Madara Uchiha stood beside Yanbai's coffin with his eyes closed. Thorns would bring him information from the outside world, along with ample chakra and life force.
Madara Uchiha murmured, "...This really is a longevity technique. After using it just once, I could feel myself becoming ten years younger. If I see Hashirama again, I can mock him for getting old..."
Over the years, Madara Uchiha had made a habit of touching the Thorns on Yanbai's coffin every day, and the White Roses they produced would swiftly nourish him in return. The life force he gained slowed his aging, though Yanbai's blood might also have played a part.
Suddenly, a mosquito-like buzzing came from a hole beneath the coffin.
Madara Uchiha raised an eyebrow and said impatiently, "Cherry Ink, you old rat, didn't you hear my warning just now? Tired of living? Coming out at a time like this..."
Cherry Ink seemed too frightened to show itself. A tiny paw pushed out a letter written on a banana leaf.
Madara Uchiha bent down impatiently and picked up the leaf. After Yanbai's burial, his pets had naturally been entrusted to Madara Uchiha as well.
Still, intelligent as they were, many of the animals had died after around ten years.
Only Cherry Ink, that rat, was still living out its retirement.
Since Cherry Ink had once saved his life, Madara Uchiha was quite forgiving toward it.
Madara Uchiha unfolded the leaf and looked closely. Inside was a message Cherry Ink had scratched out with its claws: "Boss, take it easy. I just had the kids lure some female rats over from the next mountain. Didn't we agree not to touch them for a month? They haven't even had babies yet, and you're already killing them off. Who's going to dare marry into our