Chapter 236: Then I'll Have to Start With You
In the blink of an eye, Uchiha Madara's chakra aura had grown at least ten times stronger than before.
It was obvious that by using a Kage-level powerhouse like the Fourth Raikage as the sacrifice for his Reanimation, the resurrected Madara had regained power far closer to what he possessed in life.
Even Uchiha Dali's expression showed a faint trace of solemnity.
The power radiating from Madara was enough to make him feel a hint of caution.
Now, with strength closer to his prime, Madara looked at Dali with a hint of disdain. "Although I still haven't completely recovered, this level of power should be more than enough to deal with you."
As he spoke, Madara slowly raised his hand toward Dali.
"I'll ask you one last time—this is also your final chance. Uchiha Dali, will you join me in changing this world and altering both our destinies?
Come with me toward eternal immortality. Together, we'll conquer the vast expanse of the universe."
Once again, Madara extended his invitation.
He looked sincere, as if he weren't lying.
But in Dali's eyes at this moment, there was something strange about his words.
Dali knew this man was a genius among geniuses.
Still, the changes in Madara's thinking were too drastic.
So drastic that Dali couldn't help but suspect—just what had Madara encountered during this time that could overturn his past beliefs so completely?
This guy… could it be he's already come across those people?
The thought rose unbidden in Dali's mind.
He then looked straight at Madara and asked, "I'm curious—during the time after you escaped, what exactly did you encounter?
My instincts tell me something must have happened to you."
As he spoke, Dali directly activated his Observation Haki, focusing his mind completely in an attempt to foresee the future and see through Madara's secrets.
Unfortunately, future sight couldn't pinpoint a specific period of a target's past, so it was useless here.
Still, Madara didn't try to hide anything.
He answered frankly, "At first, when I heard the so-called 'truth' you told me, I didn't believe it.
That was until I met a certain man—he called himself Ōtsutsuki Isshiki.
He told me many things, including things you didn't tell me before.
In short, I've come to understand my own insignificance, and how vast the real world truly is.
World peace? Hmph… that's nothing more than a child's dream."
His gaze hardened. "It seems you won't stand at my side. In that case, I'll have to start with you and settle this right here."
The moment he finished speaking, Madara attacked.
He first tried to cast genjutsu on Dali.
But it didn't work.
Dali also possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan, and it was in no way inferior to Madara's.
On top of that, his powerful Observation Haki was still active.
Even before Madara moved, Dali already knew his next action.
He dodged the illusion attack with ease.
Madara didn't seem surprised.
Without hesitation, he launched a new assault—fast, ruthless, and merciless.
In an instant, their fight erupted. Heaven and earth darkened, winds howled, thunder roared.
The entire world was quickly shrouded in darkness.
Terrifying chakra pressure spread throughout the area.
…
In another space—the Kara Organization's headquarters.
Jigen had arrived in the underground depths. The moment he descended, he heard the roar of a ferocious beast.
Before him stood a creature much like the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, but many times smaller.
The moment it saw him, the creature let out an angry bellow, repeatedly straining to break free from its invisible cage.
Jigen seemed long accustomed to the sight.
Calmly, he approached the miniature statue-like monster and said casually, "I know you want to eat me right now, but it's not time yet.
I need your power for now. When I return to my peak, that will be the day you grow."
Murmuring to himself, he extended his unique technique toward the creature, drawing out its chakra into his own body without pause.
With the replenishment, his body—on the verge of collapse moments ago—quickly recovered.
In just a moment, Jigen felt fully restored, as though he'd never been injured.
But deep down, he knew better than anyone that this state wouldn't last long.
His body would inevitably weaken again as time passed, unable to bear the power within it—becoming even weaker than before, weaker than ever.
In that state, it wasn't that he would immediately explode on the spot.
Rather, his chakra would be rapidly devoured—a backlash, or perhaps the body's own form of self-preservation.
Since his vessel couldn't withstand such overwhelming power, the mechanism would strip away the excess chakra to prevent destruction.
And so, he would naturally become weak, without even needing anyone else to drain him.
It was a fatal vulnerability.
What's more, if this continued long enough, the body would collapse completely and vanish.
I still need to find a suitable vessel as soon as possible.
Jigen thought, glancing at the now much calmer miniature statue-beast, subdued after his chakra was taken.
He reassured it, "Don't worry, Ten Tails.
I'll be back soon.
When that time comes, I'll let you absorb my power."
With that, he turned and left.
Back on the surface, Jigen's brow furrowed slightly.
He had suddenly sensed a powerful chakra aura, faint but coming from a very distant place.
It was familiar—yet also a little strange.
"That guy?"
He instantly recognized it as Uchiha Madara's chakra.
But what puzzled him was that, aside from Madara's suddenly much stronger power, there was another equally powerful presence.
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