"Takasugi, what exactly is going on?"
Madara wasn't stupid.
The moment Takasugi asked that question, he realized something was seriously wrong—this wasn't something that could be brushed off with a few words.
"I am Madara-sama will…"
Takasugi scoffed. "Cut the lies. I can see right through you. You're nothing like that. Who are you, really?"
At this moment, Black Zetsu was panicking.
How had this brat noticed something was off?!
"I told you, I am Madara-sama's will."
Hearing Black Zetsu's unchanged tone, Madara—though old—was not senile.
This was no trivial matter.
If Black Zetsu was compromised, it was the biggest problem of all.
So, he immediately devised a plan.
Looking at Takasugi, he said, "Takasugi, don't worry. He won't interfere with you. He trusts you just as I do."
"That's right, I won't interfere—"
Whoosh!
Before Black Zetsu could finish, Madara struck.
Thud!
A black rod materialized, piercing Black Zetsu and pinning him in place.
"Madara-sama…"
"Black Zetsu… who are you, really?"
Black Zetsu was now in complete disarray.
He couldn't fathom what had made Madara suspicious of him, nor did he know what to say.
But staying silent wasn't an option either.
"I am…"
Before he could finish, his momentarily scrambled wits finally returned.
He had fallen for a trap!
Madara had just been testing him!
That hesitant "I am…" had completely given him away—it would lead Madara straight to the truth.
Damn it!
At this moment, Madara's expression also darkened.
How could he have been deceived by some unknown thing for so long?
"Madara, I am—"
Seeing the situation spiralling out of control, Black Zetsu, aware that his cover was blown, tried to find an excuse and spoke again.
But before he could finish, another iron rod pierced his face.
Ignoring Black Zetsu, Madara turned to Takasugi beside him.
"Shinsuke, how did you discover it?"
Takasugi remained silent, simply staring straight at Madara.
Observing the deformed Mangekyo in Takasugi's left eye, which only had symmetrical patterns, Madara seemed to ponder something before finally relinquishing resistance and submitting to the other's genjutsu.
When Madara opened his eyes again, he suddenly realized his body felt different!
He had regained his youth...
No! It wasn't just a return to his younger self!
His Rinnegan and these white magatama robes—!
He had actually obtained the power of the Six Paths!
Overjoyed, Madara glanced around.
He was on a battlefield, and it seemed the Infinite Tsukuyomi had succeeded—everyone had entered a blissful dream world.
Not far ahead stood four people, likely the last remnants of resistance against him: a blond boy who seemed to wield the Sage of Six Paths' power, a boy with a Rinnegan in his left eye who appeared to be an Uchiha, a Konoha ninja with white hair covering his face, and... a young woman.
Judging by the "Shinobi" inscribed on their forehead protectors, Madara deduced this war was likely a united front of ninja opposing the Moon Eye Plan.
"Is this the world you envisioned? You've only given everyone a false dream!" the Rinnegan boy declared.
"From the long history of shinobi warfare, I have ended all conflict as the savior. Accept reality—it's over."
These words, spoken uncontrollably, were Madara's true feelings.
Thud—!!
Only when a black hand pierced through his chest from behind did Madara remember—he was still in Shinsuke's genjutsu, meant to uncover Black Zetsu's true identity!
Sure enough, it was Black Zetsu's doing!
"You're wrong, Madara. You're no savior, and this isn't over!"
Following the classic villain trope of revealing the truth before killing their target, Black Zetsu laid everything bare.
Black Zetsu was the third son of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki!
The Uchiha Stone Tablet's claim that Infinite Tsukuyomi was the only path to salvation? All fabricated by Black Zetsu!
Those trapped in Infinite Tsukuyomi would ultimately become White Zetsu!
Everything Black Zetsu did was solely to resurrect Kaguya Ōtsutsuki!
These successive revelations shattered Madara completely, filling him with the urge to kill this treacherous snake right then and there.
Damn it all!
...
Exiting the genjutsu, Madara saw Takasugi gasping heavily, his left eye tightly shut and bleeding profusely.
"You've worked hard, Shinsuke. Is this the power of that incomplete, special Mangekyo?" Madara said, then turned his gaze to Black Zetsu on the ground.
"A dojutsu that allows specific individuals to glimpse fragments of the original future..."
Hearing this, Black Zetsu panicked completely.
To think such a dojutsu existed! Exposed! He was completely exposed!
His schemes foiled before they even began...
Originally thinking Madara would immediately try to deal with him, Black Zetsu was suddenly stunned.
Instead of attacking as expected, Madara staggered back two steps and slumped onto the stone chair.
"Hehehe... hahahaha..."
As his laughter continued, Madara's expression gradually revealed disappointment, loss, and an resenment.
"To think... to think it was all just a dream. Everything I, Uchiha Madara, fought for my entire life and believed in turned out to be nothing more than a dream woven by someone else. Hahahaha..."
Watching Madara, who seemed to have aged more than ten years in an instant, Takasugi wiped the blood beneath his left eye and calmly gazed at the ceiling of the cave while murmuring softly.
"In this rotten world, if you don't even believe in a beautiful dream, what can you possibly achieve?"
After a long silence following Takasugi's words, Madara finally responded quietly while still looking down.
"That's true..."
Clang!!
The sudden sound didn't make Madara look up.
Even when he noticed Black Zetsu had split in half, slipped free from the black rods, and escaped into the ground, he did nothing.
Takasugi, who had instantly drawn his sword in an attempt to stop Black Zetsu, frowned.
That black thing could still escape!
Seeing Takasugi about to pursue Black Zetsu, Madara finally spoke.
"Let it go, Takasugi. At the end, just listen to me. You're the only one left who can hear these words now."
"No rush. There are still these two."
Takasugi pointed his sword directly at Tobi and White Zetsu.
"Whose side are you two on?"
"I'm..." Tobi glanced around before inspiration struck.
"I'm Takasugi's mom! The tree sap he drank as a child all came from my—"
BOOM!!
Watching the thick wall shattered by the straight blade, Tobi trembled.
Why did this kid snap so easily? He wasn't even lying.
"Though Black Zetsu released me from the Gedo Statue, I'll follow whoever's stronger."
White Zetsu quickly chimed in.
Hearing this, Takasugi sheathed his sword.
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Okay 1 more chapter and this serious arc will be over