He had become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki and possessed the power of the Divine Tree, yet he had always viewed himself as the "master" and "user" of that power, and the Divine Tree as a "tool."
He had never thought, or perhaps disdained to think, about achieving a deeper fusion with this source of chakra.
The Divine Tree itself, as the origin of chakra, held mysteries and potential that might... perhaps offer a slim chance of survival?
Was this call the Divine Tree's instinctive attraction to its "Jinchuriki" while on the brink of destruction?
Or was it sensing Madara's despair and proactively extending a branch of "symbiosis"?
There was no time to hesitate!
Takuno's terrifying, tangible pressure still loomed over the entire battlefield, ready to deliver the final blow at any moment.
This was the sole and final struggle in a desperate situation!
"Heh... hehehe..."
Madara let out a low, crazed laugh, the last trace of loneliness in his eyes replaced by a suicidal determination.
He no longer resisted the call; instead, he proactively opened his broken body and collapsing spirit.
He no longer tried to "drive" it, but chose to "merge."
Using the last of his strength, he lunged toward the core of the Divine Tree!
At the moment of contact, there was no earth-shattering explosion, only a strange silence, as if two things were perfectly blending together.
The flowing luminescence of the Divine Tree quickly wrapped around Madara's body, surging frantically into his mangled wounds.
Madara's body trembled violently, letting out an inhuman roar of pain, but more than that, it was an indescribable, strange sensation, as if returning to the womb.
His shattered bones began to forcefully knit and reshape under the Divine Tree's life energy, and his parched chakra filled up rapidly as if being injected into a vast ocean, even surpassing his previous peak as the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki!
The wooden texture of the Divine Tree began to spread across the surface of his skin, and his Rinnegan erupted with an unprecedentedly brilliant light, the depths of his pupils seemingly reflecting the internal pathways of the Divine Tree.
Amidst the dust, a brand-new existence, formed from the essential fusion of "Uchiha Madara" and the "Divine Tree," was slowly being born through pain and transformation.
The aura it emitted was no longer just the Six Paths Power.
It was a more ancient fluctuation of power, yet it contained Madara's indelible, paranoid, and crazed will.
Was this fusion a desperate struggle or the beginning of a rebirth?
Takuno hovered in mid-air, calmly watching the dust-filled crater below.
The thick dust, enough to obscure the entire battlefield, was non-existent in his eyes.
Every subtle movement of Madara, every flow of chakra...
Even the sudden realization of the Divine Tree's call and the subsequent resolve born from desperation were clearly reflected in Takuno's perception.
Madara struggled to climb out of the meteorite crater, his Sage of Six Paths Robe in tatters and blood still wet at the corner of his mouth, but a nearly insane, paranoid light burned in his Rinnegan.
He lunged toward the core area of the Divine Tree's massive trunk, his movements carrying a tragic, all-or-nothing quality.
The Divine Tree also proactively moved toward Madara, instantly enveloping him.
Takuno watched this scene without a single flicker in his eyes.
It wasn't that he couldn't stop it; with the absolute power he had shown, whether using the Tenseigan to manipulate gravity and pull him away or using more violent Taijutsu to instantly destroy the Divine Tree's core, it would have been easy.
But he didn't move.
Not a single intent to obstruct arose.
Because the complete fusion of Madara and the Divine Tree was a necessary step.
Takuno's gaze pierced through the tough bark of the Divine Tree, clearly "seeing" the upheaval occurring within.
The Divine Tree's vast and ancient life energy and chakra were like the greediest of vines, frantically pouring into Madara's broken body.
Under the wash of the Divine Tree's energy, Madara's own chakra was undergoing an essential transformation and sublimation.
This was not a simple stacking of power, but a deeper fusion and evolution of life form.
Madara was transforming from the "Ten-Tails Jinchuriki" into something closer to the Divine Tree itself.
This process was an indispensable key link in Takuno's grand plan.
He needed Madara to complete this step; he needed this "vessel" to carry and catalyze the deeper power of the Divine Tree.
He needed this "variable" to push the fate of the entire Shinobi World toward the critical point he had long foreseen, or rather, long established.
In Takuno's eyes, everything was crystal clear and advancing irreversibly along the trajectory he had permitted.
He hovered quietly, like a patient chess player waiting for the most crucial piece on the board to complete its final transformation.
Madara now hovered in mid-air.
The life-threatening injuries inflicted by Takuno had vanished without a trace; although the tears in his Sage of Six Paths Robe hadn't mended, his exposed skin was as smooth as new, as if the heavy damage from the shattered Truth-Seeking Orbs and the rock bombardment had never happened.
Not only that, but a power far exceeding his peak was surging within him, fully awakened.
So this was the power the Divine Tree, or rather the Ten-Tails, was truly meant to possess!
Madara's mind cleared instantly, and an unprecedented sense of enlightenment and control arose within him.
Previously, he had merely sealed the Ten-Tails within himself to become its vessel, only able to call upon a portion of its massive power, as if operating through a thick curtain.
But now, he had absorbed and merged with the Divine Tree, becoming one with the oldest and most fundamental source of life and energy in the world.
His life form had undergone an essential leap; he was no longer a "user," but had become an extension of the Divine Tree's will, the manifestation of its power in the physical world.
This was the final form of the Ten-Tails' power, a perfect state capable of fully unleashing its world-destroying might.
He looked down at his hands; the Nine-Tomoe Rinnegan on his forehead shone with unprecedented brilliance, the ancient will within it blending perfectly with Madara's own paranoia, emitting a heart-stopping pressure.
Finally, Madara's gaze pierced through the dust, locking onto Takuno, who was hovering in the air.
The other man's Six-Tomoe Rinnegan and blue Tenseigan remained calm and undisturbed, as if Madara's shocking recovery and surge in power were merely a step expected in the process.
Takuno didn't even show a hint of surprise or caution; that absolute sense of control cast a shadow over the euphoria Madara felt from his sudden power surge.
But at this moment, the seemingly infinite power filling his body gave him unprecedented confidence.
The power of the Divine Tree roared through him; he felt as if he were the embodiment of power itself.
"Heh heh heh..."
A low laugh spilled from Madara's throat, gradually evolving into a wild, unrestrained laughter that shook the silent battlefield.
"Collector!"
Madara's voice carried unprecedented power and penetration.
He spread his arms, feeling the vast energy surging within him—far beyond what he felt when merging with the Ten-Tails—an eternal power deeply connected to the Divine Tree.
"I thank you! I thank you from the bottom of my heart!" Madara's voice was filled with a twisted sincerity.
"If you hadn't pushed me into that absolute, near-death situation... if you hadn't used that logic-defying punch to shatter my proud Truth-Seeking Orbs and blast me into this abyss like an ant..."
Madara slowly clenched his fist, feeling the nearly infinite vitality flowing through his flesh and bone.
"I wouldn't have been truly accepted by the Divine Tree, nor would I have obtained this... this power that reigns supreme over all!"
"Do you see? This is the true immortal body! An extension of the Divine Tree's will!"
"No matter how severe the injury, even if I am crushed to pieces..."
Madara's gaze became extremely fanatical.
"This body can instantly recover to its original state! It will carry my will and wield this power capable of reshaping the world! The radiance of the Eye of the Moon will face no more obstacles!"
Madara looked at Takuno, his gratitude mixed with recognition of a powerful opponent.
"Collector, your 'experiment' has opened the gates to a true divine throne for me!
This 'kindness'... I will be in the eternal dream of Infinite Tsukuyomi. We'll reserve a special seat for you! Ha ha ha ha!"
Takuno looked at the laughing Madara, raised an eyebrow, and said, "I don't recall Uchiha Madara being someone who only uses his mouth."
Saying this, he also began to laugh.
"Heh, admit it. Even though you've gained even greater power once again, you are still wary, still fearing my power."
"You're worried that the power you've obtained will be crushed by me again. You're worried that your entire life is just a joke."
Instantly, Madara's wild laughter stopped abruptly, like a beast being choked.
Takuno's words pierced through his newly inflated, hollow shell.
The suppressed fear stemming from the other's unfathomable strength instantly turned into a fire of shame and rage that burned away his reason.
"Shut up!"
Madara's roar carried the resonance of the Divine Tree, vibrating throughout the battlefield shrouded in blood-colored moonlight.
He launched an attack on Takuno with a touch of madness.
This scene was undoubtedly the cruelest proof of Takuno's words.
Even after gaining unprecedented power fused with the Divine Tree's will, even with a near-immortal body, Madara still didn't have the slightest certainty of a stable victory over Takuno.
The other's mystery and strength were like a bottomless abyss, still making him feel a fatal threat.
This reckless, frantic attack was less about eliminating an enemy and more about Madara using the most extreme method to try and dispel the lingering shadow in his heart.
He needed to use this violent torrent of energy to prove to himself that he was the one in control of everything.
However, this madness itself precisely exposed the deep-seated instability and helplessness in his heart.
Takuno looked at Madara somewhat mockingly. After being suppressed by Taijutsu and heavily injured by an ocular technique...
The other man seemed to have no intention of getting close to him again, instead using various Six Paths Techniques and Ninjutsu to launch attacks at him.
His eyes calmly reflected the sky full of incoming destructive energy.
Facing the violent attacks poured out by Madara—various Ninjutsu and Six Paths Techniques coming one after another—these were all powers capable of instantly killing someone at the Super Kage level.
But Takuno didn't even raise a finger as he watched these attacks, and the Truth-Seeking Orbs behind him had no intention of defending.
"Boom!!!"
A deafening explosion roared.
In the distance, Hashirama and Tobirama struggled to steady themselves amidst the violent tremors, looking toward the core of the explosion in horror.
Dust and energy turbulence obscured their vision, but their perception clearly captured a figure that remained motionless.
The dust slowly cleared, and Takuno's figure reappeared.
He was still suspended in the same spot, not even the corner of his clothes having fluttered in the slightest.
Those Six Paths Techniques and Ninjutsu, capable of annihilating Super Kage-level experts, failed to leave even a ripple on him, as if illusory light and shadows had brushed against an indestructible rock.
His gaze pierced through the thinning smoke, accurately locking onto the frozen expression of Madara in the distance, a nearly imperceptible curve forming at the corner of his mouth.
"Is this the limit of what you can achieve after merging with the Divine Tree, Madara?"
Takuno's voice carried a penetrating quality, echoing clearly across the silent battlefield.
"The 'immortal power' obtained by relying on external objects ultimately cannot hide the cowardice in your heart."
"You don't even dare to let this 'immortal body' come within half a step of me anymore, only able to use these..."
"Flashy fireworks to mask the trembling in the depths of your soul."
Madara's face instantly became incredibly unsightly.
Takuno's words were like the sharpest blades, accurately dissecting the fear he had forcefully covered with rage.
"Shut up!"
Madara's roar echoed at the bottom of the meteorite crater.
At this moment, he was also extremely puzzled—why did none of the attacks have any effect?
After merging with the Divine Tree, he stood at the apex of the Ninjutsu system; ordinary Ninjutsu would collapse upon contact, and only Six Paths Techniques could harm him.
But this Collector before him...
The flames of the Majestic Destroyer Flame silently extinguished at the edge of his clothes;
The Purple Lightning of Sage Art: Yin Release Lightning Dispatch slid away like a stream around a rock;
This was by no means defense or neutralization, but complete "nullification"!
"Impossible..." Madara stared intently at Takuno, who hovered in the air without even his robes being ruffled.
"The Divine Tree is the origin of chakra! My body is the perfect 'vessel'! You cannot possibly have a stronger constitution than I do now!"
Takuno looked at the shocked and puzzled Madara and let out a laugh.
In terms of their current physical limits, he was indeed inferior to Madara. He could indeed be immune to ordinary Ninjutsu, but he was not immune to the Six Paths Technique.
In fact, Madara's attacks just now had injured him, but those injuries were healed in the blink of an eye for him.
And the reason for all this was, naturally, the Sealing Jutsu he had researched.
The absolute Sealing Jutsu that merged the Six Paths Technique, Dark Release, and the Rinnegan's Blocking Technique Absorption Seal, which he had inscribed upon his body.
Although even this Sealing Jutsu, which combined so many top-tier powers, could not completely defend against Six Paths-level techniques, the current Madara's techniques could injure him, but they were completely unable to deal a heavy blow!
One could even say that even if Takuno stood there and let the other party attack, the current Madara had no way to kill him.