Temptation, Search

The Land of Earth, Madara Uchiha's secret base.

After Black Zetsu Obito back, he placed him in one of the caves.

There are no top-tier Medical Ninja like Taiichi here.

Obito's numerous injuries, along with the backlash from overusing the Mangekyō Sharingan, meant he didn't have a professional Medical Ninja to treat him.

At this moment, he was naked from the waist up, but his skin was not normal human skin; his entire body, especially the wounded areas, was covered with a layer of pale white.

This was using the possession of White Zetsu to treat Obito's injuries, and the effect was naturally quite good. However, judging from Obito's twitching eyebrows from time to time, it was clear that while the treatment was effective, the pain was real.

At one moment, Obito suddenly opened his eyes.

What came into view was a dimly lit cave, with the occasional "drip-drip" sound of water dripping from the cave ceiling into a small puddle nearby.

Just as he was about to make a move, excruciating pain immediately engulfed him, his torso, limbs, and even his brain feeling as if they were being relentlessly stabbed by countless red-hot steel needles.

He stiffly turned the only part of his neck he could still barely control, his gaze downwards.

Half of his body was completely covered by a layer of translucent, jelly-like, pale substance that was deeply embedded in his exposed wounds, almost growing into his flesh.

Once I had adjusted to the physical pain, fragments of memory pierced my mind like merciless steel awls!

The burning woods, Kakashi's blood-stained body, the ferocious face of the Iwa ninja, and-----Lin!

Lin's clear, gentle brown eyes looked at him in her final moments, filled not with fear, but with a deep, heartbreaking longing.

Then, that cold Kunai, which was meant to pierce her own Kunai, pierced through Rin's chest!

Lin-

A scream, inhuman and filled with extreme pain and despair, suddenly burst from Obito's throat, exploding loudly in the closed cave!

His still-functioning left arm pounded wildly against the cold, hard rock bed beneath him, again and again, until blood seeped from his hand.

"Aaaaaah! Why! Why wasn't it me who died?!"

Like a dying beast trapped in a desperate situation, he rolled over in excruciating pain and recklessly pounded his forehead against the rock wall.

The dull "thump-thump" sound was like the beating of a drum, and each impact left a dark red bloodstain.

The wounds on his body that had not yet healed burst open again during this strenuous exercise, and fresh blood flowed all over his body.

He seemed to want to smash himself against this hard stone, along with these heart-wrenching memories.

"Heh----·----"

Extreme grief and madness exhausted him; his body convulsed violently, and only the sound of gasping for breath like a broken bellows could be heard from his throat.

Tears mingled with the blood streaming down his forehead, carving filthy furrows into his pale, contorted face. All that remained before him was a crimson, blood-red world.

"Tsk tsk tsk, he's awake! He's made quite a commotion!"

"It's so noisy! Lord Madara will be disturbed!"

Two flippant, utterly unemotional voices rang out one after the other.

In Obito's tear-blurred vision, two similar, pale faces suddenly appeared.

They swayed their bodies, wearing eerie smiles, and approached him as if examining some rare object, their empty eyes gleaming with curiosity.

"Look, he's bleeding! All that bleeding for nothing, it was so hard to get it glued on!"

"Idiot, he crashed into it himself! What a troublemaker!"

The two White Zetsu chattered incessantly, their voices echoing irritatingly in the empty cave.

Obito struggled to move his eyes, his crimson Three-Tomoe focusing with difficulty through his tears.

"Lin—where is Lin?!"

His voice was as hoarse as sandpaper.

"Lin?" One of the White Zetsu tilted its head, its expression innocent as if discussing the weather. "She's dead! Pfft, she got pierced through! So pitiful!"

"His heart is ruptured! He's definitely beyond saving!"

Another immediately chimed in cheerfully, as if telling a funny joke.

The extreme pain and icy despair instantly froze Obito's blood. All the muscles in his body tensed, his teeth clenched so tightly that they cracked, and he wanted nothing more than to rush forward and tear those two monsters to pieces.

"Enough!"

An old, deep voice suddenly rang out, easily drowning out White Zetsu's clamor.

Deep within the cave, from the heavy shadows, a figure slowly emerged.

He was tall and wore the Uchiha clan uniform that Obito was familiar with. His unruly black hair was loose and slightly curly like a lion's mane, which set off his face, which was sharply defined and as hard as a rock sculpture.

A thrilling, trembling feeling, originating from the depths of his blood, instantly gripped Obito.

"Who are you!"

Obito managed to ask the question. This person's aura was definitely not that of an unknown individual, yet he had no recollection of this person.

"How pathetic. As Uchiha, you can't even recognize my own face."

Ban gave a cold laugh, but didn't keep anyone in suspense, readily providing the answer.

"I am Madara Uchiha!"

"Uchiha?!"

Obito's voice was dry and hoarse, filled with disbelief and horror.

Even though he was the worst student in the clan, he understood the weight of this name, which was taboo within the clan.

But how could he still be alive? And how could he be here?

Madara did not answer the obvious question. His Sharingan calmly reflected Obito's blood-soaked, broken, and desperate appearance.

"It must have been very painful."

He spoke, his voice as calm as if stating an eternal truth.

Betrayed by the world you love, witnessing your most cherished possessions turn to dust before your eyes—this heart-wrenching despair, like a festering sore, gnaws at your soul.

He stepped forward, looking down at Obito, who was trapped on the rock like a caged beast, his gaze filled with pity.

"You felt it, Obito. This is the truth of this world—a vast prison built upon lies, plunder, and endless suffering."

Madara's voice deepened, yet possessed a captivating, penetrating power that pierced into Obito's chaotic mind.

"War breeds suffering, suffering breeds hatred, and hatred in turn gives rise to new wars— Konoha's peace? The tacit understanding of the Five Great Nations? Ha, it's nothing but a false calm before the storm."

A cold smile curved his lips, his Sharingan's power surged slightly, and his words carried a magical quality, teasing Obito's sensitive nerves.

"The girl you cherish is named Lin, isn't she?"

Madara deliberately slowed his speech, each word like a cold chisel, precisely striking Obito's most vulnerable spot.

Why did she take that knife for you? Because she was powerless to face this terrible world, watching her hot blood splatter on your face and slowly grow cold—

Madara's voice was like a whisper from hell, and every detail he described made Obito tremble even more.

"That feeling of helplessness, that anger that made you want to destroy everything—tell me, Obito, is this the reality you want? Is this the reward that girl deserved for protecting the world with her life?"

"Shut up! Shut up!!"

Obito suddenly raised his head, the Three-Tomoe rapidly spinning and twisting in his eyes, transforming into the shape of Mangekyo, his cold eye power raging forth from them.

He was panting heavily, like a lone wolf cornered on the edge of a cliff, his eyes glaring wildly at Ban, but he couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.

Rin's last gaze, the Kunai piercing her chest, the splashing warmth—every image was magnified infinitely by Ban's words, as clear as if it were happening again!

Madara straightened up and calmly met Obito's gaze. His Three-Tomoe eyes radiated a power no less than that of Mangekyo Obito.

"This despair, this pain, this hatred that could burn everything—"

Ban's voice suddenly rose, carrying a sense of certainty, like a final prophecy.

"It's not the end! It's an endless cycle. The world will continue to cycle endlessly in this tragedy, but Obito, now there is a chance to rewrite it all."

Rewrite? The word pierced Obito's chaotic consciousness. Rin's pale face flashed in his mind—Rewrite?

"Join forces with me."

Madara's voice was like the sweetest poison, carrying an irresistible allure, each syllable striking Obito's crumbling will.

"Let's tear this endless cycle apart and create a truly Pure Land without war, separation, or pain!"

There, everything lost will return, and all regrets will be soothed!

There, the girl you cherish will smile at you again—"

"Lin—can she be resurrected?"

Deep within Obito's shattered soul, a faint yet incredibly powerful thought struggled to break free of the earth.

"It's not resurrection."

Madara's lips curled into a knowing smile, his Sharingan locking onto the sudden glint in Obito's eyes.

"It's about creation, creating a new world where she will never be hurt, and will never leave you!"

He suddenly opened his arms wide, as if embracing a grand, unrealistic blueprint.

"An eternal dream! A perfect world of only peace and love!"

"Perfect World----Lin----"

Obito muttered to himself, his Mangekyo's crimson light surging, the clover pattern spinning rapidly, releasing a heart-stopping fluctuation of ocular power!

Immediately, the image of Rin's death and the illusory paradise depicted by Ban collided and churned violently in his mind.

The desire to destroy and the temptation to create transformed into two raging torrents, wreaking havoc on his fragile mind.

"Ugh--!"

The body, which had just recovered, finally gave way to the frantic exertion following awakening, coupled with the current chaotic mental shock, and could no longer hold on.

He convulsed and then lost consciousness again.

The cave was deathly silent, save for the constant echoing sound of dripping water.

Ban slowly lowered his outstretched arms, the bewitching fervor on his face receding like the tide, leaving only icy indifference.

He looked at Obito, who had fallen unconscious again, his eyes devoid of any emotion, only filled with cold assessment and calculation.

I have high hopes for him.

Ban's voice was devoid of warmth, like issuing an order to dispose of an object.

"The next time he wakes up, he will have a clearer understanding of the truth of the world."

"Received, Lord Madara!"

Don't worry! We'll stick it on firmly!

The two White Zetsu immediately resumed their playful demeanor and came to Obito's side. Like two blobs of flowing white slime, they wriggled and covered Obito's body, especially the wounds that had just been torn open again due to his frantic struggle and the burst of his eye power.

The viscous substance rapidly filled the cracks, seeped into the tissue, and, with a strange vitality, continued its slow "healing."

Madara glanced one last time at Obito on the stone bed, then silently left the cave.

At this moment, Taiichi arrived at the destroyed Kannabi Bridge.

A cold wind howled across the great rift valley, stirring up clouds of dust that lashed against Taiichi's solemn face.

He stood alone on the ruins of the Kannabi Bridge, the jagged edges of the cliff beneath his feet stretching into a bottomless canyon.

--

The once magnificent stone bridge spanning the canyon is now reduced to a few lonely broken piles.

The Land of Grass spent countless resources to build this bridge, but now it can be destroyed in an instant.

Destruction is easy, creation is difficult, and it's unknown whether this bridge will ever be rebuilt.

Smelling the lingering scent of the Explosive Tag in the air, Taiichi remained silent for a long time—this was the battlefield that would change the course of the war.

Looking across the canyon, the traces left by the Rock Ninja were clearly visible.

The thick stone walls left by the Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall.

Taiseki left behind by the Earth Style: Earth Mountain Technique.

All these traces indicate that the Rock Ninja are also attempting to rebuild this bridge using Earth Style.

However, the rift was too wide and too deep; ordinary Earth Style Ninjutsu could not build stone pillars to cross this enormous chasm, leaving only twisted and broken rocks behind.

The devastated ruins before us symbolize the complete collapse of the Iwagakure Resupply line and foreshadow the imminent end of this long war.

"Next, it should be time for peace talks."

He understood immediately and withdrew his gaze from the broken bridge; he had a more important task to do.

According to Kakashi's description, Taiichi arrived at the location where their team had retreated and, following the tracks on the ground, prepared to begin tracking.

Unlike Minato's ordinary Sensory Ninjutsu, Taiichi has a unique advantage that Minato does not possess.

Calm your mind and concentrate for a moment.

Sage Mode, activated.

Instantly, a vast and boundless Natural Energy surged into his body like a tide, perfectly merging with his own Chakra.

Entering Sage Mode, Taiichi's perception was already unprecedentedly enhanced, and in addition—

Sage Art: Chakra Perception.

His range of perception suddenly expanded, several times greater than usual.

The whisper of the wind rustling through the leaves, the trembling of insects wriggling in the soil, the ripples of the distant stream—every subtle pulse of life in the forest was clearly reflected in his enhanced sensory network, strengthened by Senjutsu.

Taiichi knew very well how troublesome Jue's "Mayfly Technique" was. That thing merged with the earth and vegetation, like an invisible shadow, making it extremely difficult to detect and catch when it was in a hidden state.

Minato's Scout was effective against ordinary ninjas, but against the Mayfly Technique, it was difficult to gain any results.

However, as long as it has briefly broken free from the mayfly state and revealed its form, or even if it has only slightly disturbed the surrounding environment, it will inevitably leave some clues!

Under Taiichi's current state of perception, any "foreign object" that forcibly intervenes in nature has nowhere to hide.

Sure enough, Taiichi quickly detected several anomalies.

It is not residual energy, but rather an extremely minute "trace".

A clump of vines, which should have hung naturally far from the battlefield, was instead twisted and entwined in an unnatural way, as if forcibly twisted by an invisible hand;

A trampled leaf stands out starkly against the naturally settling layers around it;

There were even traces of what appeared to be Wood Style Kara remaining on several large trees and shrubs.

These traces, intermittent and fragmented, followed the route Kakashi and his group took in their escape.

When Taiichi finally found his Flying Thunder God Kunai entangled in some tree branches, his eyes were already icy cold!

Madara Uchiha and Black Zetsu really went to great lengths, constantly monitoring Kakashi and his group and using various tricks to cut off their escape routes. They really thought highly of him.

The Kunai in front of him had been twisted into a pretzel by the twig. Taiichi carefully removed the twig and Kunai; this was irrefutable evidence.

Holding his breath and concentrating, the immortal activated his senses to the extreme, like the most sophisticated radar, using the location of the Kunai as the center to conduct a carpet Scout in all directions.

His perception penetrated every inch of soil, swept over every leaf, and analyzed every residual energy fluctuation and anomaly in the natural state.

However, this time, he found nothing.

The final trace disappeared where Obito fell. The Mayfly Technique truly made him the number one ninja for reconnaissance and stealth; even Senjutsu couldn't detect his presence.

Taiichi's Sage Mode slowly faded, and he stood where Obito had finally collapsed, feeling utterly powerless.

He only knew that the cave where Madara was hiding was located in the Land of Earth, but the Land of Earth was so vast, how could he possibly find it?

The longer it drags on, the higher the chance that Obito will be bewitched. If we can't find him now, he might become our enemy if we encounter Obito again later.