Uchiha Yao stood at the center of the training ground, his chest rising and falling slightly. Several wounds marked his body, deliberately inflicted where he had left openings.
A hint of exhaustion showed on his handsome face.
Opposite him, Uchiha Obito, wearing a Swirl Mask, stood silently as well.
A wordless standoff.
At last, Uchiha Obito spoke.
"What a splendid performance."
Uchiha Obito's voice carried undisguised, condescending mockery.
"Taking on two opponents alone and driving back the legendary Sannin Orochimaru and the immortal Kakuzu."
"Uchiha Yao, after tonight, your name will be enough to resound throughout the entire Shinobi World."
"Unfortunately..."
"Every splendid performance must eventually come to an end."
"You forcibly pushed power beyond your own limits and consecutively used those immensely powerful combination ninjutsu. Now, you..."
"...are already at the end of your rope."
Uchiha Yao did not refute him. Instead, as though he had exhausted all his strength, he asked a question.
"You... who exactly are you?"
That question made the Masked Man burst into laughter.
"Hehehe... Who am I?"
Uchiha Obito slowly took two steps forward, exuding an air of ostentatious self-importance.
"I am the savior who will bring ultimate peace to this cursed world."
"I am the god who will sever all false bonds and guide humanity toward true happiness."
"I am the ghost of the Uchiha."
"Uchiha Madara!"
Anyone else would indeed have been shocked beyond words upon hearing that name.
Uchiha Madara represented the pinnacle of strength in the Shinobi World—a legendary name.
However.
Not a trace of the anticipated shock appeared on Uchiha Yao's face.
He merely listened quietly.
Then Uchiha Yao smiled.
It was a laugh filled with contempt and pity.
"Heh."
"Uchiha Madara?"
"Don't make me laugh."
"Uchiha Madara would never wear that ridiculous mask of yours!"
"You haven't even