Looking at Uchiha Madara's demeanor and the atmosphere around him,
Shōji did not process it at first. He stared at Madara with a rather stunned expression, but when he recalled the scenes from the Original Work depicting Madara and Hashirama in their youth and early adulthood, he gradually managed to overlap the Madara before him with that inexperienced young Madara from those memories. There was almost no sense of incongruity. Or, more accurately, this was probably Madara's true nature. After all, he had once become close friends with Hashirama, and had later even been persuaded by Hashirama's words.
Without a doubt, Madara had once been a positive and optimistic youth. At least, he had been. Later, he could only be said to have chosen an extreme path for himself. That involved both his own mistakes and the oppression of the world.
As for Madara now, perhaps the most fitting description was that he had found his former self again.
"So, Ancestor Madara, have you chosen to believe in me?"
Shōji blinked and looked at Madara across from him as he asked softly.
"Heh heh, does it still matter whether I believe or not? You are the victor now. Well, as you would put it, this is not me believing in you. I have chosen to believe in 'tomorrow,' to believe in every possibility the future holds. Perhaps this world truly can build a peaceful and tranquil future according to your wishes."
Madara smiled faintly, his expression gentle as he spoke softly.
"It is just a little regrettable that I will not be able to see that future..."
The words that followed made Shōji pause. To be honest, when he heard Madara seemingly admit defeat and choose to place complete faith in him, a rather subtle emotion rose within Shōji.
Since