go back and tell Orochimaru. Ask him what exactly he’s trying to do.”
Namikaze Minato’s expression changed. “Are you saying Orochimaru is in contact with Uchiha Madara?”
Uchiha Taiga scoffed. “Isn’t it obvious?”
Hearing this, the Konoha ninjas—especially the leading Jonin—all paled.
They suddenly had a very bad feeling.
Uchiha Taiga continued, “Since you’re already here, it means the moment I’ve been waiting for has arrived. Don’t blame me for what happens next.”
Sarutobi Asuma asked sternly, “What are you planning to do?”
Uchiha Taiga chuckled softly. “Change the ninja world, and then go realize my dream.”