"Madara-sama, Renya-sama has invited the leader of the Rain Hidden Village, Salamander Hanzō..."
The White Zetsu responsible for monitoring Renya gave a detailed recounting of what had just happened.
Uchiha Madara's face wore its usual calm expression, giving no hint of joy or anger.
"What is that kid trying to do?"
He could not understand why Renya would have Salamander Hanzō capture the tailed beasts for him.
With Renya's strength, he had no need for anyone else's help.
This matter could only be questioned once that kid arrived.
However, in Madara's view, it did not matter who captured the tailed beasts.
As long as all nine tailed beasts were ultimately gathered, that was enough.
"Madara-sama, Renya-sama killed the Second Raikage, the Third Mizukage, the newly appointed acting Mizukage, and the Third Tsuchikage on the battlefield..."
White Zetsu continued recounting everything that had happened on the battlefield.
A rare trace of surprise appeared on Uchiha Madara's usually calm face.
Why is this kid's killing intent getting more and more severe?
Could it really be as Senju Tobirama said, that another personality had appeared within Renya?
Hopefully that other personality would not affect the progress of capturing the tailed beasts.
"Continue to keep a close eye on Renya. Do not let him leave your sight."
Uchiha Madara said in a deep voice.
Although he had never trusted Renya, that did not mean he was willing to discard this junior.
Free labor—who could refuse that?
If only Renya would sincerely join the "Eye of the Moon" plan.
Unfortunately, Madara could tell that the kid was not sincere.
Uchiha Madara was no fool and would never be misled by a few words.
Before awakening the Rinnegan, he did not mind Renya's little schemes.
But when it came to the "Eye of the Moon" plan, no one was allowed to interfere.
Ever since he awakened the Rinnegan, he had never seen Hashirama again.
He worried that his old friend might deliberately interfere.
If that really happened, then he would have no choice but to send Hashirama on his way early.
It was precisely because Madara did not want to do that that he had taken the initiative to distance himself from Hashirama...
This showed that Madara still deeply cared about Hashirama, his only close friend.
After all, the two of them had lived together in the mountains for over ten years.
But in the face of true peace, nothing was beyond sacrifice!
Including so-called friendship...
"Seven tailed beasts remain." Uchiha Madara secretly clenched his fist.
Once all nine tailed beasts were collected, the Ten-Tails could be revived, and then the shinobi world could truly achieve real peace!
This rotten shinobi world needed a savior.
And he, Uchiha Madara, would be that savior!
"Madara-sama, the war is over."
Not long after White Zetsu finished reporting, Renya's figure appeared in the underground space.
...
"Kid, you must remember—only the 'Eye of the Moon' plan can achieve true peace."
Uchiha Madara raised his eyes and looked at Renya before him.
"Ending war with overwhelming power is not true peace..."
Renya's methods were no different from those of Senju Hashirama back then—nothing more than powerful military deterrence.
At that time, the two had parted ways due to differences in ideology, but time would prove everything for him.
Madara was reminding Renya not to be blinded by temporary peace.
"I understand, Madara-sama."
Uchiha Madara neither confirmed nor denied it. As for whether Renya truly took it to heart, no one knew.
"Kid, don't you have anything to explain to me?"
He slightly narrowed his eyes, staring straight at Renya.
"Madara-sama, capturing the tailed beasts alone is somewhat difficult for me, so I found a helper in the Rain Hidden Village..."
Renya explained in detail how he had bribed and drawn Salamander Hanzō to his side.
So there really were quite a few White Zetsu around him!
He had just won over Salamander Hanzō, and Madara already knew about it.
Uchiha Madara listened quietly to Renya's account, with no expression on his face.
White Zetsu had already said all of this once.
"No matter what method you use, as long as you bring one tailed beast every month, that will suffice."
"I'll do my best, Madara-sama."
As for bringing in one tailed beast every month, Renya dared not guarantee it.
Otherwise, wouldn't the Ten-Tails be revived in less than a year?!
For now, he could only delay things—delay for one day, and Madara's body would weaken by one more day.
Ideally, delay for three to five years, then strike with full force.
Don't be fooled by Madara having an oxygen tube inserted ahead of time—the aging of his body was still progressing.
The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path could only keep him barely alive; it could not stop the deterioration of his bodily functions.
"Follow the order. Next month, I want to see the One-Tail."
Uchiha Madara, worried that Renya might obey outwardly but defy inwardly, directly specified which tailed beast to capture.
"Understood!" Renya said respectfully.
At worst, he would capture one tailed beast per month in the early stage, then switch to one every two months later.
Delaying time was all that mattered!
After all, once a village lost its tailed beast, it would definitely tighten its defenses.
When the difficulty increased, that would be perfectly normal...
Madara couldn't possibly be so insane as to make him solo an entire shinobi village, right?
That would be far too unreasonable.
Surely Madara wouldn't do something like that!
Yes, that's right!
The plan to collect nine tailed beasts in one year was, after all, just a plan.
Actual circumstances would definitely not be like that.
After all, plans never keep up with changes.
Who could guarantee that no other problems would arise during that time?!
Uchiha Madara kept observing the micro-expressions on Renya's face and did not detect any sign of resistance.
It seemed this kid was still barely obedient.
As long as Renya did not betray him, the nine tailed beasts would soon be collected.
If he betrayed him, however...
A barely perceptible trace of resolve flashed through Uchiha Madara's eyes.
The only indispensable person in the "Eye of the Moon" plan was himself.
Everyone else could be replaced at will.
"Madara-sama, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
Uchiha Madara did not speak, only waved his hand wearily.
Seeing this, Renya immediately turned around and left.
...
After Renya completely left the underground space, Uchiha Madara opened his eyes again.
"Have you found the people I asked you to look for?"
"Madara-sama, we found several Uchiha in the Uchiha clan grounds who meet the requirements..."
As he spoke, White Zetsu took out a list of clan members stolen from the Uchiha clan head's study.
Uchiha Madara reached out to take the list and examined it carefully.
He could not rely on Renya alone—he needed other chess pieces to ensure the plan was foolproof.
And the Uchiha clan members were excellent pieces to use.
With just a little guidance, they could awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, and then, with a bit of persuasion, they would willingly join the "Eye of the Moon" plan.
As a former head of the Uchiha clan, he naturally understood the personalities of his clansmen inside and out.
"Uchiha Kagami...?!"
According to the intelligence, this guy had also awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Hmm, he could serve as a pretty good candidate.
With a bit of guidance, he could become a capable asset in capturing the tailed beasts.
Renya, who had just left the underground space, still did not know that Madara had already begun searching for new chess pieces.
And that his sights had been set on Kagami, with whom he had a fairly good relationship...
Even if he did know, there was nothing he could do about it.
Madara was no longer the Madara of those days.