Was it really fun to watch shinobi fight each other?
Although Uchiha Madara didn't agree with that idea, he chose not to argue. His son was already grown and had his own way of thinking. Saying anything now wouldn't change that.
Instead, he asked a question that had been bothering him for a long time.
"From your past actions, it's clear you knew I was still alive long ago. How exactly did you find out?"
Isamu didn't answer. Instead, he shot back with a question.
"Do you really wish you were already dead?"
Madara froze.
"…."
If he had the choice, who would willingly choose death? He still had too many things left unfinished.
Seeing that Isamu clearly didn't want to answer, Madara changed the topic.
"You were able to guess my plan. That means you must have seen the clan's stone tablet, right?"
At those words, the hidden Black Zetsu immediately became alert.
He had no interest in their father-son conversation—but the stone tablet was different.
If Isamu had also read the altered tablet… maybe he could be used.
Unfortunately, Isamu's next sentence shattered that idea completely.
"Heh. I have no interest in that boring thing. Even if I read it, I wouldn't care. I think for myself. You really believe a broken stone tablet could change my mind? That's naive."
His gaze casually flicked toward Madara's body.
"Trying to manipulate me? You'll have to wait another few tens of thousands of years."
Madara frowned, confused.
"What manipulation? What are you talking about?"
He didn't understand—but Black Zetsu did.
Damn it… those words were directed at me.
For a moment, he felt exposed.
But then he calmed down.
No… this brat is bluffing. He's testing me.
I almost fell for it.
Seeing no reaction, Isamu smiled faintly to himself.
You're patient, Black Zetsu. Fine… we'll take this slowly.
He waved his hand casually.
"Just assume I read the tablet and figured things out."
Madara's mouth twitched.
What kind of answer is that?
But he let it go.
Instead, he asked what he truly cared about:
"You awakened the Rinnegan and obtained a Tailed Beast. When those two powers combined… did anything change?"
Isamu raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't you send White Zetsu to observe the battle? Didn't he report everything to you?"
Madara looked slightly embarrassed.
"I withdrew him early. When I saw you awaken the Rinnegan, I assumed the battle was already decided."
"…I see."
So that was it.
He hadn't witnessed the most important part.
Good.
That made things easier.
Isamu waved his hand.
"There wasn't much change… well, not exactly. The powers can combine—but I failed to fully fuse them. It feels like something is missing… some kind of medium."
He spoke calmly, slipping seamlessly into deception.
If he told the truth—that he had already obtained Six Paths power—Madara might lose his drive entirely.
And if Madara stopped acting…
Things would get boring.
Better to leave him chasing hope.
Madara fell into deep thought.
Looking at Isamu, he couldn't detect any lies.
And during their earlier fight, Isamu hadn't displayed overwhelming power.
So it seemed true—he hadn't fully succeeded.
The missing piece must be the Gedo Statue…
Without it, the Tailed Beasts couldn't be unified.
Madara glanced at the statue behind him, then back at Isamu.
An idea formed instantly.
"Since you couldn't complete the fusion… why not give me your Tailed Beast?"
His eyes sharpened.
"I also possess the Rinnegan. Perhaps I can achieve what you couldn't."
Isamu stared at him.
Then sighed.
This old man really knows how to dream…
"Nice idea," he said flatly. "But you're a bit too late."
Madara's expression darkened.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm not refusing," Isamu replied calmly. "I simply can't."
He continued:
"During the final battle, I used my Rinnegan's ability and drained all of the Tailed Beast's Chakra. It'll take decades to recover."
"And now…"
"I've already become its vessel—a Jinchūriki."
He looked directly at Madara.
"If it weren't for the Tailed Beast sustaining me, I'd already be dead."
A pause.
Then—
"If you take it… I die."
His voice turned colder.
"So tell me—"
"Do you want my life?"
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