Challenge Madara Uchiha
Kato Osamu looked at Madara Uchiha, a hint of solemnity creeping into his eyes.
It wasn't that he agreed with Madara Uchiha's plan, but rather that he originally thought Madara Uchiha's existence as the mastermind was for other purposes.
Even if it were to seek revenge by destroying Konoha or overthrowing the entire Shinobi World, he wouldn't feel anything amiss. He just never expected that Madara Uchiha's starting point would be for peace.
Once again, for peace...
This is quite different from the account in Konoha of Madara Uchiha betraying his ideals and the First Hokage.
However, in Kato Osamu's philosophy, eternal peace is impossible.
To achieve world peace by immersing everyone in a virtual world is perhaps a bit too extreme.
"I don't know if you Madara Uchiha, have ever been under a genjutsu. You probably haven't, but I have."
When under the influence of genjutsu, the most important thing is to perceive the real world, whether it's sensing pain or disrupting the opponent's technique with Chakra; the fundamental goal is to break the illusion into reality...
"When everything is shattered, even the most beautiful dream is nothing more than a dream..."
"That's just a fake world..."
"Hahaha, well said..."
Madara Uchiha seemed to have already considered all the issues, and the plan regarding the Eye of the Moon was undoubtedly his proudest and most determined plan at present.
As they watched Kato Osamu silently, Madara Uchiha's voice drifted over...
"So what kind of world is real in our eyes, and what kind of world is illusory?"
"Is enduring suffering, enduring pain, remaining unknown, or becoming indifferent really the real world we want?"
"Why can't we choose a beautiful world as the 'reality' we want!"
"Does the real world necessarily have to be a place of suffering?"
Pain is a part of life; hardship is a precious treasure; the fragrance of plum blossoms comes from the bitter cold; how can one see a rainbow without experiencing wind and rain?
Kato Osamu had countless famous quotes and life philosophies summarized by his predecessors, but at this moment, looking at Madara Uchiha, he opened his mouth slightly, but couldn't utter a word.
"Does the real world have to be this painful?"
He softly repeated Madara Uchiha's question, and countless images involuntarily surfaced in his mind.
The silent eyes of Uncle Kato Yuan, the utter destruction of Obito Uchiha, the gloomy face of Shimura Danzō, Orochimaru's madness, Minato Namikaze's compromise, and finally, the image freezes on the face of Rin Nohara, a girl with tears streaming down her face, bleeding from all seven orifices, yet still wanting to smile at him.
He suddenly understood why Madara Uchiha had come up with such a method.
Although it sounded like child's play at first, he now seemed to empathize with it somewhat.
The person who came up with such a plan must have experienced excruciating pain...
Having completely lost trust in this world, Madara Uchiha was so determined to embrace the new world.
He Madara Uchiha, remaining silent for a long time.
"Perhaps you're right..."
"If life were always smooth sailing, who would want to go through hardship...?"
"If everyone had this choice, I think many people would choose that wonderful world..."
Upon hearing Kato Osamu's voice, Madara Uchiha couldn't help but smile. His eyes narrowed slightly, and he softly uttered his final question.
"How do you know that the world as it is now is real?"
Kato Osamu's pupils contracted slightly. The legendary Sage of Six Paths, the power of Yin–Yang Release, splitting the Tailed Beasts...
If someone possessed unparalleled power in Yin–Yang Release, could they, like a creator god, have created this world?
The world he created was filled with suffering, while Madara Uchiha wanted to create a world full of beauty...
So, if we were already living in a world created by someone else, and now we're in another world, a world without so much suffering, doesn't it seem easier to accept?
"Having sensed the power of Yin–Yang Release, you should understand that if one possesses near-divine power and the ability to create all things, then creating the world is not mere fantasy..."
"Perhaps we live in His world, but now, we are going to create our own world!"
Madara Uchiha's voice inexplicably rose in pitch, and Kato Osamu finally understood the reason for this idea: it was not only disappointment with the world, but also bewilderment after sensing the power of Yin–Yang Release.
O power that created all things!
But if the original world was indeed created by other people or gods, then what is the real world, and what is the illusory world?
What is the essential difference between the world Madara Uchiha created and the world he created?
Humans are ultimately slaves to their perceptions; what we perceive as reality is actually governed by our own senses.
However, Kato Osamu still shook his head slightly at the idea of Eye of the Moon Plan.
Whether this world is real or not, I don't know, but I will search for the answer...
"I only partially agree with the Eye of the Moon Plan!"
"Whether we create a new world or simply construct one using genjutsu, before that, I'm more inclined to integrate power—to consolidate all forces through absolute power, so that this Shinobi World has only one country and one system."
"Expand peace, shrink war."
Even if in the end we cannot find the true path, nor know the true nature of the world, we will still have taken the most important step on the road to peace!
"Whether or not the Eye of the Moon Plan will be implemented, and whether or not it will create a new world, let's set that aside for now. But before all that, I approve of this project..."
Madara Uchiha glanced at Kato Osamu, his eyes clearly revealing his admiration, which he made no attempt to hide.
Although the boy in front of him did not fully agree with the Eye of the Moon Plan, his thoughts showed that he must have thought about this issue deeply. He could tell that this was Kato Osamu's true thought.
However, as the words were on the tip of his tongue, the thought of those scheming and despicable people made him unable to suppress a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
"The Five Great Shinobi Villages are nothing but cowards and petty thieves!"
Kato Osamu, seeing Madara Uchiha's expression, probably understood.
Madara Uchiha have considered this method, but he disdained the people of the Five Great Shinobi Villages and understood that while it spoke of unification, it would ultimately lead to each going its own way, merely succumbing to the threat of death.
That wouldn't be the peace he wanted.
He couldn't possibly be as humble as Hashirama Senju; that path was simply not feasible for him. Besides, even if he could, creating the Tsukuyomi World wouldn't directly achieve complete peace.
"No matter what you want to do, the power of the Nine Tailed Beasts is essential. There's no point in saying anything more until Nine Tailed Beasts are gathered."
"Now tell me your answer..."
Uchiha Clan's eyes were fixed on Kato Osamu, Kato Osamu suddenly chuckled softly, but her eyes turned cold.
Thinking of Obito Uchiha, thinking of Rin, thinking of all the humiliation he had endured over the years, he clenched his fist, his gaze unwavering, staring intently at Madara Uchiha without any attempt to conceal his feelings.
"Obito Uchiha is dead..."
"Lin is dead..."
Is this part of your plan?
Seeing Kato Osamu's gaze, Madara Uchiha smiled slightly.
"That's surprising, you actually asked..."
"Someone like you, I thought you wouldn't ask this question today. You would only hide in the shadows, secretly working hard, like a venomous snake, waiting for the right moment to launch a fatal blow..."
Madara Uchiha smiled slightly, but a strong killing intent suddenly shot out from his eyes. The entire sky seemed to cool down, and all the mist condensed into ice beads, which swept towards Kato Osamu, perhaps to completely pierce him in the next moment.
"Perhaps I was like that before, but now I understand a principle."
In times of humility, temporary survival means nothing; fleeing or being defeated are also insignificant. But being overly cautious, timid, and walking on thin ice—that is no longer what I want."
"Everyone has things they will do and things they won't do. I can join this plan simply because I agree with a part of it, not because you are more powerful than me."
Silently watching Madara Uchiha, Kato Osamu unleashed an inexplicable aura, resisting Madara Uchiha's killing intent.
"I used to compromise and submit, but now, I never want to experience that feeling again..."
"Just because someone is stronger than me, does that mean I should lose the courage to wield my sword?"
Staring at Madara Uchiha's intense killing intent, Kato Osamu suddenly threw a punch forward. Images seemed to appear before his eyes, but they were all shattered. A strong Chakra fluctuation accompanied the fist shadow and headed straight for Madara Uchiha.
"This is really something to look forward to..."
Madara Uchiha waved his hand lightly, and the dark mist swirled around, instantly dissipating the fist shadow. The two sat silently, their eyes locked, but neither made a move.
Under a gloomy sky, a light drizzle began to fall. Madara Uchiha waved his hand gently, and the fog suddenly began to dissipate. His figure gradually disappeared into the thick fog, but a voice suddenly came from the rain.
"I'll be waiting for the day you officially challenge me..."
(Since some readers have mentioned that the protagonist's strength is unclear, let me explain his current strength.)
When fighting Karatachi Yagura, he was probably Kage Level gatekeeper. Because of the elemental advantage of his techniques, he was passively boosted by one level when facing ordinary ninjas using ninjutsu.
It's roughly equivalent to a true Kage Level now. After some updates to the Genin, it will be equivalent to an elite Kage Level with a finishing move.
Regarding Yin–Yang Release, he now understands how to do it and no longer needs to figure it out on his own, but he doesn't yet have the strength to condense something like Truth-Seeking Orb.
Previously, with an average physique, my Chakra level was similar to Kakashi Hatake's; now Chakra's around three to four kilocalories. ^_^
Thank you everyone!