A vast, endless void stretched around Shouta Kazuki as he stood face to face with Uchiha Madara. The space pulsed with an eerie energy, thick with the weight of suppressed power. Red Sharingan eyes gleamed in the darkness like embers, drilling into him with a presence so overwhelming that most people would crumble under the sheer pressure.
But Shouta Kazuki wasn't most people.
Instead, he stood his ground, arms crossed over his chest, a smirk playing at his lips. "What's wrong, Madara? You look like you just swallowed something bitter."
"Hmph," Madara scoffed, eyes narrowing. "You sure are arrogant for a brat. But I suppose that is your true self, isn't it?"
Shouta raised an eyebrow. "You dragged me here just to analyze my personality? I have to say, I expected more from the great Uchiha Madara."
"Tch. Your acting before was disgraceful," Madara sneered. "That pathetic white-lotus act you pulled in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen—it was disgusting to watch. You think fooling weaklings like him makes you clever?"
Shouta let out an exaggerated sigh, rubbing the back of his head. "So you did call me here just to insult me. Great."
Madara's glare intensified, but Shouta met his gaze head-on, unfazed.
"Alright then," Shouta continued with a smirk. "If you don't like how I act, what should I call you? How about 'the man who stood in the shadow of the God of Shinobi'?"
Madara's expression darkened instantly.
"You brat—!"
"What? Not a fan of that title?" Shouta chuckled. "Come on, you have to admit it has a ring to it."
Madara's chakra flared, shaking the spiritual space, but Shouta simply stood firm, his confidence unwavering. He was playing a dangerous game, but he knew exactly how to push Madara's buttons without getting himself killed—yet.
Madara took a deep breath, reigning in his anger. "Enough of this nonsense. I didn't summon you here to waste my time. I have a question."
Shouta's smirk faded slightly. So, he's finally getting to the point.
"What is it?"
Madara's eyes sharpened. "Who is that man—Shimura Danzo?"
Shouta blinked. Danzo? So he noticed.
A slow, knowing smile crept across Shouta's face. "Oh, him? Just an old bastard."
Madara frowned. "Old… bastard?"
Shouta chuckled. "You don't need to know what it means. Just know that it isn't a compliment."
Madara remained silent for a moment, his eyes thoughtful. "That man… he carries the chakra of the Uchiha's Sharingan." His voice lowered slightly, and his expression darkened. "And something else."
Shouta tilted his head. "Oh? Let me guess. You sensed Senju Hashirama's chakra on him, didn't you?"
Madara's Sharingan flared, his fingers twitching slightly. "…Explain."
Shouta crossed his arms. "Isn't it obvious? That old bastard has an entire arm full of Sharingan."
Madara froze. For the first time in a long time, he looked genuinely caught off guard.
"…Repeat that."
Shouta grinned. "You heard me. Not just one—an entire arm full of Sharingan eyes. And if that wasn't enough, that arm is infused with Senju Hashirama's cells."
Madara clenched his fists, his jaw tightening.
"That can't be," he muttered. His mind raced. The idea that a mere weakling like Danzo had not only stolen the Uchiha's eyes but also wielded Hashirama's power… it was unthinkable.
And yet, the truth was undeniable.
Shouta shrugged. "Believe it or not, that's the reality. That man is walking around with a collection of stolen Uchiha eyes—your clan's power, being used like disposable tools."
Madara's aura flared, the entire space trembling with his suppressed rage.
"That worm… dares to trample on the Uchiha like this?" His voice was low, lethal. His eyes spun, the Tomoe in his Sharingan dancing wildly.
Shouta casually inspected his nails. "Yup. And let's not forget—he was directly involved in the extermination of the Uchiha Clan."
Madara's breath hitched.
"…What did you say?"
"The Uchiha Clan was wiped out. Completely," Shouta stated, his voice cold. "All their eyes were stolen. And Danzo? He took as many as he could. That's where his little collection comes from."
"Impossible." Madara shook his head. "There's no way—"
Shouta rolled his eyes. "Do you want me to take you to the Uchiha district? It's a ghost town now."
Madara's fists trembled. "You're lying. You must be lying."
Shouta sighed. "You saw that Uchiha kid in my class today, right? Uchiha Sasuke? He's the last Uchiha in Konoha."
Madara's lips parted slightly in shock.
"The only other survivor," Shouta continued, "is his brother, Uchiha Itachi. And guess what?" He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping. "Itachi was the one who carried out the massacre."
Madara's Sharingan pulsed violently.
Itachi? A mere child? A single Uchiha, wiping out the entire clan?
"No… That doesn't make sense."
Shouta smirked. "Oh, it makes perfect sense. You see, he wasn't alone. He had help."
Madara's breath hitched again. "…Who?"
Shouta's eyes gleamed.
"Uchiha Obito."
The silence that followed was suffocating.
Madara stood still, absorbing the information.
"…Obito?" His voice was dangerously soft.
Shouta nodded. "That's right. Your 'loyal' Uchiha successor, Obito, joined hands with Konoha to eliminate the entire clan. Funny, huh?"
Madara's eyes flickered. "Obito… that foolish boy…"
Shouta grinned. Hook, line, and sinker.
Now that Madara was fully engaged, it was time for the real deal.
"Now then," Shouta said, stretching his arms. "I gave you what you wanted. So it's time for my side of the deal."
Madara snapped out of his daze, narrowing his eyes. "What?"
"You're going to train me."
Madara's expression twisted. "You expect me to waste my time on you?"
Shouta smirked. "Oh, don't act so reluctant. You're curious about me, aren't you?" He tapped his chest. "After all, I have Indra's chakra."
Madara's Sharingan sharpened.
"I want to see how much of this power I can awaken," Shouta continued. "And who better to teach me than the reincarnation of Indra himself?"
Madara's glare was intense. But after a long, tense silence, he exhaled slowly.
"…Fine," he muttered. "I'll teach you."
Shouta's smirk widened. Perfect.
Meanwhile, in the Real World – Konoha's Training Grounds
The sun dipped behind the horizon, casting deep shadows over Konoha. Shouta Kazuki stood in the empty training ground, fists clenched, a slow, dangerous grin spreading across his face.
Something inside him was awakening.
The gears of fate had finally begun to turn.
And soon, Konoha would know his name.