Chapter 165: Isshiki Otsutsuki's Attention
On a seemingly ordinary island off the coast of the ninja continent, nestled within a mountain that appears unremarkable from the outside but is actually a hidden sanctuary brimming with advanced technology far surpassing anything in the ninja world.
A man wearing a white monk's haori, his hair gathered atop his head with a long braid trailing down his back, and a Roman numeral IV tattooed beneath his left eye, stood on what looked like a cliff from the outside but was actually a balcony within.
He held a glass of red wine and gazed through an incredibly sophisticated barrier at the golden-yellow beam descending from the sky.
He couldn't help but sigh, "A millennium has passed, and yet, one of Kaguya's descendants can awaken the Tenseigan without even consuming pills, solely through their bloodline. What an excellent reversion to ancestry!"
This man was Isshiki Otsutsuki, who had arrived on Earth with Kaguya Otsutsuki in ancient times to cultivate the Divine Tree. However, during the sacrificial stage, he was betrayed by Kaguya, who was meant to be the guardian, and nearly died by the mouth of the Ten-Tails.
Now, he occupies the body of a monk named Jigen.
Isshiki Otsutsuki's eyes suddenly turned sinister again as he murmured, "The Gedo Mazo, the Rinnegan, the Tenseigan, Wood Release infused with the Divine Tree's properties... all these things have reappeared in this era. It seems that Kaguya and her two sons have made contingency plans; they are indeed not dead."
"Hmph, if I hadn't yet cultivated a second vessel, and if this body couldn't withstand my power—forcing a transfer would drastically shorten my lifespan—I would surely make that woman Kaguya pay!"
After speaking coldly, Isshiki Otsutsuki seemed to recall something. He gazed at the night sky, watching the beam retract and slice off a third of the moon, his eyes filled with fervent desire and regret.
Those capable of independently evolving the Rinnegan and Tenseigan, the two ultimate dōjutsu, whether Uchiha Madara or 'Otsutsuki Toneri,' were actually the most suitable 'vessels' for his reincarnation.
Unfortunately, it was highly probable that they were contingency plans of Kaguya Otsutsuki and her two sons.
They likely bore marks similar to 'Karma.'
If he were to target them, Kaguya Otsutsuki might discover he wasn't dead even before his reincarnation succeeded.
Her two sons might also discover his existence.
The means by which even Kaguya Otsutsuki could be sealed were something Isshiki Otsutsuki greatly feared.
Moreover, Isshiki Otsutsuki was unsure if the mother-son rift was a trap set for him.
For the grand plan of replanting the Divine Tree and harvesting its fruit, Isshiki Otsutsuki could not act rashly.
He had endured for a thousand years; enduring for a bit longer was not an issue.
"The Divine Tree bears fruit once every millennium. So much time has passed since that woman Kaguya stole the fruit. The higher-ups should have noticed something is amiss, and perhaps clan members are already en route to this planet."
"Before they arrive, I must cultivate a vessel that can fully withstand my power. Otherwise, if they discover me and a second Ten-Tails, they might threaten to demote me."
Downing the red wine in his hand, Isshiki Otsutsuki thought to himself, "Keep causing trouble; your time is running out."
On a plain somewhere in the ninja world, a bottomless crater was formed.
Wisps of high-temperature steam floated out of the crater.
Still clad in a layer of blue armor, Uchiha Madara lay at the bottom of the pit, staring blankly at the moon, which had a third of it sliced off. He murmured, "A single strike... that blasted me from the moon back to Earth. Is this the power of the Tenseigan? No wonder he always looked down on my Rinnegan..."
Thanks to the absorption of the Preta Path, the absolute defense of Susanoo, and the timely cooldown completion of Limbo: Border Jail, Uchiha Madara, having plummeted from the moon to Earth, did not die.
With four shadow clones helping to dissipate the force, the impact of Susanoo hitting the ground only caused Madara to cough up blood and feel his internal organs violently churn.
However, as long as he didn't die on the spot, with his transplanted Hashirama cells and White Zetsu cells, his injuries would quickly heal.
Physical injury was a minor matter.
What truly wounded Uchiha Madara most severely was his inner self.
Izayoi's single strike, which spanned from the moon to Earth, shattered Uchiha Madara's pride and his dreams.
If the Infinite Tsukuyomi truly was a ninjutsu to create White Zetsu, then his dream of severing karma was nothing but a grand joke.
And his power was insufficient to kill 'Otsutsuki Toneri' and save the future of the ninja world.
He could be neither a savior who creates a beautiful, peaceful world nor one who slays a god to save humanity.
Uchiha Madara was now lost in confusion, unsure what to do next.
Should he continue to fight Otsutsuki Toneri?
As he was now, he simply lacked the power to kill Otsutsuki Toneri. He had even been blasted from the moon back to Earth by a single attack; continuing would only bring further humiliation.
The Three-Tails had not yet been revived, so Uchiha Madara couldn't confirm the truth about the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Moreover, he didn't know when the Three-Tails would revive, and during this time, Otsutsuki Toneri could destroy this world at any moment.
With Limbo and Perfect Susanoo being countered, and his chakra absorption inferior to his opponent's, could he truly stop him?
"Madara-sama..."
Uchiha Madara didn't know how long he had lain at the bottom of the pit until a familiar voice reached his ears, bringing him back to his senses.
Looking at the Black and White Zetsu, who had used the Mayfly Jutsu to find him and only revealed their upper bodies, Uchiha Madara stared at Black Zetsu, whose eyes were brown but the rest of him was entirely black, and suddenly spoke faintly, "Otsutsuki... Black Zetsu."
"..."
Although his body was a product of Yin-Yang Release, lacking a heart and theoretically human organs, Black Zetsu still felt as if his breath had stopped, and his heart had ceased beating.
Forcing down the horror in his heart and preventing his voice from trembling, Black Zetsu feigned confusion. "Madara-sama, isn't the Otsutsuki clan Otsutsuki Toneri's family? Why do you call me that?"
Staring at Black Zetsu's quick reaction and seemingly genuine look of confusion, Uchiha Madara didn't explain. Instead, he slowly asked, "Black Zetsu, would you betray me?"
"I am Madara-sama's will, a creation of yours. How could I possibly betray you!" Black Zetsu quickly replied, his heart filled with dread and... fear.
What's going on?
Why does Uchiha Madara know I'm called Otsutsuki Black Zetsu?
What did Otsutsuki Toneri tell him?
Could it be that that bastard Hamura discovered my existence long ago?
Besides those rebellious sons, Hagoromo and Hamura, their descendants shouldn't have been able to detect me.
Since they all discovered me, then why didn't they eliminate me?
Why did they let me go?
Are they trying to use me?
Countless questions flooded his mind, but Black Zetsu had no time to ponder them seriously.
Because now, dispelling Uchiha Madara's suspicion was paramount.
So, Black Zetsu indignantly said, "Madara-sama, did Otsutsuki Toneri say something to you? He's trying to sow discord between us."
"Hmm, I think so too."
Uchiha Madara dispelled his Susanoo armor and stood up, looking up at the moon in the sky. He turned to Black Zetsu and chuckled, "After all, you are the embodiment of my will. Wouldn't I know if you were my creation?"
"I underestimated the youngsters of this era too much. I lost this battle," Madara sighed slightly, then his eyes grew firm. "However, both the Rinnegan and Tenseigan are Sage eyes; there can't be a higher or lower rank among them, only differing degrees of development. The fact that I couldn't beat him means I'm not strong enough yet, and I still have potential to become stronger."
"Let's go. We'll return and build up our strength."
After saying this, Uchiha Madara floated into the air.
Black and White Zetsu quickly used the Mayfly Jutsu to sink into the ground.
When Uchiha Madara returned to the plain and began moving by walking, Black and White Zetsu reappeared.
Black Zetsu feigned curiosity, "Madara-sama, have you seen any members of the Otsutsuki clan on the moon? What do they look like? Are they also like humans from the ninja world?"
"I haven't seen any members of the Otsutsuki clan. They might have already migrated elsewhere, or perhaps only Otsutsuki Toneri remains of the Otsutsuki clan," Uchiha Madara turned to Black Zetsu and said, "Also... Otsutsuki Toneri's appearance is different from the information you conveyed to me."
"How is it different?" Black Zetsu quickly asked.
Looking at Black Zetsu, who was incredibly curious, even with a trace of urgency in his tone, Uchiha Madara chuckled, "He claims to be a pure-blooded Otsutsuki, and his Tenseigan has already completed its final evolution. And he's different from humans in the ninja world because... he has horns."
"Someone with horns, how incredible," Black Zetsu immediately exclaimed, his mood sinking once again.
Horns!
Does that mean Otsutsuki Toneri's reversion to ancestry has reached the level of that bastard Hamura?
Could it be that Hamura left behind a secret technique that allows clan members to strip each other's bloodlines to purify their own?
Otherwise, why is Otsutsuki Toneri the only one on the moon?
Or perhaps... that Hamura, during his time on the moon, became a deranged fanatic, using unknown methods to seize the bodies of his descendants and achieve an alternative form of immortality?
Thinking of this, Black Zetsu felt a chill.
If that were the case, that bastard Hamura might be even more terrifying than that rebellious son Hagoromo!
No, I must send some White Zetsu clones to infiltrate the moon and gather more detailed intelligence.
Watching Black Zetsu, who was more talkative than usual and didn't directly possess him to communicate, Uchiha Madara averted his gaze.
He neither fully believed Izayoi's words nor did he entirely trust and fear Black Zetsu.
Regardless of whether Izayoi's words were true or false, Black Zetsu was no longer someone he could fully trust.
Because Uchiha Madara realized something very terrifying.
That was... his Yin-Yang Release mastery couldn't reach Izayoi's level.
Those black orbs contained components of Yin-Yang Release. Since Izayoi could create various substances and natural disasters, then he, who could create Black Zetsu with Yin-Yang Release, should logically be able to do the same.
In fact, his Yin-Yang Release should be even more advanced than Izayoi's.
After all, his Yin-Yang Release could even create living beings.
But apart from creating Black Zetsu, Uchiha Madara's Yin-Yang Release capabilities were very limited, only able to produce black receivers.
Let alone spontaneously creating various substances, he couldn't even conjure natural disasters similar to the five elemental releases.
Recalling the scene he saw in the genjutsu world, where Black Zetsu first infiltrated the Gedo Mazo's body and then seeped into his own body through a tube, Madara's heart sank.
Yin-Yang Release... spiritual possession!
Assuming Black Zetsu truly was Kaguya Otsutsuki's third child, then his belief that Black Zetsu was his own will might be due to this ability.
"The Divine Tree, Chakra Fruit, Kaguya Otsutsuki, Goddess of the Rabbit Hair, Sage of Six Paths, Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki, Infinite Tsukuyomi..." Madara couldn't help but murmur to himself, organizing these ancient secrets and figures.
"As long as a person truly exists, they will leave a trace. Even after a thousand years, they cannot be forgotten by this world, especially the high and mighty gods."
After a final glance at the cracked moon in the sky, Uchiha Madara refocused on his goal, thinking, "Whether it's true or false, I must personally confirm it. I will absolutely not let you destroy the ninja world. This world... I will protect it!"
Blue Yin Release chakra surged forth, and Uchiha Madara activated his Perfect Susanoo, soaring into the sky and flying away from the plain.
Watching Uchiha Madara's departing figure, Black and White Zetsu also sank into the ground.
However, before his head completely submerged, a sinister glint flashed in Black Zetsu's eyes.
He knew that Uchiha Madara was already suspicious of him, or at least no longer trusted him.
The unknown individual on the moon must have told Uchiha Madara many secrets or shown him many things.
The reason he hadn't attacked him directly was likely because Madara hadn't fully believed his opponent and was still confident in himself.
Thinking of this, Black Zetsu felt frustrated and fearful.
A millennium of planning, just one piece of the puzzle—the Three-Tails—left to rescue his mother, and yet he stumbled at the final moment.
At this moment, Black Zetsu wished he could tear Uchiha Obito to shreds.
If not for him accidentally killing the Three-Tails, the day Uchiha Madara was revived would have been the day the Infinite Tsukuyomi was cast.
None of these unforeseen circumstances would have occurred!
But thankfully, they all didn't know that his existence was the key to reviving his mother.
After decades of planning, Uchiha Madara would absolutely not abandon becoming the Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki and casting the Infinite Tsukuyomi just because of an enemy's words or some secrets he had seen.
As long as he casts the Infinite Tsukuyomi, Black Zetsu still had hope of reviving his mother.
However, at that point, it would become very difficult to harm Uchiha Madara.
The moment he becomes the Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki, he might even test his new powers on Black Zetsu.
In response, Black Zetsu sneered in his heart, "You people who stole Mother's power simply don't understand how incredibly powerful the Goddess of the Rabbit Hair's abilities truly are!"
Isshiki Otsutsuki's attention was unknown to Izayoi.
However, the conversation between Uchiha Madara and Black and White Zetsu was witnessed by Izayoi's Wood Clone.
Although he couldn't understand their dialogue, by observing their micro-expressions, Izayoi could already piece together what happened.
Real-time transmission of information to his main body, both the Wood Clone and Izayoi himself were in a very pleasant mood.
Among them, Izayoi's main body was even more delighted.
Because that ultimate strike, from the moon to Earth... had yielded results!
.....
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