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In the underground palace, Chiba's eyes were glued to Madara Uchiha, shining with pure, unadulterated… greed.
This is the man at the very pinnacle of the Naruto world, he thought. If I can heal him… Forget the Rinnegan or a Sage Body. Just a Mangekyō reward would be insane. The potential prize made his mouth water. This was a fortune dropped from the heavens, and he had to go for it.
"Heal me?"
Madara paused, then waved a dismissive hand. "I know my own condition. Don't trouble yourself."
By all rights, he should have died long ago. It was only the endless vitality supplied by the Gedo Statue behind him that kept him tethered to this world. What could Chiba's medical skills possibly do? Could he offer a purer, more massive well of life energy than the Gedo Statue? Chiba's meager chakra and vitality were a drop in the ocean compared to the statue. Meaningless.
"Senior Madara, I'm serious. Think about it."
Madara had brushed him off, but Chiba pressed on, his face earnest. "If the Ten-Tails' power can grant true immortality, then what if we gather tiny amounts of chakra from each of the nine beasts? Synthesize a fraction of that Ten-Tails power and use it for your treatment."
"We're not talking full immortality. Just enough to improve your condition. Knock twenty years off your age, at least."
"Hm?" Madara froze.
The Gedo Statue was just the Ten-Tails' empty shell. The life force it provided was crude and monotonous. But to absorb a portion of the actual Ten-Tails' power as vitality… that might actually work.
Truth was, Madara had considered the Ten-Tails' power. But in his towering pride, the idea of getting it piecemeal had never crossed his mind. Like a once-wealthy lord fallen on hard times, the concept of shopping at a bargain bin was simply beneath him.
Hah. In my prime, I wouldn't have needed to consider such petty methods. A wry, self-mocking smile touched his lips.
If only he'd awakened the Rinnegan earlier. Back then, he could have just crushed everything in his path. No need to hide in this sunless pit, scheming with the very underhanded tactics he once despised.
I've become what I hated most. But for the sake of eternal peace… it's a necessary sacrifice.
Hashirama. I will prove to you that my path is the right one.
After a long moment, Madara spoke slowly. "Chiba, even gathering minuscule amounts of Tailed Beast chakra is no simple task."
The subtext was clear: My current state is weak. If you're planning to use me to get the Ten-Tails' power, don't expect any help from me.
"It should be manageable. If it's just a tiny bit, it won't be too hard."
Chiba shook his head, his tone casual. "The One-Tail from Suna. The Nine-Tails from Konoha. The Five-Tails and Eight-Tails… I can get my hands on those."
Madara's eyebrows shot up. (òwó?)!
This wasn't what he expected. Why did the kid sound so relaxed? As if he were talking about picking up groceries?
"And Senior Madara, you should be able to secure the Three-Tails and Six-Tails from Kiri, right?"
Chiba rubbed his chin, analyzing. "That just leaves the Two-Tails, Four-Tails, and Seven-Tails. Those three will take a bit more work."
This brat actually put thought into this.
Madara watched Chiba continue his analysis, undeterred by the cold water he'd just thrown on the idea. A complex emotion flickered in his eye. Chiba wanted something from him, yes, but the kid was genuinely trying to figure out a way to heal him. It wasn't an act. Madara could feel it.
After decades alone in this lightless tomb, this was the first time he'd felt concern from a junior. A faint ripple disturbed the stagnant pond of his heart.
Huh? Why's this old fossil just staring at me without saying anything?
Chiba was confused. Madara wasn't responding. Had his sales pitch worked or not?
Come on, old man! I just laid out a whole plan. Give me a reaction! Anyone would think you disconnected!
To be fair, fighting the reality-warping Ōtsutsuki was Chiba's main motivation for seeking the Ten-Tails' power through Madara. Gathering chakra from all nine beasts wasn't the hard part. The Gedo Statue was the essential synthesizer he lacked.
The current shinobi world had no Six Paths-level powerhouses besides the Ōtsutsuki. His system couldn't grant rewards at that tier without a reference. The Ten-Tails' power was his only hope.
Sigh. Why couldn't Naruto just end with Shippūden? Boruto had to bring in a bunch of aliens and break the whole power scale.
Chiba sighed internally, nervous. Would the legendary Madara fall for his pitch and become his tool for grinding rewards and power?
"Chiba. You possess all five chakra natures, correct? Come here. I will teach you a secret art."
After the long silence, Madara finally spoke, gesturing for Chiba to approach.
Yes! Nailed it!
Relief flooded Chiba. With Madara Uchiha as an ally, his main quest just got a whole lot easier.
"Of course, Senior Madara. What secret art might that be?" Chiba fought to keep the wild joy from his voice, forcing it to remain steady.
"It is called Yin-Yang Release," Madara said, his eye sweeping over him. "I will demonstrate it once. How much you grasp is up to you."
Holy shit! Yin-Yang Release?!
Chiba's breath hitched. He barely stopped himself from whooping out loud.
This was the good stuff. In medicine, it could save someone on the brink of death like Guy. In combat, it could negate ninjutsu and its destructive power was off the charts. Truth-Seeking Orbs were built on a foundation of Yin-Yang Release, combining it with high-density chakra of all seven natures.
Theoretically, if Chiba could master Yin-Yang Release to its peak… he could learn to create Truth-Seeking Orbs!
For half my life, I drifted, lamenting the lack of a true lord. If you will have me, I would call you father!
The classic line flashed through Chiba's mind once more.
"Yin Release is the power of spirit, giving form to the formless. Yang Release is the power of flesh, giving life to form. Combined, they become the art of Yin-Yang Release…"
Madara began his demonstration.
Chiba's eyes went wide as bronze bells. His Sharingan blazed to life, locking onto the flow of chakra around Madara's hands, searing the principles of the technique into his memory.
"Enough. Back to the matter at hand."
Madara dispersed the chakra and looked at Chiba. "The remaining three beasts. How do you intend to handle them?"
He was convinced.
If a fraction of the Ten-Tails' power could repair this broken body… perhaps he could leave this damned, lightless hole. Once more, the Asura of the Shinobi World would walk the earth, ready to reshape it.
With Hashirama gone, even at thirty percent of his former strength, who in this era could possibly stand against Madara Uchiha?
"Senior Madara," Chiba's lips split into a sharp, predatory grin, "I plan to start the Third Shinobi World War."
His smile turned feral. "I will erase the Hidden Stone Village from this world. Completely."
"Oh?" Madara instantly sat up straighter, interest fully ignited. "Do tell."
Even in his most arrogant, fiery youth, he'd never considered utterly wiping Iwagakure off the map. This kid was more radical than him.
Excellent. Truly a worthy successor of the Uchiha bloodline. He was starting to like this brat.
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