Poseidon burst into wild laughter.
"Hahahaha... In all the long years since I, Poseidon, became a god of such consequence in this world, this is the first time I've heard such absurd words. Humanity can survive apart from the will of the gods? Even... transcend the gods' will and seek its own development? Humanity will usher in a new age without gods? What a joke! Humans are as weak as ants, and foolish and clumsy besides. In every war among the gods, mankind has done nothing but fight blindly as the gods' dependents! Especially those Saints ruled by Athena—once they possess a certain degree of Cosmo, they always think themselves stronger than gods. They even wish to slay gods and create a new world."
Poseidon raised his trident and pointed it at Uchiha Madara. "But throughout all these tens of thousands of years, humanity has never truly existed apart from the gods' protection! Whether they are people protected by Athena, or those damned sinners who died under Hades's protection, life or death merely means changing which god protects them! No one can exist apart from the gods' protection. Not one person has done so in all these tens of thousands of years! Do you think you, Uchiha Madara, can become the first to exist beyond the gods' protection?"
Uchiha Madara smiled faintly. His expression was like a beautiful sunset—so content, so peaceful. It gave the impression that a true god had descended here.
Yet he was ultimately only a human. He stood on humanity's side.
"I, Uchiha Madara, am gradually coming to understand why I came to this world. That's right—I came to bring this age of gods to an end."
The dart in his hand suddenly flew toward Poseidon!
Poseidon cried out in alarm, "You dare attack a god!