Inside Uchiha Setsuna's base.
A figure burst out of a coffin and erupted into uncontrollable laughter.
"Hahahahahahahahaha!"
"This vibrant body, this feeling of my blood boiling... what a delight for body and soul!"
"Tremble! Cower, Shinobi World! I, Madara Uchiha, your nightmare, have returned!"
Black Zetsu stood silently to one side, quietly watching Madara put on his show.
After a while, Madara finally stopped laughing.
Only then did Black Zetsu approach and speak with utmost reverence.
"Lord Madara, congratulations on your successful resurrection."
"While you were away, our plans suffered a few setbacks..."
Seeing Madara grow slightly impatient, Black Zetsu hurriedly added.
"Let me fit your eyes first, then give you a full report."
Madara gave a small, satisfied nod.
"Mm."
After obtaining Madara's permission.
Black Zetsu took out a Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
Together with the purple Rinnegan, he inserted it into Madara's eye sockets.
After some work, Black Zetsu finished connecting both of Madara's eyes.
The instant his vision returned.
Madara's brows knitted tightly together.
"Hmm? Why is there only one Rinnegan?"
And why does it feel... as though its ocular power has weakened so much?
Am I imagining things?
And another thing...
Madara turned to Black Zetsu and asked.
"Where is Uchiha Setsuna? Why haven't I seen him?"
Black Zetsu replied with a bitter smile.
"Lord Madara, I was just about to report that to you."
"..."
The Land of Fire.
At the gates of Konohagakure.
A silver-haired man stopped there, a flicker of bewilderment crossing his eyes.
"Mm..."
After a moment of distraction, clarity returned to his eyes.
"Uchiha Setsuna... Konoha..."
The man murmured, his voice heavy with mixed emotions.
"I never imagined that I, Hatake Sakumo, would ever get to return..."
This was none other than Sakumo, who had traveled over mountains and rivers to bring