On an island outside the Shinobi World, within a seemingly ordinary mountain that was actually a world unto itself, filled with high-tech advancements far exceeding those of the Shinobi World.
A man wearing a white monk's haori, with his hair gathered at the top of his head, a long braid down his back, and the Roman numeral IV tattooed below his left eye, held a glass of red wine. He stood on what appeared from the outside to be a cliff but was internally a balcony. His gaze passed through an incredibly advanced barrier, watching the golden-yellow beam of light descending from the sky. He couldn't help but exclaim, "A thousand years have passed, and a descendant of that woman Kaguya can actually awaken the Tenseigan based solely on bloodline, without consuming any pills. What an excellent atavism!"
This man was none other than Isshiki Otsutsuki, who had come to Earth with Kaguya Otsutsuki in ancient times to plant the God Tree. However, during the sacrifice stage, he was backstabbed by Kaguya, who was supposed to be the guardian, and nearly died at the mouth of the Ten-Tails. He now occupied the body of a monk named Jigen.
Isshiki Otsutsuki's eyes suddenly turned sinister again as he murmured, "The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, the Rinnegan, the Tenseigan, Wood Release containing the characteristics of the God Tree... These things have all reappeared in this era. It seems that woman Kaguya, and her two sons, have all made arrangements. They are indeed not dead."
"Hmph, if I hadn't cultivated a second vessel yet, and if this body could withstand my power without its lifespan being greatly reduced upon forced reincarnation, I would definitely make that woman Kaguya pay the price!"
After speaking coldly, Isshiki Otsutsuki seemed to think of something. He stared at the beam of light as it retracted, taking a third of the moon with it, his gaze filled with fervor and regret.
Being able to independently evolve the Rinnegan and Tenseigan, the two ultimate ocular techniques, both Madara Uchiha and 'Toneri Otsutsuki' were actually the most suitable "vessels" for reincarnation.
Unfortunately, they were very likely arrangements made by Kaguya Otsutsuki and her two sons.
They should have been marked with something similar to Karma.
If he were to target them, Kaguya Otsutsuki would likely discover that he was still alive before he could even successfully reincarnate.
Her two sons might also discover his existence.
Even Isshiki Otsutsuki was extremely wary of the means that could seal Kaguya Otsutsuki.
Furthermore, Isshiki Otsutsuki was unsure if the mother-son conflict was a scheme targeting him.
For the grand plan of replanting the God Tree and harvesting the fruit, Isshiki Otsutsuki could not act impulsively.
He had endured for a thousand years; enduring for a little longer was not impossible.
"The God Tree bears fruit once every thousand years. So much time has passed since that woman Kaguya stole and ate the fruit. The higher-ups should have already noticed something is wrong. Perhaps the clan members are already on their way to this planet."
"Before they arrive, I must cultivate a vessel that can fully withstand my power. Otherwise, if they discover me and the second Ten-Tails, they might threaten me into becoming a subordinate."
Draining the red wine in his hand, Isshiki Otsutsuki thought to himself, "Keep causing trouble. Your time is running out."
...
In a plain area of the Shinobi World, a bottomless pit had appeared.
Wisps of high-temperature steam floated out from the pit.
Madara Uchiha, still wearing a layer of blue armor, lay at the bottom of the pit, staring blankly at the moon, a third of which had been cut away. He murmured, "One strike... knocked me back to Earth from the Moon. Is this the power of the Tenseigan? No wonder he always looked down on my Rinnegan..."
Relying on the absorption of the Preta Path, the absolute defense of Susanoo, and the cooldown of Limbo: Border Jail ending at the last moment, Madara Uchiha, who had fallen from the Moon to Earth, did not die.
With the help of four shadow clones to dissipate the force, the impact of Susanoo falling to the ground only caused Madara Uchiha to vomit blood and his internal organs to churn violently.
However, as long as he didn't die on the spot, his injuries would quickly heal due to the transplanted Hashirama Cells and White Zetsu cells.
Physical injury was a minor matter.
What hurt Madara Uchiha the most now was his heart.
Izayoi's strike, which reached from the Moon to Earth, had shattered Madara Uchiha's pride and his dreams.
If the Infinite Tsukuyomi was truly the jutsu that created White Zetsu, it meant his dream of severing karma was a huge joke.
And his strength was insufficient to kill 'Toneri Otsutsuki' and save the future of the Shinobi World.
He couldn't be the Savior of the World who created a beautiful, peaceful world, nor could he be the one who killed a god to save humanity.
Madara Uchiha was currently lost, unsure of what to do next.
Should he go back up and fight Toneri Otsutsuki?
As he was now, he didn't have the power to kill Toneri Otsutsuki at all. He had even been struck by the opponent and sent flying from the Moon back to Earth. Going back up would only be asking for humiliation.
The Three-Tails hadn't been revived yet, so Madara Uchiha couldn't verify the truth of the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Moreover, he didn't know when the Three-Tails would be revived, and during this time, Toneri Otsutsuki could destroy the world at any moment.
With Limbo and the Perfect Susanoo being countered, and his Chakra absorption inferior to the opponent's, could he really stop him?
"Lord Madara..."
Madara Uchiha didn't know how long he had been lying at the bottom of the pit until a familiar voice reached his ears, bringing him back to his senses.
Looking at the Black and White Zetsu who had found him using the Mayfly Technique, with only their upper bodies exposed, Madara Uchiha stared at Black Zetsu, whose eyes were brown but the rest of him was black, and suddenly spoke faintly, "Otsutsuki... Black Zetsu."
"..."
Although his body was a product of Yin-Yang Release, without a heart, and should logically have no human organs, Black Zetsu still felt as if his breathing had stopped and his heart had stopped beating.
Forcibly suppressing the shock in his heart and preventing his voice from trembling, Black Zetsu feigned confusion, "Lord Madara, isn't the Otsutsuki Clan Toneri Otsutsuki's family? Why are you calling me that?"
Staring at Black Zetsu, who reacted quickly and whose confused expression didn't seem fake, Madara Uchiha didn't explain but slowly asked, "Black Zetsu, would you betray me?"
"I am Lord Madara's will, a product of your creation. How could I possibly betray you!" Black Zetsu quickly said, his mood heavy and filled with... fear.
What was going on?
How did Madara Uchiha know his name was Black Zetsu Otsutsuki?
What did Toneri Otsutsuki tell him?
Could it be that that bastard Hamura had discovered his existence long ago?
Aside from those two rebellious sons, Hagoromo and Hamura, their descendants shouldn't have the ability to discover him.
Since they had all discovered him, why didn't they deal with him?
Why did they let him go?
Were they trying to use him?
Countless questions surfaced in his mind, but Black Zetsu had no time to think them through carefully.
Because now, dispelling Madara Uchiha's suspicion was the top priority.
Thus, Black Zetsu said indignantly, "Lord Madara, did Toneri Otsutsuki say something to you? He's trying to sow discord between us."
"Yes, I think so too."
Madara Uchiha dispelled his Susanoo armor, stood up, and looked up at the moon in the sky. He turned to Black Zetsu and smiled, "After all, you are the embodiment of my will. Don't I know whether I created you or not?"
"I underestimated the younger generation of this era too much. I lost this battle." Madara Uchiha sighed slightly, then his eyes became firm, "However, the Rinnegan and the Tenseigan are both Sage Eyes. There can't be a difference in superiority; it's just a matter of insufficient development. The fact that I couldn't defeat him means I'm not strong enough yet and still have the potential to become stronger."
"Let's go back and accumulate strength."
After saying this, Madara Uchiha floated up into the air.
Black and White Zetsu quickly used the Mayfly Technique to burrow into the ground.
By the time Madara Uchiha returned to the plains and started walking, Black and White Zetsu reappeared.
Black Zetsu feigned curiosity and asked, "Lord Madara, have you seen any members of the Otsutsuki Clan on the Moon? What do they look like? Are they the same as the humans in the Shinobi World?"
"I haven't seen any members of the Otsutsuki Clan. They might have migrated to other places, or perhaps Toneri Otsutsuki is the only one left," Madara Uchiha turned his head and stared at Black Zetsu, saying, "Also... Toneri Otsutsuki's appearance is different from the information you gave me."
"How is it different?" Black Zetsu quickly asked.
Looking at the extremely curious Black Zetsu, whose tone even unconsciously revealed a hint of eagerness, Madara Uchiha said with a half-smile, "He claims to be a pure-blooded Otsutsuki, and his Tenseigan has already completed its final evolution. Moreover, he is different from the humans in the Shinobi World because... he has horns."
"It's incredible that a human has horns," Black Zetsu immediately exclaimed in surprise, his mood sinking once again.
Horns!
Does that mean Toneri Otsutsuki's atavism has reached the level of that bastard Hamura?
Could it be that Hamura left behind a secret technique that allows clan members to strip each other's bloodlines and purify their own?
Otherwise, why is Toneri Otsutsuki the only one on the Moon?
Or... did that guy Hamura become a paranoid lunatic during his time on the Moon, using some unknown method to seize the bodies of his descendants and achieve an alternative form of eternal life?
Thinking of this, Black Zetsu felt a chill run down his spine.
If that were the case, that bastard Hamura might be even more terrifying than that rebellious son Hagoromo!
No, he must send some White Zetsu clones to infiltrate the Moon and gather more detailed information.
Looking at Black Zetsu, who was more talkative than usual and didn't directly possess him to communicate, Madara Uchiha withdrew his gaze.
He neither fully believed Izayoi's words nor did he fully trust Black Zetsu, feeling a hint of suspicion and wariness towards him.
Regardless of whether Izayoi's words were true or false, Black Zetsu was no longer someone he could completely trust.
Because Madara Uchiha realized something very terrifying.
That is... his Yin-Yang Release mastery could not reach Izayoi's level.
Those black spheres contained components of Yin-Yang Release. Since Izayoi could create various substances and natural disasters, then his Yin-Yang Release, which could create Black Zetsu, should theoretically be able to do the same.
In fact, his Yin-Yang Release should be even more advanced than Izayoi's.
After all, his Yin-Yang Release could even create life forms.
But apart from creating Black Zetsu, Madara Uchiha's Yin-Yang Release could only create Black Rods, and its capabilities were very limited.
Let alone creating various substances out of thin air, he couldn't even create natural disasters similar to the Five Nature Transformations.
Thinking of the scene he saw in the genjutsu world, where Black Zetsu first infiltrated the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's body and then seeped into his body through the tubes, Madara Uchiha's heart sank.
Yin-Yang Release... mental possession!
Assuming Black Zetsu was truly Kaguya Otsutsuki's third son, then the reason he believed Black Zetsu was his own will might be due to this ability.
"God Tree, Chakra Fruit, Kaguya Otsutsuki, Rabbit Goddess, Sage of Six Paths, Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, Infinite Tsukuyomi..." Madara Uchiha couldn't help but murmur to himself, organizing these ancient secrets and figures.
"As long as a person truly exists, they will definitely leave a trace. Even after a thousand years, they cannot be forgotten by this world, especially those who were once high and mighty gods."
Taking one last look at the cracked Moon in the sky, Madara Uchiha refocused on his goal, thinking to himself, Whether it's true or false, I must personally verify it. I will absolutely not let you destroy the Shinobi World. This world... I will protect it!
Blue Yin Release Chakra surged out. Madara Uchiha unleashed his Perfect Susanoo and soared into the sky, flying away from the plain.
Watching Madara Uchiha's departing figure, Black and White Zetsu also sank into the ground.
However, before his head completely submerged, a sinister glint flashed in Black Zetsu's eyes.
He knew that Madara Uchiha was already suspicious of him, or at least didn't trust him.
That unknown individual on the Moon must have told Madara Uchiha many secrets, or shown him many things.
The reason he hadn't attacked him was likely because he didn't completely trust the other party, and also due to his own arrogance.
Thinking of this, Black Zetsu felt stifled and fearful.
A thousand years of planning, just missing the Three-Tails as the final piece of the puzzle to rescue his mother, only to fail at the last moment.
At this moment, Black Zetsu wished he could tear Uchiha Obito into ten thousand pieces.
If he hadn't caused the death of the Three-Tails, the day Madara Uchiha was resurrected would have been the time the Infinite Tsukuyomi was cast.
How could such a change have occurred!
But thankfully, none of them knew that his existence was the key to resurrecting his mother.
After decades of planning, Madara Uchiha would absolutely not give up on becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki and the Infinite Tsukuyomi just because of an enemy's words or seeing some secrets.
As long as he cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi, he still had hope of resurrecting his mother.
However, at that time, it would become very difficult for him to harm Madara Uchiha.
The moment the other party became the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, they might even use him to test their techniques.
In response, Black Zetsu sneered in his heart, "You people who stole mother's power, you don't understand how truly powerful the Rabbit Goddess's methods are!"
Izayoi was unaware of Isshiki Otsutsuki's attention.
However, Izayoi's Wood Clone had witnessed the conversation between Madara Uchiha and Black and White Zetsu.
Although he couldn't understand their dialogue, by observing the changes in their micro-expressions, Izayoi could already piece together what happened.
Transmitting the information in real-time to the main body, both the Wood Clone and Izayoi himself were in a very pleasant mood.
Izayoi's main body was even more pleased.
Because that ultimate strike, which traveled from the Moon to Earth... had yielded results!
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