In the vast underground palace, Uchiha Madara sat on the main seat and pondered the road ahead.
Ever since he discovered the altered inscription in Naka Shrine, he had worked without pause toward his goal. Leaving the clan and fighting Hashirama at the Valley of the End were all part of the plan.
"Hashirama, you were wrong. Your way cannot bring peace."
"Only absolute peace can make the world truly good."
"Reality is always full of helplessness, emptiness, and pain."
"In the Infinite Tsukuyomi, everyone can live the life they desire."
Hashirama sought a relative peace that balanced itself through free development and mutual checks, which was why he divided the nine tailed beasts among the Five Great Villages to deter war through fear. Madara wanted an absolute peace that answered to one will with no conflict at all. The Infinite Tsukuyomi fit his wish perfectly.
Zetsu surfaced from the ground after his scouting.
"Zetsu, how is the plan progressing?"
"Uchiha Obito is a crucial piece. There can be no mistakes."
Madara lifted his head. His body had grown frail, and he seldom left the underground. Once he finished guiding and molding Obito, he would be ready to die.
"The White Zetsu disguises are working flawlessly. Iwagakure has massed its forces and launched a surprise attack on the Land of Fire's border."
"Obito left the village with the main column today. Once he reaches the front, we can move to the next phase. I have already chosen candidates within Iwagakure. I guarantee his teammates will die one by one before his eyes. The White Zetsu are tracking his movements."
The black-and-white face curled into a gruesome smile. Madara, trusting in the creature born from his awakened Rinnegan, had no doubt and revealed every piece of the plan.
"Good. It seems this side is moving smoothly. What about the Land of Rain?"
"What is Nagato doing with my Rinnegan? How is the recruitment for Akatsuki?"
The eyes in Madara's sockets were only ordinary three-tomoe Sharingan taken from the battlefield. Yahiko's death had also been an outcome he orchestrated. As a scion of the Uzumaki, Nagato's vast vitality could bear the Rinnegan's cost, and his dream was convenient to exploit. Capturing the tailed beasts would not be easy. Madara needed both Obito and Nagato working together, plus more kage-level fighters and immense funds. He also intended to borrow Nagato's Rinne Tensei to return at the perfect moment. Nagato and Obito were the two most critical pieces on his board.
"Rest easy, Lord Madara. Akatsuki's founding was a success. Nagato has already killed Hanzo the Salamander."
"The Land of Rain is completely under Akatsuki's control now."
"However, their top-end strength is still thin, and recruitment will take time."
Black Zetsu reported every detail. He had long since finished deceiving Madara and was telling the truth today.
Seeing all lines of the plan advancing, Madara allowed himself a slow breath. His lifeline had already been cut. Without Hashirama's cells he would have died long ago, and this weakness sickened him.
"Understood. When Obito arrives, have him join Akatsuki."
"I am tired. Go."
Madara closed his eyes again. Zetsu kept that eerie smile as he sank back into the earth.
At the Land of Fire's border, a column of shinobi wearing Leaf forehead protectors halted on a low mountain near a valley. They were the Konoha army sent to reinforce the front against the Land of Earth. Obito, Nohara Rin, and Kakashi were among them. Their teacher had already gone on ahead.
The leading jōnin checked the terrain and ordered camp to be made on the spot. Down the mountain lay Kannabi Bridge. Beyond the bridge was Iwagakure's territory.
A golden figure appeared at the camp's edge. Namikaze Minato had returned first, a gravely wounded shinobi slung across his back.
When Mimura Yoken's defensive corps had been whittled to only four survivors, Minato had arrived in time to save them. All four were badly injured, and Mimura Yoken on his back was the worst. If he did not receive treatment soon, he would die. Sensing the reinforcements closing in, Minato brought him straight to the camp.
"Get a medical-nin here, now! He is barely hanging on!"
Voices answered at once. After settling Mimura Yoken, Minato led others back out to retrieve the remaining three. By the time they returned, night had fallen.
Minato glanced over the completed encampment and finally let out a small breath.
"Sensei, over here!" Obito, who had been waiting forever, ran over happily to sit by him. Kakashi stood at Minato's other side with a grave face and asked for details. Minato gave a brief account, then sighed.
"This war may last a long time."