Land of Iron
Deep within the mountains
A hidden cave in the Mountain Graveyard
Time seemed to flow especially slowly here, isolated from the turbulent winds and clouds of the outside Ninja World.
The pale White Zetsu, bizarre fusions of plants and human bodies, carried out their usual "research" and "observations," which ordinary people would find meaningless or even absurd.
Some tried to make stones sing, some imitated birds building nests only to pile up a tangled mess, while others made all sorts of exaggerated faces at their reflections in the water, letting out strange "heehee" and "haha" laughter.
At the deepest part of the cave, Madara Uchiha was connected to the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path through countless pipes and chakra channels.
Like a sculpture that had existed since ancient times, he kept his eyes tightly shut, immersed in the long slumber that sustained both his life and the power of the Rinnegan.
Only the faintest rise and fall of his chest proved that this body, which had endured across the ages, still carried an ambition to overturn the world.
Suddenly, a White Zetsu that had just returned from an external reconnaissance mission
slipped past its playing companions in its characteristically silent yet slightly comical wriggling manner and quickly arrived before Madara.
It still carried the scent of cold air and soil from outside.
"Lord Madara~ Lord Madara~"
This White Zetsu called out in its distinctive drawn-out tone, carrying a hint of eagerness to claim credit.
"There's new, interesting news!
It was pieced together from 'voices' coming from lots and lots of places!"
Madara Uchiha's eyelids twitched slightly.
The profound darkness beneath those long lashes seemed capable of swallowing even light.
He did not fully open his eyes, yet an invisible, immense will had already descended, causing the