Meanwhile, the White Zetsu who had been guiding Isamu around the base was drooling over the food on the stone table, completely unaware that Uchiha Madara was watching him.
Judging by that goofy expression, it clearly wasn't him talking behind his back… so what exactly was going on with Isamu?
Unable to figure it out, Madara said nothing further. He calmly picked up his chopsticks and took a bite.
The moment the food entered his mouth, his expression twisted.
Seeing this, Isamu nodded inwardly.
As expected.
So this is fatherly love—poisoning your own son.
Just as he was about to snap at Madara, the next moment completely stunned him.
Madara suddenly spat the food out and grabbed the main body of White Zetsu by the collar, roaring:
"Zetsu! You made this? This is absolutely disgusting! Are you trying to kill me?!"
White Zetsu looked completely innocent.
"Lord Madara, that's not fair. I told you I can't cook—you insisted I do it. Now you're blaming me for it tasting bad?"
"You bastard, you dare talk back?" Madara snapped. "I told you to make something edible. Have you even tasted this? Is this fit for human consumption?!"
"How is it not edible? Look—my clone loves it," White Zetsu replied, pointing ahead.
Madara followed his finger—
And saw the same White Zetsu who had guided Isamu absolutely stuffing his face, devouring the food like a starving beast.
"Mmm! Isamu, hurry up and eat!" it said between bites. "This family dinner is great! Lord Madara just doesn't know how to appreciate it!"
"…You eat it yourself. No one's taking it from you," Isamu said, his mouth twitching.
He had already tried it.
It was terrible.
So I misjudged him earlier…
Isamu looked at Madara and White Zetsu, speechless.
"I have to ask—do you people even eat? How did you manage to make something this bad?"
Madara stiffened slightly, clearly embarrassed.
He shot a look at White Zetsu.
Understanding instantly, the main body forced a smile.
"Hehe… Isamu, don't mind it. Lord Madara gets his energy from the Gedo Statue, so he doesn't need to eat. And we White Zetsu absorb natural energy, so we don't eat either… so, you know…"
Isamu's expression twitched again.
Know what?
So I'm the only normal one here?
He rolled his eyes.
"Where's the kitchen? Take me there. I'll cook myself."
"No problem! It's in a nearby cave," White Zetsu said, immediately leading the way.
Watching Isamu leave, Madara finally let out a quiet sigh.
He had wanted to impress his son… but failed instantly.
A complete miscalculation.
This is all Zetsu's fault.
Meanwhile, White Zetsu happily led Isamu to the "kitchen."
"This is where I cook. Not bad, right?"
Isamu stared at the chaotic mess in front of him.
Not bad?
If someone told him this was a pigsty, he'd believe it.
"…You're something else," Isamu said, giving him a thumbs up.
White Zetsu immediately puffed up with pride.
"Of course! I am Lord Zetsu—the God of Cooking! My food is loved by thousands of White Zetsu. It's just that Lord Madara doesn't understand good taste. Want me to teach you?"
"…Yeah, that won't be necessary."
Isamu sighed.
He really thought that was a compliment…
"Just help me prep."
"No problem. Let me see what you've got."
Ignoring him, Isamu started cooking.
Soon, under his smooth and practiced movements, dish after dish was completed—each one fragrant and visually perfect.
He picked up a piece of meat and tasted it.
"Hmm… not bad. Still got it."
White Zetsu grabbed a piece too and chewed thoughtfully.
"…It tastes the same as before."
Isamu rolled his eyes again.
"That just proves your sense of taste is completely different from humans. Stop talking and move the food—I'm starving."
"Aren't you using a White Zetsu body? How are you still hungry?"
The moment he said that, Isamu shot him a sharp glare.
"…Alright, alright, I'll stop talking."
Soon, with several White Zetsu helping, all the food was brought out.
Looking at the table full of properly cooked dishes, Madara finally took a bite.
He nodded.
"Not bad… I didn't expect you to be this skilled."
"Heh. If I didn't know how to cook, I would've starved to death in Konoha. I'm not like you—I can't just live without eating," Isamu replied while eating.
Madara's expression darkened slightly as he remembered Isamu's past.
"Damn Tobirama Senju… taking everything I left for you. If I see him again, I'll make him regret it."
"Enough. What's the point of saying that now?" Isamu said flatly. "It's all in the past."
Madara paused, then changed the subject.
"When you fought before, I clearly sensed that you had already destroyed the Five Great Nations. Why did you restore everything instead of wiping them out completely?"
Isamu didn't even hesitate.
"They were just civilians—there was no need to kill them."
He continued calmly:
"And my goal had already been achieved. Once that was done, they didn't matter anymore."
A faint, indifferent smile appeared on his face.
"Besides… letting them continue fighting each other is far more interesting, isn't it?"