After a moment of silence, Madara Uchiha still asked quietly, "...If I said no, would you believe me?"
"I would... Just as I believed Itachi unconditionally when he said he couldn't save me." Yanbai's voice was unhurried, betraying neither joy nor anger.
"And then I'd win this round, but lose your patience?" Madara Uchiha sighed.
"I'll judge that for myself." Yanbai chuckled.
"Your mother did give me something in the other world. I don't know how to use it either, but... I wasn't able to bring it over," Madara Uchiha said quietly.
Yanbai: "..."
Madara Uchiha continued, "You summoned me so suddenly. I was afraid of missing my chance to see you, so I didn't prepare anything..."
Ah...
Yanbai lay beside Madara Uchiha, watching him refuse to open his eyes. Suddenly, he found it all rather pointless.
He had already prepared himself, so he wasn't particularly despairing.
At most, he was a little disappointed.
In the end, no matter what happened, people still had to rely on themselves.
Brother Zetsu had been right about that.
There was no way to force others to be loyal to you. Where would all that unwavering devotion come from? It was all driven by self-interest.
Shared interests only led to conflict.
So-called kindred spirits who never abandoned one another only stayed together because they shared a powerful enemy.
At that thought, a smile returned to Yanbai's face. He said softly, "Madara, the shadow clone stationed outside sent me a message. It's dawn, and I have to work again. Get some rest."
Madara Uchiha kept his eyes closed, his brows furrowing.
Feeling the draft as the covers beside him were lifted, Madara Uchiha abruptly reached out and caught Yanbai's arm. He said quietly, "Although I don't particularly like Junlin... I think he's suited to inheriting