Dusk.
The setting sun sank slowly beneath the horizon, painting the sky in a warm orange glow.
"Konoha… how nostalgic…"
"I, Uchiha Madara… have returned."
Standing atop a high vantage point, Uchiha Madara gazed at the village in the distance, a rare trace of emotion surfacing in his voice.
After faking his death after his battle with Senju Hashirama, he had never set foot in Konoha again.
All his efforts had been devoted to awakening the Rinnegan—
And executing the Eye of the Moon Plan.
"The Third Hokage of Konoha… an Uchiha of the next generation."
"Don't disappoint me."
Forming hand seals, he used the Transformation Technique to disguise himself before heading toward the village at an unhurried pace.
This visit—
Was to evaluate Uchiha Ren.
And, if possible—
Reveal the truth of this world to him.
Then bring him into the Eye of the Moon Plan.
"…Konoha has developed this far already?"
Madara stepped onto the solid concrete road.
Even before entering the village—
Streetlights lined both sides, already glowing despite the fading daylight.
Vendors called out along the roadside, selling rice balls, tea, and simple meals.
Food inside the village cost more.
Shops and stalls required fees.
But outside—
This was still an unregulated zone.
Cheaper.
Accessible.
Workers finishing shifts at factories gathered here, buying dinner in groups, crouching by the roadside under bright lights, laughing and chatting as they ate.
Madara slowed his steps.
A ripple stirred within him.
For most people, this scene would inspire awe.
For him—
It was something else.
Peace.
Harmony.
"…My statue?"
At Konoha's gates, two towering stone figures stood on either side.
Guardians of the village.
Madara frowned slightly.
He knew his own status.
A rogue ninja.
That much was undeniable.
And yet—
His statue stood here?
Beside Hashirama?
"Tribute to Uchiha Madara — The Uncrowned Shadow of Konoha."
The inscription carved into the base caught his eye.
For a brief moment—
His heart surged.
Back then—
The First Hokage had been Hashirama.
A title Madara had willingly given up.
According to their original vision—
He would have become the Second Hokage.
But because of one man—
That future never came.
From that moment—
Everything changed.
Distrust.
Division.
And eventually—
His decision to follow the stone tablet and pursue the Rinnegan.
Yet even now—
Buried deep within him—
It was a faint desire.
To have been Hokage.
"…Uncrowned Shadow…"
Madara murmured.
"…not bad."
He didn't need to guess.
There was only one person in Konoha with both the authority and the will to do this—
Uchiha Ren.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
Even before entering—
Madara could already feel it.
This return—
Would not be boring.
"Stop."
The guards at the gate stepped forward.
"Name. Age. Gender. Origin."
"Hey, Junji, ease up. Don't scare the man."
Another guard spoke more politely.
"It's just a routine check. We've had an influx of merchants recently."
"All entries must be registered."
Madara was led into a small room.
Inside—
A genjutsu barrier.
Designed to detect spies.
Even a weaker jōnin might be caught.
Madara barely noticed it.
"Madara… Zhu."
"Fifty-six."
"Merchant."
He gave a false identity casually.
Passed without issue.
"Welcome to Konoha, sir."
The guard handed him several pamphlets.
"This is our immigration guide."
"Purchase a home in Konoha—complete with electricity, hot water—"
"You'll receive resident status."
"And if you're interested in opening a business—"
Another leaflet.
"A map of Konoha."
"Our busiest commercial districts, entertainment zones—"
"Open even at night."
Madara stared at the overly enthusiastic guard.
A shinobi—
Acting like a salesman.
He took the materials silently.
Things had… changed.
A lot.
Following the map—
He entered Konoha.
The streets were alive.
Lights.
Crowds.
The hum of life.
Even the sound of insects blended into the cool evening breeze.
Madara found himself enjoying it.
Strangely.
Peacefully.
"…Not bad."
A thought surfaced.
Why hide underground?
Hashirama was gone.
Even in his current state—
There was no one who could challenge him.
So why not—
Live openly?
Buy a house.
Stay in Konoha.
Awaken the Rinnegan here instead of some cave.
The idea took root instantly.
Unshakable.
Behind him—
A black mass followed silently.
Black Zetsu.
"What is wrong with him lately…?"
"Just because of a movie—he's acting like this?"
"He should be in the cave, awakening the Rinnegan!"
"And now he's strolling back into Konoha?!"
Frustration filled its thoughts.
After centuries of planning—
Finally, a perfect pawn had appeared.
And now—
That pawn was becoming… unpredictable.
Still—
It followed.
Reluctantly.
Carefully.
"Too many people…"
Madara arrived at the commercial district marked on the map.
The most prosperous street in Konoha.
Nobles.
Merchants.
Clans.
All had invested heavily here.
Luxury stores lined the streets.
Exclusive brands.
Black cards required for entry.
Symbols of wealth.
Status.
Control.
Madara moved through the crowd.
Like a relic from another era.
Yet—
Something inside him stirred.
This—
This was the world he once dreamed of.
A peaceful world.
And it existed.
Right here.
"…I'm hungry."
He turned toward a food street.
The air was thick with aroma.
Candied fruit.
Fermented tofu.
Roasted sweet potatoes.
After a moment's thought—
He chose the simplest option.
Roasted sweet potato.
At the stall—
A child.
Not an adult.
Sitting on a stool, writing homework.
"…Kid. Two sweet potatoes."
Madara forced a gentle tone.
Awkward.
Unfamiliar.
"Got it, grandpa!"
The boy quickly packed the food.
Madara paid.
The boy even offered him a stool.
He sat.
Took a bite.
"…Sweet."
Soft.
Warm.
Simple.
Yet—
Strangely satisfying.
Watching the passing crowd—
He felt something unfamiliar.
Contentment.
"Hashirama… this kind of life…"
His voice trailed off.
"Grandpa, there's water here. Free."
The boy pointed helpfully.
"…What's your name?"
"Sōsuke. Itō Sōsuke."
Madara glanced at his notebook.
Chakra theory.
"…You're a student?"
"Yeah. Just started at the academy."
"My mom and I came to Konoha as refugees."
"She works at a factory."
"We even bought a house on loan."
"The Hokage is a really good person."
"If I graduate and become a genin, I'll get a job."
"Construction pays well."
"Better than factory work."
"Teachers say the future needs skilled people."
"Not just ninjutsu—physics, chemistry too."
Madara froze.
…What?
This was—
What ninja schools are taught now?
Not killing.
Not war.
But—
Knowledge?
Production?
A world where even someone like this child—
Could survive.
Could live.
Madara stared silently.
For the first time—
His certainty wavered.
The world he sought to create—
Was already beginning to exist.
Right here.
In Konoha.
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