Madara: I See Izuna's Shadow in Qingyu

"White Zetsu."

Madara Uchiha opened his clouded eyes, gazing at the white figure before him.

He sat upon a massive chair woven from wood, with numerous pipes protruding from his back.

Behind those pipes, they connected to the colossal Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.

"Start your report."

Madara Uchiha said indifferently.

Though he never stepped outside, he controlled the intelligence of the entire ninja world through the vast underground network formed by the White Zetsu.

The reason was simple: not only could the White Zetsu freely merge their bodies with the earth and vegetation using the Mayfly Technique, but they could also travel to any location at high speeds.

Furthermore, the White Zetsu could communicate telepathically over long distances and possessed powerful transformation abilities, allowing them to infiltrate any ninja village at will.

The White Zetsu emerged from the ground, half his body still buried in the soil, and began to report:

"Today, Obito walked back and forth on the road twice, helping the same White Zetsu pick up things he dropped twice."

Madara Uchiha did not speak, merely nodding slightly.

Obito was becoming increasingly kind.

Seeing an old man fall, he couldn't help but reach out to assist; his heart was filled with thoughts of others more than himself.

Such a person was the most perfect, for when he lost everything, that kindness would rebound like a broken blade, transforming into a hatred sharp enough to pierce the entire world.

Because Madara Uchiha knew very well that Obito was by no means the type of person who could endure indefinitely.

This kind of half-baked saint was the easiest to manipulate into stirring up the darkness and hatred within his heart.

"What about Qingyu?"

He asked.

Although he had long paid attention to Obito, he held an even deeper interest in Qingyu, who was in the same class as Obito.

Qingyu possessed the same bloodline as him, as well as the bloodline of Hashirama, making him a truly unique existence.

If Hashirama had agreed with his philosophy back then, the two of them would not have had to part ways.

Perhaps there would have been many more cases like Qingyu within the clan.

Moreover, Qingyu had awakened the Sharingan at birth and possessed a sharp mind, which proved that the hybrid blood of the two clans was not actually in conflict.

Most importantly, Madara Uchiha caught a glimpse of something in Qingyu's handsome face.

Qingyu truly resembled Izuna, his most beloved younger brother.

Madara Uchiha closed his eyes, and the face of Izuna, which had appeared repeatedly in his memories, surfaced once again in the darkness.

His brother's death was also the greatest pain in Madara Uchiha's heart.

Had it not been for an accident, his most beloved brother would not have died at the hands of the detestable Senju Tobirama.

"His performance is excellent; his shurikenjutsu is perfect, and he mastered the Body Flicker, Body Replacement, and Transformation techniques on his first attempt. However, there is a lack of specific combat data, as he has only fought Kakashi once."

The White Zetsu reported the intelligence regarding Qingyu.

At the same time, Madara Uchiha sank into his memories.

Like all old men, the older one gets, the more one enjoys reminiscing; Madara Uchiha also enjoyed recalling the past.

Within the Uchiha clan, the bond between brothers surpassed everything.

He and his brother had supported each other; compared to his own arrogance, his brother Izuna was not only a genius but also more steady and calm.

If one had to describe him, he was like an Uchiha version of Senju Tobirama.

Even such a calm brother, before his death, had hoped for the clan to find peace and had gifted his Mangekyō Sharingan to him.

Recalling the past, the tears of those years never dried...

"Lord Madara, I have finished."

The White Zetsu glanced at Madara Uchiha.

Sometimes, when Madara Uchiha kept his eyes half-closed, he could not tell if the man was asleep or awake.

"What is his current progress with ninjutsu?"

Madara Uchiha reopened his eyes; he had just been immersed in his memories.

"He is learning Water Release this week."

The White Zetsu said.

"According to our observations, he is practicing a D-rank Water Release technique; it should be part of the legacy left behind by Senju Tobirama."

Water Release?

A mocking sneer appeared at the corners of Madara Uchiha's mouth.

Teaching Qingyu Water Style was tantamount to harming him!

In the eyes of Madara Uchiha, Fire Style was inherently more destructive than Water Style.

That kind of cowardly technique was surely an influence from the wretched Senju clan!

Even though Madara Uchiha possessed water-natured chakra, he rarely utilized ninjutsu of that nature.

"Continue to observe Qingyu."

Madara Uchiha spoke.

If his attitude toward Obito was that of a pawn, he actually harbored a certain intention to cultivate Qingyu.

This was because Qingyu was essentially walking his path from birth, combining the powers of the Uchiha and the Senju.

If he were to transplant Hashirama Cells into Qingyu, what level of compatibility would that reach?

If the Infinite Tsukuyomi were completed, he might just be able to grant Qingyu—who resembled his younger brother Izuna so much—an eternally beautiful dream as compensation.

"Yes, Madara."

White Zetsu nodded.

"And what about Obito?"

"Continue to observe him as well."

Madara Uchiha said.

Compared to the blockheaded Obito, Qingyu possessed an extremely high level of vigilance.

He had once sent a White Zetsu disguised as an old woman for Qingyu to help, but Qingyu had actually asked what "scamming" was, claiming that since he hadn't hit her, why should he help?

Even when someone was truly in need, he would ensure there were witnesses present before daring to assist, acting with extreme caution.

Therefore, Madara Uchiha intended to prepare for both contingencies.

The way Qingyu left a margin for error in everything he did showed that his nature carried a filter, forcing him to weigh the gains and losses before allowing himself to be moved.

Such a person was not easily deceived.

Yet, this very trait made Madara Uchiha feel that Qingyu was even more like Izuna.

Soon, another half-month passed.

The Ninja Academy welcomed its first monthly examination.

The morning consisted of a written test, covering basic theory, questions on the Will of Fire, and knowledge of ninja tools.

Qingyu answered everything well. For the section on the Will of Fire, he focused on writing that the Third Hokage was as magnificent as the rising sun, allowing the great tree of Konoha to thrive; Qingyu felt like raising both hands to shout his loyalty from the heart.

The afternoon was reserved for the practical portion.

On the playground, Umino Shika stood before the students holding a roster, while the training field behind him had been marked with white lines to designate several sparring areas.

"This afternoon, we will conduct the combat sparring test. When your name is called, step forward. You will be paired up."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Obito Uchiha jumped out impatiently.

"Kakashi!"

Obito pointed at the conspicuous silver hair in the crowd.

"I challenge you, Kakashi!"

Kakashi didn't even lift his eyelids, merely shaking his head.

"Idiot."

With Obito's limited repertoire of tricks, Kakashi could beat him with his eyes closed.

"What did you say?"

With Rin Nohara watching nearby, Obito couldn't save face.

"Even if there were a challenge, it wouldn't be your turn, Obito."

Kakashi shook his head.

He glanced toward Qingyu.

If possible, he would rather spar with Qingyu.

Seeing Kakashi's gaze shift toward him, Qingyu gave a slight nod.

The current Kakashi had not yet established a sufficient bond with Obito; the two were, at best, bickering classmates.

It would only be after the outbreak of the Shinobi World War that their relationship would heat up rapidly.

He possessed the most miraculous power in the ninja world... "bonds."

"Obito, maintain order."

Umino Shika tapped the roster in his hand, his tone stern.

"Only step forward when your name is called. Unauthorized challenges will not count toward your grade."

Obito had no choice but to retreat to the queue, crestfallen.

It would be over if he actually received a zero.

Umino Shika looked down at the roster and called out the names for the first sparring pair.