Acting was exhausting

"So, what do you have in mind? Interested in working with me?" Madara asked.

Hatake Ziyan crossed his legs and deliberately asked Madara, "I want a world without war, but I haven't come up with a good way to achieve it yet! What, have you found one?"

Madara coughed sharply twice, then asked about Hatake Ziyan's age. "Ziyan, you must be in your sixties by now, right? How many more years do you think you have left?"

Hatake Ziyan sat up, feigning a grave expression, and reached for the sword beside him. "What? Want to see how much strength I have left?"

"No, no! Ziyan, you've misunderstood me! As you can see, I don't have much time left. But I have a jutsu that can bring people back to life. If you're willing to work with me, I could consider reviving you after you die!" Madara tempted Hatake Ziyan with the promise of a longer life.

Hatake feigned shock. "Bring back the dead? Madara, is that really true?"

"Of course. Otherwise, why would I summon you here to discuss such pointless things? I believe that if we join forces and return to life when the time is right, we can fulfill your dream! We can make this a world without war. But I don't like Hashirama's methods. I put more faith in my fists! So I'm sure you wouldn't mind sacrificing a few people for that dream, would you?" Madara said, sitting upright.

"What's wrong with sacrificing a few for the happiness of the many? Besides, those people have nothing to do with me!" Hatake Ziyan said, pretending to believe Madara as he set down his sword again.

"Talking to a smart man certainly makes things easier. So, are you willing to work with me?" Madara asked, hunching over again as though merely sitting upright had taken a tremendous effort.

Hatake Ziyan felt that he hadn't been this exhausted in ages. Acting really was tiring when he had to convince someone that he believed them.

Hatake Ziyan pretended to think it over. Madara didn't interrupt him and simply waited quietly. Before long, the time it took an incense stick to burn had passed.

"Why should I believe you'll revive me? Besides, I feel like I could easily live another thirty or forty years. If you use that resurrection ability before I die, won't I get nothing out of it? And then I'll have to face you at full strength! You'll be able to do whatever you want, because there really won't be anyone left who can stop you!" Hatake Ziyan challenged.

After raising that question, Hatake Ziyan saw Madara instinctively breathe a sigh of relief. Though Madara concealed it well, Hatake Ziyan's powerful mental faculties still allowed him to notice!

Hatake Ziyan knew that only now did Madara truly believe he was willing to negotiate!

"You needn't worry about that. My method isn't limited to a single use! I can promise to revive you at least once!" Madara said.

"Words alone prove nothing! You'll have to convince me you actually have that ability!" Hatake Ziyan said.

Madara stared at Hatake Ziyan for a while before finally making up his mind. "You must have seen that youngster with the Rinnegan in the Akatsuki in Amegakure, right? Those eyes have an ability-a jutsu that can revive the dead!"

Hatake Ziyan nodded, pretended to think for a moment, then said, "Those eyes of his are yours, aren't they?"

Hatake Ziyan mixed truth with falsehood as he spoke to Madara. He had to make Madara feel that he was interested in working together, yet still had reservations, so Madara would believe he had persuaded him. Hatake Ziyan worked hard to strike that delicate balance.

"That's right! Combining the Uchiha and Senju bloodlines can produce the eyes possessed by the legendary Sage of Six Paths-the Rinnegan! They are the Sharingan's final evolution, and that is why these eyes have the power to reverse life and death!" Madara Uchiha suddenly declared with a wild arrogance in his expression.

Hatake Ziyan stared into Madara's eyes. "I'll believe you're telling the truth for now, but you have to tell me what you intend to do after you're revived!"

Madara calmed down as well and said evenly, "Naturally, I'll unite the Shinobi World by force. By then, we'll both be at our peak, and no one will be able to stop us. As long as we can unite the Shinobi World,

we can gradually put it in order afterward. With your talents, I believe there will be no more wars in the Shinobi World! That's also why I invited you to work with me. It's not just your strength I value, but your wisdom!"

Pretending to be moved by Madara's vision, Hatake Ziyan strode up to him and held out his hand. "Here's to our partnership!"

"Hahaha! Cough, cough!" Madara Uchiha laughed as well, only for his failing body to make him cough twice. He took Hatake Ziyan's hand and said, "Here's to our partnership!"

After they shook hands, Hatake Ziyan returned to his chair and sat down. "From what I can see, your body won't hold out for many more years. Is there anything you need me to do? And when are you planning to return to life? I'd like to be prepared!"

"I've already made arrangements for my resurrection, so you needn't worry about that. What you're plotting in Konoha right now is quite interesting. I hope Konoha will be on my side by the time I return! That would save us some effort, too. What do you think?" Madara said.

Hatake Ziyan acted as though he'd been caught doing something shameful. He coughed twice and said, "I'll do my best!"

"Why not simply seize power by force? There shouldn't be anyone in the Shinobi World who can defeat you now. I believe that would be faster!" Madara probed.

"Are you joking, Madara? Konoha is the fruit of all three of our efforts!" Hatake Ziyan said, feigning anger. "Besides, don't you think it feels better to control everything without having to lift a finger?"

"Haha, you really are an interesting man. Enjoy yourself!" Madara said as he retreated into the shadows.

Hatake Ziyan picked up his sword and rose to his feet. "My plans over there are still underway, so I won't stay and chat. I'll be going!"

Madara didn't stop Hatake Ziyan from leaving. Once Hatake Ziyan was gone, Black Zetsu rose from the ground and said, "Lord Madara, Hatake Ziyan just ruined your plan to bring that child under your control. Why do you still want to work with him? Besides, he's far too powerful. He won't be easy to control!"

Madara glanced at Black Zetsu with his Sharingan, then said, "Without that child, I can simply find someone else. And I know Hatake Ziyan's strength better than you do. But no one can turn down the chance to live again. He's been far too active these past few years. I think he still wants to carry out that so-called peace plan of his,

so the price of reviving him once isn't to secure his cooperation. It's to keep him from interfering with my resurrection plan again. He understands what I mean, too. Otherwise, why do you think I wanted to see him?"