So that's how it works…
Black Zetsu emerged from the ground once again, now far from the commercial district. But the doubts in his heart had already been cleared up.
The Edo Tensei summoned souls from the Pure Land, and only from the Pure Land. If a soul was sealed elsewhere, then the technique was useless.
However, once successfully revived, the summoned person possessed the exact same chakra as they did in life. So in a way, this asw just another variation of the path Madara took.
But given the current situation...
Masashi has already awakened the ability to unlock the Rinnegan. In this case, the only thing that could actively link to his mind would have to be an even stronger spiritual force.
I have to wake him up. That guy is way too cunning...
Pulling someone into a mental space for a conversation, this, he didn't know how to do. But getting out of such a space, now that, he had been researching for a long time.
Those tricks that didn't work on his mother in the past? Well, they might just work on Masashi. It was worth a try.
Considering his current form and the fact that it was broad daylight, he didn't want to be mistaken for an enemy by passing ninjas and get pummeled, so it chose to burrow underground on its way back.
"Black Zetsu." A voice called out from behind.
Hearing this familiar voice, his heart skipped a beat.
He had forgotten, there was someone here who was, theoretically, his "master."
He turned its head.
On the rooftop behind him, a man was sitting, looking as if he had just settled in and relaxed.
"Tell me properly, what is that boy doing right now?"
Black Zetsu lowered its head. Time to adjust the plan. Pulling Masashi into the space could wait.
Looking at it optimistically, that guy was cunning, but Masashi... Wasn't any less so! Who would end up manipulating whom was still up in the air.
By comparison, the man in front of him wasn't someone who could be brushed off casually. He had to be extremely cautious. Any misstep, and everything would be lost.
Black Zetsu mocked Obito because he was just a pawn of a pawn, losing him wouldn't be a big deal. But the real key figure had always been this man.
Madara.
"Why aren't you speaking?" Madara looked at his supposed embodiment of will. "Never mind. Forget that boy for now, how long have I been dead?"
"You have been dead for over ten years," Black Zetsu quickly replied.
"There have been quite a few changes…" Madara seemed to be deep in thought, his gaze fixed on the Hokage Rock.
Seeing his current demeanor, Black Zetsu felt a tiny bit of panic. Could it be that he's reminiscing about the past!?
Although he had constructed the persona of being Madara's embodiment of will, as a long-time observer of Indra's chakra reincarnations, he knew, this man had never truly changed.
Even though he often said, "I am not the person I used to be."
Yeah, sure. He was still 99% the same.
If Black Zetsu hadn't learned his lesson and added the "will embodiment" setting, back in the day, Madara might have just snapped, "Shut up."
All these Indra reincarnations had issues!
"Black Zetsu." Madara suddenly spoke again. "Why are you here?"
Here it came! No problem! He was prepared!
"Obito has allied with several villages to launch an attack on Konoha. I came to observe the situation."
"Heh…" Madara let out a cold chuckle.
Black Zetsu lowered his head, obedient mode: activated.
"Then why do I sense Hashirama's chakra here?" Madara looked down at Black Zetsu. "If he's involved, the outcome is already decided."
Madara's tone was calm, he truly believed this was only natural.
"The only one who can rival him is me. If I am not here, who could stop him? Those insects?"
Yes, yes, you're absolutely right.
But Black Zetsu had an all-purpose answer.
"But, Obito is not you, Madara-sama."
"Hmm…" Madara thought for a moment and found…
That made sense.
"Useless fool," he snorted. "I even passed down everything about the Uchiha to him."
You're absolutely right! You probably don't even know he modified your jutsu and called it 'refining it for efficiency'!
Black Zetsu really wanted to say that. But he couldn't. That would ruin his persona. An embodiment of will shouldn't have such lively thoughts.
But there were areas where he could take initiative.
"During your absence, the Uchiha clan has produced a remarkable young talent."
"Oh?" Madara sounded completely indifferent.
Back then, he did have followers, but he had rejected them. The Uchiha clan no longer had real men. What he sought were like-minded comrades, not admirers.
Lacking such companions, he chose to go his own way as his final act as clan leader.
"Are you certain?"
"Yes. He is different from the other Uchiha. And…" Black Zetsu lowered his voice. "He possesses the Rinnegan, just like you."
"Hmm… Hm!?"
Madara's aura changed. Like a long-dormant volcano on the verge of eruption. So, the Uchiha's spirit hadn't been extinguished after all?
Interesting!
"Where is he?"
"At the Uchiha clan grounds."
"Take me there."
A controlled Hashirama was no longer Hashirama, he didn't want to see that.
He'd rather go see that Uchiha kid.
With the wind whistling around him, he appeared on the street, hands behind his back, striding southward in a completely unconcerned manner.
Black Zetsu hurried to follow.
No way he was burrowing underground now, if he did, Madara would probably just snap, "Are you really my embodiment of will?"
As for whether they would run into anyone on the way? That didn't matter. Whoever stood in the way wasn't a person worth considering.
Suddenly, Madara stopped.
"?" Black Zetsu was puzzled.
Madara turned back, looking impatient.
"You're walking behind me, how are you supposed to lead the way?"
"…"
Right. Of course. Madara... didn't know the way.
Konoha had done a lot of unnecessary renovations over the past ten years. For someone who had died over a decade ago and had already left the village long before that, the roads had changed beyond recognition.
The only thing that had remained unchanged was the Hokage Rock.
Black Zetsu resisted the urge to say, "You were walking so arrogantly, I thought you knew the way," and obediently stepped ahead to lead.
Madara sighed internally, so much for an "embodiment of will." Not very sharp.
As they moved forward, the further they got from the Hokage Rock, the more noise surrounded them. It was the sound of ninjas battling.
Most of the invading forces were outside the village, but ninjas were skilled at infiltration. Some always managed to slip through. And the ones who got this far?
They weren't small fry.
Naturally, Konoha ninjas were trying to intercept them.
Right then, a big fish appeared abruptly in front of Madara and Black Zetsu.
The enemy ninja hesitated for a second.
First, because he hadn't expected to run into people casually strolling through a warzone.
Second, because Madara's attire was way too outdated, it clashed so much with the current era that it felt unnatural. And Black Zetsu? Well, his appearance belonged to the prehistoric age, practically neolithic, with no clothes, not that he needed any.
This big fish was a ninja from Iwa.
For Iwa, the most infamous Konoha ninjas had always been Madara. Unfortunately, in this era, not many people could recognize him.
But the moment this Iwa ninja laid eyes on him, every cell in his body screamed the same thing: Run, you idiot!
This man was dangerous. Dangerous meant enemy.
But instead of running, he pulled out a kunai. Not everyone blindly trusted their instincts, gut feelings could be misleading. Better to verify first.
Black Zetsu stopped in his tracks.
Madara did not.
In fact, he was thinking about something else entirely.
If this guy was truly his "embodiment of will," why would he stop just because some random piece of trash showed up?
Clearly, Obito was useless.
After all these years, despite inheriting all the resources Madara had left behind, he was still stuck fighting Konoha. Even his so-called "embodiment of will" had been corrupted by mediocrity.
"Stop! Don't come any closer!" The ninja's voice was tense.
"Iwa, huh?" Madara mused. "That brat Ōnoki, is he dead yet?"
That chubby little guy… Not as satisfying to fight as his teacher, but at least he had some bounce.
Hearing those words, the Iwa ninja snapped. By sheer coincidence, he happened to be a die-hard fan of Ōnoki.
Well, not a coincidence. Iwa had a lot of those.
"How dare you insult the Tsuchikage!" His rage exploded.
His figure blurred, vanishing from Madara's sight.
Then he saw them.
A pair of Sharingan.
His body froze instantly.
Madara kept walking.
As he passed, he reached out, twisting the man's neck with a single motion.
Black Zetsu quickly caught up. By the time he stepped over the spot where Madara had been standing, the Iwa ninja was already on the ground, lifeless.
"I think I understand that wicked brat a little more now," Madara suddenly said. "The ninjas out here are far too weak. If he spent all his time around Hashirama, it's no wonder he lost sight of reality."
Black Zetsu remained silent. He knew Madara wasn't expecting a response. His only job was to lead the way.
As they continued, they encountered a few more groups of enemies. None of them left as living beings.
At some point, Black Zetsu started feeling like he was actually helping Konoha. Not a single Konoha ninja had appeared in their path, only intruders.
Finally, the gates of the Uchiha clan compound appeared ahead.
Madara stopped comparing things to "Hashirama" for once and took a good look at the outer walls.
"Such an obvious mark, yet they accepted it so easily. Hah..."
He never liked Tobirama. Of course, Tobirama never liked him either. They both wanted to kill each other but just couldn't.
Tobirama lacked the power. Madara… simply had no way to pull it off. Eventually, his mindset changed, he started enjoying watching Tobirama seethe with frustration.
So he made a habit of dragging Hashirama out for walks, forcing Tobirama to endure it.
Now, he walked toward the Uchiha compound's gate.
The Uchiha ninjas stationed there quickly noticed him.
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