The candlelight in the tent flickered gently, illuminating the grave faces of those within.
Madara Uchiha stood with his arms crossed, the bloodstains on his Crimson Armor appearing even darker in the dim yellow light, while a profound sharpness flowed through his Sharingan.
"The fusion of Yin-Yang Release is not a simple addition of power." Madara spoke first, his voice low and forceful.
"The evolution of the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan has already allowed me to sense the stirring of an existence at a higher level—perhaps, as this brat said, the Rinnegan!" As he spoke, his Mangekyo Sharingan spun rapidly, faintly exuding an unprecedented pressure.
Hashirama frowned slightly at that, a complicated glint flashing through his eyes. "Madara, your eyes..."
"No need to worry." Madara chuckled. "This power is far closer to the Source Energy than we imagined. The ultimate form of All Creation may well be the key to breaking the shackles of the Ninja World."
Tobirama stood to one side with his arms crossed, his cold gaze sweeping between Madara and Neji. "The theory behind fusing Yin-Yang Release remains incomplete. Attempting it rashly carries too much risk. Moreover, whether the legend of the Sage of Six Paths is true still requires verification."
"Verification?" Madara scoffed, his Sharingan suddenly narrowing. "Tobirama, your caution means nothing before absolute power. Hashirama, you should understand that we have already reached the threshold."
Hashirama fell silent for a moment before finally raising his head, the hesitation in his eyes replaced by determination. "Madara is right. The resonance between Wood Release and the Sharingan has allowed me to faintly touch upon a certain rule... The union of life force and ocular power may be the prototype of Yin-Yang Release."
Neji listened quietly, his Byakugan discreetly observing the flow of chakra within the three men. He