Just as complaints erupted among the Senju clan over their relocation,
Tiezhu's real body was tangled up with Madara outside Konoha...
[Congratulations, host. Madara Uchiha's bond with the host has exceeded 90%.]
I don't know why the bond went up instead of down, but I can't worry about that now!
Tiezhu immediately shouted behind him, "Madara, listen to me! It was Black Zetsu! Black Zetsu must have done it!"
At the same time, Tiezhu screamed desperately in his mind, Hurry! System, make him believe me!
At that moment, Madara was right behind him, his sandbag-sized fist only ten centimeters from Tiezhu.
A cruel smile spread across his face, and just as his punch was about to land...
He suddenly heard "Hashirama" saying something about Black Zetsu.
For some reason, the moment he heard that name, his Sharingan stung. An inexplicable fury surged through him, leaving him deeply unsettled.
Only then did he stop his hand. "Black Zetsu?"
"Let's go somewhere first. It's a little far, so we can talk on the way." Tiezhu immediately breathed a sigh of relief and continued toward their destination without slowing down.
"Here's what happened. First, let me ask you something. How much do you know about the Tailed Beasts?"
"Nothing but a pack of wild beasts." Madara snorted. "Useless except for causing chaos."
"But the Senju clan's ancient records say the Sage of Six Paths created them by splitting the Ten-Tails apart. They're extremely important. Also..." Tiezhu paused. "When I awakened Wood Release, the Sage of Six Paths visited me in a dream. He told me a lot about the past."
"Absurd!" Madara immediately stopped and interrupted him with a frown. "You're saying that Black Zetsu is the Sage of Six Paths' brother? That he's been stirring up trouble in secret just to resurrect his mother?"
"Maybe the Sage of Six Paths wanted us to make up for the regrets of our past lives and face this crisis together. He said we shared the same blood and were both his descendants."
Instead, Madara's expression turned icy, and he snapped, "Utter nonsense! Countless members of our clans died in all those years of war." He stared hard at Tiezhu, conflicting emotions in his eyes. "And now you're telling me the Uchiha and Senju are brother clans with the same bloodline? That you and I are reincarnated brothers?"
"Ah... I couldn't believe it at first either, so I didn't tell you right away. But to this day, the Senju haven't produced a second Wood Release ninja, and the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan is just as rare among the Uchiha, isn't it?"
"That proves nothing."
"What if I really could help you evolve your eyes into the Rinnegan?"
"What?" Madara's heart jolted. "How do you intend to do that?"
Tiezhu kept him in suspense. "You'll find out when the time comes. Anyway, you understand the threat Black Zetsu poses now, right? He must have been behind what happened back then. He wanted to destroy our bond and stop you from becoming Hokage!"
"We don't know how strong he is, but we just need to get stronger ourselves. This is the perfect chance to visit those three places!"
Shikkotsu Forest-Ryūchi Cave-Mount Myōboku.
"That Nature Power you mentioned earlier?"
"Exactly. Our future enemies are too strong. I'd rather believe those claims without any evidence than watch helplessly as they destroy the world!"
"You really haven't changed..."
"Haha... What are you talking about?" Tiezhu scratched his head and laughed sheepishly while thinking, I don't want to die some bizarre death in the future.
Using Hashirama's memories and the relevant information, Tiezhu continued to lead the way...
The next day!
The two arrived at Shikkotsu Forest...
Black trees grew in twisted shapes amid the thick fog. An eerie atmosphere hung in the air, and one careless step could send someone plunging into a swamp.
Madara stood beside Tiezhu at the entrance to an enormous cave, his arms folded. "There's nothing special here."
"That's because you can't sense it yet. The energy around us is incredibly dense. We're here to ask for instruction, so let me do the talking..."
"Suit yourself."
No sooner had he spoken than rustling sounds came from inside the cave.
Before long, a large swarm of small slugs with white bodies and blue edges appeared before them.
They swiftly crowded together and merged into one large slug. Her two tentacle-like eyes watched them warily. Her mouth resembled a chrysanthemum, yet the voice that emerged was as sweet and lovely as a young girl's:
"Who are you? What brings you here?"
"My name is Hashirama Senju! This is Madara Uchiha. The Sage of Six Paths guided us here in a dream to learn Senjutsu!" Tiezhu explained.
"The Sage of Six Paths?! What an ancient name. So he really hasn't died completely." The slug considered this for a moment. "Even so, what does that have to do with me?"
"I have a dream." Tiezhu spread his arms and spoke passionately. "I want to get rid of the daimyo, master Senjutsu to fight the God Tree, unite the world, and achieve true peace!"
At those words, Madara's lips curved upward, and he nodded as though in approval.
"What a grand dream. But that's a matter for you humans. And then?"
"I want to unite every force available to face our powerful enemies! You should be familiar with the God Tree, the Ten-Tails, and Princess Kaguya, right?"
"..."
"You're right, but the Sage of Six Paths already sealed that woman inside the moon. She can't escape!"
"No! She definitely will. Her third son, someone named Black Zetsu, has survived for a thousand years, stirring up wars everywhere just to resurrect his mother."
At this point, he turned to Madara. "Black Zetsu once drove a wedge between our previous incarnations-Asura and Indra-and altered the Uchiha stone tablet. So that business with the underwear..."
"Enough!" Now, just hearing Black Zetsu's name filled Madara with rage. "That bastard! I'll find him!"
"So will I. But as for the history, the Slug Sage can confirm it."
She struggled to recall. "I vaguely remember his two sons. I think their names were Asura and Indra.
"Later, they fought a great battle. Indra was defeated and fled, and the two broke with each other for good. After that, Six Paths passed away."
"As for Black Zetsu, I've never heard of him..." After thinking a while longer, she said, "If you can tell me the Sage of Six Paths' real name, I'll believe you."
Tiezhu smiled. "His name was Hagoromo Otsutsuki. He also had a younger brother named Hamura Otsutsuki, who was responsible for guarding Princess Kaguya on the moon. His clansmen are up there too, constantly watching this world."
"Not only did you answer correctly, you also spoke with absolute certainty about things even I didn't know. It seems you really are someone special. Come inside, then..."
Only after the slug turned to lead the way did Madara lower his voice. "What you said just now... was it true?"
As they ventured deeper into the cold, gloomy cave, the light gradually faded.
Whoosh. Tiezhu lit two torches, and their flames brought the pair a little warmth.
"You'll know once you go back and examine your clan's stone tablet." Tiezhu's expression grew grave. "Its contents were altered to guide you toward a false peace.
"If you really follow that path, Black Zetsu will sacrifice you and resurrect Princess Kaguya from inside your body."
A chill rose from the depths of Madara's heart. He snarled, "That damn bastard! He won't get his way!"
Just then, the slug spoke. "Before you train in Senjutsu, I must warn you: you need to be careful when absorbing natural energy. The slightest mistake will cause you to be assimilated! Strong as you are, you are still insignificant before Nature Power!"
"Understood."
Holding their torches, the two followed the slug deeper into the cave.
After walking for a long time, they finally saw the Slug Sage's true body!
Her immense body filled the cavern, and she was looking down at them.
As the large slug approached her, she gradually merged into her body.
A booming voice rang out. "My name is Katsuyu. I already know what you seek. Now, I will teach you to sense natural energy."
"Thank you very much!"
She began with an introduction. "Natural energy is one of the fundamental energies that make up the world. It exists in the air, the earth, and the water.
"Failing to achieve a balance while absorbing it will cause your body to mutate.
"Once it is balanced with physical and spiritual energy, it can form 'senjutsu chakra,' which is far more powerful than ordinary ninjutsu."
After entering Sage Mode, they would be able to sense the flow of natural energy in their surroundings and even anticipate their enemies' movements.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the darkness underground,
A black humanoid figure felt an inexplicable pang of unease. A persistent sense of foreboding hung over him...
Before you continue