No One Suffers in This World

The moment Madara's Wood Release clone appeared, Impure World Itachi scooped up Sasuke and fled at full speed without looking back.

The Third Raikage, under his control, immediately grabbed Kisame and fled as well.

Itachi wasn't stupid.

He knew who he could take on and which enemies were beyond him.

That was the legendary Madara Uchiha. Even a Wood Release clone of his was a monster capable of manifesting a complete four-stage Susanoo.

Itachi didn't think he and the others stood a chance against him.

Besides, with Sasuke to protect, he couldn't risk throwing his life away...

"Hmph! They made a decisive retreat?"

"A few crafty little brats..."

Wood Release Madara watched Impure World Itachi and the others flee, but didn't rush to attack.

After absorbing Dragon Kabuto's Senjutsu Chakra, this clone of his was already unstable. Even if he managed to capture Sasuke, he might not be able to keep him safe.

He'd let this junior shinobi run around for a while.

There was no harm in going after him once Nagato and the Ten-Tails were dealt with.

"But this guy... Has he already fallen under Izanami?"

"Then I'll have to keep him around for now."

Madara picked up the dazed Kabuto. The latter had already left Sage Mode, but was still caught in Izanami's endless Genjutsu loop.

He wouldn't be waking up anytime soon.

And even if he did wake up, his sense of self would probably have been forcibly rewritten, turning him into a true Konoha dog.

That wasn't what Madara wanted.

He would have to wait until Kabuto woke up, then use his own Genjutsu to forcibly control him. That was why Madara had to keep him close.

Why not kill him?

A shinobi capable of using the forbidden jutsu, Impure World Reincarnation, was a talent,