A few minutes later, the tremors slowly subsided.
The once-level ground had been transformed, now dominated by a massive, deep crater. Within it, rubble trembled as a nine-eyed giant burst through the earth, rose to its full height, and let out a heaven-shaking roar. The ten pillars on its back twitched wildly, as if they were coming to life.
It was the Gedo Statue.
As the husk of the Ten-Tails, it was exceptionally durable and possessed incredible vitality. The damage it had sustained from the Tailed Beast Bomb had already fully regenerated, leaving no visible signs of injury on its surface.
After its roar, the Gedo Statue lowered its head and opened its clasped hands, revealing Madara Uchiha and Tobi standing in its palm.
"Phew, that was close! I thought I was a goner! I was so scared, I almost pooped myself!" Suddenly, Tobi had a realization. "Oh wait, I don't think I can poop. Never mind then." He then looked around. "Huh? Where's White Zetsu? Don't tell me he died! That's so sad, boo-hoo-hoo..."
"..." Madara ignored him, instead looking up, his gaze meeting that of the ice clone and the chakra clone standing at the edge of the crater.
Two of them... one possesses the power of the Nine-Tails. That must be the person White Zetsu mentioned appeared in Konoha a few days ago. The energy emanating from the other one is strange, not quite like chakra. Is he the one who uses that ice jutsu? To think the ninja world still hides such individuals.
A hint of caution flickered in his mind. In his prime, he naturally wouldn't fear such enemies. But now, old and frail, with not even a tenth of his former strength, dealing with them would be extremely troublesome.
While he was lost in thought, the ice clone and the chakra clone had already appeared before him.
"So you're Madara Uchiha? Tch. And here I thought you were someone impressive. It seems seeing is not believing. It was my mistake to have such high expectations for you lesser humans," the chakra clone, standing half a step behind, jeered without reservation.
"Lesser humans?" Madara frowned, his voice low and dangerous. "Who are you? And how do you know my identity?"
"Seeing as you once awakened a sliver of the Otsutsuki's power, I will indulge you." The chakra clone announced loudly, "We are members of the noble Otsutsuki clan! Everything on this planet belongs to us, including you. Understand?"
"Otsutsuki?!" Madara was inwardly shocked, but his expression remained as placid as a calm lake. Having deciphered the stone tablet left by the Sage of Six Paths, he knew a great deal about the secrets of the ninja world from a thousand years ago. He naturally understood the significance of the name "Otsutsuki."
However...
Looking at the eyes of the two before him, he felt a deep suspicion about their claims. "You say you are of the Otsutsuki clan? Then why do you not possess the Rinnegan, which represents the supreme dojutsu?"
The chakra clone was not stumped by this simple question. He snorted coldly. "Who says the Otsutsuki clan must have the Rinnegan? Our ancestor, Kaguya Otsutsuki, did not have the Rinnegan..."
"Zeroshiki!" the ice clone snapped, an unhappy look on his face, causing the chakra clone to immediately shut his mouth.
So the one who uses the ice jutsu is the one in charge? Madara observed with a cold eye.
The ice clone lifted his chin, his voice arrogant. "Enough nonsense. Hand over your Rinnegan. Otherwise, we will let you taste true pain!"
So they came for my Rinnegan. Where did word of this leak from? Could it be some secret jutsu I'm unaware of? Madara's mind raced. But the good news is, they are not pure-blooded Otsutsuki. It might be possible to eliminate them, seize the power of the Nine-Tails, and extract intelligence from them!
Having made his decision, he acted immediately. "Tobi, get over here!"
"Ooh, ooh!" Tobi, who had been shivering in a corner, immediately scampered over. His spiral body unfurled like a scroll, revealing its empty interior, and wrapped around Madara like a suit of clothes.
With Tobi attached to him, a powerful force surged through his body, as if he had returned to his self from a decade ago.
"It seems you wish to resist. A foolish decision," the two clones said, remaining leisurely in place, waiting quietly for Madara to finish his preparations.
Madara held his Gunbai in his left hand and a large scythe in his right. The three tomoe in his left Sharingan spun rapidly as he declared, full of vigor, "If you want to take my Rinnegan, then show me what you've got!"
The chakra clone took two steps forward, confronting him with equal bravado. "Very well. I will show you who the true powerhouse is!"
From a corner, the original White Zetsu cautiously peeked out. Watching the standoff, he muttered to himself, "A powerful enemy who can face Madara... I wouldn't be much help out there. I'll just watch from here. Madara will probably forgive me."
Madara had no time to worry about White Zetsu now. He glanced at the ice clone, who stood to the side with his arms crossed, then turned back to the glowing golden chakra clone before him and sneered, "It seems I am being underestimated."
"You're just an old man. I can handle you by myself," the chakra clone said, full of confidence.
"Zeroshiki, be careful not to fail over something so simple. If you lose, I will be very disappointed," the ice clone said coldly.
"Lord Teishakuten, rest assured. Watch how I take care of him."
The words had barely left his mouth when the chakra clone transformed into a golden streak of light, instantly appearing in front of Madara. His fist, enveloped in Nine-Tails chakra, tore through the air with a sharp whistle and came crashing down.
So fast! Even with his Sharingan, Madara could only see a blur. Fortunately, his vast combat experience allowed him to block the punch with his Gunbai in the nick of time. Still, the immense power transferred from the fan sent him sliding back a great distance.
His strength is considerable as well. It seems winning with taijutsu alone will be difficult. Furthermore, the intel from White Zetsu mentioned that he can absorb ninjutsu. In that case, this is the only way.
While continuously fending off the chakra clone's attacks, Madara quickly formulated a battle plan, silently waiting for the right moment to execute it.
"What's wrong? What's wrong? Weren't you so full of yourself just now? Why so quiet all of a sudden?" The chakra clone pressed his advantage, sending Madara flying with another punch before taunting him. "Hmph. With the state you're in, do you also wish to dance before me?"
Hearing such a taunt, Madara, tumbling through the air, felt a surge of anger. As he landed, he threw two shuriken from a difficult angle.
The chakra clone chuckled and simply reached out and caught them. "Trying to use the attached wires to restrict my movement? How naive."
"You're the naive one!" Madara slammed his hands on the ground, his chakra flaring wildly.
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"