Underground, no one could match Zetsu's speed.
That was because Zetsu could merge with the earth, using organic networks such as underground plant roots and flowing groundwater to move at extreme speeds!
So by the time Houka realized what was happening and sent out Shadow Clones to search for Zetsu, he was already too late. Zetsu had gotten there first and found Uchiha Madara's Wood Clone!
"Though there were a few unexpected setbacks, I made it in time."
Uchiha Madara's Wood Clone looked at Zetsu, then immediately dispelled itself.
As the memories returned to the original body, Uchiha Madara immediately changed direction and raced toward Zetsu's location.
Houka followed behind him. At first, he did not think much of it, since Uchiha Madara had been frantically changing directions all along. But after a while, Houka sensed that something was wrong.
Uchiha Madara was clearly rushing in this direction with a specific destination in mind!
Houka immediately ordered all his Shadow Clones to advance ahead in that direction.
Uchiha Madara seemed to have anticipated this. A faint smile appeared on his lips, and he suddenly changed direction again, rushing straight for the surface.
Houka's heart skipped a beat, but his Sensory Ninjutsu could not detect Zetsu's presence at all. He could only passively follow behind Uchiha Madara.
Boom!
Amid a shower of dust and shattered earth, Uchiha Madara burst straight out of the ground!
The pupil power in Houka's right eye swirled. With the Pentagram Realm, he instantly appeared behind Uchiha Madara, then focused his left eye on Uchiha Madara's heart.
Though Uchiha Madara was blind, he was exceptionally sensitive—especially around sensitive areas like his chest. When Houka stared wide-eyed at him so undisguisedly, Uchiha Madara's hackles immediately rose. He thrust out his left arm to block Houka's line of sight.