Chapter 69, Brother, You're Getting Old (A Four-in-One Collection...)
Minato Namikaze, along with his three disciples—Kakashi Hatake, Obito Uchiha, and Rin Nohara—secretly infiltrated the Land of Grass. Their objective was the Kannabi Bridge, a crucial link between the Land of Earth and the front lines. Their mission was to destroy the bridge and sever the logistical supply lines of the main force of Iwagakure.
Initially, the mission went relatively smoothly.
Thanks to Minato Namikaze's exceptional command skills and the mobility of the Flying Thunder God Technique, the four skillfully evaded several Iwagakure patrols and gradually approached their target area.
However, just as they were about to reach the vicinity of the Kannabi Bridge, the situation suddenly changed. They received an urgent intelligence report: another Konoha squad had encountered an elite Iwagakure force not far ahead, was surrounded, and was in dire need of support.
Minato Namikaze faces a difficult choice: continue with the planned bridge-blowing mission, or go to rescue his comrades first?
The mission to blow up the bridge was crucial to the entire battle and could not be delayed; however, refusing to help would violate his moral principles, and that squad might be wiped out.
After a brief deliberation, Minato Namikaze decided to split up his forces: he would use the Flying Thunder God Kunai to rush to the rescue location as quickly as possible, hoping to quickly resolve the battle before reuniting with his disciples to continue the mission of blowing up the bridge.
Before leaving, he solemnly handed over command to Kakashi and repeatedly instructed him: "Kakashi, Obito, Rin, I'm leaving you in charge. Focus on infiltration and reconnaissance, try to avoid direct confrontation, and do not make any rash moves before I return!"
"Yes, Minato-sensei!" Kakashi calmly took over the command. Obito was somewhat worried, but he trusted his teacher's judgment and Kakashi's abilities.
Minato Namikaze vanished instantly, leaving three young ninjas to continue stealthily making their way towards Kannabi Bridge.
At first, they followed their teacher's instructions and carefully concealed their movements. But while crossing a rocky area with complex terrain, they unexpectedly encountered an elite rock-covered demolition unit.
Bad news: The other side has a large number of people.
The bad news is compounded: they've been discovered.
"Retreat! Take turns providing cover!" Kakashi immediately gave the order, realizing that a direct confrontation was not the best strategy.
However, the Iwagakure ninjas were well-trained and quickly deployed an encirclement formation, using Explosion Release ninjutsu to create chaos and collapses in an attempt to separate them.
The battle erupted instantly, with kunai and shuriken clashing and the deafening roar of exploding tags filling the air.
Kakashi fought valiantly against the enemy's attacks from the front, while Rin provided medical support and disrupted the enemy from the rear. Obito, meanwhile, worked hard to create an opening for the team.
Just as they were about to break through a gap and were about to break free of contact, a sudden change occurred.
A hidden Jonin from Iwagakure seized upon a tiny opening Kakashi had created while protecting Rin, and fired several specially made kunai imbued with Explosion Release chakra at an extremely tricky angle toward Kakashi's back. If this attack had landed, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
"Kakashi!"
Obito caught sight of that deadly trajectory, and without any thought, his body reacted before his brain could—he shoved Rin to a safer position, then unleashed his maximum speed, rushing towards Kakashi like an arrow released from a bow.
"Pfft!"
At the critical moment, Obito used his body to knock Kakashi away, but the deadly kunai, along with the huge rocks that the Iwagakure ninja had blasted down with their earth-style blasts, completely enveloped him.
"Boom!"
A loud bang followed, and smoke and dust filled the air.
Kakashi staggered a few steps from the impact, turning around in astonishment to see Obito's figure completely swallowed by the massive boulder, with only one arm still sticking out, hanging limply at his side. Blood stained the rubble on the ground.
"Obito!" Kakashi and Rin cried out in unison, their voices filled with anguish.
A wave of excruciating pain instantly overwhelmed Obito's consciousness. He could feel as if half of the bones in his body had shattered, his internal organs were severely compressed and damaged, and his life force was rapidly draining away. His vision began to blur, and the anxious calls of Kakashi and Rin became distant and indistinct.
Am I... going to die?
In the midst of chaos and deepening cold, several thoughts flashed through Obito's mind:
Damn it, I haven't become Hokage yet... I haven't gained Rin's approval... I haven't even gotten Kakashi to genuinely call me a teammate...
Minato-sensei... I'm sorry... it seems like the mission is... going to be messed up...
Rin...Kakashi...please...be safe...
In the end, amidst these chaotic thoughts, a calm and deep voice, and a brief, cool touch on the forehead, emerged like the last glimmer of light in the darkness.
"Remember, no matter what happens, staying alive is the most important thing. Come back alive."
I'm sorry, neighbor... I think... I can't do it...
Coming back alive...that promise...I...
Consciousness flickered like a candle in the wind, about to go out.
His final thoughts, a mixture of unfulfilled promises, worries for his companions, and regret for not keeping his agreement with his neighbors, plunged him into darkness.
.
...
...
Leaf.
Outside the small house where Yan Sheng rented.
The expressions of the several members of the secret service who were ordered to keep watch changed drastically at almost the same moment—they had been keeping a close eye on the person inside the house, but just now, that person had vanished into thin air.
"Something's not right!" The operative wearing a fox mask shouted, and he and his colleagues instantly reached a consensus and rushed into the house.
The room was empty. A steaming cup of tea sat on the table, as if the owner had only left temporarily.
They searched the entire house but couldn't find a trace of him. The man named Uchiha Kokusatsu had vanished into thin air.
We must report to the Third Hokage immediately!
Meanwhile, on the border of the Land of Grass, deep within a cave permeated with the stench of blood.
Yan Sheng appeared here without any warning.
—His tap on Obito's forehead was certainly not without purpose: he left the power of the Rinnegan on Obito's forehead. It wasn't just a mark, but also a coordinate and a triggering alarm.
When Obito's vital signs drop to the threshold of near death, this power will be automatically activated, guiding Mikasa to activate the ability of one of his Rinnegan eyes: it is similar to Obito's Kamui, but more domineering, and can arrive instantly regardless of space, terrain, or distance.
In this respect, it seems more like the Flying Thunder God Technique. However, its effectiveness, range, and difficulty of use are far superior to the Flying Thunder God Technique.
......
When he arrived, everything had already been settled.
The air still held the chaotic ripples of intense chakra clashes. Kakashi and Rin had already left with heavy hearts.
It is worth mentioning that during this mission, Kakashi had lost sight in his left eye in a recent battle. On the verge of death, Obito pleaded with Rin to transplant his left eye to Kakashi, saying that he "could not see his future as Hokage."
The left eye, which had just been replaced and was still wrapped in bandages, weighed heavily on Kakashi's heart like a boulder pressing down on Obito.
He wasn't much better off than the "dead" Obito.
Rather, it's more accurate to say that often the dead are at peace, while the living suffer a lifetime of torment.
The cave was pitch black and eerily silent, with only the occasional sound of water dripping from the cracks in the rocks.
Half of Obito's body was pinned down by a massive rock; the state of that part was unimaginable, with blood soaking the ground beneath him. The other half of his body was still intact, his eyes closed, his face as pale as paper, and his breathing so weak it was almost imperceptible; his fate was unknown.
Yan Sheng walked calmly to Obito's side, squatted down, and gently placed his fingers on the uninjured side of Obito's neck.
The pulse was faint, like a candle flickering in the wind, but it was still beating.
He's still alive, but he's not far from death.
Yan Sheng closed his eyes. When he opened them again, two more pairs of purple eyes appeared on his face.
As mentioned earlier, one of Yan Sheng's Rinnegan abilities is teleportation (spatial movement). The other pair of Rinnegan has no spatial ability; it controls a more profound realm—time.
Of course, with his current power, he is far from being able to reverse the time of the entire world. However, he is capable of reversing time on a small scale, for a short period of time, and targeting specific individuals.
He stared at Obito's crushed body and the huge rock, his Rinnegan blazing with purple light.
An invisible and intangible, yet seemingly touching upon the fundamental rules of the world, rippled outwards from him, enveloping Obito and the rock.
The next moment, a miracle happened.
The incredibly heavy rock, stained with blood and flesh, seemed to be manipulated by a giant hand, slowly and resolutely "receding" backward in a way that defied the laws of physics.
It was "lifted" off Obito's body, and the flesh and bones that had been crushed and broken were pieced together, healed, and restored to their original state at a speed visible to the naked eye, like a reversed image.
The entire process was silent, yet filled with awe-inspiring power.
In just a few breaths, Obito's body had fully recovered. Apart from his pale complexion, there were no more wounds on his body.
Yan Sheng's Rinnegan disappeared again. He looked at Obito, whose breathing was gradually stabilizing, his eyes dark and unfathomable.
At the same time.
Underground.
In the spiderweb-like passageway, Black Zetsu rubbed his hands together, ready for battle.
Ban's physical condition is deteriorating and time is running out. He urgently needs a suitable helper to carry out the "Eye of the Moon Plan".
But finding such a helper is extremely difficult: firstly, the candidate must be highly qualified enough to bear and unleash the power of the Rinnegan and the Ten-Tails; secondly, the candidate must have a deep-seated conviction and be easily guided and manipulated; and finally, the candidate must share the same ideals.
Of course, if he were an Uchiha, that would be even more perfect, as the blood ties would allow him to better match Madara's power.
Finally!
Black Zetsu was extremely excited.
Heaven rewards those who persevere, and he found Obito, the chosen one!
Obito Uchiha was practically tailor-made for this "role": orphaned, ostracized within his clan, and with few friends, he lacked a powerful backer and deep social connections.
You mean Minato Namikaze?
Minato Namikaze is indeed very talented, but no matter how talented he is, he's currently just an "elite ninja," and because he's too talented, he's being targeted and is in a precarious situation. He's barely able to take care of himself, so how can he worry about others?
Black Zetsu was calculating away.
In conclusion, someone like Obito, even if he suddenly "dies" or disappears, will not cause much of a stir or lead to a thorough investigation, making him very suitable as a pawn in clandestine operations.
Black Zetsu immediately reported the news of finding a suitable candidate to the elderly Madara.
After carefully learning about Obito's situation, Madara also felt that the boy was usable and tacitly approved Black Zetsu's plan.
However, the deadly crisis that Obito encountered this time was not actually caused by Madara and Black Zetsu; the two hadn't even had time to make any arrangements.
Therefore, Black Zetsu saw this as a golden opportunity. Severely injured and on the verge of death, "abandoned" by his companions in a dark cave... Could there be a more perfect opportunity for "death" and "rebirth"?
Obito, you really are the one chosen by fate!
Black Zetsu seemed to have already envisioned his future: rescuing (actually kidnapping) Obito, bringing him before Madara, and then guiding him step by step into darkness, making him the perfect executor of the Eye of the Moon Plan.
Activating the Mayfly Technique, Black Zetsu moved silently through the rock strata like a venomous snake blending into the shadows of the earth, rapidly approaching the cave where Obito was.
Fortunately... it sensed what was happening outside. The two brats had to leave because the cave was about to collapse, and they didn't stay and guard Obito until he finally breathed his last. Otherwise, it would have been really difficult to make a move.
It cautiously poked its head out from an inconspicuous crevice in the rock, preparing to check the condition of the soil before dragging it underground and taking it away.
However--
Its head had just poked out, and before it could even see what was inside the cave, it crashed into an invisible, intangible, yet incredibly tough barrier.
Then, a powerful sealing force transformed into countless golden chains, which appeared from the void and tightly bound and imprisoned it.
What? !
Black Zetsu looked completely bewildered, his eyes filled with disbelief and horror.
Who is it!
It struggled desperately, but the sealing technique was so sophisticated that it was eventually sealed inside.
Just as Black Zetsu was sealed and unable to move, filled with panic and confusion, a deep voice sounded behind it:
"I've been waiting for you for a long time."
Yan Sheng emerged from the deeper shadows of the cave. He had been concealing his presence, hiding like a rock.
He looked at Black Zetsu, who was tightly bound by golden sealing chains, with a cold gaze.
He had always been on guard against Black Zetsu—from the moment he learned from the first world that Obito had been deceived and manipulated by Black Zetsu, leading to his destruction, he had been preparing for this moment.
Unfortunately, when he was secretly protecting Obito before, the old fox Black Zetsu was too well hidden and never gave himself away. Until this time, when Obito encountered such a "perfect" "accident" that fit his original fate, Yan Sheng was certain that Black Zetsu would not let go of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and would definitely show up to "reap" the rewards.
This is why he didn't stay by Obito's side from the very beginning, but instead chose to appear and save Obito when Obito's life was in danger and Black Zetsu was most likely to appear—what he wanted was to lure the snake out of its hole and expose the mastermind hiding behind the scenes.
As for the mission given by the planetary consciousness, which was clearly only to "save Obito," why did he go to the trouble of capturing Black Zetsu...?
The reason is simple: merit points.
After accidentally resolving Kaguya Otsutsuki's crisis in the first world, he discovered that the world could not be destroyed only once. By eliminating all the "sources" he could think of that could cause the world's destruction, he could gain a massive amount of merit points.
Why didn't the second world do the same? First, it ended too quickly, and the Uchiha clan extermination was a relatively independent and easy problem to solve; second, Black Zetsu was deeply hidden at that point in time, and capturing him would have required more time and effort, making it a losing proposition.
But the situation in this world is different now. Obito's fate is inextricably linked to Black Zetsu's plans—
Since it is destined to travel through multiple worlds to accumulate merit until it is enough to repay Yoriichi, efficiency is of paramount importance.
Why not take a two-pronged approach, accomplishing the core task while simultaneously eliminating a bigger hidden danger and reaping more merit?
If the process is too troublesome and the returns exceed expectations, then it won't be done; but if, as it is now, the key target can be captured simply by waiting for it to come to the tree stump, then this "easy" deal is naturally worth doing.
He looked at Black Zetsu, who was struggling futilely on the ground, as if he were looking at a large sum of merit points that were about to be obtained. Taking care of it would be equivalent to extinguishing the direct driving force of the Eye of the Moon Plan in advance.
This is a worthwhile deal no matter how you look at it.
Black Zetsu struggled to lift its body, which was pressed to the ground by the golden sealing chains, and raised its head with difficulty. Its gaze followed the steps of the person in front of it upwards—the trouser legs, the hem of the clothes, and finally, it settled on the face.
The cave was dimly lit, but that did not hinder Black Zetsu's vision.
Its pupils dilated when it saw that face clearly.
That face... and the disdain and indifference in those deep eyes, as if looking down on ants...
In an instant, Black Zetsu's memories were abruptly pulled back decades. The image of the spirited, arrogant young Uchiha Madara, who looked down upon the ninja world, perfectly overlapped with the person before him.
It cried out incredulously in a hoarse voice, "Spotted?!"
Yan Sheng was aware that he resembled his elder brother, Uchiha Madara.
After all, they share the same bloodline from the same parents. He and Ban have a very high degree of similarity in their facial features, and with that same aloof temperament etched into their bones, they are practically twins.
Speaking of which, his second brother, Uchiha Izuna, doesn't resemble him or Madara that much. Izuna's appearance is more like his mother's, with delicate features but a sharp edge.
Faced with Black Zetsu's misunderstanding, Yan Sheng didn't explain, nor did he bother to. He merely glanced coldly at the imprisoned Black Zetsu before putting him into the sealing scroll.
To be honest, Tobirama Senju's things are really useful.
***
Yan Sheng knew where Madara Uchiha's base was.
Coincidentally, the Kannabi Bridge where he was located was situated on the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Grass, and Madara's underground base happened to be not far from there.
As for why he knew the location of the base so well... that goes back to his experience in the first parallel world: Obito took him there in order to use the Gedo Mazo to activate the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Even though the timelines are different now, the general direction is the same.
With one hand gripping the scroll that sealed Black Zetsu and the other holding the unconscious Uchiha Obito whose vital signs were stable, Yan Sheng strode toward the base he remembered.
Before long, he arrived at the exceptionally large tree that served as a disguise for the base entrance.
Ignoring the illusionary traps around him, he accurately located the mechanism at the entrance and silently blended into the shadows beneath the tree roots.
Deep within the base, the light grew increasingly dim, with only a few scattered torches on the walls providing flickering illumination.
The colossal demonic golem, like a slumbering ancient demon god, exuded a suffocating sense of oppression. Before the golem, on a simple stone bed, sat a figure.
He was an elderly man with a slightly hunched back.
He was clearly very old; his hair was as white as withered grass, his face was covered with deep wrinkles etched by time, his body was so thin that he was almost just skin and bones, and his dry lips were unhealthy and pale.
He seemed to be taking a short nap with his eyes closed. After all, at this age, just maintaining life has already exhausted most of his energy, and it is difficult to be as "energetic" as he was when he was young.
However, when outsiders entered, the old man on the stone bed suddenly opened his eyes.
In the flickering firelight, those eyes did not lose their luster with age; on the contrary, they were like those of a seasoned eagle, sharp and profound, full of wisdom that saw through the world and an unquenchable ambition.
His gaze, like a tangible blade, pierced through the dim space in an instant, shooting straight at the uninvited Yan Sheng.
Even in his old age and nearing death, Madara Uchiha remained the same powerful figure who had once stirred up the ninja world. His alertness did not diminish in the slightest despite his physical decline.
He looked at Yan Sheng, at that face that was so similar to his own when he was young yet slightly different, at the unconscious boy he was holding in his hands... and finally his gaze returned to Yan Sheng.
The darkness deep within the cave cast crisscrossing lines on his face, like the rings of a tree etched by time. Dust motes floated in the air, dancing in the beams of light, then suddenly freezing at a certain moment.
"You've grown old, brother."
A soft sigh echoed in the empty cave, carrying an indescribable weight.
Ban's fingertips unconsciously tightened around the tin cane, his knuckles turning slightly white.
He had lived for nearly a century, experienced countless life-and-death battles, and witnessed countless bizarre events, but never before had he felt such absurdity as he did now.
“I don’t recall having a brother like you,” Madara said slowly. His gaze was like the sharpest kunai, trying to cut through every inch of the young man’s disguise. “My brothers are all long gone.”
Yan Sheng stood still, letting that scrutinizing gaze pierce through him.
His demeanor was so composed that he seemed less like an intruder and more like someone returning to a familiar place. When the word "brother" came from Madara's mouth, Yan Sheng's eyelashes trembled slightly, like raven feathers fluttering in a gentle breeze.
“There is no such person as you in this world.” After a long while, Yan Sheng finally spoke, his voice as clear and calm as a stream under the moonlight. “I come from another world.”
Next, Yan Sheng told Ban the truth about the Eye of the Moon Project and Black Zetsu's true identity.
Madara did not interrupt; he sat there quietly, like a weathered stone statue. His Rinnegan eyes were unfathomable, all their turmoil seemingly hidden behind a purple chaos, making it impossible to discern any emotion within them.
Only when he heard key points such as "Black Zetsu is a creation of Kaguya's will" and "The Eye of the Moon Project is actually a hoax to revive her" did he show any fluctuation.
As the last word fell, the cave fell into dead silence.
The previous silence still contained the sounds of dust floating, the faint sound of dripping water, and the faint breathing of two people... but now, all sounds seemed to have been sucked away, leaving only an endless, ear-straining vacuum.
I don't know how much time had passed. Perhaps only a moment, or perhaps several hours. Finally, Ban moved.
He released his grip on the tin staff, which, losing its support, fell with a crisp "clang" onto the cold, rocky ground. The sound pierced the deathly silence, carrying a sense of finality.
Ban raised his eyes, his gaze falling on Yan Sheng again, his eyes devoid of any emotion, only a bottomless calm.
"Project Eye of the Moon," he said, his voice hoarser than before, carrying an undeniable stubbornness, "is still feasible. As long as Black Zetsu doesn't interfere."
It's incredibly difficult for an elderly person nearing the end of their life, a strong individual who has been obsessed with something their whole life, to personally deny the goal they pursued with all their might, even at the cost of breaking with close friends and becoming enemies with the world.
Yan Sheng showed no surprise whatsoever.
He had anticipated this would happen.
“But,” he said calmly, “the Otsutsuki main family… will attack sooner or later. Brother, you can’t win alone.”
Ban remained silent.
Proud as he is, he can ignore the criticisms of the world and look down on the entire ninja world, but he is never arrogant.
From the information Yan Sheng revealed about the Otsutsuki clan, he was already able to glimpse the terrifying power possessed by that extraterrestrial race.
Yan Sheng sensed a wavering in his silence and, at the opportune moment, presented the plan he had already prepared.
“So, let’s change our target, brother.” He took a small half-step forward, his eyes burning. “There are many fools in the world, like lambs, living in constant fear. They will blindly follow anyone who points them in the right direction. Of course, there are also wolves among them, who disrupt peace, start wars, and bring endless pain and chaos.”
He paused, then continued:
“Brother, why not make yourself the one and only, the one who stands above all others? Not by relying on illusory dreams, but by using absolute power and will to establish a true, unified order. Make everyone obey your words and exist according to your will. Eliminate the boundaries between nations and ninja villages, crush all those who dare to cause trouble. When the whole world has only one voice, one set of rules, war… will naturally lose its breeding ground. Isn’t this also a kind of peace?”
Ban's gaze sharpened as he re-examined the "younger brother" who claimed to be from another world.
After a long pause, he spoke in a low voice, his tone ambiguous, neither praising nor mocking: "Your ambition is greater than mine."
Upon hearing this, Yan Sheng shook his head: "No, brother. I'm just... more pragmatic than you."
Another long silence followed.
Ban's gaze seemed to pierce through the cave walls, looking towards a distant and unknown place. He seemed to be weighing his options, hesitating, placing the old dream that had sustained him throughout his life on one side of a scale with this new goal.
Finally, he asked a question unrelated to the current topic, yet crucial: "So, in your world," he paused, "peace, has it been achieved?"
Yan Sheng met his gaze and answered without hesitation, "Soon."
However, whatever you do, it must be based on the premise that your body is able to move.
Ban lowered his eyes and stared at his withered hands.
"This body is so weak that it's difficult to even get out of this cave," Madara said calmly. "The original plan was for that kid to use the Impure World Reincarnation technique to completely revive me at the right time."
His gaze shifted to Obito, who was sleeping soundly nestled in Yan Sheng's arms. The boy was curled up, breathing evenly, completely unaware of the topic that was about to determine his fate.
“No.” Yan Sheng interrupted Ban’s thoughts. “He can’t.”
Ban narrowed his eyes slightly, a hint of displeasure flashing in them.
"If you just want to come back to life, I can use the Samsara technique."
Madara's gaze lingered on Obito for a moment before slowly withdrawing.
“Then let’s get the eyes replaced,” he said calmly. “The Rinne Rebirth Technique requires the Rinnegan to be used.”
"No need. I have some."
Before he finished speaking, Yan Sheng removed the illusion disguise from his face.
Two pairs of eyes slowly opened above and below where his original eyes had been.
Three pairs of eyes were symmetrically distributed on his face, two of which were clearly Rinnegan, with purple ripples flowing with an eerie glow in the dim cave.
spot:"?"
He stared at the face that resembled his own, with three pairs of eyes open simultaneously—a strange and eerie harmony, exuding an unsettling, sinister aura. After a long while, he finally found his voice:
"Why?" Madara's Adam's apple bobbed. "You have three pairs of eyes, two of which are Rinnegan?"
Yan Sheng blinked the pair of Rinnegan at the top of his head: "Before I came to you, I went to two other worlds. In one of them, I met Kaguya. She activated the bloodline within me, and something strange happened that even she couldn't explain. In any case, I grew these two pairs of Rinnegan."
He paused, then seemed to remember something: "Oh right, I originally didn't plan to mention it because I thought it was unimportant. But since we've come this far, my brother might be interested."
"The ancestors of the Senju and Uchiha were brothers, and their father was the Sage of Six Paths. Although the two brothers did not directly inherit the power of the Six Paths, their chakra combined could reproduce the power of the Six Paths."
“The Rinnegan is the manifestation of the power of the Six Paths—” Yan Sheng’s gaze fell on Madara’s Rinnegan. “Speaking of which, Madara-nii, how did you awaken your Rinnegan? I guess it has something to do with the Senju clan leader.”
Ban fell silent.
Now he fully understood that the stone tablet at the Nanga Shrine had definitely been altered. As for who was responsible, it was obvious: who else could it be but Black Zetsu?
Thinking back to how he had pondered over the stone tablet years ago, yet still couldn't fathom the true meaning of "the union of Yin and Yang gives birth to all things in the universe," a hint of unbearable urges flashed in Ban's eyes.
He hesitated for a long time before finally challenging Hashirama to a duel, taking a chance and biting off a piece of flesh from his shoulder. That piece of flesh remained undigested in his stomach for decades, only being fully digested a few years ago, at which point he awakened the Rinnegan.
—If Black Zetsu had just said he wanted chakra, that would have been enough. If he had wanted it, would Hashirama have refused? Now he's stuck in this limbo, Black Zetsu is a complete idiot who's good for nothing and good for making things worse.
Just as Madara was about to utter the word "black" when he thought of Black Zetsu, Yan Sheng suddenly threw a sealing scroll in front of him.
The scroll unfurled in the air, and amidst the dense incantations on it, a dark mass could be vaguely seen struggling.
"Black Zetsu's abilities are perfect for escaping. Once it gets away, it's very difficult to catch it again, so I was prepared."
"Right now, it only has the ability to talk, so don't worry about it running away or doing anything else. It knows a lot of secrets, so if you have any questions, just ask it directly."
Madara reached out and caught the scroll. The moment his fingertips touched the seal, he could feel a faint struggle emanating from within. He looked down at the scroll, a complex light flashing in his eyes.
"You're well prepared."
"Fortunately, I'm just like Izuna-san, I'm used to planning ahead."
"Did Izuna teach you that?"
"No, this should be a legacy."
Are you implying something about me?
"To be honest, Ban is indeed a bit more impulsive in his actions."
"Heh, don't think that just because you're my brother from another world, I won't beat you up."
"I'm so glad to see you so lively, but right now the most important thing is to revive you."
"This body is indeed a burden," Madara said calmly, as if he were merely evaluating an object unrelated to himself.
Then, without the slightest hesitation or even a few extra thoughts, his action-oriented style was on full display—under Yan Sheng's watchful gaze, Madara summoned a strange, pure white humanoid creature made of plants—White Zetsu. He left it standing quietly to the side like a container waiting to be filled.
Then, Madara did something that seemed shocking to anyone. He raised his hand, chakra gathered at his fingertips, forming a sharp blade of energy, and then cleanly stabbed it into his own heart.
A muffled thud echoed clearly in the silent cave.
Ban's body trembled violently, and the light in his eyes, which had seen through the vicissitudes of life, quickly dimmed. He slowly slid down against the rock wall, the breath of life draining away from his aging body like the receding tide.
Throughout the entire process, Yan Sheng simply watched, showing neither surprise nor any intention to stop it.
After Madara's vital signs completely disappeared, Yan Sheng turned his gaze to the White Zetsu that had been prepared.
He began to form hand seals, his movements initially a little awkward, but quickly becoming fluid.
"Impure World Reincarnation!"
As the spell was completed, countless ashes-like pieces of paper appeared out of thin air, swarming and enveloping White Zetsu's body.
The paper fluttered and adhered, gradually outlining a human figure. When the paper settled, what appeared in the spot was no longer the aged Uchiha Madara, but a spirited young man with flowing black hair.
He possessed a handsome face with well-defined features, and his tall, upright figure exuded explosive power, just like Madara at the peak of his power.
At this moment, he and Yan Sheng, who was standing next to him, bore an astonishing resemblance of 60% to 70%.
But this similarity actually carries a mysterious quality that is hard to explain.
If we only consider their facial features, the two do look very similar, but people who know them well would never mistake them for one another.
What truly makes this similarity so intense and almost uncanny is the aura emanating from within—the same pride, the same disdain, and the same sharpness and profundity in their eyes, honed through trials and tribulations, as if standing atop the world, looking down upon the mundane existence.
In layman's terms, it means disregarding everyone and looking down on all people equally.
However, Madara's body at this moment was formed by the Impure World Reincarnation. The grayish-white base was covered with countless fine, dark cracks, like those on a restored ceramic, reminding people that this was not a real flesh and blood body.
Yan Sheng took a moment to appreciate the "young" older brother in front of him.
The Impure World Reincarnation technique is truly amazing; it can even bring the dead back to the mortal world. I wonder if summoning Yoriichi would be effective...
I heard that this technique was created by Tobirama Senju.
Yan Sheng once again affirmed in his heart Tobirama Senju's scientific research talent.
After admiring the hand seal, Yan Sheng raised his hand and began to form a completely different mudra.
This technique is more complex and requires a greater amount of chakra: the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique—which he had just learned from Madara.
Both of them were bold enough to believe and bold enough to learn, so they weren't afraid of failure.
...A tremendous life force began to surge from Yan Sheng's body, transforming into a soft yet dazzling light that enveloped Madara in his Impure World Reincarnation state.
The light, like warm spring water, washed over the body, which was made of unclean earth. Under the light's influence, the dark cracks covering the body began to heal and disappear at a visible speed.
The ashen skin gradually became rosy and elastic, and the cold, lifeless body was revitalized with warmth. The heart began to beat strongly, and blood began to flow again in the veins.
As the last ray of light entered Ban's body, he suddenly opened his eyes. Then, he subconsciously clenched his fists, feeling the long-lost strength emanating from his knuckles.
His muscles were full of elasticity, and his chakra flowed smoothly and endlessly within him.
This body is exactly the same as the one he remembers being at his peak.
Ban looked down at his hands, which had been completely healed and were now without a single crack. He felt the powerful beating of his heart in his chest, and an irrepressible, domineering feeling once again filled his heart.
"Heh... Hahahaha!" A deep laugh escaped his throat, eventually turning into a hearty, unrestrained laugh that echoed through the cave, causing dust to fall from the ceiling.
He, Uchiha Madara, has been truly and completely resurrected in his prime!
***
After his resurrection, Madara felt the surging power within him, and the long-lost sense of satisfaction filled him with excitement.
However, when Yan Sheng began to discuss with him in detail the new "pragmatic" goal—to establish an absolute order that unified the world—Ban soon discovered that things were far more complicated than he had imagined.
“Power can conquer, but it cannot rule forever.” Yan Sheng sat cross-legged opposite Ban, his tone as calm as if stating a simple fact. “Brother, what do you think is the most important thing after conquering a piece of land?”
Ban answered without hesitation: "Suppress resistance and establish authority." This was the model he was most familiar with: to silence all dissenting voices with absolute power.
Yan Sheng shook his head: "Wrong. It's about restoring order and protecting people's livelihoods. Farmers can cultivate their land with peace of mind, merchants can travel freely, and even the weakest commoners can light lamps at night without fear of being robbed. Fear can make people obey for a while, but only when the most basic survival and stability are guaranteed will the vast majority of people choose to comply with the new rules in order to maintain this hard-won peace."
He explained in detail how to build the administrative framework, how to balance the forces of all parties, how to use economic and cultural means to subtly consolidate his rule, and even how to shape public opinion to transform the image of the conqueror into the founder and guardian of the new order.
Ban crossed his arms and listened silently. This was completely unfamiliar territory to him.
Yan Sheng used his own world as an example: "In our world, Konoha is still the strongest ninja village, but its influence has long since transcended the purely military realm. Through economic ties, the standardization of the mission system, and the absorption policy for small ninja villages and wandering ninjas, most forces have been invisibly bound to our war machine. The cost of resistance is too high, while the benefits of submission are obvious. War has almost disappeared in the open."
After listening to this long explanation, Ban's deep gaze fixed on Yan Sheng, and he spoke with certainty, "The 'me' of that world is probably not the main force behind all of this. The one truly in control is you." He then asked with a hint of curiosity, "So, what was the 'me' of that world doing?"
Yan Sheng seemed stumped by the question. He tilted his head and thought for a moment, a subtle expression on his face: "Well... in that world, you and the Senju clan chief left most of the village's tedious affairs to your respective younger brothers—of course, I wasn't in charge of those. Izuna-nii had a harder time, often having to deal with mountains of documents."
He added the latest update: "As for now, the two of them are searching the world for Black Zetsu's whereabouts, and incidentally... traveling the world? Overall, they're having a pretty leisurely time."
Upon hearing this, Ban remained silent for a moment, his face expressionless, before casually commenting, "I am indeed a little envious."
Yan Sheng: "Are you that kind of person?"
Ban glanced at him, his tone returning to its usual coldness: "If you know it's fake, then don't ask."
That's what he said, but a complex, almost imperceptible glint flashed in his eyes. Perhaps, that fleeting "envy" wasn't entirely false.
While the Uchiha "brothers" inside the cave were happily planning their future world, a tragic escape was unfolding on the ground.
Rin and Kakashi were covered in blood, their chakra almost depleted, and they were being pursued by Iwa ninja.
Despair clung to their hearts like cold vines. Kakashi's left eye was wrapped in thick bandages, his right eye sharp yet unable to conceal his exhaustion. He desperately swung his White Fang short sword, trying to buy Rin a chance to survive.
Obito has already sacrificed himself; he absolutely cannot let Rin get hurt too!
But how can things be changed according to human will?
At the critical moment, a golden flash, like the sun, tore through the gloom of the battlefield.
Minato Namikaze appeared like a ghost, his kunai slicing through the air. Accompanied by his Body Flicker Technique and fierce attacks, his pursuers were dealt with in an instant.
"Minato-sensei!" When Rin saw the familiar figure, her tense nerves finally relaxed, and tears welled up instantly.
Kakashi also breathed a sigh of relief, leaning on his sword and panting, but his eyes subconsciously avoided Minato.
Minato Namikaze's usual gentle smile was quickly replaced by worry after confirming that his disciples were temporarily safe.
His sharp gaze swept across the scene, and his heart sank—only Rin and Kakashi were there; the ever-energetic figure was missing.
"Rin, Kakashi." Minato's voice was still gentle, but if you listened carefully, you could detect a subtle heaviness in it. "Where's Obito?"
silence.
A suffocating silence.
Rin lowered her head, her shoulders trembling slightly, and suppressed sobs came intermittently. Kakashi also lowered his head, his silver hair obscuring his expression, his hand gripping the White Fang short sword so tightly that his fingertips turned white from excessive force.
Minato Namikaze's ominous premonition grew stronger. He walked up to Rin and gently placed his hand on her shoulder: "Rin, tell me, what happened to Obito?"
“Obito, he…” Rin looked up, her eyes brimming with tears, her voice broken, “To save us, he was crushed by a boulder… he died.” She finally couldn’t hold back and burst into tears.
Shuimen was struck as if by lightning, and his body swayed.
He thought of something, turned his gaze to Kakashi, and then fixed it on Kakashi's left eye.
Kakashi slowly raised his hand and untied the bandage covering his left eye.
Beneath the bandages, the boy's eyes were no longer his original ones, but a scarlet Sharingan with tomoe. At this moment, bright red tears of blood were flowing from this eye, tracing down his face, which was stained with dust and blood, leaving a glaring red mark.
Needless to say, Minato Namikaze had already guessed the origin of this eye and the tragic events it represented.
Looking at the weeping Rin, and then at the silent Kakashi, whose tears of blood flowed down his face, Minato was filled with immense grief.
He opened his mouth, but found that any words of comfort seemed so pale and powerless at this moment. In the end, he could only sigh helplessly.
"You guys... go back to the village first. I'll go find Obito; a hero deserves a proper burial, doesn't he?"
"I want to go too!" (voice x2)
Minato Namikaze took in the miserable state of the two students, his azure eyes filled with worry and solemnity.
Kakashi and Rin were in terrible condition at the moment, and were simply unable to withstand the journey and the risk of encountering enemies.
"I'll take you back to the village first." Minato finally made the decision, his voice gentle but leaving no room for argument.
After using the Flying Thunder God Technique to send Rin and Kakashi back to Konoha Hospital and quickly reporting the mission overview to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, Minato, without even taking a short rest, transformed into the Golden Flash once again and rushed to the scene of the incident near Kannabi Bridge, based on the directions described by Rin and Kakashi.
However, when he arrived at the area that should have been filled with boulders and stained with the blood of his disciples, the scene before him stunned him.
The horrific scene they had imagined did not materialize. Part of the cave had indeed collapsed, and there were some stones of varying sizes scattered on the ground, but there was none of the massive pile of rocks that Lin and Cassie had described, one that would completely bury a person and leave no chance of survival.
There were no large areas of bloodstains on the ground, only some scattered, barely recognizable dark red spots, as if they had been simply cleaned up.
Minato frowned, his senses expanding as he carefully examined every inch of the surrounding land.
Still no.
"Could it be...not this place?" Minato murmured to himself, a huge question rising in his mind.
He believed Lynn and Cassie wouldn't have misremembered the location, but the scene before him differed greatly from their description. Was it a memory lapse? Or... what happened here after they left?
On the other side.
Ban's secret base.
A unique "teaching" session is underway.
Having been resurrected, Madara possesses peak mental and physical abilities, making his learning and comprehension skills terrifying. However, just as Yan Sheng had predicted, Madara's knowledge in areas such as politics, economics, and social structure management is practically nonexistent.
The Uchiha clan revered strength. That was the simple and brutal law of survival during the Warring States period. Madara and Hashirama were able to establish Konoha entirely through their personal prestige, power, and clan alliances.
Yan Sheng had no choice but to take on the role of a teacher, breaking down and explaining his accumulated knowledge to Ban, taking into account the actual situation of this world.
From the most basic resource allocation, population management, and lawmaking, to more complex issues such as public opinion guidance, cultural integration, and checks and balances, the content is vast and profound.
During this time, Obito, who had been left in the corner, woke up several times in a daze. He had just let out a muffled groan and tried to sit up to see his surroundings when Yan Sheng didn't even turn his head. He simply waved his hand casually, and a condensed stream of chakra struck Obito's neck, plunging him back into a deep sleep.
Madara glanced at Obito, who had collapsed again, his tone devoid of emotion: "Tell me why you treat this kid differently?"
Otherwise, he wouldn't have said that he wanted to use Obito.
Yan Sheng's gaze remained fixed on the simple world map he had drawn himself, spread out on the table before him. His tone was flat and even: "There's no particular reason. I just think he's a promising talent, his temperament is still developing, and he's easily molded." He paused, pointing to the Land of Fire on the map. "Alright, no need to waste time on unimportant people. Let's continue our previous study on how to utilize the existing conflicts between major powers to achieve initial infiltration and division..."
Ban stopped asking questions and refocused his attention on the complex geopolitical analysis.
Time flies by while I'm studying.
A week later, Yan Sheng finally finished explaining the basic knowledge points in a rather rushed manner. The rest required Ban to understand and adjust through practical application.
"The basic framework and action plan have been given to you, brother." Yan Sheng put away the scrolls filled with plans and annotations. "How to execute them is up to you."
Ban stood at the cave entrance, gazing at the slivers of sunlight filtering in, his young face radiating a confident yet thoughtful air of control. The past week had been incredibly information-overloaded, but it had also opened a completely new door for him. Power, it turned out, could be used in such a way.
"I know. Thanks, bro..." Ban's voice was deep and powerful. He paused for a moment when he mentioned his brother, as if he wasn't used to it.
Yan Sheng nodded and said no more. He walked to the unconscious Obito, picked him up as easily as if he were carrying a piece of luggage, and hoisted him onto his shoulder.
"Then, I'll take him back to Konoha." After saying that, he turned to leave, but then seemed to suddenly remember something, paused slightly, and turned half of his face to the side.
"Oh, right—"
His voice remained calm, but his next words caused the air to freeze.
"I will be leaving this world soon. I'm saying goodbye to you in advance."
There was no excessive explanation, no sorrow of parting, just a statement of a given fact.
As soon as he finished speaking, he didn't linger. With Obito by his side, his figure disappeared into the intricate shadows of the tunnels outside the cave in a few leaps. The sound of his footsteps gradually faded into the distance until it was completely silent.
Ban stood alone in the same spot.
for a long time.
for a long time.
He let out a barely audible, ambiguous hum, and his figure moved, silently disappearing into the darkness on the other side of the cave.
-----------------------
Author's Note: Today's update is a bit late, I was frequently interrupted TT
However, this chapter is two or three thousand words longer, it's quite long! [Sprinkling flowers]
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