Black Zetsu, still controlling Nagato's body, walked steadily toward Uchiha Madara.
Though Madara's eyes remained closed, he seemed able to sense Nagato's location.
As Nagato approached, Madara raised his hand—
And snatched both blood-soaked Rinnegan from him with a single motion.
Without hesitation, he slotted them naturally into his empty sockets.
The Rinnegan had returned…
To their true master.
As Madara's eyes opened, the surge of ocular power was far beyond anything Nagato could produce.
Now useless without his eyes, Nagato had no further value.
Black Zetsu quietly retreated from his body, returning to his goo-like "Little Zetsu" form.
Nagato's vision went black—
His body collapsed like a deflated puppet.
Madara clenched his fists—
Savoring the surge of power coursing through him.
For over a decade before his death, he had relied on the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to survive.
His aging, frail body had suffocated the dancer's heart in him.
Now, back in his prime, even he couldn't help but laugh aloud.
"Hahaha! Hashiramaaa—
In the end, it was still me who won!"
The only regret?
This shinobi world… likely wouldn't produce another opponent like Hashirama,
someone who could ignite such excitement in him again.
Just then, Black Zetsu appeared at Madara's side and said in his raspy voice:
"Madara… be careful of that kid in front of you.
Obito, Nagato—they were no match for him."
Madara, still caught in his triumphant mood, finally turned to face Naruto.
The chakra-cloaked form of Naruto in Tenseigan Chakra Mode made Madara raise an eyebrow.
Surprising, yes. But not by much.
To awaken into this new world and immediately find such a "fun little brat"—
That pleased him.
His booming laughter faded into a smirk.
"Oh? You're saying… I should be careful of a brat who hasn't even finished growing hair yet?"
He glanced at Zetsu.
"Zetsu, have you lost your nerve during my slumber?"
Zetsu's inky-black face revealed no expression:
"You're wrong. That kid's the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails. His growth is beyond all reason. Something's off."
"Enough!" Madara snapped.
"I don't want to hear any more cowardly talk like that!"
He didn't even spare Zetsu a glance after that.
To see something born of his will acting so spineless—was frustrating.
"The Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, huh?"
Now that caught his interest.
Combined with those mysterious eyes of Naruto's…
Madara couldn't ignore it.
Just then, Kurama's voice rang out in the seal space, filled with caution:
"Naruto! That guy—he's the real Uchiha Madara.
He's strong. Really strong. Don't get careless!"
The moment Madara was revived, Kurama couldn't help but recall the trauma of being controlled by him.
And back then, Madara hadn't even awakened the Rinnegan.
Even without Kurama's warning, Naruto knew this fight wouldn't be easy.
But at the same time, he was already familiar with Madara's power set.
Madara raised one leg and stepped onto a rock,
Resting his arm casually on his knee, his long hair fluttering in the wind.
He grinned broadly.
"Brat! Do you want to dance too?"
"Fire Release: Majestic Destroyer Flame!"
With several rapid hand seals,
Madara unleashed a tidal wave of flame—
A sea of fire roaring toward Naruto.
Even from dozens of meters away, the heat was intense.
Naruto slowly raised his hand—
And casually used Almighty Push to disperse the flames with ease.
"Not bad," Madara chuckled.
"Looks like the shinobi world hasn't stagnated after all."
"Kid, where did you get those eyes?"
With his vast battle experience, Madara could instantly recognize that Naruto's Tenseigan held tremendous power.
That Almighty Push just now rivaled even his own Rinnegan.
"If I told you…" Naruto replied,
"Would you stand still and let me kill you?"
Madara's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Hah… Brave words.
Shame you were born in the wrong era.
You would've made a fine underling."
After their brief exchange, Madara realized—
Naruto's talent and attitude were to his liking.
But now?
He didn't need anyone.
He alone would sweep the entire world!
"Limbo!"
Madara's Rinnegan flared.
From nowhere, a hidden Madara launched a flying kick toward Naruto.
This was Madara's exclusive ocular technique—
Limbo: Border Jail.
It allowed him to summon an invisible clone—
One undetectable to normal eyes or sensory jutsu.
It had the same strength as the user and could be placed anywhere.
A technique so deceptive, even Naruto and Sasuke with Six Paths power had struggled to counter it.
But now—
Under the vision of Transparent World and the Tenseigan's hyper perception—
Naruto could clearly see the approaching clone.
Limbo Madara moved fast.
The flying kick was already close.
Naruto could see the sole of Madara's foot growing larger.
"It's over," Madara thought with a hint of disappointment.
He hadn't even had fun yet.
Only Hashirama could ever satisfy him…
But in the next instant—
Madara's Rinnegan shuddered in shock.
Naruto tilted his head slightly—
And perfectly dodged the Limbo clone's kick!
And it wasn't over.
He reached out—
Grabbed the clone's ankle—
And with a mighty swing,
hurled the invisible Madara straight back at the original.
Madara, of course, could see his own clone.
He shifted to the side to dodge.
Then looked back up—
This time, a flicker of genuine shock in his eyes.
To dodge that Limbo strike with such perfect timing…
And even grab and counterthrow the invisible clone…
That was no accident.
Madara couldn't help but applaud.
A grin spread across his face again.
"Excellent footwork! I acknowledge your strength."
Even Hashirama would've struggled to react to that attack.
Yet this kid did it effortlessly.
Madara now looked at Naruto with growing fascination.
"You've earned the right for Uchiha Madara to remember your name.
Speak, quickly."
He wasn't in a rush to kill him anymore—
He had found an amusing toy.
But Naruto had no intention of entertaining him.
His answer?
Was a clap of his hands—
"Sage Art: Wood Release — True Several Thousand Hands!"