Naruto Chapter 490

[Sidnne]

The Madara casket theory is okay, but I'm hoping its the Sage of the Six Paths. He was strong enough to seal the Jyuubi away, so that would TOTALLY wreck Madara's plan. From a strategic trump card perspective, that would do to get Madara to negotiate.

The First Hokage is an okay choice too, since the Senjutsu are supposed to be able to stop the Uchiha jutsu.

There's no reason for the Sage of the Six Paths to be kept a secret or for Madara to be concerned if Kabuto tells anyone. Same goes for Madara's brother.

You have to remember, Kishi kept the casket hidden from the reader, not just the characters. The reader already knows the connection between Madara and his brother, and the story of the Sage of the Six Paths. There is nothing to be gained by hiding either of those from the reader.

[poopdeville]

There's no reason for the Sage of the Six Paths to be kept a secret or for Madara to be concerned if Kabuto tells anyone. Same goes for Madara's brother.

So you think the Kages wouldn't try to make a deal with Kabuto if they knew he controlled the strongest ninja ever? A ninja they KNOW can seal away the Jyuubi? Basically permanently? (remember, Sarutobi had to seal the First and Second's soul in hell to kill the resurrected bodies. They wouldn't die, otherwise. The reason the Sage split the Jyuubi was that the seal he made wasn't strong enough to keep it in one place after his death...)

Yeah, there's a reason for Kabuto to keep the Sage of the Six Paths quiet from the other characters.

Regarding your "meta" point about the structure of the narrative: don't underestimate the cheap thrill factor. They introduced the Sage of the Six Paths as the strongest ninja in the world, ever. Guess who would end up fighting him. Gok... I mean, Naruto.