After White Zetsu said "Madara," it refused to explain who that name referred to.
Shikaku asked whether it meant Madara Uchiha of the Valley of the End.
It changed its face into that of an ordinary old man.
Shikaku asked whether Madara was still alive.
It turned into a child instead and asked with a laugh what death meant.
Each transformation seemed like an answer.
Yet not a single statement could go into the facts column.
Gen watched the interrogation through the one-way recording feed and immediately alerted the Third Hokage.
The Madara White Zetsu mentioned could mean at least three things.
The real Madara Uchiha, who had survived until the time of Kannabi Bridge.
Someone who had inherited Madara's identity and plans.
Or a code name White Zetsu regarded as the ultimate source of its orders.
A name carried weight, but that did not make the answer complete.
The interrogation record therefore stated only, "The subject verbally identified the source of its orders as Madara."
It did not state, "Madara Uchiha himself confirmed to be alive."
The former was a fact established at the scene.
The latter required death records, continuity of identity, and outside actions to substantiate it together.
Those few words determined whether Konoha was recording testimony or drawing White Zetsu's intended conclusion for it.
Shikaku changed his approach and stopped asking White Zetsu to explain Madara.
He presented several accounts of events, deliberately mixing in errors.
"Madara never had any contact with Konoha before the Night of the Nine-Tails."
White Zetsu did not react.
"Madara personally entered the Sealed Records Room and altered the ring impression."
White Zetsu Core contracted slightly, but it remained silent.
"Madara imprisoned Old Supplyman in the Mine Tunnel at Kannabi Bridge."
White Zetsu suddenly laughed.
"Go look for him there."
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