Yin-Yang Release

While her gaze met that of Madara Uchiha, Kato Osamu's mind was racing.

There has been no news for so many years, and they can only use non-violent means. It is impossible that Madara Uchiha was completely unharmed after the great battle with Hashirama Senju.

It seems that before he developed the Reincarnation Technique, the Shinobi World must have had ways to prolong their lives and save themselves.

Thinking of this, Kato Osamu couldn't help but have a thought: what if she told Madara Uchiha about the Reincarnation Technique...?

No one on the verge of death can resist the temptation to live...

In just a moment, he completely dismissed the idea. Although he didn't know why they had kidnapped him, if he were to reveal that he possessed such a secret technique, he would probably never be able to leave this place again.

"Jue, let him go."

The wooden vines slowly loosened and disappeared into the earth. Kato Osamu sat down cross-legged, but made no other movements.

Now we are at their mercy, like fish on a chopping board. Any action he takes in front of such a person is futile.

However, having been in this world for so many years, I've always been like a puppet on strings, completely unable to control my own destiny...

Looking at Madara Uchiha and Zetsu, Kato Osamu understood that he had no choice. Although his life was not in immediate danger, he couldn't help but clench his fists.

His strength is still too weak...

A gentle breeze ruffled Madara Uchiha's long, now completely white hair. Looking at Kato Osamu, who was sitting cross-legged on the ground, silently gazing at him, Madara Uchiha couldn't help but feel a hint of admiration in his eyes. Compared to Obito Uchiha, the boy before him was more composed and calm, but also more intelligent.

It's a pity he wasn't Uchiha Clan, and it's also fortunate Uchiha Clan wasn't; someone like that isn't so easy to scheme against.

For the Eye of the Moon Plan, Obito Uchiha would be a better fit...

Madara Uchiha, seemingly lost in thought, spoke softly.

"The Kato family's last hope entered Root, but later became Orochimaru's apprentice and a member of Minato Namikaze's team. Now, he has even assassinated Yagura Karatachi, making a great contribution to Konoha..."

"It seems you're struggling desperately, trying to break free from the shackles of fate..."

Madara Uchiha's voice was deep and seemingly devoid of any emotion; he simply stated the facts slowly. Kato Osamu listened quietly, and couldn't help but purse her lips.

"The shackles of fate..."

"Even someone as powerful as Madara Uchiha, did he still believe in the concept of fate?"

Kato Osamu sat upright on the ground, facing the legendary strongman who was the only remaining one in this world. He had a strange feeling that at this moment, he no longer needed to consider the issue of life and death. In front of such a strongman, his little thoughts seemed to have become insignificant.

"A person, from birth to death, may rise from weak to strong, from humble to great, and may bring pain or joy to others."

"But in the end, everything will return to its predetermined fate, and everything will happen again."

"People at that time were full of pride and thought they had changed something, but if you look at them across the long river of history, everyone will laugh at them."

"Fate continues its cycle... the world has never changed..."

"This is the bondage of fate..."

Madara Uchiha's voice seemed to carry a hint of nostalgia, recalling the deeds of Madara Uchiha that had been passed down in the Shinobi World. Kato Osamu vaguely understood the implied meaning in his words.

He was slightly puzzled, and after a moment's thought, he slowly spoke.

"The world has always been this way. There's nothing new under the sun. But even making a mistake is better than doing nothing..."

"Ending the chaos of war, establishing Konoha, and forming a system of one village per country—these were acts of progress in the Shinobi World's civilization. Even if war breaks out again now, it seems as if nothing has changed..."

Kato Osamu recalled the world he once knew, and how it followed a similar trajectory: as the war progressed, the cost of war increased until an overwhelming force emerged. Under such a force, the cost of war was infinitely amplified, leading to passive peace.

The demand for resources was suppressed by the insurmountable costs of war. The acquisition of resources by force was transformed into continuous improvement of technology and productivity, and the battlefield of the game shifted to other places, where resources were acquired through relatively peaceful means.

Even if there are localized wars, they are unlikely to escalate into a global conflict, because no country can easily pay such a price.

"Oh? You think I made a mistake back then?"

A thoughtful look flashed in Madara Uchiha's eyes as he looked up at Kato Osamu. The boy before him seemed to have a deeper understanding of the world than he had imagined.

"Integrating forces and consolidating military power is certainly a good thing, but if there were an opportunity to go further and unify all the countries, allowing all regions to use a single system and have only one voice, perhaps that would be even better..."

"Only complete unification can expand peace and reduce war."

Recalling the history of the Shinobi World and the legendary founders of Konoha, Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju, Kato Osamu does indeed identify more with Madara Uchiha.

The power of the Tailed Beasts is strong, but its strength is limited. Hashirama Senju's idea of dividing the Tailed Beasts into other villages to restrain each other is not wrong, but the Tailed Beasts cannot do that.

"Ha ha ha ha..."

"Is he just another madman who dreams of ruling the world?"

Madara Uchiha glanced at Kato Osamu, his tone laced with sarcasm, yet also seemed to be self-deprecating. He seemed lost in thought, not saying anything more.

After a moment, his gaze lifted, but fell into the air as if it were unfocused, and he let out a soft hum.

"Arrogant brat..."

"Then let me... first see what kind of person you are!"

With a soft chuckle, Madara Uchiha quietly watched Kato Osamu Chakra Madara Uchiha condensed in his hand.

The black Chakra, like mist, gradually solidified, transforming in the blink of an eye into a solid, pitch-black bead.

Kato Osamu stared at the black bead in Madara Uchiha's hand, his fingers tightening slightly, his eyes fixed on it.

He could sense the terrifying energy within it; the tiny, black bead, no bigger than a soybean, made him tense.

He felt threatened by death.

However, there was a sense of déjà vu about it.

But right now, he had no energy to think; he was focused on Madara Uchiha.

If his body weren't currently empty and covered in wounds, he probably wouldn't be able to sit so comfortably.

"Go..."

Madara Uchiha seemed to sense Kato Osamu's nervousness, but a faint smile appeared on his lips. With a slight glint in his eyes, the black orb instantly rushed towards Kato Osamu.

"Ah..."

Kato Osamu didn't dodge, nor did he have the strength to do so. He could only watch helplessly as the jet-black orb hurtled towards him and pierced his chest.

An immense pain seemed to erupt from the depths of his soul, and his heart began to pound violently in an instant.

Each throb felt like his body was convulsing; before his eyes, the world seemed to tremble along with his movements, and his vision began to blur...

"Bear the power of Yin–Yang Release, and let me see your worth..."

Madara Uchiha's voice seemed unable to reach Kato Osamu anymore. He simply watched Kato Osamu lying on the ground, her entire body convulsing. Apart from the initial sound, she seemed to be in too much pain to make a sound.

"In that case, you might die..."

"If he dies, proceed according to the original plan..."

Without another reply, Madara Uchiha slowly closed his eyes.

Zetsu glanced at Kato Osamu, whose body was convulsing and who was almost unconscious, a strange smile on his face. He rolled his eyes and stood quietly to the side, saying nothing more.

Time flowed slowly, a gentle breeze caressed the cold moon, and countless stars illuminated the sky. The entire forest fell silent, as if waiting for something...