Prisoner Madara Fakes His Death, a Battle of Wits at Its Peak!

Inside the grotto, under Black Zetsu's astonished gaze, a Susanoo giant, so enormous that it almost cracked the entire grotto's dome, gradually emerged from the ever-expanding spatial Uzumaki in Obito's left eye.

The giant was covered in dark blue Crow Tengu heavy armor, and the two narrow slits of his eyes on his visor gleamed with a cold, fluorescent yellow light in the dim cave.

It leaned forward, one arm steadily extending forward, gripping the Totsuka Blade that had pierced through Black Zetsu's body and shimmered with a ghostly blue light.

Beside it, a gourd, also constructed of deep blue Chakra, swayed slightly with the movements of Susanoo.

Susanoo's third stage - Crow Tengu!

Black Zetsu's body was pinned to the spot by the Totsuka Blade, and it was completely unable to sink even half an inch further into the ground.

As it struggled relentlessly, it managed to shift its gaze with difficulty to the figure that stood proudly within Susanoo, as if emerging from a battlefield.

He was a young man who looked to be in his twenties or thirties.

He wore a heavy, red armor from the Warring States Period, his long, wild, and thick black hair cascading down his back. His handsome, sharp face was filled with an arrogance that seemed to emanate from his very bones, as if he were born to stand above all others.

But what's most captivating is his eyes.

The left eye is the Rinnegan.

His right eye is Three Tomoe Sharingan.

At this moment, those heterochromatic eyes, one purple and one red, were coldly looking down at Black Zetsu, who was pinned to the Totsuka Blade.

His status as a "youth" is beyond question.

Uchiha Madara, a legendary ninja who was once on par with Hashirama Senju, the God of Shinobi, during the Warring States Period!

"That Madara guy... he's actually still alive! And he's even regained his youthful appearance?!"

No, that's not all!

Black Zetsu murmured in disbelief to himself, his gaze unconsciously shifting to the Rinnegan.

"That Rinnegan... That Obito, he was lying to me before?!"

The one who stole the Rinnegan from Nagato was not Uchiha Kuro, but Madara!

Wait, but if it really was the Rinnegan that Madara stole, then how come there's only one...?

"You seem quite surprised that I'm still alive, Black Zetsu."

Madara spoke calmly, giving Black Zetsu, whose movements were completely restricted by the Totsuka Blade, a slight smirk:

"I'm surprised too. I never expected that the mysterious guy who was suspected of stirring up conflict between the Uchiha and Senju Clan and secretly altering the contents of the Sage of Six Paths' Stone Tablet... it really was you."

He shook his head, but the admiration in his tone sent a chill down Black Zetsu's spine more than any mockery.

"Oh, should I say a few words of praise to you?"

After all, if it were anyone else facing your plan, they probably wouldn't discover any problems until the very end.

Unfortunately, you chose the wrong target to scheme against.

Ban raised his chin, looking down at Black Zetsu arrogance, and said:

"I Uchiha Madara, am not someone you can control!"

"You!!"

Enraged, Black Zetsu struggled frantically, trying to break free from the seal.

However, under the powerful sealing force of the Totsuka Blade, all its struggles were in vain.

Madara watched Black Zetsu's ugly state with a look of enjoyment, a smug smile curving his lips.

"Tsk, what a pretentious old man."

Obito stood to the side and behind Madara, barely suppressing the urge to roll his eyes, and gave Madara a disdainful look at his smug expression.

That shameless old bastard Ban is putting on airs now? He can only fool Black Zetsu, who hasn't figured out the situation yet!

As someone who had been a "collaborator" and half-disciple of Ban for many years, he knew the old man's background very well.

If this old man hadn't gained some insight from Kou when he was spying on him and Kou back then, would he have been able to see that the Eye of the Moon Plan was suspicious?

Prisoner Madara is just a lazy bum who won without lifting a finger; Kou is the real MVP!!

Although Obito cursed inwardly, he ultimately didn't voice his inner thoughts.

After all, before he found Shennong and obtained a method to restore his youth and mobility, the old man Ban lived a rather miserable life.

Having been deprived of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's sustenance, Madara's body had become extremely weak. If it weren't for his Shadow Clone taking long-term care of him within the Kamui Dimension, he would have been severely weakened.

Furthermore, since his own body occasionally steals Chakra from the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to Prisoner Madara Madara's life, he probably wouldn't have known when he would kick the bucket and die.

"Living like that, and still being played like a dog by Black Zetsu for so many years."

"He finally managed to stand up straight today and get his head stepped on right in front of him, so let him have a little Ichiraku."

Obito muttered to himself, then turned his gaze back to Black Zetsu, who was pinned to the ground by the Totsuka Blade but was still writhing desperately, and an undisguised killing intent rose in his eyes.

After all, Madara wasn't the only one who harbored resentment towards Black Zetsu.

The person who served this old man day and night, tending to his bodily needs and Uchiha Obito himself!

That old man's excrement and urine... it really stinks!!

"You seem to be thinking something rather rude, Obito."

Madara turned his head and casually glanced at Obito.

His gaze was icy cold, as if he could see right through the grievances in his heart.

"... It's your imagination."

Obito quickly adjusted his facial expression and responded calmly.

Seeing that Obito hadn't sabotaged him at this crucial moment, Madara snorted with satisfaction in his heart and continued to enjoy Black Zetsu's current ugly state with great interest.

"When..."

Black Zetsu glared venomously at Obito and Madara before him, his body, pierced by the Totsuka Blade, still trembling slightly.

When exactly did you realize I was there?!

This is absolutely impossible! Absolutely impossible!!

My plan has not revealed a single flaw! You two... you two pieces who were originally only meant to lie obediently on my chessboard, how could you possibly see through the truth of the Eye of the Moon Plan?!

"Hmph, not revealing the slightest flaw? I doubt it."

Ban's expression, which had previously held a hint of amusement and pleasure, suddenly turned cold.

He looked at Black Zetsu, who was on the verge of breaking down, and slowly spoke:

"During my most confused period, it secretly guided me to Naka Shrine, where I saw the altered stone tablet."

It made me mistakenly believe that I had finally found the only right path in the darkness...

Ban took a deep breath, his voice carrying a rare hint of melancholy, a sorrow he seldom showed in public.

"I have to admit, this is indeed a very clever tactic."

Because at that time, I really needed that kind of path.

Even if that path wasn't something I figured out myself, but rather one paved for me by others, it was still something I couldn't refuse at the time.

At this point, Madara gave a self-deprecating laugh:

"If it weren't for some unexpected reasons that made me re-examine this path later on,

As for the truth behind it all, given my style as Uchiha Madara, I'll probably only see it clearly when I reach the end of the road...