Three-Way Standoff

The relationship between all things in this world was a cold, merciless food chain: the mantis did not know the oriole, and the oriole did not know the hunter.

Across the wind-swept land, countless pillar-like stone mountains stood in place.

A man stood atop one of the stone mountains. That mountain was clearly special.

"Women...?" Madara Uchiha revealed a cold smile. "It seems quite a lot has changed during the time I was asleep. To be restrained by two mere women... I must have misjudged him."

The reason he had chosen Ye Zi as the key pawn back then was simply because he valued Ye Zi's willingness to pay any price to achieve his goals. However, according to Black Zetsu's brief explanation, the current Ye Zi seemed to have two important women in his life.

One was a woman he wanted to revive, while the other was a woman who could be used to threaten him. That had become a weakness.

"Since they're somewhat useful, I might as well make use of them."

Madara Uchiha stared at the desolate scene below. His dark eyes abruptly changed into the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, then the Eternal Mangekyo, and finally the Rinnegan... He was testing how much of a boost the eyes beneath this decaying body could bring him.

The result still displeased him. This was a fact that even the Rinnegan's abilities could not change.

"To be safe, we can't let Uchiha Jin off either," Black Zetsu said.

"That goes without saying. I need to obtain the Rinnegan as soon as possible." Madara Uchiha said calmly, "Take me to Ye Zi."

Before his voice faded, the Rinnegan in his eyes changed back into black pupils.

"Very well."

Black Zetsu nodded, then looked at White Zetsu and said calmly, "Go bring that woman here.