Setsuna Uchiha was a fervent devotee of Madara Uchiha, and he became ecstatic the moment he saw him.
It felt like his greatest dream had finally come true.
Hearing now that Madara wished to entrust him with a mission and offer him everything filled Setsuna with even greater excitement.
Setsuna Uchiha suppressed his excitement and cautiously asked, "Lord Madara, what exactly do you want me to do?"
"Cut through the karmic ties of this world."
"Huh?"
Setsuna stared at Madara with wide eyes.
He wanted him to sever the karmic ties of this world? That sounded too abstract.
How could one possibly sever the karma of the entire world...
Madara sat back in his seat and told Setsuna, "Don't be anxious. I will explain everything to you. What I desire is to create a world where only victors exist—a world filled solely with peace, love, and all of these ideals.
This world is full of regrets; things rarely go as people wish. Just look at yourself as an example. You wished for the Uchiha clan to rule over Konoha, yet you were disarmed by Tobirama Senju and locked away in Konoha's prison, day after day.
More ironically, the ninja guarding the prison were also from the Uchiha clan. Rather than seeing you as a hero, they treated you like a rebel—just like those ignorant villagers.
Perhaps your actions were partly driven by selfishness, but who doesn't have selfish motives? Everything you did was also for the sake of our clan. Yet no one understood you… truly tragic."
Setsuna's eyes suddenly welled up.
It felt as if Madara truly understood him.
Indeed, his desire to reclaim dominance from the Senju clan was partly out of self-interest—to gain a better life, respect, and admiration.
But more than that, it was about elevating the Uchiha to the peak of Konoha, finally overpowering the ever-dominant Senju clan.
However, once he was imprisoned after failing, not a single one of his clansmen came to visit him, let alone understand him.
Deep inside, Setsuna bore deep sorrow and anger.
Madara continued, "Yet in reality, creating a world filled exclusively with victors, peace, and love is impossible, because all these regrets have already taken root and cannot be erased.
Therefore, such a world can only be created within a dream—a world in which you can mend your regrets and obtain everything you've ever desired. In that world, you will be the ultimate master of all!"
Hearing Madara describe a dreamlike realm where he could undo regrets and control everything stirred deep longing in Setsuna.
Setsuna asked, "Then... how should I proceed, Lord Madara?"
Madara gestured for Setsuna to come closer.
Setsuna eagerly bounded forward and crouched before Madara with great anticipation.
Madara placed his hand on Setsuna's head. "Since my Sharingan is blind, I'll borrow yours for a while..."
Madara didn't actually take Setsuna's Sharingan. Instead, he connected himself to Setsuna through the power of the Demonic Statue and cast a Genjutsu, simultaneously implanting a sealing talisman within his heart.
Madara and Setsuna arrived in an all-white space.
"This is my illusory realm," Madara explained. "Though it's currently just blank space, I can project my willpower into it to create and control everything. As long as I remain connected to the Demonic Statue and draw upon its power, I can accomplish anything, no matter how big or small—like this."
Madara transformed from his aged appearance into a youthful version of himself, both eyes now displaying Spinning Three-Tomoe Sharingan.
Setsuna stared at Madara in shock. So this was what his idol looked like in his prime—so handsome!
"Using Genjutsu to create the ideal world," Madara continued, "then casting that illusion over all humanity and drawing them into it. By using the moon as a substitute for the Sharingan, amplifying the scale of this jutsu, we could create a dreamlike world for everyone."
Setsuna felt this wasn't even about difficulty anymore. He hesitated, "Can this really be done?"
A stone monolith appeared before Setsuna as Madara answered, "To explain properly, we must start with the Sage of Six Paths and the Ten-Tails. To you, the Ten-Tails might seem like myth, but myths are based on truth.
"The Tailed Beasts scattered across the world were formed from fragments of the Ten-Tails' power split apart by the Sage of Six Paths.
"After obtaining Hashirama's cells, I grafted them into my wounds. At first, nothing happened until shortly before my death, when I awakened the Rinnegan.
"At that time, however, some seal was also broken. I gained the ability to summon something—an outer shell of the Ten-Tails—from the sealing stone. I called it the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
"And that sealing stone? It's what people call the moon.
"Afterward, I immediately used the Demonic Statue's body as a catalyst to cultivate Hashirama's cells..."
A giant flower bud appeared before Setsuna.
Hanging from the stem of this flower were numerous humanoid figures identical to the White Zetsu beings he'd seen inside the cave.
Setsuna had already been stunned speechless, as if he were listening to a myth come to life.
Madara pointed toward one White Zetsu figure. "In other words, these artificial humans are essentially clones of Hashirama, though significantly weakened.
"Without combining both Uchiha and Senju powers, one cannot open the Rinnegan, let alone control the Demonic Statue. Later, your left arm will be fitted with a White Zetsu limb—a synthetic human's arm containing Senju cells. Even without awakening the Rinnegan, you should still be able to control the Demonic Statue."
Madara released the Genjutsu.
Madara Uchiha spoke to Setsuna Uchiha, "Setsuna, I'll teach you the Kinjutsu of the Uchiha clan, the Six Paths Technique, and even the Yin-Yang Release techniques. And also... him."
Madara Uchiha turned his gaze toward Black Zetsu standing aside, "That black portion of White Zetsu embodies my will. You can regard half of it as me. This is a degraded product—I allow you to use these creatures created with Yin-Yang Release as your pawns."
Black Zetsu took a heavy breath. Degraded product? He was an advanced lifeform!
A black receiver covered in spikes emerged from the tree trunk, "[That Black Receiver] is a physical manifestation of my consciousness. You can use it when employing the Six Paths Technique."
"That's all. Other matters can be explained by Black Zetsu to you..."
The tubes connected to Madara Uchiha's back detached. Instantly, he became extremely weak, as if he might die at any moment.
"Alright, go now. Until I'm revived, walk through the ninja world using my name, Setsuna. Right now, you are the Savior..."
Madara Uchiha breathed his last.
Setsuna Uchiha gazed at Madara's corpse, filled with a strong sense of mission.
He was Madara Uchiha now! And next, he would walk through the ninja world bearing that name!
Setsuna Uchiha solemnly declared, "Lord Madara, I, Madara Uchiha, definitely will do it! I certainly will fulfill your final will!"
Black Zetsu looked at Setsuna Uchiha with an odd expression. This guy accepted his assumed identity remarkably fast.
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