Madara Uchiha looked at Uchiha Ryun with cold eyes. In truth, he felt a hint of joy knowing Ryun had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique. However, the thought of Izuna's death extinguished that joy.
"Grandfather, do you miss Grandpa?" Ryun asked, looking up.
Madara's heart clenched. His face first turned pale, then darkened.
"Ryun, not only did you learn the Flying Thunder God Technique, but you also dare mention your grandfather in front of me? Yes, I miss him. And then what? He's dead!"
Madara's killing intent filled the genjutsu space. Ryun gritted his teeth and quickly said, "Grandfather, if I can bring Grandpa back to life, will you return to Konoha? Abandon the Moon's Eye Plan! I can make you Hokage!"
Ryun genuinely wanted to save his grandfather—to pull him back from a lifetime of being deceived by Black Zetsu, only to end with a stab through the heart.
Madara was stunned. Completely stunned. He lifted his foot off Ryun and crouched down. "What did you just say?"
"I said, will you return to Konoha? I can make you Hokage."
"Not that part."
"Abandon the Moon's Eye Plan."
"Not that either."
"Bring Grandpa back to life."
"..."
Though Madara's expression remained blank, Ryun could clearly sense the loneliness in his heart.
Ryun nodded. "Can you really bring your grandfather back? Is it your Mangekyō's ability?"
Madara made a guess and questioned Ryun further.
Ryun nodded again. "My Mangekyō ability does have a resurrection power. The awakening of this ability is a long story!"
Madara frowned. "Then keep it short!" He was impatient. Izuna was his only remaining wish outside of the Moon's Eye Plan.
Ryun wanted to drag it out, but seeing the icy look in Madara's eyes, he shrank back. "Ahem, Grandfather, it's because I thought my girlfriend—Lord Hashirama's granddaughter—had died. In my grief and rage, I awakened my Mangekyō ability."
"To ordinary people, 'Revival' seems like a healing skill. But in truth, its real function is to resurrect the dead, restoring them to their peak state in life. It can only be used three times in a lifetime. If only I had the Eternal Mangekyō, I might have more than three uses!" Ryun sighed.
Madara's pupils contracted. He stared at Ryun, never expecting his unexpected grandson to possess such a divine ability. He fell silent.
"I can agree to your terms, but only after I see Izuna resurrected!" Madara's eyes, once dull like stagnant water, now held a glimmer of light.
"No problem. But I need you to prepare some materials," Ryun said.
"Name them. As long as Izuna can be revived, I'd even dig up Tobirama Senju's grave if necessary!" Madara said coldly.
Pure Land
Tobirama Senju: "I suddenly feel furious and chilled. What's going on?"
Hashirama Senju: "No? I don't feel anything like that."
Genjutsu Space
Ryun wiped his sweat. "Actually, it's not that extreme. Just give me a White Zetsu and some of Grandpa's flesh or blood from when he was alive."
"Fine. Come here tomorrow!" Madara transmitted his location to Ryun and then kicked him out of the genjutsu space.
Ryun blinked and found himself back in reality. He looked at the Third Mizukage, who nodded.
Understanding, Ryun leaped back and immediately activated Susanoo!
A golden-red Susanoo erupted from the ground, roaring. The Three-Tails Isobu cowered in fear!
The Konoha shinobi cheered in unison: "Vice-Hokage! Vice-Hokage!"
Ryun raised his right hand and swung it down. The golden-red Susanoo's right arm transformed into a massive hammer, smashing down on Isobu!
BOOM!
The Three-Tails Isobu was knocked unconscious without even getting a chance to use a single technique. Then, Uzumaki clan shinobi appeared and sealed Isobu away!
The Third Mizukage roared in fury: "Konoha! Damn you! You'll pay for this!" Then he retreated from Konoha.
The Kiri-nin were dumbfounded. 'Are you serious? You came here just to deliver a Tailed Beast to them?'
The Konoha shinobi had been ready to fight to the death to claim the Three-Tails, but now the Mizukage had ordered a retreat?
No salt, just surrender?
Yagura frowned but obeyed, leading the retreat. Something felt off, but Madara no longer cared. As long as Izuna could be revived, a Mizukage was nothing. If he was in a good mood, he might even let Yagura go.
Madara controlled the Third Mizukage back to Kirigakure without explanation, then severed the connection, leaving the genjutsu to operate the Mizukage on its own.
In the cave, Madara had Black Zetsu bring a White Zetsu. Though puzzled, Black Zetsu complied. Madara then dismissed him.
He stayed awake all night, staring at the White Zetsu and the vial of blood in his hand, his lips curling into a smile. 'Izuna… Just wait a little longer. You'll live again.'
Meanwhile, Ryun organized the villagers to secure Isobu and discuss the Jinchūriki selection the next day.
The news shook Konoha. Everyone knew the power of a Jinchūriki—it was an instant path to Kage-level strength!
Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was complicated. He coveted the Three-Tails too, but his clan's Water-style techniques weren't renowned.
With a sigh, he accepted the decision. If the Tailed Beast had suited Tsunade, he would've given it to her without hesitation. But this one was best suited for Water-natured chakra users.
The Six-Tails Saiken would've been better for Tsunade, given her training with the Slugs Sage. Saiken's corrosive steam could've enhanced her taijutsu.
The Next Day
After a vote, the Three-Tails Isobu was entrusted to Genin Maruboshi Kosuke—the only shinobi in Konoha skilled in Water Release.
With the Uzumaki clan's help, Kosuke became the Three-Tails Jinchūriki—the strongest Genin!
Feeling the power of a Jinchūriki, Kosuke performed a Water Wall on a dry street:
"Water Release: Water Wall!"
Instantly, water surged from the ground like a raging sea, forming a wall as tall as the buildings. When the technique faded, the area was left as an ideal battlefield for Water-natured shinobi.
Kosuke stared at his hands and murmured, "With this level of Water Release, even the Second Hokage himself might not surpass me."
Ryun observed Kosuke and smiled. The Three-Tails truly suited him—not just for his chakra nature, but his personality.
After the proceedings, Ryun teleported behind the Third Mizukage using Flying Thunder God. The Mizukage stood guard at the entrance of Madara's cave, waiting for one person: Ryun.
When Ryun appeared, Madara's voice echoed from inside: "Enter."
Ryun walked straight into the cave. The Mizukage, still under control, returned home to avoid suspicion from prolonged absence.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
📖 Like the story? Read 120 chapters ahead!
🔗 patreon.com/atomelectron
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━