Changes in Amegakure

Inside the cave, the old man's body radiated an immense pressure. The black-and-white figure before him was like a tiny boat, helpless amid a storm-tossed sea, liable to be swallowed by the old man's surging presence at any moment.

"Zetsu! What did I tell you? This mission was different. We had to make absolutely sure it succeeded. Nagato's Rinnegan still hasn't awakened, and I don't have much time left..." The old man let out a long sigh. His battle with Uchiha Chen had cost him a great deal of his life force. Even after he'd hurried back to his base and used the equipment to keep himself alive, it hadn't helped much.

"It's time to find a successor," the old man murmured.

"My apologies, my lord. This opportunity should have been foolproof, but Uchiha Chen suddenly appeared midway through and threw all our plans into disarray. Nagato and the others were saved with Uchiha Chen's help as well." Zetsu knelt on one knee and reported the facts to Madara Uchiha.

"Uchiha Chen!" Anger rose in the old man's heart. Then, as though he'd remembered something, it gradually faded, leaving only a long sigh. "Alas! I, Madara Uchiha, have never been weaker than anyone in my life, yet in the end I'm going to die of old age here? I can't accept it."

The voices gradually faded inside the cave. Madara's words dwindled into a heavy sigh, and then he fell silent.

In the wavering candlelight, only an aged figure lay alone inside the Demonic Statue, drawing in life force to prolong his miserable existence. The strange Black and White Zetsu had already vanished without a trace.

Nearly half a month had passed since Uchiha Chen rescued the three members of the Akatsuki Organization. Now, Amegakure was filled with celebration,