Chapter 334: Return and Personally Taking the Helm
The Sage of Six Paths was considered the ancestor of the ninja world. A thousand years had passed since he initiated the era of ninja.
Legends about the Sage of Six Paths were widespread; even children in the ninja world had heard of him.
But records about the Sage were scarce. Most people only knew he was a very powerful figure.
Only in rare books were there portraits of the Sage.
Orochimaru had once accidentally seen such a portrait in an ancient text. As someone pursuing immortality, he was naturally interested in the legends of the Sage.
However, Orochimaru assumed the portrait was just an image imagined by ordinary people who worshipped the Sage as a god.
There were three prominent features that left a deep impression on Orochimaru.
First: Two horns on the head.
Second: Several black spheres floating behind the back.
Third: Purple eyes with concentric ripple patterns.
Identical to the eyes of this Edo Tensei body before him!
The Edo Tensei body, clad in Warring States armor, held Orochimaru single-handedly and said, "You tried to control me with seals? How laughable."
Behind him, Black Zetsu said, "Madara-sama, for secrecy, this guy does not know your name."
Madara Uchiha tossed Orochimaru aside and clenched his fist.
This feeling... was hard to describe...
"Truly... a boring body..."
Madara's ultimate goal was true resurrection. Naturally, an Edo Tensei body wouldn't satisfy him, but to continue the plan, it seemed he had to make do for now.
Madara's original plan was to use the Rinnegan in Nagato's eyes to resurrect himself. However, Nagato's growth was uncontrollable like a wild horse, and the ninja world was changing rapidly. Feeling things were slipping out of his control, Madara had rescued Yotsuki Teru (Kaguya).
But before he could finish training this new pawn, he discovered that Kumogakure was out of control. The other four Great Villages were suppressed by the Cloud, unable to lift their heads, and a stable pattern was forming.
A stable pattern was naturally something Madara and Black Zetsu did not want to see.
So Black Zetsu was ordered to incite chaos throughout the ninja world to weaken the Cloud. If he could provoke another full-scale war, even better.
Unexpectedly, Yotsuki Dana seemed to have considerable knowledge of Madara and Black Zetsu's intelligence. Not only did he root out Black Zetsu lurking in the Land of Lightning, but he also tracked him all the way back to their lair.
This led to the subsequent battle with Yotsuki Dana.
Honestly speaking, Madara found that battle exhilarating. He acknowledged Yotsuki Dana as a genius of this era. Unfortunately, his own body was decayed and old, relying entirely on Black Zetsu's possession to cling to life.
But that battle also made Madara realize a problem: the ninja world had produced geniuses no less talented than he and Hashirama were in their youth. Relying solely on pawns might make it difficult to complete the Eye of the Moon Plan smoothly.
If they waited for Yotsuki Dana to fully mature, both the resurrection plan and the Eye of the Moon Plan would likely face immense difficulties.
So Madara needed to take the helm personally.
Although the Edo Tensei body had many drawbacks, compared to his previous dying, decayed body underground, the Edo Tensei body at least had endless chakra and feared no injury. Moreover, due to the nature of Edo Tensei, his physical appearance was locked in his prime, full of vigor, though his strength was discounted by the jutsu.
But compared to lingering on his last breath underground, the Edo Tensei body at least allowed him to walk in the ninja world.
Most importantly, this miraculous ninjutsu actually formed a pair of Rinnegan in his eyes that shouldn't exist... [1]
When he first woke up, his sockets held only copied Sharingan, but a few breaths later, they had become Rinnegan.
Madara's real eyes should still be in Nagato's sockets. This pair was closer to a replica. One could only say Edo Tensei was truly a wondrous jutsu; even reanimated Jinchuriki could enter Tailed Beast Mode without the Tailed Beast inside them.
And the sacrifice containing Hashirama Cells strengthened this transformation.
"Some Rinnegan abilities cannot be used, but it is still far more powerful than the Sharingan or Mangekyou..."
Feeling the regained eyes—though replicas—they still possessed many powerful abilities.
Black Zetsu congratulated him, "Congratulations on your return to the living world, Madara-sama!"
Madara said expressionlessly, "Coming back this way is nothing to be happy about. Where is that brat?"
"Who?"
Madara said matter-of-factly, "Who else? Yotsuki Dana. A weak Chibaku Tensei without follow-up shouldn't be enough to kill him."
The masked figure tilted their head almost imperceptibly.
Black Zetsu smiled. "Before explaining the current situation to you, my lord, let's remove the irrelevant person."
He turned to Orochimaru. "Orochimaru-kun, thank you for keeping your promise. The transaction is complete. Shall I destroy this clone for you?"
Orochimaru, who had been ignored in the corner, had eyes shining brightly.
"Is this person the legendary Madara Uchiha...? I didn't expect Madara Uchiha to still have subordinates... and be involved with Yotsuki Dana..."
Black Zetsu said, "That is not your concern. That is outside the transaction."
Orochimaru licked his lips. "Perhaps we have other opportunities for cooperation?"
Black Zetsu thought: Hooked, as expected.
But he said, "Not now. Maybe I will find you later."
Orochimaru schooled his expression, realizing it was impossible today. He didn't pester further but said, "The Cloud-Thunder Federation has been watching me. If you want to find me, it's best not to be discovered..."
With that, Orochimaru released control. His eyes rolled back, and the body returned to its original Iwa ninja appearance, collapsing dead on the floor.
Black Zetsu turned to Madara, about to speak, but Madara raised a hand to stop him.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
Even with Madara controlling the power, the terrifying flames emitted exaggerated heat waves.
The Iwa corpse burned in the fire, quickly turning to ash. Only then did the other two notice several small snakes hiding inside the corpse, writhing in the fire before being incinerated.
It seemed Orochimaru had feigned leaving but actually left a trap to eavesdrop.
"Rat in the sewer..."
Madara turned to Black Zetsu. "What did that guy mean by 'Cloud-Thunder Federation'? When did such a thing exist in the ninja world? Does it involve the Cloud?"
Black Zetsu: "Don't be impatient, my lord. I was just about to explain..."
As time passed, people traveling from all over to observe the ceremony arrived in the Cloud one after another. Fortunately, the expanded Cloud Village had enough space to arrange accommodation; otherwise, it would have been chaotic.
It was the day before the ceremony. Everyone discovered that overnight, the roofs of buildings all over the Cloud Village were hung with small decorative flags, instantly maximizing the festive atmosphere.
Furthermore, the Cloud Village announced that tonight, all shops in the village with the capacity to do so would stay open all night until tomorrow morning. When the first sunrise of the new year appeared, the ceremony would officially begin.
This event was called the "Cloud Festival" and would be held annually from now on.
This special operation instantly ignited people's enthusiasm. The entire Cloud Village was as lively as a carnival, bustling with noise everywhere!
Besides the VIPs invited specifically for the ceremony, the Cloud also gathered a large number of spontaneous tourists. From the training grounds to the Raikage Building, from the Ninja Academy to the commercial streets, excitement could be felt everywhere.
It was a super carnival!
Dana was dragged by his mother to accompany the four ladies shopping. By noon, they had already visited most of the Cloud Village.
Ahead, his mother excitedly picked out jewelry. The shop owner clearly knew this was a big customer and brought out his best treasures.
Natsu fell back two steps, walking side by side with Dana.
"Are you happy?"
"What?" Dana paused.
Natsu puffed her cheeks, with a mix of teasing, helplessness, and ambiguous meaning.
"Surrounded by so many beauties? Would you say you've struck gold?"
Dana scratched his cheek. "How could I not...?"
Ahead, Satomi called out, "Natsu, come look at this! These cat-eye earrings suit you perfectly! And this ruby necklace matches Kayo-chan's hair color. Maki-chan, look at this!..."
Natsu rolled her eyes at Dana and ran ahead.
Watching the beautiful scenery ahead, Dana suddenly had an epiphany.
Even his mother was working so hard—accurately speaking, everyone was working hard! He couldn't be too passive!
A man should be bold! What's wrong with having thicker skin?!
I'm just reasonably and legally making a mistake every man would make!
Dana rubbed his face, mustered his courage, took a step forward, and bravely stepped into the Shuraba.
"What are you looking at? Let me help you choose?"
Then all four turned around simultaneously.
Mother: "You? Help choose? You don't even know how to pick clothes..."
Kayo: "Dana-Nii-san, I think it's better if you don't advise."
Maki: "Young Master, you can't even figure out your own daily wear; I help you with everything."
Natsu: "Go away, go away. This is a girls' activity. You just wait to pay and carry the bags at the end."
Dana instantly retreated several meters, his gathered courage dissipated.
"The Shuraba is indeed terrifying. Or did I misread the atmosphere? Actually, the front isn't as harmonious as I thought???"
While he was suspicious, he saw two people walking toward him from the end of the street. It was Fugaku Uchiha, accompanied by an unfamiliar woman.
Dana was confused. There wasn't such a person when they came from Konoha. Did old Fugaku pick someone up in the Cloud Village?
[1] Note: Edo Tensei providing Rinnegan/Tailed Beast chakra is canon/fanon logic from the War Arc where Edo Jinchuriki used V2 cloaks despite not having beasts inside them, and Madara having Rinnegan despite dying without them (he awakened them near death, but Edo Tensei restored him to prime + Rinnegan).