"Coming, coming, Lord Madara!"
White Zetsu Ah Huo ran over, carrying the Red Armor covered in dust.
As he walked, he kept wiping his hands with his arm, leaving a gray patch on his pale palms.
Uchiha Madara.
Has his armor become covered in dust?
This was actually to be expected, as Madara had taken most of the Ninja Tool he used from the Uchiha Clan Compound when he left the village. These included his armor, Kama, Kusarigama, Uchiha Gunbai, and some Three-Tomoe Sharingan...
There are also some precious ancient books.
Madara might have done this because, subconsciously, he felt that he might not necessarily be able to defeat Hashirama.
They might fight to a draw, with neither side able to gain the upper hand. After leaving Konoha, they'll eventually need a place to stay.
This would give him a supply point while he continued fighting.
Ban stared at the dust on his armor, his feelings a mix of emotions.
At that time, he probably never imagined that he would hide in the cave for so long without ever making a move...
He nearly died on the spot.
"Take this armor to Hiruzen..." Uchiha Madara pondered for a moment before giving the order.
"Ah?"
White Zetsu Ah Huo was taken aback; this time, it couldn't go along with Madara's words.
" Lord Madara, you just fought the Hokage, how can I go and deliver myself... wouldn't that be an admission of guilt?"
" Ah Huo, in the Shinobi World, strength is paramount, but wisdom is equally important." Madara pointed to his head:
"Only those who use their brains can be invincible..."
Ah Huo blinked.
"I didn't tell you to put my armor on Hiruzen's desk..."
" The Uchiha Clan Compound's Auxiliary Materials Warehouse has many dusty scrolls. Just store them there. Before and after each war, someone from the clan will go and take inventory of these stockpiles."
" The Uchiha ninjas will find out in time," Madara patiently explained to Ah Huo.
This White Zetsu somewhat human-like, and he's quite pleased with its speech and actions...
"If the Uchiha don't hand over this armor after it's discovered, it will cause a significant public outcry if others find it, tearing apart the trust between Konoha and the Uchiha Shin..."
"It was just something I did in my spare time."
Ah Huo nodded vigorously, indicating that he was once again awestruck by Lord Madara's wisdom.
But that's not actually what it thinks.
How do I feel?
"Is this what Lord Madara wanted to see the Hokage wearing his armor?"
"I think he's upset because the Hokage is wearing Hashirama's armor!"
Ah Huo dared not say this aloud; if the awkward Lord Madara were to become enraged, it would be no joke...
It's an intelligent White Zetsu!
As for why Ah Huo is so smart, besides the objective enhancement from the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and reading books...
Part of the reason is that before it rose to prominence, it was responsible for lurking near Hiruko's house to monitor the words and actions of this Konoha Committee Member... and thus unconsciously picked up some of his behavioral habits.
" Ah Huo, from now on you'll be responsible for cleaning my Ninja Tool."
Ban continued to give instructions.
The sight of these dusty Ninja Tool made Madara feel a vague unease...
Moreover, the situation is different now!
While the overall goal is to prevent his identity from being exposed, unexpected situations might require him to don his armor and make minor adjustments to the plan... After absorbing the Chakra passively modified by the Rinnegan from Nagato's body, Madara's body became much younger, making him a strong elderly man. His strength is sufficient, but his endurance is relatively poor.
"I understand, Lord Madara..."
Ah Huo nodded obediently.
It did not find the Research Diary at Hiruko.
These are all strictly confidential and can only be viewed in Laboratory environment, or opened at will using Sealing Jutsu.
However, Ah Huo was quite engrossed in reading Hiruzen Quotes and Hiruko's notes and annotations.
Ah Huo remembers one sentence very clearly. "Any job that allows you to get in touch with the Hokage is a good job..."
In its own words, serving Lord Madara is a good thing!
"Hmm, Black Zetsu!" Madara gave Ah Huo a satisfied look.
For the past six months, Black Zetsu, who had been responsible for monitoring Nagato, has finally returned to the Indra Reincarnation... "Here is a list. You lead the White Zetsu to search the Shinobi World for the corpses of these ninjas."
"That beast Nine-Tails has also become quite cunning in Konoha..."
"A strategic abandonment of Konoha is sufficient; only a small number of elite squads should be left in Kirigakure and the Uchiha Clan Compound."
Ban gave instructions to Black Zetsu.
In Konoha, White Zetsu's intelligence-gathering capabilities are weakening.
Because their activity range is being monitored jointly by Uzumaki and Hyuga, it is getting smaller and smaller.
It's not that White Zetsu's Transformation Technique will be detected, but rather that, given their intelligence, it's difficult for them to master the art of concealing themselves while moving, thus making it harder for them to detect any clues.
Not to mention that Mito now loves taking walks. Aside from rarely going to the Uchiha Clan Compound, the old lady walks tens of thousands of steps every day with Tenten on her Yamato and a Little Fox by her side...
It's practically become a mobile, living radar!
Can White Zetsu handle this?
Black Zetsu's expression froze. It had just been away on a business trip for so long, barely had time to settle in, and now it was going out on another mission?
Let's go raid the graves of those lowly ninjas!
It's pure dirty and tiring work!
"Yes, Lord Madara..." Even though he was the third son of the noble Rabbit Goddess, he had no choice but to bow his head when he was under someone else's roof. Black Zetsu took the list and looked at it carefully.
The Kinkaku and Ginkaku brothers, the Second Mizukage and the Tsuchikage (a pair of star-crossed lovers), the Second Raikage, and Ashina Uzumaki —a total of six people died.
There are three more living candidates.
Sasori of the Red Sands Sunagakure, the Lord Jashin in the Land of Hot Water, Karatachi Yagura of the Kirigakure Village.
There are ten people in total, including Ban.
However, this is only Madara's initial list. The Six Paths Puppets created with the Rinnegan are best when they have "six," but if they are damaged, they can be repaired or replaced...
The same applies to living people.
Madara was still keeping a close eye on " Aosui " and " Obito "...
Of course, his bigger goal now is Hiruzen Sarutobi, to convince his successor, the one with the will of youth, with facts...
Black Zetsu glanced at Ah Huo, suppressing his displeasure.
In the past, these White Zetsu zeolites did all the dirty and hard work; when would it be their turn?
But as long as Madara can pull himself together and stop thinking about that ridiculous Spokesperson Project, Black Zetsu feels that all the hard work he's putting in right now is worthwhile... With his vast experience accumulated over a thousand years in the Shinobi World, finding a few corpses won't be a problem, and gathering intelligence on the living will be easy too... As long as he's not in Konoha, everything will be fine!
"Madara is finally acting like a proper man. Before, he was so timid and hesitant. Did he really want to become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki?"
"This should have been done a long time ago!"
"The power of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path and the Rinnegan was used as tools by these powerful Shinobi World..."
"I'll try my best to restore him to some condition so that Madara can support the Ten-Tails, and then we can launch a surprise attack on the Jinchuriki of each village during the Shinobi World War!"
"If we can let things settle for five or ten years, this will be the best chance to save my mother!"
Black Zetsu extremely dissatisfied with the Spokesperson Project.
As someone who has devised countless schemes that have all failed, Black Zetsu understands one thing.
If you extend the timeframe to two or three decades, even the most meticulously planned schemes will have various flaws. There are simply too many unexpected events in the Shinobi World; there will always be God-Man appearing...
Moreover, Madara's plan wasn't particularly sophisticated; in Black Zetsu, it seemed more like a face-saving evasion...
"To truly restore youth to those with blemishes, the Power of All Creation is needed..."
Black Zetsu was also having a bit of a headache.
This is something Otsutsuki Clan could possess. He does have some within his body, but it's impossible for him to give it to Madara.
This was a one-time contingency plan left by its mother.
It's used up quickly and is only for emergencies as a last resort.
But where in the Shinobi World could you find another Otsutsuki?
This was clearly impossible in Black Zetsu's eyes...
"Let's keep searching. The Shinobi World is a strange place; maybe some people have special constitutions that are highly nourishing."
"If all else fails, I'll devise a plan to get Madara to accept a temporary recovery and take a gamble, then I'll toy with him!"
With hope, Black Zetsu became even more motivated to work.
But what Black Zetsu didn't expect was that Madara didn't intend for the Six Paths Puppets to swarm in and fight as a group...
At least not at the very beginning.
Because the nature of the entire incident has subtly changed.
The test now is whether Konoha's system can withstand the pressure and survive in the Shinobi World. This will serve as an anchor point to awaken Hiruzen Sarutobi's deep thinking and encourage him to proactively embrace the Eye of the Moon Plan.
Ban considered himself a reasonable person.
He didn't face Senju Butsuma right from his debut; at most, he was two age groups ahead of him...
The pressure exerted on Konoha should also adhere to this principle.
Moreover, Madara was also worried that if Hiruzen Sarutobi him too far, he might resurrect Hashirama and Tobirama using the Impure World Impure World Reincarnation.
That would be troublesome if he possessed most of his former power...
#
Three days later.
After treatment, Nagato's eye injury has stabilized, and the life force that was suddenly extracted and replenished has returned to normal. Just as Fugaku suggested.
Isshin, along with Fugaku and another person, found Mito and, on behalf of the Uchiha, offered a sincere apology on behalf of Aosui.
I hope Mito can understand that children are immature and that he can provide Sharingan if Nagato needs it.
Mito naturally enjoyed the conversation with them, since the problem wasn't the Uchiha's fault, but rather the fault of Tobirama's bloodline...
After all, the Aosui Uchiha originated from Izuna, who had quite a high EQ back then...
Then Tenzo arrived.
There was no conflict between the Hyuga and Uzumaki; it was simply that Tenzo felt the Uchiha shouldn't get all the credit, and since the Main Branch had received the benefits, they had to actively show their appreciation...
Those Byakugan of his—it would be a disgrace to let an outsider take them away.
But giving it to the village, to Mito who represents Hiruzen Sarutobi, would be a complete sacrifice!
Mito had a pleasant conversation, but she couldn't quite keep it up, feeling a sense of déjà vu of Tobirama's actions back in the day.
Why is everyone trying to pin their bloodline on Nagato?
That's so wild!
However, Mito didn't immediately agree. In any case, Nagato was still a ninja from Amegakure, and even if they were from the same clan, his true intentions had to be considered... The Sharingan and Byakugan were said to be provided to Uzumaki, but in reality, they were for Konoha.
Mito was well aware of this.
Konoha Hospital.
Nagato lay in bed, after learning that Hiruzen Sarutobi had saved Hanzo, Yahiko, and Konan and that they were all safe.
Although he lost his eyesight, his emotions remained relatively stable.
As long as my companion is safe!
However, a desire for strength still ignited in his heart, along with a slightly complicated inner turmoil.
I'm too weak!
His parents died in the war against Konoha, but were he and his best friend saved by the Hokage?
It's like an inexplicable, elusive cycle, leaving one feeling suffocated...
"Sigh..." Nagato sighed, still feeling uncomfortable with the darkness before him.
Who would want to become blind?
And at this moment.
Mito slowly knocked on the door, sat down in the chair next to Nagato, and said with a smile:
"I am Mito Uzumaki..."
When Mito entered, Nagato immediately sensed a familiar Chakra.
For the Uzumaki Clan, although not everyone can awaken Mind's Eye of the Kagura, their perception abilities are all very strong, making it their second pair of "eyes".
"Hello, I'm Nagato."
Nagato quickly sat up.
"Just lie down and relax, I just came to chat with you for a bit..."
"Every time I know there are still members of my clan, I feel gratified." Mito sat down in the chair next to Nagato's sickbed and spoke kindly. Her bright red hair and the reaction of her Chakra spoke volumes about her bloodline.
"Huh?" Upon closer inspection, Mito sensed the unique aura of the Senju Clan once again.
Although the Uzumaki and Senju Clan are close relatives, they have developed their own lineages over several hundred years after splitting into different branches, and thus have some differences.
"Child..."
"Perhaps I am your family..."
Mito slowly began, "What are your family members' names? Are there any with red hair?"
"My mother is... her name is Fuso ..." Nagato's mood noticeably sombered at the mention of her gentle mother, her heart churning with unease. " Fuso?"
Mito's heart skipped a beat. "Do you still remember your grandmother's name?"
Nagato pondered for a moment, "It's called Hana Uzumaki, but I've only heard of it occasionally from my mother."
Now it was Mito's turn to fall silent.
After a moment, Mito slowly said:
" Hana Uzumaki is my younger sister's daughter, who is also your grandmother..."
Nagato was startled!
"Based on the Senju bloodline within you, I roughly understand your background."
Mito sighed deeply:
"Your grandfather's name was Senju Yo. He was one of the members of the Uzumaki and Senju who intermarried. Because he disliked the behavior of the then Clan Head, Senju Butsuma, he married into the Uzumaki Clan."
"Your mother is their daughter..."
"In other words, I am your great-aunt..."
In large clans like the Uzumaki and Senju, it's easy to claim kinship with each other.
This is perfectly normal.
But against the backdrop of the dwindling Uzumaki Clan, a sense of kinship, rarely seen before, has emerged...
"This..." Nagato was at a loss for words.
During the time Hanzo was training the Amegakure, Nagato also attended many classes and naturally knew Mito, a figure who was like a pillar of strength in Konoha.
A powerful figure from the Warring States period, the First, Princess of Uzumaki!
But Nagato never imagined that he and she would actually have such a direct kinship.
He had no doubt that Mito Uzumaki would lie to him.
Who is this person?
How could a blind, disabled man like him deserve such treatment...?
"You..."
"Sigh!" Nagato's heart clenched. Didn't this mean that his parents and the Konoha Ninja were actually killed by mistake among comrades? They were all family!
" Nagato, if something's on your mind, just say it..."
Mito looked directly into Nagato's dark, hollow eyes and said softly, "If you keep something on your mind, it will fester and crush you. I'll try to find a way to help you."
You are my great-grandnephew.
Nagato's hands trembled slightly. "Great-grandmother, my mother and father died in the war, mistakenly killed by Konoha Ninja."
"But..."
"But please don't misunderstand, I actually understand that this is all the fault of those damned Iwagakure and Sunagakure. They deliberately escalated the battlefield, and it has nothing to do with Konoha." "I just know that my family has such a connection with Konoha, but unfortunately..."
Nagato shed tears of sorrow.
Why does this damned Shinobi World have to be so twisted and cruel?
Fate seems to have a particular fondness for playing tricks on people; on this land, it's always the case that relatives and friends kill each other!
Mito also sighed, his expression grave.
"I must apologize to you for this, Nagato."
"Ultimately, the Uzumaki Clan should have joined Konoha, but because my father, Ashina Uzumaki, who was also the Uzumaki Clan Head at the time and your great-great-grandfather, was obsessed with researching Forbidden Technique..."
"Unable to reach a consensus with Hashirama and Tobirama for a long time, they eventually established their own independent country and village."
"After that, I settled in Konoha, and no one could control my stubborn old man, my father."
"His technique greatly displeased many Uzumaki Clan, because it required children to be conceived as a match. A small portion of the clan left Uzushio Village, several years before the Land of Whirlpools was destroyed..."
"Judging from your age, your mother is probably one of them."
"If I hadn't failed to stop my father, all the Uzumaki Clan would have been born in the Land of Fire, in Konoha, enjoying the protection of the village..." Mito's tone was tinged with sorrow.
The " Ten Thousand Seal Body Absorption Seal " is like the Uchiha Mangekyō Sharingan, representing a bloody chapter in the Uzumaki Clan's history.
Warring States Period, everyone was like a madman, with no limits to their pursuit of power.
As long as they can become top-tier combatants, sacrificing the lives of some clansmen is a sure-fire win for the Clan Head.
"It's not your fault..."
Nagato remained silent, sensing Mito's helplessness from her tone.
He also understood that once a daughter is married, she is like water spilled from a cup; how could she possibly go back and interfere in Uzushio Village?
Even if Mito's husband was Senju Hashirama, it wouldn't matter.
"I just..."
"I just felt your Chakra and it reminded me of my family, my mother..." Nagato also confirmed that he and Mito were related. At this distance, although Nagato had not trained in any specific abilities, he could still sense that Mito's aura was somewhat similar to that of his mother, Fuso, thanks to his bloodline talent.
"I miss my mother, great-grandmother..." Nagato sobbed silently, the mention of his mother and the darkness before him making him even more sorrowful.
Thinking of this, Nagato suddenly started searching for something, but his face was filled with panic as he had no eyes.
"Have you seen one of my bottles?"
"Is it that?" Mito said softly, "A strand of red hair?"
On the bedside table of Nagato's bed was a small Hardening glass jar containing a lock of his mother Fuso's hair, which he had kept in his pocket as a talisman for many years.
Nagato exhaled a breath of stale air, feeling a sense of relief.
Mito sensed the turbulent emotions in Nagato's heart and narrowed her eyes.
Nine-Tails also spoke up at this moment, "This brat has talent, but his emotions are unstable, and malice surges up from time to time..." "If we want to use him, we need to resolve his inner conflicts."
Mito nodded.
Since giving Uzumaki Shio the Nine-Tails Chakra, and with Hiruzen Sarutobi's permission, the Nine-Tails can now travel outside in the form of Little Fox, using Artificial Shadow Clone, with Mito's help...
However, it cannot move freely on a large scale yet; Mito needs to take it for walks so that the Konoha Ninja can gradually accept it.
Otherwise, being easily startled can easily lead to problems.
But this historic breakthrough has also led Nine-Tails, who has read several books, to now consider himself Konoha's strategist!
Participating in the village's development was a novel and interesting experience for the Fox...
"I have a plan. Follow my instructions and I guarantee there won't be any problems!"
Nine-Tails- Tailed Fox crossed its arms and said casually.
"Oh, you have a plan too?" Mito said, comforting Nagato.
"Isn't there a lock of his mother's hair? Take a strand, then go to Konoha Prison and find a spy from an enemy country or some other death row inmate, and Impure World Reincarnation."
"Why don't the mother and son just meet and talk it out? Wouldn't that resolve their conflict?"
"Now that Konoha is developing so well, and you have such a high status and are this kid's relative, a mother would definitely want her child to have a good life. One word of advice from her is more effective than ten words from you, right?"
Nine-Tails Fox said nonchalantly, "Beasts don't have very high moral standards, but it works."
"If you're worried that woman will say something inappropriate, the Impure World Reincarnation should be able to control that, right?"
"That's not necessary..." Mito decisively rejected the idea of control; wouldn't that be no different from Tobirama's Tobirama?
But Mito was also tempted.
She had done favors for the Nagato branch of the family.
If I hadn't intervened and saved them, Nagato's grandparents would have died at the hands of the Kaguya Clan...
Nagato's mother probably knew about this too...
Therefore, it is entirely possible to reach a reconciliation by sitting down and having a proper talk.
The Shinobi World is such a strange place...
The Uchiha and Senju fought for an unknown amount of time, but in the end they were able to shake hands and make peace.
Sarutobi and Shimura were once fierce enemies, but Hiruzen and Danzo were a great team...
" Nagato, could you lend me a strand of your hair?"
Mito said softly.
Nagato nodded, but he didn't think too much about it, assuming that Mito was simply reminiscing about someone because of the object.
Mito got up and slowly left.
Nagato was left standing there, stunned.
What does this mean?
About two hours later, Mito returned to the ward.
This time, however, she wasn't alone; Nagato's mother, Fuso, was also following behind her!
"Son!" Fuso quickly walked to Nagato's side and hugged him tightly.
"Mom!" Nagato exclaimed, hugging Fuso tightly, tears streaming down her face.
He didn't have time to think about how he did it...
Lady Mito and the village of Konoha are truly incredibly powerful!
Mito watched this scene silently and shook her head.
She never imagined that she would one day have to use the Forbidden Technique created by Tobirama...
Or perhaps it's the most malicious Impure World Reincarnation...
"It's a great technique, but it's a pity it was invented by Tobirama..." Mito remarked sincerely, seeing the incredibly excited expressions on Nagato and his mother's faces. PS:
That's 6,000 words for today. I need to adjust my sleep schedule, dear readers. My business trip the other day disrupted my writing rhythm, and I've been habitually staying up late. I've finished my work, so I'll get a good night's sleep and resume my 1,000-word daily writing routine tomorrow!