Seiki Shimaseki showed no sign of panic, instead asking with interest, "Oh? Why is that?"
Madara stared into his eyes. "Because you wanted to use Akatsuki as a threat to rule the world—and you actually succeeded!"
Seiki Shimaseki remained calm. "Do you really expect anyone to believe such slander from a villain trying to destroy the world toward a hero who protects it? Who would dare believe it?"
Hearing Seiki Shimaseki's meaningful words, Madara nodded in agreement. "Indeed, not only have you covered your tracks perfectly, but even if you slipped up one day, those who noticed would subconsciously deny it—perhaps even help you hide it! Because someone like you absolutely cannot be evil. Otherwise, it would be the most terrifying catastrophe in existence!"
Seiki Shimaseki sighed. "Seriously, I said not to slander me anymore!"
Madara burst into laughter. "I'm not trying to bring you down. I just want to prove I didn't lose to someone like Hashirama, but to someone just like me!"
"Someone like me?" Seiki Shimaseki smiled faintly. "Do you really think we're the same?"
That arrogant remark from such a perfect-looking guy felt totally off.
Madara's expression darkened. He coldly snorted, "You only achieved what I couldn't because of your overwhelming strength!"
Seiki Shimaseki smiled. "Holding that belief shows you've never truly understood this world."
Listening to their conversation, Black Zetsu, hiding within the other host, was shaking like a leaf.
Even he hadn't detected Seiki Shimaseki's hidden true nature!
When it came to scheming and manipulation, he was Madara's master. But unlike Madara—the calculating leader of shinobi no sekai—he himself was a filial son seeking to save his mother by splitting the moon.
With different perspectives, they saw completely different things.
Madara, projecting his own nature onto others, saw light embracing darkness. But projecting his own feelings outward, he saw boundless love!
"This guy is truly terrifying!" Black Zetsu trembled. Previously, he had merely feared the opponent's strength and potential, but now he feared his methods and character even more!
This guy was watching disasters unfold while secretly making them worse—and still getting praised for it! Someone like that is just plain terrifying!
Thinking this, Black Zetsu retreated even deeper, not daring to make a single move for fear of being discovered by the Great Demon King!
"You claim I haven't seen this world clearly?" Madara scoffed. "It's precisely because I see it too clearly that I want to reshape it!"
"Reshape?" Seiki Shimaseki slightly shook his head. "Making the entire world live in falsehood is called running away!"
Madara wasn't surprised that Seiki Shimaseki knew about the Moon's Eye Plan. He merely sneered, "You're still young now, so you think this way. Ten or twenty years from now, you'll realize everything you're doing is pointless!"
"After your death, the order you established will collapse. The peace you created will shatter. This false peace will crumble into war and suffering!"
"Humankind's inherent flaws are the root of all disasters. As long as people continue to exist, pain will keep getting passed on endlessly! Only in an illusionary world will tragedies never repeat!"
Seiki Shimaseki rubbed his chin, "This problem isn't hard to solve!"
Madara Uchiha frowned, "Not hard to solve?"
"That's right. The premise of your predicted future is that I'm dead!" Seiki Shimaseki clapped his hands together. "Then all I need to do is stay alive forever!"
Within Obito's body, Black Zetsu hesitated again, thinking of his mother. "Am I really going to let this happen?"
The Rinnegan, the Tailed Beasts, and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path were all right here. If he missed this chance, he might not get another one for a thousand years!
After all, he didn't possess the Rinnegan or convenient abilities like the Shadow of the Rinnegan. On his own, there was no way he could reclaim the Demonic Statue!
Just as he hesitated, Seiki's words struck his mind like lightning!
"That's right... If he truly achieves immortality..."
With anyone else, he'd never have such concerns.
But Seiki Shimaseki was different. That man was always striving, always pushing his own limits. He'd already become a god among shinobi seven years ago, yet he hadn't relaxed for a single day since!
With such incredible determination, he might actually achieve that level of immortality!
If Seiki Shimaseki achieved immortality, he'd never have another chance to rescue his mother!
"So this might truly be my last opportunity!"
Looking at Seiki Shimaseki's unprotected back, Black Zetsu felt his right hand twitch with anticipation.
This was the final chance!
Even though fear loomed ahead, his love for his mother overpowered his fear!
He, Black Zetsu, was going for it!
Outside, Madara Uchiha's pupils suddenly contracted. "You want to pursue the secrets of immortality?"
Seiki Shimaseki smiled. "As long as I can live forever, this world will know no more war!"
Madara Uchiha's voice grew deeper. "Indeed. If you remained alive, every ambitious schemer would have to consider your influence. Because you... are the greatest schemer in this world!"
Seiki Shimaseki sighed. "Calling someone like me, who's actually kind-hearted, an ambitious schemer... That's really a stretch."
As he spoke, Seiki Shimaseki suddenly turned around and grabbed the wrist reaching toward his back. "Wouldn't you agree, Black Zetsu?"
Black Zetsu's body stiffened, sweat pouring from him like rain. "You... You knew I wasn't dead?"
"Of course!"
"But how? Obito clearly..."
Seiki Shimaseki smiled. "It's because I have complete confidence in Obito's intelligence! For him to turn the tables on an enemy? That just doesn't sound like something he'd pull off easily."
Black Zetsu gaped in shock. "That's it?"
Madara Uchiha frowned. "Black Zetsu, since you weren't dead, why didn't you contact me?"
Still thinking desperately of how to fake his death and escape, Black Zetsu quickly replied, "Lord Madara, since you were previously controlled by Nagato, I dared not reveal myself..."
But Seiki Shimaseki simply chuckled. "Madara Uchiha, do you know why I said you haven't truly seen this world clearly?"
Frowning, Madara Uchiha asked, "What are you trying to say?"
Seiki Shimaseki smiled. "You manipulated Obito's life, and Obito manipulated Nagato's life. But have you never considered... that your own life might also be under someone else's control?"
Black Zetsu trembled. This development seemed somewhat... off!
"Is my life being manipulated?"
Madara gave an annoyed snort, "My fate has always been in my own hands!"
"Exactly! Obito thought the same thing too!" Seiki nodded deeply in agreement.
Madara felt somewhat insulted, "Don't you dare compare me to that fool!"
"I actually think you two are quite similar!" Seiki smirked slightly, "Aren't both of you manipulated by Black Zetsu?"
"Black Zetsu?" Madara sneered, "Didn't Obito tell you that Black Zetsu is my consciousness manifestation?"
Seiki clicked his tongue, "That's quite interesting. Obito told me that Black Zetsu was born when you saved him and injected your consciousness in front of him. Then why did I encounter Black Zetsu two years before that during the battle at Hozuki Castle? Don't tell me that was time travel!"
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