Race Against Time

Aizen had been in contact with Uchiha Madara for quite some time now.

By Aizen's sense of time, "quite some time" generally meant several years or more.

After all, expecting Aizen to completely ignore those Wood Release puppets scurrying around underground while conducting research was rather difficult to accept.

So, many things had actually been sent to Aizen by the aged Ninja Uchiha Madara as materials in exchange. Otherwise, expecting Aizen to develop an entire Konoha ninjutsu system out of thin air would have been asking too much.

Still, with Uchiha Madara's assistance, Aizen had indeed gained quite a few benefits, and he had sent many things over as well. That was what a purely transactional relationship was like. Both had their own plans in motion, and neither concealed them from the other.

Uchiha Madara possessed the aura of a true warlord. He did not care how many plans Aizen had or what ideas he harbored. Now frail with age, Uchiha Madara did not even wish to use Aizen's techniques to reconstruct his Physical Body. Instead, he stubbornly sought an heir of the Uchiha Clan, intending to revive through a series of ancient techniques such as Impure World Reincarnation.

Who knew where he got the confidence to believe that old techniques had fewer pitfalls than new ones.

But Aizen felt that the greater reason might have been himself. There were simply very few people who could trust him.

How sad. He had clearly never lied.

Opening the thick letter, he found information concerning Uchiha secret techniques inside, along with several scattered notes.

'Your test subject has been received. It has improved considerably compared to last time, and I believe it indeed has great potential. However, that does not mean I approve of your idea.'

'I, Uchiha Madara, will never approve of placing all Ninjas and humans upon a chessboard for so-called trials. The Moon Eye Plan is the only path to saving humanity. Even if it is escapism, this sorrowful cycle has continued for thousands of years. If it cannot be ended by my hand, then it shall be destroyed by my hand.'

'How tragic. If I were not old and you were not young, we could have recreated the sights of those days. If Hashirama had been included, the three of us could truly have pacified this chaotic age. Unfortunately, you came too late, Aizen. The outcome has already been decided.'

'Still, just as you said you held expectations for the Moon Eye Plan, I too hold certain expectations for your research. What is stored inside is a portion of the cells fused from Hashirama and myself. Go study them.'

'The main body of Hashirama Cells should be in the village, barring any accidents. The people that brat Tobirama educated would never give up Hashirama's cells.'

'Then there is that brat Danzo, who somehow found where I stored my Rinnegan. If you have the chance, it would be best to keep an eye on them. As long as the eyeballs are fine, you can conduct experiments on them as well.'

'Hashirama's power is formidable. Even now, his cells continue to supply me with fuel and life. If you can decipher the cause and effects of Wood Release, perhaps you can find information about that so-called primordial signal you seek.'

'But if what you said is true, would that so-called primordial signal not have lived in this world for thousands of years already? Could such a consciousness exist? I am not sure.'

'There is one more thing...'

"..."

Was this some kind of pen-pal club?

Aizen frowned, laboriously making out Uchiha Madara's handwriting.

Uchiha Madara's letters were filled with the air of old age. He rambled on about all sorts of things, jumping from one topic to another. There was no particular focus, yet there was always some piece of information hidden within.

And because he was truly old, and stubbornly refused Aizen's assistance, unwilling to use Aizen's technology for aid or writing, much of it had blurred into an illegible mess that could only be deciphered from the surrounding context.

But Aizen sincerely felt that this was entirely meaningless. After all, if he truly wanted to do something, Uchiha Madara in his current state likely could not stop him. Yet out of respect for one who had opened the path and taken that first step, Aizen still respected the old man's persistence.

Still, how should he put it? That kind of stubbornness was rather nostalgic.

But when had I ever said I wanted your approval?

Looking at the reasons and points Uchiha Madara had rambled on about for opposing his trials, Aizen shook his head helplessly and reduced the envelope to dust.

"It said a lot of things you didn't like hearing?"

"Oh? Sakumo-kun."

Seeing that Hatake Sakumo was still in the room, Aizen raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"It is rare for you to be interested. Do you want to hear about it? In a sense, the person who wrote this letter is still your Senior."

"No. I just figured that since you're such a chatterbox, if something happened, you would definitely want someone standing beside you to listen to you talk. That's why I didn't leave."

"That really does hurt my feelings."

Looking at Hatake Sakumo's dead-fish eyes and indifferent expression as he spread his hands, Aizen let out a somewhat complicated sigh.

"Still, I cannot refute it. After all, I am neither a god nor a saint. I cannot sever my own desires. When people do something they believe to be great, they always feel the urge to tell someone about it."

"So what have you done that you think is so great? All this?"

"What do you think I have been so busy for?"

"I'm guessing it is not to take control of the world."

Hatake Sakumo shrugged, looking utterly unconcerned.

After slacking around for so long, Hatake Sakumo had actually come to understand Aizen to a certain extent.

In truth, his temperament was extraordinarily good in a certain sense. Though he looked like some villainous boss, as long as one did not directly question or oppose him, there was basically no problem.

Any question could receive a good answer, and he was enthusiastic about teaching others. Though he was somewhat of a chatterbox, his desire for power was not as heavy as Hatake Sakumo had initially imagined. Nor did he seem obsessed with transcending some ideal.

From a certain perspective, Hatake Sakumo was beginning to wonder whether he had developed something called loyalty toward Aizen.

After all, Aizen truly treated his son well, and he did not seem to have done anything excessive to Konoha.

"If you truly wanted to control the world, there would be no need to make things so troublesome. You could directly take control of Konoha with your power and abilities, then use your technological advantage to crush everyone else. In any case, probably no one could stop you."

"That is truly excessive praise. I do not think I can contend against this entire world. Still, I have considered something similar, and it is already underway."

"...?"

You... what?

You really want to lead Konoha in attacking the entire world???

Seeing Hatake Sakumo's shocked expression, Aizen shook his head.

"It is not the reckless act you imagine, but a precise plan. A trial."

Aizen's fingers moved over the documents as though playing a piano. Some files were placed at the very bottom, while certain opinions were placed at the very top.

"How can everyone be united? The answer is a common enemy. It is the simplest way to distinguish friend from foe, and also a way to understand oneself and improve oneself."

"Just like Konoha now. Everyone treats the Uchiha as an enemy, so they clearly distinguish the Uchiha Clan from those outside the Uchiha Clan, then use the Uchiha as a benchmark for improvement."

"This kind of progress is far quicker than so-called role models, because they are hypothetical enemies. Whenever one does something, one always imagines that the enemy will respond in kind. Thus, with such a hypothetical enemy, people will rise at a frenzied pace. Morality, technology, ethics, culture—a comprehensive explosion. All to prove that they are stronger and more outstanding than their enemy."

"...But that is not right."

Hatake Sakumo frowned as he listened to Aizen.

"A false enemy, artificially manufactured hatred—this is simply not something the Ninja World needs. We do not need any of this. Didn't you say you wanted to see courage? I do not think this is courage."

"Yes, it is not right, nor is it courage."

Seeing Hatake Sakumo's apparent displeasure, Aizen sealed the glass jar containing Uchiha Madara's flesh and blood into a scroll, then took out another set of documents and placed them on the table.

"However, it is an objectively existing environment, and it is also a necessary factor for the birth of courage and the cultivation of exceptional people."

Aizen flipped through the documents and spoke calmly.

"Because someone must stand up and say, 'I hate this kind of story.'"

"Someone must stand up—someone who loudly says 'no' to suffering and torment, someone who challenges the enemy with courage and hope in their heart."

"That is precisely why trials are necessary."

"Just like now."

Aizen smiled slightly as he looked at the information in the files provided by the ANBU.

It was clear that the ANBU agent had been deeply shocked, writing down the startling news in chaotic handwriting.

The Sand Ninja and Stone Ninja had announced the formation of a mutual aid alliance, and had begun negotiations within the Land of Rain regarding joint defenses against Konoha and the Cloud Ninja.

Faced with the Stone Ninja and Konoha, the Cloud Ninja had announced a defensive alliance with Mist Village. A declaration of war against either nation would be regarded as a joint declaration of war against the Cloud Ninja and Mist Village.

A vague strategic triangle had quietly formed upon the map, each side restraining the others while frantically advancing their ninjutsu and technology. The three major factions led by the strongest Konoha, the Sand Ninja and Stone Ninja, and the Cloud Ninja and Mist Ninja had officially begun to contend with one another.

Every Ninja village had begun to take the influence of smaller nations and smaller Ninja villages seriously, gradually making contact and drawing them in.

This was precisely the final result Aizen had planned for.

"This is not a story of suffering, but a trial. Cold war is better than burning death. As long as you think of it from that perspective, is that not enough?"

Looking at this news, which was practically a disaster for Konoha, Aizen curled his lips into a sincere smile.

"I truly look forward to seeing how many people will emerge from the vortex of pain and genuinely reveal themselves."

"Then, it is time for us to make our move as well."