Facing the cunning old fox that was Uchiha Madara, Mizuki Ryosuke dared not relax in the slightest.
"Hahahaha!!!"
"You did well, Ryosuke."
"Even I feel a trace of appreciation."
Madara's crimson Rinnegan gleamed in the dimly lit underground chamber, a flicker of admiration surfacing in his gaze. Clearly, he was aware of everything that had transpired in Kirigakure over the past few days.
Different perspectives and levels of information naturally shaped different views on the same event. From Uchiha Madara's vantage point, all of Mizuki Ryosuke's actions aligned with the image of an ambitious tactician—one who was laying the groundwork for power.
"The first step of your plan is nearly complete."
A knowing glint flashed through Madara's eyes as he observed Mizuki Ryosuke, his tone carrying a subtle undertone of curiosity.
"My plan?"
"These petty schemes are insignificant compared to the Eye of the Moon Plan."
"Everything… is for Project Tsuki no Me. For true peace, eternal peace."
Ryosuke's voice brimmed with fervor, resembling a zealot utterly devoted to his ideals. His posture, his expression—everything was calculated.
"Hahaha!!!!"
Madara burst into satisfied laughter. His expression softened slightly, though the ancient warrior's aura remained oppressive. It was evident that his question had been a mere test, one that Ryosuke had passed with flying colors.
"Oof~"
"Look who we have here~"
"That last time was brutal, I tell you. People died just like that."
A mocking, almost whimsical voice suddenly interrupted.
Half of a Nepenthes-like figure emerged from the ground.
It was a newly created White Zetsu, crafted by Madara's will. Unlike the previous generations, this one had inherited all the memories of its predecessors.
Mizuki Ryosuke's sharp eyes instantly caught the telltale contrast—the white and black entwining like a parasite. The spore body remained blackened, indicating the presence of Black Zetsu.
Black Zetsu's expression twisted upon making eye contact with Ryosuke. A flicker of something akin to fear crossed his usually unreadable face—perhaps a remnant of his previous encounter with the frigid power Ryosuke had unleashed.
"Hmph."
With only a cold snort, Black Zetsu fell silent, his piercing gaze lingering on Mizuki Ryosuke.
Ryosuke, in turn, merely flashed a polite smile—outwardly amicable, inwardly ruthless.
Deep within his gaze, however, a chilling glint flickered.
If an opportunity presented itself, he would kill Black Zetsu without hesitation.
For Ryosuke, Black Zetsu was the ultimate schemer, the puppet master who had manipulated the shinobi world for centuries. The First Hokage, Uchiha Madara, even the Ōtsutsuki legacy—everything had been tainted by this shadow.
But now, he was bound by his current limitations. Black Zetsu's body, constructed through Yin-Yang Release, remained impervious to his current capabilities. Otherwise, Ryosuke wouldn't have hesitated to strike.
Perhaps it was old age, or the loneliness that came with time, but it seemed that Uchiha Madara had grown fond of conversation.
After confirming that Ryosuke had indeed become a Jinchūriki as planned, Madara visibly relaxed.
And then, he talked.
From the turbulent past of the shinobi world to the utopian vision of peace he envisioned, from the rise and fall of clans to the grand design of the Eye of the Moon Plan—Madara indulged in conversation.
He spoke of war, of betrayal, of the foolishness of mankind.
The more they talked, the more engrossed Madara became.
For Ryosuke, however, this was nothing more than another act.
Every word he spoke, every response he gave—it was all a carefully crafted performance.
Ryosuke had been preparing for this exchange for days.
He had anticipated every possible angle of discussion, every ideological argument Madara might raise.
His responses were tailored to reinforce the illusion that they were "like-minded."
Slowly, as their discussion stretched on, dawn broke on the surface.
Sensing the passage of time, Ryosuke took the initiative to conclude the conversation.
"Mr. Madara, please forgive my rudeness—I must take my leave."
"It's already morning. I need to prepare for the next steps."
Madara, lost in thought, blinked as if suddenly recalling the existence of time.
"Oh? It's already dawn?"
"Time passes so quickly."
"Go, Ryosuke. Your success as the Fourth Mizukage will be invaluable to the Eye of the Moon Plan."
There was a rare trace of emotion in Madara's voice.
It was understandable.
Madara had spent years secluded in this underground lair, his only company the deranged White Zetsu and the manipulative Black Zetsu. Neither provided meaningful conversation.
Now, a "like-minded confidant" had appeared—one who understood his vision, who could engage with him on an intellectual level.
Even Uchiha Madara was still human.
And that fact worked in Ryosuke's favor.
Just as he was about to leave, Madara suddenly called out.
"By the way, Ryosuke."
"I have yet to properly reward you."
"Take this. Consider it a gift."
With that, he casually tossed a scroll to Mizuki Ryosuke.
Ryosuke caught it and unfurled the parchment.
His eyes skimmed the contents—and a faint trace of disappointment surfaced.
He had expected something truly valuable.
Perhaps a scroll detailing Yin-Yang Release techniques, or even insights into Madara's most guarded secrets.
But instead, it was merely a collection of Fire Release and Genjutsu techniques from the Uchiha Clan.
Still, beggars couldn't be choosers.
While these techniques paled in comparison to what Madara had bestowed upon Obito in the original timeline, they were still formidable.
After all, when it came to Fire Release and Genjutsu, the Uchiha Clan was second to none.
Moreover, Fire Release techniques were rare in Kirigakure, a village that specialized in Water Release.
"Thank you, Mr. Madara."
Though inwardly critical of Madara's stinginess, Ryosuke maintained a facade of deep gratitude.
With that, he departed.
—
After Ryosuke left, Black Zetsu's murky voice resounded in the chamber.
"Madara, are you truly entrusting your plans to that boy?"
His tone carried an uncharacteristic wariness.
Even he—someone who had manipulated legends—felt an inexplicable unease when it came to Mizuki Ryosuke.
"Of course not."
Madara's voice remained calm.
"No matter how capable Ryosuke is, he is not a descendant of Uchiha."
"He lacks the necessary foundation to bring the final stages of the plan to fruition."
A flicker of regret crossed Madara's aged features.
After all, some elements of the Eye of the Moon Plan could only be completed by someone with Uchiha blood.
"But it doesn't matter."
"Ryosuke is talented enough to serve as a key instrument in the plan."
"And when the time comes, he will gladly sacrifice himself for the Eye of the Moon."
Madara's eyes burned with unwavering conviction.
Black Zetsu, meanwhile, narrowed his gaze.
For some reason, he couldn't shake the feeling that Mizuki Ryosuke was a far greater threat than Madara realized.
JOIN MY PATREON TO READ ADVANCE 50+ CHAPTERS
patreon.com/Kora_1