While Hashirama was busy mentally wrestling with the idea of reviving Uchiha Madara—
On the other side of the shinobi world, Uchiha Madara, Uchiha Izuna, and Orochimaru were in the middle of discussing how to help Madara return to his full strength.
"It's not difficult," Orochimaru said with confidence. "After the repairs from the Box of Ultimate Bliss, your body is already capable of sustaining a constant flow of life force without leakage. It just needs a few minor adjustments."
"With the Gedo Statue available, we only need to wait for the next batch of White Zetsu to be ready. By then, my research will be complete. As for the transfer of life energy, you, Madara-sama, have your Rinnegan to regulate your condition. It's really not that complicated."
Uchiha Izuna listened to Orochimaru's explanation with a pleasant smile and gave a nod. "Thank you for your efforts, Orochimaru-san."
Though Izuna wasn't much of a scientist, he was skilled in guarding against forbidden techniques—whether they involved the soul, the mind, or basic ninjutsu…
This is all thanks to the help of Senju Tobirama.
In Izuna's view, there was nothing suspicious about Orochimaru's proposal. And even if the man was plotting something, it wouldn't matter.
After all, not everyone was a Tobirama-level threat—
And Madara wasn't wielding an ordinary Mangekyō Sharingan.
He had the Rinnegan.
"Well done, Orochimaru."
Madara clapped Orochimaru on the shoulder, visibly pleased, while silently musing to himself.
Having a scientist like this—a version of Tobirama who actually helps with technique development—is surprisingly convenient.
…Even if that bastard Tobirama still deserved to die.
Standing nearby, Uchiha Obito narrowed his eyes as he observed the scene, a thought surfacing in his mind.
From what Black Zetsu had told him, Obito had pieced together the current 'state of the world'.
Kazuki was a forbidden-tech construct of Senju Tobirama. The twisted Second Hokage had failed to control him, and so sealed him beneath the sea—then ran back to Konoha to deceive the villagers, summoning all the strongest shinobi of past generations to keep Kazuki suppressed…
Uchiha Izuna saw Kazuki as little more than a test subject for the Uchiha Stone Tablet.
Madara too… had the same view.
And now, Obito's greatest advantage was—
The White Zetsu intelligence network was, in truth, under Black Zetsu's control. And in secret, it was also helping Obito grow stronger using "Rin's Mangekyō technique."
According to Black Zetsu's plan—
In order to prevent Senju Tobirama—Kazuki's bait—from discovering Madara while he was still in a weakened state and thus risking being bound by Kazuki's ocular techniques…
Black Zetsu intended to wait until Uchiha Madara had fully recovered his strength before manipulating White Zetsu to inform Tobirama of Kazuki's revival—luring the furious Tobirama and his companions into a direct confrontation!
And by then, Uchiha Obito would have fully digested its chakra and become a true player in the war—someone capable of tipping the balance of the battlefield.
"Life force… Orochimaru is using a life force technique to restore Madara's body. And isn't Rin also currently in a weakened state?"
Obito gave a soft cough.
"Orochimaru, do you still have the documentation for that technique? I need a copy."
Madara's eyes narrowed dangerously.
Black Zetsu might be a creature he had casually created with Yin-Yang Release, but it still served as his mouthpiece. If Obito dared to kill it without permission, that would be a slap in the face to the so-called 'Shura of the Shinobi World'.
Madara was already being lenient by not holding Obito accountable—
And now the brat was asking for resources?
Before Madara could speak, Izuna let out a carefree laugh.
"No problem, Obito. It's a good thing for someone your age to have an eagerness to learn. I'll have Orochimaru give you the documents on life force techniques."
"If you're interested, you can even come watch."
Obito forced out a stiff smile and gave a gloomy nod.
"Thanks."
At first, Obito had thought Uchiha Izuna was a decent guy.
But once he learned that Izuna saw Kazuki as nothing more than a lab rat for the Uchiha Stone Tablet, that illusion shattered immediately.
So much for being a senior who cared about his clan…
In this shinobi world, the only ones he could truly trust were Kazuki and Rin.
"Why did you give him the technique?" Madara asked, puzzled.
"It doesn't matter, Brother. He still has some value to us," Izuna replied casually. "And besides, once he gets his hands on those techniques, all it'll do is delay his training with the Mangekyō Sharingan. When it comes to jutsu, quality matters more than quantity."
"He's not a genius like Kazuki, after all."
Madara pondered for a moment, then nodded.
Hmm. My brother has a point...
Meanwhile, within Obito's mental space, Black Zetsu spoke with a heavy tone.
"Obito, you shouldn't have shown interest in that technique just now—it could raise their suspicions. What we need to do is lie low and wait for the right moment to rescue Kazuki… and retrieve the Gedo Statue."
"I understand. I'll quietly focus on mastering the power you've given me."
Obito sighed, his Sharingan blinking faintly.
"I was only thinking… if we're going to break Kazuki out of the seal, he might be in a weakened state. That life force technique might help restore him."
Black Zetsu opened its mouth.
It really wanted to scold Obito—but from a strategic perspective, rescuing Kazuki was their shared goal. Obito thinking ahead wasn't exactly a bad thing.
Still, Obito's constant worry over Kazuki made it difficult for Black Zetsu to stay composed.
He was way too emotionally invested.
From Black Zetsu's perspective, even if the Sage of Six Paths himself or its mother Kaguya were in danger, that dark, cunning bastard Kazuki would still be just fine.
Seriously… this was getting out of hand.
Black Zetsu shut its mouth and stewed in silence.
Off to the side, Obito simply shook his head, saying nothing more.
Was the life force technique really something he'd requested for Kazuki's sake?
Of course not…
Kazuki was the strongest medical-nin in Konoha. Why would he need anything from someone like Orochimaru and his third-rate tricks?
Obito wanted that technique because he was hoping—just maybe—he could use it to help Black Zetsu prolong its own existence.
After all, Black Zetsu had told him before:
His ocular technique was a one-way ticket—a power that burned away his life as a form of penance, a force that helped him grow stronger at the cost of himself.
Uchiha Obito could not accept an ending where Rin simply died like that.
Even though he believed that Kazuki would surely have a way to help Black Zetsu solve this problem after being rescued, Obito still wanted to make an effort himself. He couldn't always trouble Kazuki with everything.
"I won't explain this to Rin right now… Otherwise, she'll definitely scold me—'Why are Uchiha always so extreme? Why must everything be atoned with death?'"
A mixture of joy and sorrow filled Obito's heart as he thought: "I won't let you die, Rin!"
Black Zetsu, sulking nearby, didn't notice Obito's thoughts.
For Kazuki?
Hmph.
...
Back in Konohagakure, after Senju Tobirama returned—
A meeting was held, during which everyone was shocked to learn what had happened to Kazuki.
Though the village fell into a flurry of activity, those closest to Kazuki gradually emerged from their grief and busy work—only to be haunted again by his final farewell.
At the Uchiha clan compound—
In Kazuki's home courtyard—
Shisui sat in silence, reflecting on every moment he had spent with Kazuki. A sorrow as vast as the ocean engulfed him.
"Brother… wait for me. I will come save you…"
Shisui roared in his heart: 'I'm not the same as before! I've awakened the Mangekyō that can unleash hidden potential! I will defeat the evil Sage of Six Paths!'
In the end, he had still been the useless younger brother—
Kazuki had carried the burden alone, once again.
This time, Kazuki wasn't just fighting for the village—
He was fighting for the entire shinobi world.
Shisui gently stroked the blade in his hands—Muramasa, once belonging to Uchiha Izuna, and later a companion in Kazuki's journey. His tears streamed down uncontrollably.
Might Duy stood silently under the eaves, listening to Shisui's sobs, remembering Kazuki's final words to him—
"Uncle Duy, I'll be counting on you to take care of them. The war ahead will be brutal."
Although Might Duy had already had a vague premonition…
It wasn't until Tobirama shared the full story of his and Kazuki's journey that Duy finally understood—
The truly brutal war wasn't the so-called Third Great Ninja War.
Even if it had been the bloodiest in recorded history, it was nothing compared to what was coming…
The war against the Sage of Six Paths.
"The war that had to be fought… Kazuki-sama already fought it for us. The ideals that needed protecting… Kazuki-sama already held them up for the village. The path that needed walking… Kazuki-sama already walked it to the end…"
Might Duy sat down beside Shisui. His thick brows stood firm like mountains as he said in a deep voice: "Now it's our turn to stand united—
To bring Kazuki-sama back!"
"Get it together, Shisui! Now isn't the time to grieve…
We need to burn our youth to its fullest—
So we can welcome Kazuki-sama home and watch him don the cloak of the Fourth Hokage!"
Shisui's sobs gradually quieted.
He lifted his head to look at Duy, whose eyes also shimmered with tears.
He nodded solemnly.
"…Uncle Duy, I understand!"
"Shisui, your dōjutsu—it can awaken the potential within the human body, right?"
Might Duy looked into the Mangekyō patterns in Shisui's eyes and said seriously: "I need that power. I want to burn my youth in an even fiercer blaze. Use part of it on me—I need to adapt to it."
Without hesitation, a crimson gleam flashed across Shisui's eyes.
Eight Gates: Gate of Death—
and the Mangekyō Sharingan that could further awaken latent potential—
began their synchronization at that very moment.
And throughout the village of Konoha—
There were many other shinobi just like Might Duy and Shisui, sharing that same resolve.
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