Chapter 271: Madara's Curtain Call, A New Tale for Genshiki
Ōtsutsuki Genshiki appeared behind Madara and the others.
Madara turned his head slightly. "What's your plan?"
"Have you already awakened the Rinnegan?"
Genshiki said, "No, it's the Tenseigan."
"It is the evolution of the Byakugan, a dōjutsu that can rival the Rinnegan."
Black Zetsu said gravely, "How do you propose we retreat?"
"Simple. A space-time ninjutsu. But that's only if you can trust me."
Madara glanced at the frowning Kinoshita Genichi across from them, who seemed to be wary, and smiled. "The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Of course, I trust you."
He felt that even if Genshiki had ill intentions, he wouldn't act now.
Otherwise, it would only benefit Genichi.
And once they were away from here, even if Genshiki did make a move, he was confident he could protect himself, even if he couldn't win.
In fact, Madara even entertained the thought of turning the tables, eliminating Genshiki, and taking the Tenseigan for himself.
"Then there's no problem." Genshiki stepped forward and reached for Madara's shoulder.
But suddenly, his hand phased directly into Madara's body.
"You..." Madara's eyes widened. "So your goal was the Ten-Tails all along."
He could feel the power inside him draining rapidly into Genshiki.
"Damn it, I can't move my body!"
Madara struggled to turn his neck, but he couldn't control his body to fight back.
Black Zetsu and White Zetsu were equally shocked.
"This guy is making his move at a time like this! Damn it! But now..." Black Zetsu panicked.
He had lost control again!
Sasuke watched, dumbfounded. He hadn't even had a chance to ask who this newcomer was before Madara was stabbed.
Was this infighting?
Behind them, Naruto, Kakashi, Obito, and the others were also stunned by the sudden turn of events.
Only a very select few knew of Ōtsutsuki Genshiki's existence.
Genichi's original plan was to let Madara become the vessel for Kaguya's revival, but after some thought, he decided it wasn't stable enough.
Perhaps it was because he had become a father.
Secondly, Genichi needed to study the Ten-Tails to create a new one, along with a new God Tree.
Therefore, Kaguya could not be released so soon.
In fact, she didn't need to be released via the Infinite Tsukuyomi at all.
Thus, after making new progress with the Ōtsutsuki clones, Genichi had changed his original plan.
So, Ōtsutsuki Genshiki, with his blue Tenseigan active, had ambushed Madara, using the Tenseigan's power to temporarily paralyze him while rapidly extracting the Tailed Beasts' power.
"From now on, I am your new master," Genshiki said to Black and White Zetsu after absorbing all the power and withdrawing his hand.
Thud!
Stripped of his status as the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, Madara reverted to his original form and collapsed limply to the ground.
Sasuke stared, stunned. "He stole the Tailed Beasts' power?"
"It seems so now," Kinoshita Genichi said, starting his performance as he stepped forward.
At that moment, Genshiki attacked. He condensed numerous small Truth-Seeking Orbs, coated them in a green light, and with a wave of his hand, sent a dense barrage towards Genichi and the others behind him.
Genichi was "forced" to act, expanding his own Truth-Seeking Orbs to block all the attacks.
When the dust settled, Genshiki and Zetsu were gone, leaving only Madara behind.
"Lord Genichi, look at the God Tree!" Sasuke shouted.
Genichi and the others looked and saw Genshiki clinging to the trunk. The entire tree began to collapse and flow into his body.
In the blink of an eye, the God Tree was completely absorbed.
The next moment, Genshiki vanished from the sky.
Kakashi, Obito, and the others were dumbfounded.
They hadn't even had time to react. The Tailed Beasts were gone, and the God Tree was gone.
What was happening?
At that moment, many minds were filled with confusion.
Elsewhere, Orochimaru and Kabuto, who had been fighting the God Tree's Wood Dragons, saw the tree disappear and exchanged a look.
"Lord Orochimaru, it seems Lord Genichi's plan has succeeded," Kabuto said with a smile. "Lord Genichi's strength is truly unfathomable. Not even the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki was his opponent."
Orochimaru looked towards Genichi's location and flicked his tongue. "I'm already looking forward to the research that will follow."
They, of course, knew about Ōtsutsuki Genshiki.
After all, this clone was the fruit of their collective efforts over the years.
"A pity we didn't get to see Lord Genichi's true power with our own eyes," Kabuto said with a hint of regret.
Orochimaru didn't care.
Sometimes, strength didn't need to be demonstrated through battle.
Beside Madara's body, Kakashi said with some emotion, "I never thought it would end like this."
Hashirama looked at the dying Madara with a complicated expression.
Madara's eyes were slightly open, a self-deprecating smile on his face. "To think I would fail in such a way..."
"But... hahaha... Hashirama, I haven't lost."
There was defiance in Madara's eyes.
So close, just one step away...
Hearing his words, Hashirama sighed softly. "Madara, even without this accident, you would not have succeeded."
Tobirama said coldly, "Madara, let me tell you a secret."
"A powerful consciousness is sealed on the moon—the consciousness of the Ten-Tails."
"Casting the Infinite Tsukuyomi would not bring peace. It would only release this consciousness sealed by the Sage of Six Paths and truly revive the Ten-Tails."
Madara's eyes widened. "How is that possible?"
Tobirama said flatly, "Only you would so readily believe what was written on that Uchiha stone tablet."
"The so-called Eye of the Moon Plan was nothing more than a trap to revive the Ten-Tails."
"The Ōtsutsuki clan on the moon exists for the sole purpose of guarding the suppressed Ten-Tails."
At that moment, Madara's will and conviction shattered. "So... so that's how it was?"
"Hehe~"
"In that case, Hashirama, we both failed!"
Madara smiled and slowly closed his eyes, his breathing growing fainter.
Tobirama turned. "It would be best to seal his soul, to prevent him from being reanimated or revived with the Rinnegan."
Tsunade, Minato, and the others all nodded.
Sasuke said coldly, "Lord Genichi's Truth-Seeking Orbs can destroy the soul as well, can't they?"
Everyone looked at him.
Sasuke continued, "Even if he's sealed, the seal can be broken one day."
"Completely eliminating him is the only way to prevent future trouble."
Tobirama glanced at him with a look of approval. He turned to Hashirama. "Brother, the boy is right."
"To avoid leaving trouble for future generations, this is the best solution."
Hashirama looked down at Madara. "Madara, I'm sorry."
He looked up at Genichi. "Genichi, do it."
Genichi nodded. After removing Madara's eyes, he gathered his Truth-Seeking Orbs into a giant sphere that descended upon Madara's body.
The instant it made contact, Madara's body was annihilated.
His body and soul were destroyed together.
There was no possibility of revival.
Madara Uchiha was dead.
Retracting his orbs, Genichi couldn't help but feel a little emotional.
This end for Madara was not part of his original plan.
But it was for the best, to prevent any future complications.
Genichi looked at Naruto and Sasuke.
Perhaps the long feud between Indra and Asura would end with them.
But at this stage, could the Sage of Six Paths still remain hidden?
Genichi looked away and said to Tsunade and the others, "For now, this is over. Let's return to Konoha."
They nodded and began to organize the retreat.
Naruto was dumbfounded. "Hey, are we just leaving like that?"
"What about that guy from before?"
"Who was he anyway?"
Sasuke leaped toward his brother, Itachi, leaving behind two words: "Idiot!"
The Sakura Emperor patted Naruto's shoulder. "You idiot, Naruto. Just listen and let's go!"
Naruto's face instantly fell.
Genichi couldn't help but laugh.
Both Sasuke and Sakura had figured out a part of the truth, but Naruto was still clueless.
"Alright, Naruto, go on. I'll handle the rest," Genichi said, patting his shoulder.
"Okay!" Naruto scratched his head. "Then, Uncle Genichi, I'm off!"
He waved and chased after Sasuke and the others.
Soon, only Genichi, Hashirama, and Tobirama remained.
Not far away were Konan and Nagato.
Nagato's reanimated body had not yet recovered. His lower half was on the ground, while his upper half floated.
Looking at the dejected Konan, Nagato smiled. "For me, this is also a kind of release."
"I'll be blessing you and Yahiko from the Pure Land."
Konan said quickly, "Let's ask Genichi first. Maybe he has a way."
Nagato said, "Even his soul was erased. Not even the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique would work."
"Alright, I'm going."
With that, Nagato's soul broke free from the Reanimation Jutsu's bonds. The two halves of his soul, connected by a thread, finally merged into a ball of spiritual light and shot into the sky.
Konan looked up, tears falling unconsciously.
In the Village Hidden by Rain, atop the tallest tower, Yahiko looked north. He felt something in his heart, a sudden wave of sadness. "Is it Nagato?"
The three of them went to Konan's side. "Perhaps this is only a temporary separation. There will be a chance to meet again in the future."
Konan looked away from the sky and wiped her tears. "Did you find the mastermind?"
Hashirama and Tobirama also awaited the answer.
Genichi said, "We'll know soon enough."
"But my guess is that it's that Black Zetsu."
Tobirama frowned. "Black Zetsu? According to intel, he is a manifestation of Madara's will, created with Yin-Yang Release."
Genichi nodded. "Black Zetsu was created based on Madara's will, and the White Zetsu were created from the First Hokage's cells."
"Everything seems to fit."
"However, Second Hokage, there are a hundred thousand White Zetsu beneath Madara's base. That number is a bit too large."
Hashirama was shocked. "A hundred thousand White Zetsu?"
"Why didn't Madara use them?"
Tobirama mused, "Perhaps our response made him feel it was unnecessary to deploy that army."
Genichi smiled. "No need to speculate for now. Let's wait for tomorrow's intelligence."
In the underground base of the Mountain Graveyard.
The Tobi Zetsu phased out of the wall. "Good news! Those people have all withdrawn!"
The Aloe Zetsu said, "All the passages here have been blocked. Ordinary people wouldn't be able to get in anyway."
Black Zetsu looked at Genshiki. "Since you've already taken the Ten-Tails, why didn't you cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi just now?"
"That move would have been enough to eliminate most of the enemy and secure victory, wouldn't it?"
Sitting on what was once Madara's stone throne, Genshiki looked up slightly. "Black Zetsu, are you telling me what to do?"
The Aloe Zetsu's body instantly froze, controlled by the Tenseigan.
"This guy..." Black Zetsu was alarmed. Sensing danger, he immediately prepared to slip away from the Aloe Zetsu's body.
Genshiki raised a hand, and Zetsu's entire body was suspended in the air. This time, even Black Zetsu couldn't move. "What are you doing?"
"Black Zetsu, they say you are the manifestation of Madara's will?" Genshiki stared at him. "But it seems that's not the case at all."
"I've uncovered the secrets of the moon, you see."
"And that army of White Zetsu... they weren't simply created by Madara using Hashirama's cells and the Demonic Statue, were they?"
"Tell me your true identity."
Black Zetsu struggled but couldn't break free. He knows... damn it, I absolutely cannot reveal Mother's existence, or else...
A smile touched Genshiki's lips. "What's wrong, Black Zetsu? Trying to come up with a story to deceive me?"
"I'm not as easily fooled as Madara."
"I know more than you can imagine. For example, that the Ōtsutsuki clan comes from beyond the stars."
Black Zetsu gasped. "You... how do you know that?"
Genshiki naturally wouldn't answer. "So, you'd better answer my questions honestly."
"Otherwise, I wouldn't mind erasing you. After all, you are just a manifestation of Madara's will."
The Tobi Zetsu, half-phased through the wall, raised a hand. "Lord Genshiki, I will follow your orders absolutely! So I don't need to be erased, right?"
Genshiki glanced at him. "Of course. I need some helpers."
The Tobi Zetsu pledged his allegiance without hesitation. "From now on, Lord Genshiki, you are Tobi's one and only master! Do you have any orders for me?"
"Monitor Konoha's movements?"
"No," Genshiki said.
"Konoha is not important."
He held up his left hand, and the Demonic Statue was released, appearing behind him and connecting with the roots of the original God Tree underground.
"I will activate the hundred thousand White Zetsu. Tobi, you will be their leader."
Tobi feigned ecstatic surprise. "Praise be to Lord Genshiki! Please, command me as you will."
Genshiki said, "Tobi, you will lead these Zetsu to find someone."
"A monk by the name of Jigen."
Tobi was curious. "A monk?"
"Is he some powerful being?"
Genshiki said meaningfully, "No, he was originally an ordinary monk. The key is the Ōtsutsuki that resides within him."
"That Ōtsutsuki's name is Isshiki!"
Hearing this, Black Zetsu was shocked again.
Isshiki Ōtsutsuki!
As Kaguya's will, he of course knew that name.
But how did this clone know?
And besides, Isshiki should have died long ago!
At that moment, Black Zetsu felt like his brain was about to explode.
Genshiki said, "Black Zetsu, have you thought of an answer for me?"
"You only have one chance."
Black Zetsu looked at Genshiki and had a sudden realization. This guy knows everything!
He's not just a clone!
Even if he is, there's definitely something more to it.
Black Zetsu thought of how he had deceived Madara.
Perhaps this Ōtsutsuki Genshiki's body was indeed a clone created by Genichi.
But his consciousness...
Only a true Ōtsutsuki would know of Isshiki's existence.
Black Zetsu saw the truth, but it brought him no joy.
To the Ōtsutsuki clan, his mother Kaguya was a traitor.
"If he already knows everything, why is he here?"
"This enemy, Kinoshita Genichi... is it possible that, like with Mother, the Ōtsutsutsuki main family is also his enemy?"
Black Zetsu grasped at a few threads.
But it was a huge risk.
Yet it seemed he had no other choice.
"That's right. I am not the will of Madara Uchiha," Black Zetsu said sinisterly. "That was just a lie I used to make him follow my plan, the Eye of the Moon Plan."
"My true identity is Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's third son, and her will!"
Genshiki said, "Just as I thought."
"In other words, you wanted Madara to become the vessel for Kaguya's revival?"
Hearing this, Black Zetsu relaxed slightly. So he does know about Mother.
"Correct," he said.
"However, Isshiki should have been dealt with by Mother back then."
Genshiki said, "Don't doubt my intelligence."
"Black Zetsu, you are also a member of the Ōtsutsuki. You should know how hard it is to kill one of them."
"Since you've been honest, we now have a basis for cooperation."
"Since you are Kaguya's will, you can represent her in an alliance with me."
"I can help you revive Kaguya, and then we will deal with the Ōtsutsuki main family together!"
With that, Genshiki released him.
Black Zetsu had no intention of running. "No problem. How do you plan to revive Mother?"
Genshiki said, "Simple. Find a suitable body, then break the Sage of Six Paths' seal."
"A suitable body, more suitable than Madara, can be found in Kinoshita Genichi's laboratory."
"And as for breaking the seal..." Genshiki smiled. "Kinoshita Genichi will take care of that for us."
Black Zetsu was confused. "Why?"
Genshiki explained, "I understand Genichi. He won't leave a hidden threat on the moon."
"He will definitely find a way to eliminate Kaguya completely."
"But the Sage's seal, while a prison for Kaguya, is also a form of protection. To eliminate the threat, he must first release her."
"Otherwise, did you really think Madara would have gathered the Tailed Beasts so easily?"
Black Zetsu was enlightened. "I see."
Genshiki said, "So you should thank me. Otherwise, Kaguya would have been eliminated by Genichi the moment she was revived."
Black Zetsu was silent.
He wanted to curse, but he didn't dare.
After a moment's thought, he asked, "If we still have to rely on Genichi to break Mother's seal, what's the difference between that and reviving her through Madara?"
Genshiki replied, "The difference is me!"
Black Zetsu fell silent again.
Genshiki continued, "Find Isshiki, eliminate him, and obtain the Ten-Tails he possesses. Then my power will be a match for Genichi's."
"When Kaguya is revived at that time, we can easily deal with Genichi together."
"Black Zetsu, you don't really think a revived Kaguya could easily deal with Genichi, do you?"
Black Zetsu had no reply.
That was indeed what he had thought.
Genshiki continued his brainwashing. "You saw the blue, six-tomoe Rinnegan on Genichi's forehead today, didn't you?"
"He didn't even use that eye's dōjutsu against Madara."
"And that's just the power he shows on the surface. What you've seen is only the tip of the iceberg."
"Do you think he only has one pair of Rinnegan?"
"Those eyes called the Mirror Eye, which can mirror any technique... do you know how many dōjutsu he's mastered?"
Black Zetsu's mind reeled. "You're right."
"So what should we do now?"
Genshiki said, "You and Tobi will be responsible for finding Isshiki. Then we'll leak the information to Genichi's group."
The Tobi Zetsu interjected, "Lord Genshiki, are we going to use Genichi's forces to deal with Isshiki?"
"But how do we leak the information in a way that Konoha will believe?"
Genshiki said, "You just need to find Isshiki. Genichi will naturally find out."
"He also has control over White Zetsu, you know."
Tobi exclaimed, "So that's how it is!"
Black Zetsu was also surprised. "In that case, won't our secrets be exposed as well?"
A smile touched Genshiki's lips. "Our secrets are not important. What's important is that Genichi knows the Ōtsutsuki clan will be coming here."
"Go. Find Isshiki!"
The Tobi Zetsu smiled. "As you wish, Lord Genshiki."
"With a hundred thousand White Zetsu, I think it will be easy to find him."
With that, Tobi phased into the wall. Black Zetsu, controlling the Aloe Zetsu's body, slowly sank into the ground.
After leaving the base, the two Zetsu met in a cave.
"Lord Madara has been completely erased. Not even a chance of revival," Tobi said.
Black Zetsu replied, "Didn't you just pledge your allegiance to Ōtsutsuki Genshiki?"
Tobi spread his hands. "I'm just being practical. Should I have been buried with Lord Madara?"
"Although we were artificial humans created by him... oh, right, you weren't, Black Zetsu."
Black Zetsu said sinisterly, "Neither were you."
"The White Zetsu were originally products of the Infinite Tsukuyomi. You were merely released by Madara under my guidance and had some of Hashirama's cells added to you."
The Aloe Zetsu said, "In that case, we're still on the same side?"
Tobi nodded. "Of course. Before, we served Lord Madara. Now, we serve Lord Genshiki."
Black Zetsu said coldly, "Do you think he will completely trust us?"
Tobi spread his hands and smiled. "Does it matter?"
"For us, isn't this the meaning of our existence?"
(End of Chapter)
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