Madara Uchiha's Stand-in Literature?

At the same time, in the Graveyard Mountains.

In the dim underground space, Madara Uchiha sat quietly on a massive wooden chair with his eyes closed.

Countless pipes connected to the Demonic Statue behind him, pumping chakra and life force to sustain his aging body.

White Zetsu had just emerged from the ground, half his body still buried in the earth, when he transmitted the images of the battle between Qingyu and Kakashi via a Yin Release Secret Technique.

Madara Uchiha slowly opened his eyes.

He was still recalling the figure of Qingyu swinging his blade, as well as that winding, serpentine flame.

Fire Release.

Swordsmanship.

The corners of Madara Uchiha's mouth curled upward slightly, revealing a long-absent look of satisfaction.

That's more like it.

Madara Uchiha nodded to himself.

Playing with Water Release all day—what kind of nonsense is that?

In Madara Uchiha's view, the Uchiha are a clan that commands fire.

Water Release is the sort of thing only a treacherous wretch like Senju Tobirama would enjoy fiddling with.

Thinking of that man who brought him such displeasure, Madara Uchiha's mood cooled by several degrees.

He had once wanted to plunge a ninja blade into Senju Tobirama's head to settle the grudge in his heart.

It was just a pity that he never had the chance to do so while he was alive.

Madara Uchiha shook his head and continued watching the images relayed by White Zetsu.

His younger brother, Izuna Uchiha, was also skilled in Fire Release and equally obsessed with swordsmanship.

During the Warring States period, Izuna often dueled Senju Tobirama with a katana, the two of them clashing amidst the glint and flash of blades countless times.

If Izuna Uchiha hadn't died at the hands of Senju Tobirama back then, perhaps everything would be different.

Madara Uchiha closed his eyes.

Within the Uchiha clan, the bond between brothers transcends all else.

He and Izuna had supported each other since childhood, fighting side by side through the sea of blood that was the Warring States period.

Izuna was more steady and calm than he was, yet he always stood behind him, acting as his most steadfast support.

Even before his death, Izuna Uchiha had gifted him his own Mangekyō Sharingan.

If not for those eyes, Madara Uchiha would have gone blind long ago.

Even if he had transplanted the eyes of other clansmen, he could have at most obtained Three-Tomoe Sharingan; he would never have possessed the power he wields today.

"This child, Qingyu, carries the shadow of Izuna."

Madara Uchiha opened his eyes once more.

He was, of course, well aware that Izuna was dead.

However, the Uchiha Stone Tablet, passed down through the generations of the Uchiha clan, recorded many secrets inaccessible to ordinary people.

Each time one's ocular power increased, it was like solving a puzzle, allowing one to see more of its contents.

The Uchiha Stone Tablet also vaguely mentioned that the Pure Land truly exists.

After a person dies, their soul travels to that world.

Although it did not provide a detailed explanation, since the soul can persist, does that mean...

Reincarnation?

Madara Uchiha fell into deep thought.

He had a vague, lingering feeling that there was an indescribable connection between himself and Hashirama.

If so, what about others?

Could Qingyu possibly be the reincarnation of Izuna?

As soon as this thought surfaced, Madara Uchiha was startled by his own bold idea.

It was too far-fetched.

It must be because he missed his brother too deeply.

Madara Uchiha shook his head, temporarily suppressing this absurd speculation.

However, regardless of whether Qingyu was the reincarnation of Izuna, this child was truly worthy of his special attention.

Madara Uchiha summoned White Zetsu, deciding to take a different path with Qingyu than the one he had taken with Obito.

Obito was a pawn.

But Qingyu, perhaps, could become something else entirely.

Meanwhile, at the Ninja Academy.

[Collectible Trait Detected: Madara's Phantom Vision]

[D-Rank Trait: Madara's Phantom Vision]

[Effect: Gain the Fire Release talent of Madara Uchiha (Youth).]

Qingyu stared at the text suddenly manifesting before his eyes, momentarily speechless.

Is Madara Uchiha here?

No, it must be a White Zetsu.

Madara was observing the recent battle through the vision of a White Zetsu, much like how Sarutobi Hiruzen peeks at things using the Telescope Technique.

But the problem is...

Phantom Vision?

The corners of Qingyu's mouth twitched slightly.

Is this the signature presbyopia of the Hokage world?

The effect of this trait is to grant him the Fire Release talent of Madara's youth, which is undeniably powerful.

But the name "Phantom Vision"—does it mean he is hallucinating someone related to Madara Uchiha?

Sword skills combined with Fire Release; in Madara's past, there is only one person who fits this profile.

Izuna Uchiha.

Good grief. It's one thing for the Third Hokage to be peeping with his Crystal Ball all day, but Madara, you're into this too?

Qingyu grumbled inwardly.

This is bad.

Could he be treated as a substitute for Madara Uchiha's younger brother?

Shock!

What kind of body-double drama is this?

Qingyu scanned his surroundings calmly, finding no signs of anything unusual.

The Mayfly Technique of the White Zetsu allows them to merge perfectly with the earth and vegetation; with his current sensory capabilities, he couldn't possibly detect them.

However, this also proved one thing: Madara Uchiha has already set his sights on him.

This is both a danger and an opportunity.

From Orochimaru to Sarutobi Hiruzen, and now Madara Uchiha, Qingyu discovered a pattern.

The stronger the person, the better the traits they drop.

The prerequisite is that he must establish some form of connection with them to meet the system's criteria.

An Asura of the Ninja World like Madara Uchiha is undoubtedly a walking treasure trove of top-tier traits.

Since Madara Uchiha has developed a "Phantom Vision" regarding him, he is at least a cut above a mere pawn.

This might just be his chance.

Izuna, huh...

Qingyu rubbed his chin, his mind racing.

Tsunade had once mentioned some past events to him.

Back then, his mother from the Senju clan had learned some little-known facts from his father of the Uchiha clan.

Specifically, after Izuna Uchiha died, he left behind a sword.

Qingyu's father had once wielded this blade, but following his death in battle, the sword was reclaimed by the Uchiha clan.

Since Madara is having these phantom visions, Qingyu wouldn't mind making this body-double drama even more realistic.

Is it possible to get his hands on that sword?

Qingyu secretly calculated the possibilities.

But for now, he still had an exam to wrap up.

Kakashi formed the Seal of Reconciliation, and Qingyu returned the gesture.

"Qingyu is truly amazing."

Umino Shika remarked to Kite.

The result of this battle quickly spread throughout the entire Ninja Academy.

The myth of the undefeated genius Kakashi had been broken, and the one who broke it was another, even more dazzling genius.

After school, Tsunade appeared before Qingyu, a rare occurrence before the sun had even set.

"Kid, come with me."

She offered no explanation for her reasons, turning and walking away.

Qingyu followed her, the two of them crossing the streets of Konoha until they arrived at the Hokage Building.

Sarutobi Hiruzen was already waiting in the office.

Wisps of smoke curled from the pipe on his desk.

"You defeated Kakashi?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen went straight to the point the moment he spoke, his tone laced with surprise.

However, he had also watched the entire match via live broadcast.

Although he had seen the whole battle through his Crystal Ball, witnessing it in person was ultimately a different experience than observing it through ninjutsu.

He was well aware of how strong that child Kakashi was; for Qingyu to defeat him in a head-on confrontation meant his rate of progress far exceeded expectations.

"It was merely luck, Lord Hokage."

Qingyu said modestly.