Chapter 254: Testing Yasushi's Limits
While Senju Hashirama confronted Kazuma, Madara remained equally busy.
Zetsu had been nearby all along. Sensing Madara's summons, he hesitated briefly before reporting.
"Lord Madara, you summoned me?" The ground split open. Zetsu emerged from below.
"What's happening? Why has the plan deviated so drastically?" Madara demanded.
"Well..." Zetsu glanced toward Yasushi, noting his half-smiling expression. Knowing Yasushi wouldn't expose his intelligence, he continued his deception:
"The situation encountered complications. That Uchiha Yasushi possesses the Mangekyo Sharingan as well. Moreover, his dojutsu ability is prophecy."
"He can see future events."
"In his prophecies, our Moon's Eye Plan ultimately failed."
"Because... the Sage of Six Paths, Otsutsuki Hagoromo, left behind an organization in the shinobi world called Kara."
"This organization prevented our plan's success."
"Kara organization?" Madara paused. "I've traversed the shinobi world for years. How have I never heard of any Kara organization?"
"Who leads them?"
"Are they powerful?"
Zetsu shook his head, reminding him:
"The key isn't their leader—it's the Sage of Six Paths hidden behind their leader."
"Lord Madara's capabilities more than suffice to defeat their leader. But defeating the Sage of Six Paths would prove extremely difficult."
"The Sage of Six Paths still lives?" Madara was genuinely shocked.
"Perhaps residing in some sanctuary-like location. I haven't yet traced his whereabouts."
"I see!" Madara frowned, his expression grave.
Seeing him take the bait, Zetsu quickly pressed his case:
"To achieve our plan now, Lord Madara should cooperate with Lord Yasushi."
"Cooperate?" Madara glanced at Yasushi with disdain, clearly displeased. "Some mere youngster—even with the Mangekyo Sharingan, what does it matter?"
"Well, Lord Yasushi doesn't endorse our plan but doesn't oppose us attempting it either." Zetsu chose his words carefully. "To achieve our grand vision, we need allies."
"Enough, Zetsu. No need for further talk." Yasushi directly interrupted Zetsu's words. "Words accomplish nothing."
"Let us two communicate in the Uchiha clan's way!"
"Hahaha..." Madara laughed boisterously, his wild nature fully displayed. "Boy, your words suit my temperament far better than that useless Obito."
"Exactly! The Uchiha clan always respects strength. Whoever's stronger makes the decisions!"
"Come, boy! Use your full abilities. Let me measure your worth."
"If you satisfy me, I'll make an exception and cooperate with you."
"Hahaha..." Yasushi also laughed wildly. "You remain as arrogantly deluded as ever!"
"What gave you this illusion of invincibility?"
"Is it the Hashirama cells in your chest, or the Rinnegan you've already synthesized?"
"Hmm?" Madara's brow twitched. He paused briefly before responding: "A 'prophecy' dojutsu—truly an excellent ability. But on the battlefield, raw power decides everything. Prophecy alone cannot defeat me!"
"Is that so?" Yasushi sneered coldly, forcefully activating Susanoo. He raised his staff high, striking down heavily toward Madara.
"Hahaha... Susanoo? Then let's compare and see whose Susanoo proves stronger!"
Madara laughed wildly, likewise activating Susanoo. Wielding dual blades, he slashed toward Yasushi's energy giant.
Their weapons collided, producing ear-splitting sounds. Massive shockwaves expanded in all directions, pulverizing the nearby forest completely. Even the ground was scraped away three feet deep. Sand and stone scattered everywhere.
Both men laughed in unison, their Mangekyo Sharingan spinning rapidly. Almost simultaneously, they charged toward each other again.
The two Susanoo's massive forms clashed like titans, engaging in fierce mutual slaughter.
Such enormous bodies stirred wind and clouds with every movement—let alone two energy giants moving rapidly in violent combat.
Within moments, the entire landscape resembled torn rags—pockmarked with craters everywhere.
Moreover, under the intense chakra collisions, hurricane winds swept through continuously. Wind-borne debris and stones flew like bullets—piercing bloody holes in people's bodies, gouging cavities in mountainsides.
The two grew increasingly excited, feeling insufficiently satisfied.
"Haha! Never expected that after so many years, the Uchiha clan could produce a warrior like you. This brings me deep satisfaction!"
Madara laughed heartily, beginning to boast again.
"However, your strength merely qualifies as powerful among ordinary people. Compared to me, you still fall far short!"
After bellowing furiously, Madara slammed both palms together. The earth beneath his feet churned. Wood Release roots erupted from below, rapidly transforming into Madara's form.
His Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan spun violently. Chakra surged explosively from these Wood Release clones, rapidly condensing externally to form individual Susanoo around each one.
"Hahaha! Boy, your Susanoo is indeed impressive. But how many equal-level Susanoo can you handle?"
The crowd that had retreated to the battlefield's far edge stared at the dozen towering energy giants, mouths hanging open in disbelief.
"You're joking, right?"
"Can Susanoo really be deployed by the dozen like this?"
Even the Uchiha clan's Edo Tensei bodies gazed upward at those Susanoo, their faces displaying admiration, respect, and envy.
What in this world could attract the Uchiha clan more than Susanoo?
"What should Lord Yasushi do? Should we help?" Karin's eyes nearly brimmed with tears. Shinyo and Haku were equally tense.
Only Zetsu watched intently from hiding, wanting to know how powerful Yasushi truly was now—whether Madara could overwhelm him.
Though he'd stayed beside Yasushi constantly, Yasushi seemed perpetually guarded against him. During combat, he always employed simple, brutal methods—either Susanoo or Wood Release.
After obtaining the Tenseigan, he'd added Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion to his repertoire.
Zetsu constantly suspected Yasushi's strength wasn't that straightforward. Now provided an excellent opportunity—using Madara to test his limits and discover what he concealed.
Though currently cooperating partners, one couldn't be too careful. If Yasushi suddenly betrayed him, Zetsu needed countermeasures prepared.
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