The Chūnin Exams were in full swing.
Tsunade had been unusually busy lately.
Even Bai Ye, rarely idle, began patrolling the village with the Guards.
"That girl just now—when are you going to start?"
Beside him, Uzuki Yūgao naturally took Bai Ye's arm.
She had long retired from the Anbu and now worked in the Guards' logistics department.
Years had passed.
Her appearance had matured—purple hair flowing to her waist, a tanto at her side—her aura brave and composed.
But when by Bai Ye's side, her little bit of haughty pride never faded.
"Who are you talking about?"
Bai Ye smiled and took Uzuki Yūgao's hand.
"Who else? That Jōnin team leader from Amegakure—Konan, right?"
Yūgao's cheeks flushed slightly. Though they were close, she was still a bit shy when showing affection in public.
"Her, huh."
Bai Ye paused, sensing the jealousy in Yūgao's tone.
Over time, more and more women had entered his life—and they were all outstanding in their own right.
But competition always simmered beneath the surface.
Even the girls themselves now clearly recognized Bai Ye's overwhelming charisma.
Sometimes, he really did seem like he was collecting illustrations for a harem picture book.
Inexplicably, that thought made Yūgao grit her teeth.
Not long ago, Kurenai had even led a delegation of sorts—dubbed the "040 Alliance"—to try and discipline Bai Ye, urging him to show restraint. That had ended with Bai Ye beating all ten of them.
One versus ten? Basic move for Bai Ye.
"Forget it. Do whatever you want."
Seeing that Bai Ye didn't explain, Yūgao sighed and gave up arguing.
She'd long since gotten used to it.
"What about what I said yesterday?"
Yūgao suddenly looked up, eyes following Hyūga Hiashi in the distance, who was shopping with Hanabi. Envy flickered in her gaze as she turned to Bai Ye, her voice tinged with shyness.
She wanted a child.
After so many years with Bai Ye, her stomach had shown no signs of movement. The girls were starting to get anxious.
Logically, Bai Ye was more than of age—and he never wore "armor" in battle. Why was nothing happening?
Something didn't add up.
Given how many women he had, the problem probably wasn't them.
Tsunade had looked into it years ago.
Later, Kurenai and the others also came to understand the reason.
The disparity in strength levels was too great. Offspring couldn't be conceived under such a power gap.
But now that years had passed and the gap had narrowed, that shouldn't be a problem anymore.
"You really want a kid?"
Bai Ye blinked. His offspring weren't something that could be conceived easily.
The "gestation cycle" would likely be… abnormal.
Still, seeing the longing in Yūgao's eyes, he didn't protest. He gripped her hand and walked straight home.
Daytime battle initiated—whether success followed would depend on fate.
Bai Ye wasn't in a hurry. Everything was fine as it was.
This man really had no sense of shame!
Yūgao's face turned a deeper red, but she didn't resist. Though she often acted proud, she was bold when it mattered.
Leaning close to Bai Ye's ear, she whispered something that sounded like a mantra: 孭呬-呑呪.
That was definitely a challenge.
Bai Ye understood.
He swore to make Yūgao pay for being so provocative.
Life in Konoha continued as usual.
And as Bai Ye once again demonstrated godlike power—
Inside the Konoha Forced Labor Camp—
A man covered in restriction seals was shoveling diligently while reading a letter.
It was Uchiha Madara.
Six years had passed.
What he had endured was beyond imagining.
Thanks to Uchiha Satoshi's twisted sense of humor, Madara was often subjected to interrogations—and worse. Once, Satoshi forced people to cosplay as Senju Hashirama and engage in bizarre roleplays.
Madara, who had deeply loved Hashirama, had no choice but to submit to the humiliating rituals of reformation labor.
He had worked tirelessly for six years, earning praise and even a half-month sentence reduction for his efficiency.
In fact, he had risen to become captain of the Konoha Labor Reform Squad.
Yes—six full years.
Konoha had been lively recently.
With Konan's paper technique, delivering letters to Madara was easy.
But—
When he read this particular letter, he sat on a nearby rock, frowning, his expression solemn.
It was from Black Zetsu.
The letter reported the Akatsuki's progress: the Three Tails had been resurrected, and operations could resume at any time.
But more importantly—
The Impure World Reincarnation technique had been completely perfected.
Now, Madara needed to rendezvous with Black Zetsu at her (likely Kaguya's) resting place. Using his current body, Black Zetsu would complete the enhanced resurrection.
It wouldn't restore full pre-death power, but nearly.
Especially with Impure World Reincarnation's infinite chakra advantage.
With a rebuilt body, he could even retrieve his eyes—or force Nagato to resurrect him outright.
But all of this required one thing:
Escape.
Black Zetsu's offer was tempting.
And no one understood the suffering of the past six years better than Madara himself.
Six years!
He was now the "captain" of a labor team!
Why did Konoha have so much damn work?
Mining, coal extraction, village expansion, road repairs throughout the Land of Fire—
Madara's labor reform had basically powered national development!
He hated Konoha.
But he hated Uchiha Satoshi even more.
Every time he showed signs of rebellion, Satoshi would unleash his ultimate torment: Hashirama cosplay and seductive tactics meant to "reform" Madara spiritually and mentally.
There were no good people in Konoha!
Escape?
Should he really do it?
But if caught, wouldn't his sentence be extended another six years?
He was almost free.
To screw up now would be idiotic.
Uchiha Madara had learned the hard way.
He wouldn't make another mistake.
Upon receiving Black Zetsu's letter, his first instinct was:
No.
It wasn't worth the risk. Not when he was so close to freedom.
Still, Black Zetsu's proposition held weight.
With his strength restored, Madara could send two meteorites crashing into Konoha—let them see what Rinnegan truly meant.
Wait for it!
Now wasn't the time.
Madara gritted his teeth, casting a glance at the patrolling figure in the distance.
That was the newly assigned guard officer: Uchiha Shisui.
Word had it that Shisui had also served time as a reform-through-labor prisoner, even becoming a squad captain.
After a past camp riot, Shisui became obsessed with discipline—especially now, with the Chūnin Exams underway, he couldn't afford another scandal.
Realizing that, Madara resigned himself.
If he tried to flee now, Shisui would absolutely catch him—and his sentence would be doubled.
"Captain Madara, taking a break?"
Noticing Madara's dazed look, Shisui walked over solemnly.
Eyeing the "Uchiha Legend" up and down, Shisui couldn't help but be skeptical.
Was this really the man who once fought the God of Shinobi?
Didn't seem like it.
"Serving Konoha is an honor! Thank you for your concern, sir!"
Like a reflex, Madara saluted.
Embarrassment flickered in his eyes.
Damn that lunatic who wrote the Reform Code of Conduct!
Madara now felt like a clown on stage every day.
But there was no helping it. Not following the rules meant added sentence time—and he'd thrown his pride away in exchange for even a single day's reduction.
How else do you think he got a half-month off?
Just wait!
Ugh.
When I get out, you'll all pay!
As he thought that, his overly respectful face twisted for a moment.
"What's with that look?"
"Not happy?"
"Captain Madara, if you keep this up, Captain Bai Ye will be very disappointed."
Shisui frowned.
"You want me to reverse your sentence reduction? Add another year?"
No!
Madara's expression changed instantly. He pulled a cigarette from his uniform and offered it to Shisui.
"Sir, smoke?"
Hmph!
Shisui's face turned cold. He flicked the cigarette to the ground.
"Work hard."
He left with only that.
Bribing a guard? Unforgivable.
Looks like that half-month will be taken back.
He, Uchiha Shisui, would be flawless during the Chūnin Exams!
Behind him—
Madara clenched his fists, glaring at Shisui's back with gritted teeth.
The new officer had no sense of humor.
Definitely worse than the last one.
It seemed his days wouldn't get any easier.
Whatever.
Escape? As if.
Back to work!
He picked up the shovel, stuffed the letter into his mouth, and ate it.
Just hold on a bit longer.
Uchiha Madara would one day let the world feel the wrath of a god.
What he didn't know—
Far away, in the diplomatic team led into Konoha by Uchiha Satoshi—
Ōnoki stared, dumbfounded.
That man was definitely Uchiha Madara!
Seals or not, bedraggled or not—that face was unmistakable!
Working in a labor camp… with a shovel?!
"Uh… Captain Cong, that man…"
After a long silence, Ōnoki turned to Uchiha Satoshi, his face bewildered.
"Oh, that guy? I caught him."
"Not strong, but he's got good stamina. Top-tier coal miner."
Satoshi replied casually.
"I told you—I could take on ten like him!"
Yeah, right.
Are you trying to break physics?
Ōnoki's mouth twitched. He snorted in disbelief.
Don't believe me?
Satoshi smirked, pulled out a whistle—and blew it.
A sharp note rang out.
Then he shouted:
"Captain Madara! Get out here!"
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