"Itachi was a great ninja."
In his office, the Third let out a long sigh, involuntarily recalling a reliable comrade from the past.
Kagami Uchiha.
He was the first to advocate integrating into Konoha. In a sense, Motonami Uchiha now carried on Kagami Uchiha's will.
Like Itachi, Kagami Uchiha dedicated everything to Konoha.
Even at death, he arranged the future for Sasuke.
By dying at Sasuke's hands, Sasuke—who had killed an S-class rogue ninja—could thereby redeem himself and return to Konoha, giving the village a powerful ninja with the Eternal Kaleidoscope Sharingan.
That's what Itachi believed.
Previously, the Third would have agreed with Itachi's reasoning, but now, after seeing Kabuto's example in the manga, he rejected this approach.
The more you try to control someone according to your expectations, the more likely they are to develop different thoughts of their own.
Sasuke is no exception.
He's never been the obedient type—he's got his own thoughts and ideas. Why would he just blindly follow what Itachi wanted?
Eventually, things might go completely opposite of what was intended.
Still, if only Konoha could somehow create an Eternal Kaleidoscope Sharingan!
Of course, that was just wishful thinking.
Obtaining such eyes was extremely difficult. Even Madara needed his brother's eyes to evolve into eternity. Right now, the Uchiha clan only had Motonami and Eno. Even if the Uchiha wanted to experiment, Konoha would never agree.
Just then, footsteps echoed outside before a chunin rushed into the building, panting and flustered. "Third... Third, it's terrible!"
"What happened?"
The Third frowned slightly. He recognized this chunin as a teacher at the ninja academy, responsible for educating the children.
"The kids... They're holding a funeral ceremony for Uchiha Itachi on the school campus! We tried to stop them, but couldn't, so we came to ask for your guidance."
The chunin looked ashamed.
This should not have been an issue worth troubling the Third, but they truly couldn't reason with the kids.
When those kids get stubborn, there's simply no reasoning with them.
The Third looked genuinely shocked.
A funeral?
He asked quickly, "Who started this?"
"I-It's... It's Fugaku Uchiha."
The chunin covered his face.
"...!"
The Third's expression turned complicated.
Fugaku Uchiha—the kid who, in the manga, seemed to be "Itachi's" father. Viewed from that angle, perhaps it made sense for him to hold the event...
Wait, no—Itachi was a manga character! Who even holds a funeral for a fictional character?!
What the hell was Fugaku doing?
After a pause, he said, "Go find Motonami. Let him deal with those kids."
"T-The Motonami-sama said the Uchiha had important business today, and he claimed he respected his son's decision."
The chunin replied weakly.
The Third felt another headache coming on. Motonami again—always stirring up trouble. Rubbing his head, he accidentally pulled out another few strands of hair.
Damn it! He'd just stopped losing hair again too!
After enduring the pain for a while, he waved his hand dismissively. "If they all want to do it, let them have their way."
"Yes sir!"
The chunin nodded and prepared to leave.
Just then, an idea flashed in the Third's mind, causing him to immediately call back. "Wait! Go wake Akaba up from the Sakuma Clan and have him preside over the funeral—it's my order."
"Huh? Oh... Alright."
The Chunin didn't quite understand but followed orders and ran off toward the Sakuma Clan.
Itachi was the light in darkness. Although he had joined Akatsuki, his heart remained with Konoha, and all his thoughts were for the village's best interest.
If the kids wanted to hold a funeral, it meant they acknowledged this spirit.
Encouraging.
As for why they asked that teacher to call Akaba to take charge—
Where did all these things come from anyway?
Wasn't the root of it all still Akaba himself? That kid was clever, coming up with all sorts of ideas. Letting him take charge would be the best solution.
The Third sat down, glancing again at the scene where Itachi stabbed Sasuke.
It was touching before—he almost shed tears.
Thinking about how a five-year-old Fugaku was holding a funeral for a child he hadn't even had yet felt very strange.
What kind of situation was this!
In a dark cave within the Land of Wind.
Madara Uchiha held the newly acquired manga, slowly flipping through page by page.
He had two volumes in hand—one featured Jiraiya against Pain, while the other showed Itachi versus Sasuke.
Pain's Six Paths—
Madara's finger paused on those pages.
The manga depicting Jiraiya's battle with Pain was indeed intriguing, but more importantly, it stirred new thoughts in Madara. Just earlier, he considered using puppets for battle to avoid risking his own body.
And yet—
Just as he thought of that idea, today in the comics, this kid Sakuma Akaba drew exactly that concept, as if reading his mind.
Troublesome!
A strange silhouette flickered in the shadows, as if laughing.
Madara gave a cold snort, flipped the page, and without lingering on Pain's Six Paths, continued reading.
He also understood Sage Arts and Sage Mode.
Back then, Hashirama Senju's strongest technique was [Thousand Hands Manipulation Force]—just one strike crushed both Susanoo and the Nine-Tails halfway to death.
Even now, the diverse bodies created through Rinnegan abilities remained vulnerable to Sage Arts and could not evade their power.
If Konoha gained access to the secrets of the Sennin (ancient sage warriors)...
He chose not to dwell on it further. As Akaba had said, Madara, after all, was old; his lifespan was nearing its end, and his physical strength declined with every major battle.
The same was true for Mito Uzumaki.
Without realizing it, he had already finished this volume.
"How is it?"
Black Zetsu chuckled mockingly.
Madara ignored him, picking up the second volume to continue reading.
This was the latest updated manga. If it weren't for Black Zetsu bringing it here, he might have only gotten it tomorrow or even the day after.
Seeing the cover page, Madara couldn't help but frown slightly.
On the cover, Itachi and Sasuke stood facing each other from opposite sides, while between them stood a wild and unrestrained man whose eyes contained eerie six tomoe-like markings.
It was himself.
He had a rough idea of the plot—and understood Black Zetsu's purpose too—but Madara remained silent, opening the cover and continuing to read.
Madara felt a unique, complicated emotion toward this character.
If Izuna had lived, perhaps his life path would have been the same as Itachi's—to do anything for his younger brother, even opposing Hashirama Senju.
However, worldly matters rarely went as intended.
Madara failed to save his younger brother Izuna—and eventually even abandoned seeking revenge.
His hand rested on the page for a long time. He didn't turn it for a full minute or two, silently flipping it over at last.
It was too similar—between Itachi and Sasuke.
Pages turned, one by one.
After decades of life, this moment still reached the most tender corner of Madara's soul.
Because he understood so well, he could feel just how painful Itachi's choices and emotions must have been. This feeling echoed that moment long ago—when Hashirama Senju implored him to abandon his hatred and join forces to build Konoha.
One agonizing choice.
Like Itachi, he loved his younger brother deeply. Yet for the sake of peace, he gave up revenge, allowing Tobirama Senju—the old schemer—to live on as a hero of Konoha, without personally slaying the enemy who deserved it.
But as he turned to the section where Itachi described his so-called "experiences," Madara let out a bitter scoff.
Did I truly kill Izuna... for these eyes?
Is this what Tobirama Senju and those worthless members of my clan told the next generation?
Black Zetsu could sense the sudden surge of terrifying killing intent radiating from Madara. Madara's gaze was sharp as blades. He pursed his lips slightly but said nothing, continuing to read onward.
This page depicted the secrets of the Six-Tomoe Mangekyo Sharingan—the Eternal Kaleidoscope Sharingan.
Never losing its vision—holding the mightiest power of any eye.
It didn't go into specifics. Likely all were guesses made by that manga-obsessed kid. Naturally, some parts were no doubt contributions from Tobirama himself.
Back in the day, Tobirama had intensely studied the Sharingan, especially the Mangekyo.
As he continued reading, Madara flipped through the pages faster and faster.
Yet Black Zetsu could sense the violent storm of Madara's emotions. This portion affected him greatly—not only because of the Eternal Mangekyo, but also due to the story involving Itachi and Sasuke.
Toward the end, Madara felt as though Sasuke had become Izuna reborn.
Back then, Izuna, just like Sasuke now, had sworn since childhood to surpass him, claiming he would defeat him someday. But until the very day Izuna died, he still hadn't beaten Madara even once.
In the final scene, Itachi struggled forward toward Sasuke.
Madara knew perfectly well that Itachi couldn't bring himself to do it.
Yet when he saw Itachi poke Sasuke's forehead, Madara felt his vision blur—as if he'd suddenly developed myopia.
Black Zetsu was shocked, but already thinking hard about what arguments he should use next to convince Madara. A Madara under emotional turmoil was somewhat easier to deal with than usual.
At least that was what he thought.
Thus—
"Madara, that kid from Konoha knows too much now—he even knows the secret of the Eternal Mangekyo—"
"Get out!"
Madara raised his hand, unleashing [Shinra Tensei], which blasted Black Zetsu straight out of the cave.
Black Zetsu had the ability to evade it—but he dared not.
Just now, Madara's murderous intent had been overwhelming. He had the distinct feeling that if he spoke another word at that moment, Madara might actually kill him—even if he couldn't fully kill him, sealing him away wouldn't have been a problem.
The Rinnegan possessed numerous sealing techniques—like the Demonic Dragon Imprisonment Seal or Planetary Devastation.
Right now, Madara's mind contained only thoughts of Itachi, Sasuke, and Izuna.
"I should've gone easy on Izuna."
Isn't that what older brothers are supposed to do for their younger siblings?
He buried his face in his hands, tears streaming silently down his cheeks.
As a brother… Itachi surpassed him by far.
Black Zetsu didn't dare enter the cave again. He realized his mistake—he knew that right now, Madara trusted him not even a little, and saying such things during this emotional state had definitely been inappropriate.
He'd basically sabotaged himself. It looked like this trip had been wasted.
As Black Zetsu prepared to leave, a voice drifted out from the depths of the cave.
"I don't care what your true intentions are. I won't investigate your actions under my name, but you must prove your worth in working with me. Otherwise, leave now, or I'll kill you."
"Of course. I know the secret about the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path."
Black Zetsu replied immediately.
Madara had already calmed down and placed the manga aside. Obviously, he had no intention of returning it to Black Zetsu. He propped his chin up with one hand, tilting his head as he stared at Black Zetsu, waiting for him to reveal the "secret."
"The old man probably recorded that the essence of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path is the Ten-Tails' body. But do you know that before ancient times, the God Tree was the only tree existing between heaven and earth?"
After Madara heard this, he sat upright immediately.
The stories of the Ten-Tails and Nine-Tails were partially inscribed on stone tablets—nothing surprising to him. However, the second half was something entirely new—"God Tree?"
How could that be possible? What kind of tree could transform into such a powerful tailed beast?
Black Zetsu let out a mocking chuckle and said, "Everyone knows the Sage of Six Paths was revered as the ancestor of all ninja, but where exactly did he obtain his powers? I've spent half my life investigating and finally found some clues."
"It originated from the God Tree."
Madara's eyes lit up with excitement, his face filled with awe.
So that's why!
No wonder he said that. Black Zetsu's hidden intention was the God Tree—he wanted to restore the power he possessed "before death" through the God Tree.
Madara finally saw through everything.
Looking at Black Zetsu, Madara sneered and asked, "You're telling me all this—don't you fear never regaining your own strength?"
"I myself cannot fuse the Ten-Tails, let alone the God Tree. Compared to that, I'd rather destroy every single descendant of Asura forever."
Black Zetsu spoke with both despair and madness.
Madara remained silent.
Based on what he could tell, Black Zetsu seemed to be speaking the truth. Still, even if that were true, he would still keep his guard up around Black Zetsu.
If Black Zetsu were to reclaim his strength from before death using the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path or the God Tree, things would get dangerous.
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