As time passed, a joyous atmosphere settled over the central battlefield. Apart from those whose bodies had been shattered, all the ninja who had died were revived by Nagato Uzumaki's Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique.
Yet just as everyone was celebrating, Black Zetsu suddenly transformed into energy beneath Madara Uchiha's feet and raced up his legs to the back of his head and his hands.
By the time Madara Uchiha realized Black Zetsu had possessed him, it was already too late. Shock and fury crossed his face. "You... when did you place a restriction on me?"
Madara Uchiha was now under Black Zetsu's control, utterly powerless to resist. He realized that Black Zetsu had placed a restriction on him at some unknown point, filling him with rage. At the same time, he recalled Qingyun's warning that Black Zetsu was more than he seemed.
"Heh, aren't you curious where your Six Paths Secret Technique really came from? Did you truly think you were so unbelievably lucky that you stumbled into those ruins and obtained it?"
Black Zetsu sneered at Madara Uchiha's words, then said no more. Controlling Madara, he flew straight toward Nagato Uzumaki, who was still performing Rinne Rebirth. Upon reaching him, Black Zetsu immediately forced Madara to extract the Ten-Tails from Nagato's abdomen while Nagato was powerless to resist.
Once the Ten-Tails had left Nagato Uzumaki's body, Black Zetsu swiftly manipulated Madara Uchiha's body, brought out the Nine-Tails, and let the Ten-Tails absorb it completely. He then plucked Madara's Rinnegan from Nagato's eye sockets and fitted them back into Madara.
The incomplete Ten-Tails immediately absorbed the Nine-Tails. Although it was only half of the Nine-Tails, the will within it still completed the Ten-Tails' consciousness.
The instant the Ten-Tails reached its complete form, countless branches sprouted from its