"Kid!!! What did you just say?!!!"
Uchiha Madara's eyes widened in shock. His mind, usually sharp and calculated, was suddenly thrown into chaos.
How did this brat know about his plans? Who was he, really?
Had Uchiha Obito failed? That fool! It wouldn't have been surprising, but to let their entire strategy be exposed? To let this random kid learn of things even the highest-ranking shinobi had no clue about?
And what about Black Zetsu? That shadowy manipulator was supposed to ensure everything went smoothly. Yet, here stood this child, spouting secrets that should have been buried with time.
Madara's fingers twitched in frustration, his sharp nails digging into his palm.
Useless. They're all useless.
His teeth ground together as his mind raced through possibilities. The very idea that someone—especially a nobody like this—could see through his strategy so easily was infuriating.
Across from him, Shouta Kazuki let out a long, exasperated sigh. He was watching Madara, unimpressed by the legendary shinobi's sudden burst of anger.
"Look at you, getting all worked up again," Shouta said, shaking his head.
Madara's eyes snapped to him, burning with intensity. "Kid, where did you get this information? Has my plan been exposed?!"
Shouta smirked. "No, no. Everything's still unfolding as it should," he said, shrugging nonchalantly. "But let's just say… there's been an unexpected twist. After all, you've technically already been revived, haven't you?"
Madara narrowed his eyes. "Then how do you know about it?"
"Don't ask. Even if you do, I won't be able to give you an answer that makes sense to you."
Madara exhaled sharply, his patience thinning. This brat was too calm—too familiar. There was no fear in his voice, no hesitation in his stance. He wasn't trembling before the presence of a man who had once brought the entire shinobi world to its knees.
And the worst part? Madara couldn't do a damn thing about it.
His fingers twitched as he glared at Shouta. "What do you want, kid?"
Shouta blinked innocently. "Want?" Then he grinned. "I've already told you—nothing much. Just to unify the ninja world."
Madara froze.
Then, he scoffed, his deep voice carrying a hint of amusement. "Unify the ninja world? You?!"
Shouta chuckled. "Not just me." He took a step forward, his eyes gleaming with determination. "You too. And all of them."
Madara's amusement faded slightly as he narrowed his eyes. "Them?"
"Besides you, I can summon other spirits. More than just you, Madara. Imagine an army of the strongest warriors in history, united under one goal. A force so overwhelming that no one in the ninja world could stand against it."
Madara's pupils dilated as the weight of those words sank in.
A true, unstoppable force.
A power that could transcend even the ambitions he had once had.
Peace…
Was it really possible?
His heart pounded in his chest as the thought lingered in his mind.
If Shouta Kazuki could summon others—then…
His younger brother, Uchiha Izuna…
Madara clenched his jaw, suppressing the emotions that threatened to surface. It had been so long since he had even considered the idea of seeing Izuna again.
But if this brat could do what he claimed…
His throat felt dry. His voice came out lower, more restrained. "Kid… you said you can summon others? Anyone?"
Shouta noticed the shift in Madara's tone.
So, there were only a few people in this world who could make even Madara hesitate, huh?
One of them was definitely Senju Hashirama.
The other? Uchiha Izuna.
Shouta took a deep breath before responding. He had to be careful with his words. "That's right… but there are conditions. Right now, I can only summon spirits from Konoha, and even that requires a great cost. However, if I unify the ninja world, I'll be able to summon all spirits—no limits."
Madara fell silent.
The air between them grew thick with tension.
His mind raced.
Unifying the ninja world… summoning the dead… reshaping everything.
Was this fate?
A slow, almost menacing chuckle escaped his lips. Then another. Until soon, it turned into full-blown laughter.
"Hmph," Madara smirked, his Sharingan gleaming. "What an ignorant brat… but I'll admit, this is getting interesting."
The idea intrigued him. A force made up of history's strongest warriors, bound together with one goal. The idea of true dominance, absolute unity.
The ninja world would no longer be shackled by its endless cycle of hatred. No more petty wars. No more clans tearing each other apart.
If he could guide this child…
If he could use this power…
Perhaps his dream wasn't as impossible as he once thought.
Madara's smirk widened as he crossed his arms. His voice carried a newfound determination.
"Fine, kid. I'll humor you. But let me tell you something—this so-called 'unification' of yours?"
"That was my goal to begin with."