One day, in Uchiha Madara's secret base, White Zetsu hurried in with a report.
White Zetsu wore his usual sly smile, but his voice carried a trace of unease. "Lord Madara, something happened to the Akatsuki."
Madara sat upon a massive stone chair, his gaze cold and imposing.
He had long since transcended the mundane and was almost never affected by outside events.
But upon hearing about the Akatsuki, especially when it involved Nagato, Madara's expression shifted slightly, and his eyes sharpened.
"Go on." Madara's tone was calm, yet it carried an unquestionable pressure.
"Nagato and his Akatsuki were just attacked. Shimura Danzō and Hanzo of the Salamander set a trap. They kidnapped Konan and forced Yahiko to his death." White Zetsu spoke cautiously.
Uchiha Madara frowned slightly, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest of his stone chair.
"Shimura Danzō..." he murmured, a cold killing intent flashing through his eyes.
Uchiha Madara had invested tremendous resources and effort into Nagato, especially those Rinnegan.
Nagato's power was inseparable from the Rinnegan, and those eyes were the key to the success of the Eye of the Moon Plan.
Madara knew that although Nagato was powerful, the current situation forced him to reassess the risks.
From White Zetsu's report, Uchiha Madara learned more details. In particular, after Shimura Danzō visited Hanzo of the Salamander, Hanzo's attitude had abruptly changed, and he had plotted against the Akatsuki.
Uchiha Madara almost immediately realized that Danzō had to be behind this.
"Senju Tobirama's disciple..." Madara snorted coldly, his eyes filled with deep disgust.
As the former head of the Uchiha Clan, Madara harbored an intense hatred for Senju Tobirama.
Senju Tobirama was not only the Uchiha's mortal enemy, but had also personally killed Uchiha Madara's younger brother, Uchiha Izuna.
All of this filled Madara with loathing