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Listening to Madara's words, Kagaya fell silent for a time. Having read the original story, he naturally understood what Madara possessing the Eternal Mangekyō represented.
It meant that Izuna was already dead and had given his eyes to Madara. Looking at it this way, it was no wonder Madara had appeared so utterly indifferent when he first showed up. Perhaps it wasn't indifference at all, but rather the numbness of a heart already dead.
According to the original plot, not long after Izuna's death, Madara, now wielding the fused Eternal Mangekyō, would once again clash violently with Hashirama. That would be the true battle of the gods.
"Clan Leader!"
"Clan Leader, this..."
"Clan Leader, let me carry this guy."
The Uchiha clansmen in the distance, seeing Uchiha Madara carrying Kagaya on his back, rushed over and began to speak. They simply couldn't understand why their clan leader, after just standing there chatting with this person for a while, would end up carrying him.
This was an era of war, not peace. In this turbulent age, Madara, possessing the Uchiha's strongest combat power, held supreme authority. Every member of the Uchiha clan deeply respected this clan leader; naturally, they were unwilling to let Madara bear the burden of carrying Kagaya.
Even Kagaya didn't quite understand why Madara would directly hoist him onto his back. Although his physical condition was indeed poor, Madara didn't need to personally carry him.
However, Madara simply furrowed his brow.
"Did I permit you to approach?"
With this flat statement, the surrounding Uchiha clansmen immediately panicked. Within the Uchiha, who would dare offend this clan leader's authority? To say his word was law would be an understatement. The current Uchiha could entirely be described as Madara's one-man rule. No one dared to defy this clan leader.
In the original story, the Uchiha clan eventually became estranged from Madara because, after tasting peace, they were gradually corrupted. By the time Madara called for them to leave Konoha, they couldn't bear to abandon the long-sought peace. That's why they grew apart from Madara. But before that, especially during the times of war, Madara was the sole king of the Uchiha!
Unassailable!
One man was the entire clan!
Cold sweat broke out on the foreheads of the several ninjas nearby. Madara's authority was too heavy. With his single utterance, these ninjas had instantly placed themselves in a deadly situation. They had rashly approached without orders. If Madara let it slide, fine. But since Madara had spoken, they had already committed an offense against the clan leader.
At this moment, the few of them even prepared to atone with death. They knelt on the ground, seemingly accepting their fate.
Just a few words were enough to make four or five jonin-level individuals contemplate suicide. Such authority made Kagaya, on Madara's back, watch with growing shock.
"Stand down."
Fortunately, Madara wasn't utterly heartless. He let them withdraw. If Madara had remained silent, these people might have had no choice but to die to atone.
"Yes!"
The several Uchiha clansmen simultaneously bowed in acknowledgment, then quickly retreated into the distance.
"You probably have many questions, don't you? Until I put you down, you can ask."
Madara suddenly spoke. There was no one else around; this was clearly directed at Kagaya.
After speaking, Madara, with Kagaya on his back, dashed forward.
Kagaya pursed his lips and spoke.
"How did you know I'm not from this era?"
This was an extremely bold question, but Kagaya felt he had to understand.
Madara showed no surprise, as if he had long anticipated this question.
"The Eternal Mangekyō. Do you think such eyes appear casually? Or rather, do you think the Mangekyō appears casually? In this era of war, are there few Uchiha who have witnessed the death of loved ones? Yet, why haven't Mangekyō appeared in large numbers? Why do they still appear only in a few? At its peak, there were only a few dozen Mangekyō holders. And at its peak, the Uchiha numbered in the thousands. Of course, it can't compare now. The ceaseless war has long reduced the Uchiha population drastically. But I tell you this: with thousands of Uchiha, there were only a few dozen Mangekyō. Why do you think that is? It's simple. Talent. For an Uchiha, there are two points that most test talent. The first is awakening the Sharingan. If one lacks talent, no matter how much death they witness, they cannot awaken. Therefore, those who awaken the Sharingan are often looked upon more favorably by most. Not because a one-tomoe Sharingan is powerful, but because at the moment of awakening, that person proves their talent.
The second point lies with the Mangekyō. Here, the requirements are infinitely higher than simply awakening. Awakening only requires appropriate pain and average talent. But the Mangekyō, in my view, requires the user to be the top genius of their time. This requirement is too harsh, unreasonably harsh! It is precisely this harsh limitation that keeps our Uchiha fighting on equal footing with the Senju. If we Uchiha could mass-produce Mangekyō, why would we still be evenly matched with the Senju?"
At this point, Madara seemed somewhat indignant, showing a slight agitation. He wasn't angry at the Senju; he was angry that the Uchiha couldn't possess the power to quickly pacify the chaotic world.
Calming down a little, Madara continued.
"Therefore, the appearance of every Mangekyō is extremely important and precious. Do you think I don't know how many Mangekyō holders our Uchiha clan currently has? Moreover, yours is the Eternal Mangekyō. Yet I truly do not know you. Then, there can only be another explanation. I once learned about something—the Ryūmyaku. It possesses an extremely vast amount of chakra. In my speculation, chakra of that magnitude might be capable of anything. Your appearance can be considered proof of my conjecture."
Kagaya secretly breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Madara believed he had returned from the future via the Ryūmyaku and was unaware of the System's existence.
"Since you know the Ryūmyaku has vast chakra, why haven't you acted on it to enhance your own strength?"
Madara snorted disdainfully.
"What is the greatest amount of chakra? Unlimited chakra, of course. Yet, my only rival in this world—Senju Hashirama—his chakra is already nearly unlimited. Even if I obtained more chakra, I could never defeat him in that aspect. Therefore, I have no interest in anything that increases chakra. Because, in front of Hashirama, any amount of chakra is the same."
Kagaya paused briefly, recalling the Hashirama cells Orochimaru had given him. Once again, he felt somewhat speechless regarding that "Senju Hashirama" he had never met. This truly wasn't human; he was absolutely a monster!
"Since you know I'm not from this era, why haven't you pressed me for information about the future?"
"Didn't you already say it earlier?"
"I... what did I say?"
"You said that time would be much better than here, without ceaseless war. Isn't that enough?"
"But... but... but is that all you ask for?"
"Heh. We're here."
Madara stopped. They seemed to have reached their destination. Madara continued.
"Take a good look. Tell me, what more could I possibly ask for?"
Kagaya immediately looked around. This was a plain. There weren't many people. Countless small mounds appeared here. A gust of wind blew, leaving Kagaya somewhat at a loss.
This was a burial ground! As far as the eye could see, it was all graves! Too many mounds, too many to count, too many to send a chill down one's spine.
Beneath each mound lay a corpse.
Madara continued speaking.
"Do you think this is a lot? It's not. This is only the Uchiha who have died in the past two years. The Uchiha resting beneath this soil, the youngest are only four or five years old, the oldest barely over twenty. Why? Because those older are mostly dead already! Before you appeared, the first thing I considered every day wasn't how to defeat Hashirama, nor how to pacify the world. It was how to ensure the Uchiha clan wasn't wiped out."
Kagaya opened his mouth but remained silent for a long time. One of the most powerful clans in the entire ninja world, and its clan leader had to daily contemplate how to avoid extinction. The brutality of this era once again shocked Kagaya.
Madara smiled bitterly.
"I truly cannot hope for anything more. A world without ceaseless war is the most beautiful world I can imagine. Because I really dare not ask for more."
Finished speaking, Madara took a step forward and slowly left this place with Kagaya on his back. It seemed this wasn't their destination.
After a long silence, Kagaya continued asking.
"What is your reason for bringing me along?"
"Reason, you want to know?"
"Of course."
"Very well, I'll tell you. I brought you back because I covet your eyes."
"Are you mocking me?"
"What makes you think that?"
"The Uchiha Madara I know has never been one to beat around the bush. If you truly came for my eyes, you would have acted back in that forest. There's no way you'd specially bring me back here to do it."
"Heh, you're not stupid. So why don't you guess the reason I brought you back?"
"You just told me I could ask. Since I can ask, why should I guess?"
"Heh, fine. I ask you: Are you a member of the Uchiha clan?!"
Madara's voice suddenly became several degrees more serious, startling Kagaya.
But quickly, Kagaya snapped out of it and immediately replied.
"Of course! I am a member of the Uchiha clan!"
"Then, as a member of the Uchiha clan, and since I am preparing to heal you, shouldn't you repay me?"
"Fine."
The moment Kagaya's words fell, Madara suddenly laughed. Kagaya, on Madara's back, couldn't see it, but if he could, he would surely feel it—it was a smile of profound reassurance, like the relieved smile of someone who had just protected the most precious thing in their life.
"You are not of this era. You cannot disrupt the occurrence of certain events in this time. But your existence proves the Uchiha's continuity into the future. Therefore, protecting the Uchiha is feasible, isn't it? Protect it well for me."
Madara spoke softly. This time, his voice was exceptionally gentle, as if addressing the most precious thing in his life.
"What are you planning to do?"
"Don't you know?"
Madara's counter-question left Kagaya stunned.
Yes. According to the original plot, before long, Madara would go to fight his decisive battle with Hashirama. In this battle, Madara likely harbored a mindset of mutual destruction. Therefore, he was beginning to prepare for his own death in advance.
Thinking of this, Kagaya instinctively spoke.
"You don't have to go."
"Don't have to go? Are you joking?"
At that moment, an extremely cold sensation enveloped Kagaya. This feeling was very familiar. Back when he was dead set on killing Danzō, that same sensation had permeated the air around him.
Revenge! Revenge!! Revenge!!!
Yes. Izuna was dead. The heart dies when grief reaches its peak. Madara might appear calm on the surface, but how could he not hate? How could he not go? How could he not seek revenge!!!
He was an Uchiha! A member of the clan that valued bonds above all. His only remaining brother was dead. Could he remain indifferent? No! Absolutely not!
"Senju Hashirama is very strong."
"I know. I've fought him for so many years. Of course I know he's strong. But he should also know that I am equally strong!"
Taking a deep breath, feeling that familiar cold aura emanating from Madara, Kagaya didn't try to dissuade him further. Instead, he smiled faintly.
"On this journey, may your martial fortune be prosperous!"
There was silence around them for a moment. Then, from ahead of Kagaya, came a response.
"May your martial fortune be prosperous!"
These words weren't directed at anyone in particular. According to Madara's plan, Kagaya would soon be tasked with guarding the Uchiha's rear. So, this phrase "may your martial fortune be prosperous" could be said to Kagaya, or it could be said to Madara himself.
But neither paid attention to such details. Under the sunlight, they steadfastly walked forward.
"What is your purpose in coming to this era?"
"Purpose? I don't think I have one."
"No, there is always a purpose."
"Is that so? If I had to say... it would be to someday become a figure who can stand alongside you and Senju Hashirama."
"I see. Although you also possess the Eternal Mangekyō, this goal of yours is not easy. Apart from the Eternal Mangekyō, you fall far short of me in every other aspect."
For a moment, Kagaya didn't know how to refute that. Indeed, in their brief exchange earlier, Kagaya had realized that Madara's short-distance movement speed was probably faster than his own! Even his strongest attribute was inferior. There was truly nothing to say.
Madara continued speaking.
"However, although you fall far short, there is something..."
Kagaya asked curiously. "What is it?"
Madara slightly turned his head, revealing an eye in Kagaya's field of vision. It held a look that was half envy, half admiration.
"It's not apparent from the outside, but I can sense it. You are too young! Far too young! So young it frightens me. The future will surely belong to you."
Under the sunlight, the strongest of this era made such a prediction to the youth on his back. His tone was filled with absolute certainty.
*****
The Senju Clan.
In a wooden house, another titan gazed worriedly at the blade before him.
"When will this kind of war finally end?"
Hashirama couldn't rashly participate in the war; he could only let his subordinates fight. In this respect, Madara was the same. If either of them joined the battle, it would inevitably draw the other out, escalating the scale of the conflict.
If Madara acted, Hashirama would certainly follow.
If Hashirama acted, Madara would likewise follow.
And once they intervened, the war would escalate. With escalation, more people would die.
Therefore, for both Madara and Hashirama at present, remaining uninvolved most of the time was the only way to minimize deaths.
As for surrender? Impossible! Even if Hashirama and Madara were willing, the people under them would never agree!
It would be like a friend suddenly rushing over, grabbing your hand, and saying, "Let's become traitors!" Would you agree? Unless you had a screw loose, you definitely wouldn't.
How many years had the Senju and Uchiha clans been killing each other? The hatred was already impossibly deep. Whoever suggested a truce would be condemned! Let alone surrender?
To stop this war, one side had to be completely beaten until they lost the will to fight. Otherwise, as said before, whoever suggested a truce would be condemned!