476-480

Chapter 476: The Second Curse Mark of Heaven! 

Just as Obito and Kakashi were challenging Yagura Karatachi— 

Meanwhile, on the other side,   

soaring through the air, steadily approaching the Land of Water,   

the towering outline of Green Cliffs Reef Island and the first coastline of the Mist Village were already visible in the distance. 

At that moment—   

Shinji suddenly felt something, his body halting abruptly. He turned toward the direction of the Mist Village army’s encampment, a slight smile appearing on his face.   

"Hmm? The Curse Mark of Heaven has been triggered?"   

"The power and side effects of the curse mark have been distributed between two people... Hah, now that’s interesting."   

"And one of them is Kakashi?"   

The Curse Mark of Heaven that Shinji had given to Obito a few days ago wasn’t the original version created by Orochimaru, nor the second-generation version he developed after studying Jūgo’s abilities and passing it on to Sasuke. Instead, it was a unique evolution derived from Shinji’s own Sage Transformation talent.   

To be more precise, it was an upgraded version of Jūgo’s ability, embedding a portion of the Sage Mode’s power and will within it using Orochimaru’s Cursed Seal Jutsu.   

This type of curse mark, similar to Jūgo’s ability, had the potential to achieve something akin to what happened during the Fourth Great Ninja War—when Jūgo infused Sasuke Uchiha’s Susanoo with his Sage power.   

In other words, the Sage Mode abilities of the curse mark could be shared!   

However, due to the high concentration of natural energy within the Sage Mode transformation, those who lacked Shinji’s unique constitution—capable of suppressing natural energy—would struggle immensely to withstand its effects, even at the first stage of activation. Let alone willingly choosing to accept the burden of this power without knowing its benefits.   

But now, since two people were sharing the side effects, the power of the first stage of the curse mark could be fully unleashed. In fact, under these conditions, there was even a possibility that the second stage of the curse mark might briefly manifest!   

And once the second stage was activated, Shinji would be able to remotely trigger the fragment of his will embedded in the curse mark, activating his Sage Mode—and in an instant, he could defeat any opponent below peak Kage-level!   

But—   

"The opponent is Yagura Karatachi?"   

"And not even his Three-Tails Jinchūriki version?"   

Using the distant connection through the Curse Mark of Heaven, Shinji briefly sensed the situation. A peculiar expression appeared on his face before he chuckled lightly.   

"Then never mind. This guy is, at most, only at the level of a weak Kage right now. Not to mention, he’s also under the debuff of being controlled by Madara Uchiha. The three little brats shouldn’t need the second stage of the curse mark."   

Thinking back, a foe of Yagura’s level had once seemed like an insurmountable obstacle to Shinji. During the disaster in the capital city of the Land of Hot Water, he had been nothing more than a small fry before Yagura. If not for the intervention of Aburame Ryoma, he wouldn’t have survived.   

But looking at him now, Yagura was nothing special.   

The strength he had gained today was thanks to four months of relentless effort and training!   

Feeling a hint of sentimentality, Shinji reflected on how giving Obito the Curse Mark of Heaven had been an unintentional decision. It hadn’t cost him anything—if anything, it was merely an insurance policy for his own resurrection.   

But unexpectedly, this simple act had now given the grown-up Kakashi, Obito, and Rin a chance to defy the tragic fate they suffered in the original timeline.   

In a way, this was a small step in rewriting history.   

However—   

Shinji quickly refocused his thoughts.   

Now was not the time to celebrate. The real enemy was still moving in the shadows, and their sights were set directly on him!   

Just as Shinji took a deep breath, preparing to move forward once more—   

Suddenly, his expression changed, his brow furrowing slightly.   

He felt something—some unseen force stirring within him.   

Shinji’s gaze shifted toward the distant battlefield on the southern coastline of the Green Cliffs Reef’s second shoreline—   

At that moment—   

He had sensed it.   

The activation of the second Curse Mark of Heaven!   

--- 

### At the Rebel Forces’ Lighthouse on the Green Cliffs Reef’s Second Shoreline   

This lighthouse, backed by the sea, had temporarily been transformed into a wartime command center by Mei Terumī and her forces.   

Inside, a group of high-ranking rebel leaders gathered around a round table.   

Mei Terumī, Kakuzu, Sasori, and several mid-tier Mist Village members—Ao, Quanbei, and Bi—stood around, watching as Hōzuki Mangetsu and Gokage Yūyajō entered the room.   

As soon as the two returned from the front lines, Hōzuki Mangetsu clenched his teeth and demanded an answer from the young woman at the center of the group:   

"Why? Why don’t we just strike now and take down the Mizukage?"   

"Even though the Third Mizukage has a numerical advantage—"   

Mei Terumī, standing in front of a simplified battlefield map, interrupted him calmly.   

"You’re saying that we have the advantage in terms of high-level combat power,"   

"And that, after being ambushed and failing to unite with the Elders, we’ve been forced to retreat to Green Cliffs Reef, pushing us to the brink of collapse—leaving us unable to withstand the Third Mizukage’s next all-out attack."   

"So, you want to execute a decapitation strategy to quickly end this civil war?"   

"Am I right?"   

Hōzuki Mangetsu let out a heavy breath, lowering his head without a word. He knew his words were reckless, but the intense pressure of the battlefield made it impossible for him to stay silent.   

Mei Terumī shook her head, placing a slender finger on the map as she continued.   

"Mangetsu, based on what you saw with your Byakugan,"   

"The Third Mizukage has deployed—"   

"Thirty thousand troops!"   

"And among them, most ninja are stronger than the average Genin."   

"Even if we count every unnamed clan member, every Genin, every ninja academy student, and every ninja from the affiliated islands, we don’t have anywhere near that number!"   

"Furthermore, our Mist Village has always followed a policy of suppressing the weak while cultivating elite shinobi. Even if we add up all our available forces, there are barely three thousand ninjas left in the village!"   

"This is not normal!"   

"Even if we execute a decapitation strike, our forces would be surrounded by tens of thousands of shinobi—essentially a suicide mission."   

"Not everyone is Shinji."   

"No one here possesses that kind of power!"   

Hōzuki Mangetsu gritted his teeth and slammed his fist against the table in frustration.   

"So, you refuse to ask Shinji for help, and you refuse to go all out in battle—"   

"Then what exactly are you planning to do, Mei!?"   

"I followed you because I believed you could lead the Mist Village to a better future than Yagura, Genji, or the Third Mizukage!"   

"We supported you because we believed you could help Shinji consolidate his victories and unify the ninja world!"   

"But don’t tell me—"   

Hōzuki Mangetsu’s eyes widened as he stared at Mei Terumī’s unwavering, composed expression.   

"Are you seriously planning to just sit here and wait for death?"   

Hearing his words, Mei Terumī took a deep breath, glancing at the people around the table before flashing a sweet smile.   

"Of course not!"   

Chapter 477: The Research Results of the Red Sand Scorpion! 

Everyone present was astonished. In such a moment of near despair, the auburn-haired young woman, who bore the heaviest burden as their leader, could still smile.  

Under the gaze of her sparkling emerald eyes, it felt as if the dark clouds looming overhead were pierced through, revealing a glimpse of a bright, clear blue sky.  

Then—  

Everyone saw it.  

Terumi Mei curled her lips into a confident smile. She turned her head to look at the red-haired boy standing expressionlessly in the corner. 

"Scorpion, I'll leave the explanation to you!"  

Without saying a word, Scorpion squeezed through the crowd. He reached behind his waist, pulled out a scroll from his storage pouch, and slammed it onto the table around which everyone was gathered.  

Then, he bit his finger and performed the summoning technique—  

Bang! 

A burst of white smoke erupted from the scroll.  

With a thud, a corpse with pale white skin and green hair, long dead, dropped onto the table surrounded by the crowd.  

Scorpion scanned the faces of everyone present before finally frowning and speaking,  

"This is the corpse of one of the Third Mizukage's fallen subordinates that I dragged back from the battlefield. It’s not human but rather the product of a technique that seems to involve Yin-Yang Release."  

"You can call it... White Zetsu."  

"This creature possesses a transformation ability so advanced that even the Byakugan struggles to see through it. It also has a technique that allows it to merge into the ground and blend seamlessly with the earth and vegetation, enabling rapid movement while concealing its presence. Although its abilities are troublesome, a single White Zetsu only has the combat power of a low-level ninja."  

"And right now, the army commanded by the Third Mizukage is entirely composed of these creatures."  

"Because they launched a campaign aiming for a swift and decisive victory, and since we have been using long-range tactics with ninja tools and jutsu to hold them off, they haven't had a chance to infiltrate us and cause chaos with their transformation abilities."  

"But..."  

Scorpion lifted his head, scanning the faces around him before sneering, 

"Who's to say that one of them isn't among us right now?"  

Hozuki Mangetsu frowned, staring at the corpse on the table before glancing at the people around him. No matter how he looked, everyone seemed to be the comrades he knew well. 

After a moment of thought, he let out a deep breath and asked, 

"What exactly are you trying to say?"  

Scorpion glanced at him indifferently and replied, 

"Just stating a fact—"  

"It’s possible that whatever we discuss next—our strategies, our breakout plans, and our decisions about the war’s direction—could be known by both us and the enemy."  

"So, before I share the critical intelligence I’ve uncovered..."  

"I must remind you,"  

"Even though the Third Mizukage hasn’t shown up, he might already know what we're planning."  

Turning to Terumi Mei, Scorpion let out a cold chuckle and continued, 

"Terumi Mei, you must make the right decisions under these circumstances where the enemy has an overwhelming intelligence advantage!"  

Whoo—  

Terumi Mei took a deep breath and smiled faintly, 

"Well then, that depends on what vital information you have to share."  

Upon hearing this, Scorpion emotionlessly pulled out a saw from under his black cloak.  

Then,  

Right before everyone's eyes, he crudely sliced open White Zetsu's head!  

To everyone's surprise, there was no brain matter or any splattering of red, white, or green fluids. Instead, the cross-section looked like pale, meat-like chunks, almost like slicing through a sausage.  

"White Zetsu undoubtedly has a physical body, but it’s also clear that it has no brain."  

"Therefore, I can only theorize that its thoughts and consciousness while alive were transmitted through chakra."  

"And the chakra that allowed White Zetsu to 'think' was actually exchanged and transmitted through a unique jutsu called the Mayfly Technique, which travels along the Earth's veins."  

At this point,  

Scorpion lifted his hand and removed a glowing Chakra Core from his chest, placing it in front of everyone, 

"To understand the principles behind the Mayfly Technique, I captured several live White Zetsu to study this technique, which is faster than Uchiha Shisui's supersonic movement speed."  

"I failed."  

He admitted his failure without any emotion, showing no sign of discouragement. Instead, he calmly shared his unexpected discovery, 

"However, during the process, my Tailed Beast Chakra Core unexpectedly detected the frequency and direction of their chakra transmission. Using my new technology, I pinpointed the flow of this chakra—something too fast for conventional Dojutsu or even cellular-level detection techniques in the ninja world to capture."  

"Wait a minute..."  

From the crowd, Kanbei, one of the Mist Village elders' right-hand men, stared at Scorpion in shock, 

"How do you even know about the Mayfly Technique? And what do you mean by determining the flow of the Mayfly Technique!?"  

Scorpion narrowed his eyes and glanced coldly at Kanbei, sneering, 

"Does that really matter?"  

At that moment, Kanbei was drenched in cold sweat, his heart trembling,  

‘Just how many White Zetsu did this guy have to torture to learn this much?’  

The next moment, 

Scorpion flung his cloak aside, raised his right hand, spread his fingers wide, and aimed directly at Kanbei. A blinding beam of light burst from his palm!  

Swish!  

Before anyone could react, the chakra beam pierced through Kanbei's chest in the blink of an eye!  

With a fierce gleam in his eyes, Scorpion flicked his wrist upward!  

The beam sliced Kanbei’s body in half from his chest up through his skull, causing the two halves to crash to the ground.  

Immediately after, Kanbei's face and skin color began to morph, revealing the corpse of a White Zetsu!  

It was only then that everyone realized—  

Kanbei, who was supposed to be the elite right-hand man of the Mist Village elder and a high-ranking officer of the rebel army, had long since disappeared. The 'Kanbei' attending this emergency meeting was merely a White Zetsu in disguise!  

"See? That’s the troublesome transformation technique I was talking about."  

Looking at the corpse on the ground, Scorpion calmly explained.  

Hiss—  

Yuyashiro Homura glanced at Scorpion, who looked indifferent, as if he hadn’t just ruthlessly attacked a high-ranking rebel officer but had merely done something trivial. Homura's mouth twitched slightly. 

But soon, he composed himself, refraining from criticizing the recent events, and instead pointed to the freshly killed White Zetsu and asked, 

"You said you detected the chakra link between them. Does that mean these things have a source body?"  

Scorpion raised an eyebrow, surprised by Homura's insightful question, but unlike his reaction to Kanbei, he chose to explain, 

"Yes, but 'source body' isn't the right term. I don’t know how it’s done, but each White Zetsu is indeed an independent entity."  

"However, they share a chakra source and several nodes that connect them."  

Scorpion frowned slightly before stating decisively, 

"Although it's an abstract explanation, this is the conclusion I’ve reached!"  

Hearing this, Terumi Mei’s eyes sparkled. She immediately asked with great seriousness,  

"In that case,"  

"Scorpion, can you locate the sources and nodes?"  

Chapter 478: Surprise Attack – The Decapitation of the Mizukage!  

"The location of the source?"  

Upon hearing this, Sasori immediately shook his head.  

"It's not that I can't do it—it's that you can't."  

"Not long ago, the source's location changed several times. It was first in the Mountain Graveyard north of the Land of Iron, then shifted westward into the ninja world, appearing near the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Grass. Now, it has returned to the Mountain Graveyard."  

"Based on recent events, we can deduce that this source is none other than the summoning creature of the Rinnegan wielder. You’ve seen it before, when the Akatsuki’s leader, Nagato, used it in Yunming City to capture the Four-Tails, Roshi—"  

"The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path!"  

"During its second appearance in the Land of Grass, before returning to the Land of Iron,"  

"The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path may have sustained some kind of damage, causing the White Zetsu army to go out of control. This corresponds with the sudden retreat of the Third Mizukage’s forces, abandoning their final siege against us."  

"Right now, we can barely break through Green Tangle Reef, let alone leave the Land of Water and head for the Land of Iron."  

"Not to mention that in the process of eliminating the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, we may have to face off against the Akatsuki in the Land of Rain."  

"Trying to eliminate the White Zetsu army at its source is nothing short of a pipe dream."  

Hearing these words, Mangetsu Hozuki furrowed his brows.  

"Wait, are you saying that the source is Nagato’s Demonic Statue of the Outer Path? So... the Third Mizukage secretly allied with the Akatsuki? Is Nagato retaliating against us? Is he the mastermind behind all of this?"  

"Heh, who knows?" Sasori shrugged indifferently, letting out a sneer.  

"After all, these days, even the future Nine-Tails Jinchuriki and those strange Uchiha anomalies from the Land of Wind are running wild in the streets."  

"What else isn't possible?"  

"Then what about the nodes?" Mei Terumi asked, her brows knitted.  

"To control an army of White Zetsu at this scale, the core bodies serving as nodes must be nearby. If we eliminate the nodes you mentioned, would we be able to buy some time?"  

Sasori thought for a moment before estimating uncertainly,  

"Roughly speaking, yes. Each White Zetsu is an individual entity. The orders they receive and the intelligence they possess vary. If we eliminate the ‘main body’ issuing commands, it could disrupt the coordination of the nearby army, creating gaps in their siege. But that window will be very brief."  

"Additionally, based on my reconnaissance—"  

"There are three nodes!"  

Sasori's expression turned serious as he stated firmly,  

"The first node is hidden underground on the main battlefield."  

"The second node is located near the Third Mizukage on the southern front."  

"The third node is currently unknown—even its chakra signature is untraceable."  

"The only ones we can locate and try to eliminate are the first two nodes. However, their abilities remain unknown. The only certainty is that they are extremely fast. If we fail, the remaining nodes will quickly compensate for any losses—especially since the third node is untraceable."  

Sasori's expression darkened as he looked at Mei Terumi and spoke in a grave tone:  

"And even if we do this, Mei Terumi, you should understand—"  

"This will only grant us one thing—"  

"A ticket to meet the Third Mizukage!"  

However, in response, Mei Terumi’s voice rang out, crisp and resolute.  

"That’s enough!"  

"As long as we eliminate the main White Zetsu body on the front lines, we’ll create an opportunity to get close to the Third Mizukage!"  

"An opportunity to carry out the decapitation mission and safely retreat from Green Tangle Reef!"  

"An opportunity for us, a battered remnant army, to seize an entire nation!"  

Bang!  

Mei Terumi flipped over the White Zetsu corpse on the table and slammed her palm against the surface. Her determined gaze swept over everyone present.  

"Now then—"  

"Ladies and gentlemen!"  

"The moment to fight for our nation's future has arrived!"  

"I have no idea where Shinji has gone, and I know many of you may have grievances and doubts."  

"Why not seek aid from Shinji? Why not let him rescue us?"  

"But I want you all to understand one thing—"  

"Shinji owes us nothing, and I have no right to demand that he do anything for me. At this moment, across the ocean, he may not even know we’re in such dire straits."  

Mei Terumi took a deep breath, determination flashing in her emerald-green eyes.  

"But I believe that, in the end, our goals align!"  

"Our actions stem from our own will. We are not Shinji’s subordinates—our future is ours to shape!"  

"Assassinate the daimyo! Kill the Mizukage! Take over the nation! Gather power for ourselves!"  

"We have already accomplished half of the oath we swore in Yunming City through our own strength!"  

"So now—this is our battle!"  

"And next—"  

Mei Terumi raised her hand and placed her pale fingers at the center of the map.  

"We launch a surprise attack—decapitate the Mizukage!"  

"This mission must be carried out by our most elite members!"  

She lifted her gaze toward Mangetsu Hozuki, who had been hanging his head, and Yura no Homura, who stood beside him with a furrowed brow. With solemn determination, she instructed:  

"First, Mangetsu Hozuki, Yura no Homura—you two will infiltrate the main battlefield and eliminate the primary White Zetsu body!"  

"What?" Mangetsu Hozuki’s eyes widened as he abruptly lifted his head in confusion.  

"Why am I not the one assigned to assassinate the Third Mizukage?"  

"I’m perfectly capable—"  

"The main White Zetsu body is hidden underground. We need your Byakugan to locate it. Additionally, to prevent its escape, Yura no Homura’s Blood Dragon Eye genjutsu is indispensable!"  

"This is a task only the two of you can accomplish!"  

Mei Terumi’s words were firm. Without waiting for Mangetsu Hozuki to argue further, she shifted her gaze to another part of the room—toward the silent Kakuzu and the ever-calm Sasori of the Red Sand.  

"Secondly,"  

"Kakuzu, Master Sasori, and I will form a team to attack the southern army, tear through their 6,000-man defense line, and then—"  

"Defeat the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, who serve as the Mizukage’s personal guard, as well as the White Zetsu anomaly by his side!"  

"And finally—"  

"Decapitate the Third Mizukage!"  

Finally, Mei Terumi turned her gaze toward the remaining Mist ninja, whose numbers had dwindled due to previous battles of attrition.  

"The rest of you will be led by Ao and Bi to defend the second coastline. Once our mission is successful, you’ll lead the remaining forces to break out of Green Tangle Reef, reclaim the Mist Village’s main island, seize the barrier protecting the village, and find Elder Genshiro!"  

"That concludes the plan."  

After delivering her orders in one breath, Mei Terumi closed her eyes briefly to steady her breathing.  

Soon—  

As the last light of day was swallowed by the encroaching night, silence spread across the battlefield.  

But in that silence, a deafening war cry suddenly erupted!  

Mei Terumi's eyes snapped open.  

Her emerald gaze shone with unwavering resolve.  

"Move out!"  

Chapter 479: The Stage  

As the last ray of twilight faded from the sky, a chorus of battle cries echoed over the sea! 

Under the flickering dusk, nearly ten thousand Mist Hidden troops surged forward like a dark tide, launching an all-out assault on Green Abyss Reef from the southern shore and the front simultaneously!  

Yet, on the Green Abyss Reef, only two figures stepped out to face them.  

These two wore cloaks with gray-black edges embroidered with sky-blue patterns. Underneath, they were clad in gray vests. One carried a massive sword resembling a door panel—Samehada—on his back and wielded twin blades, Hiramekarei, in his hands. He kept his left eye closed, revealing only a pure white right eye. 

The other bore a pair of blood-red, horizontally slit eyes with peculiar patterns.  

They were none other than Mangetsu Hozuki and Hohozuki Flame.  

“There’s a strange-looking guy about 4 kilometers to your right. He’s hiding under a reef along the shore.”  

“I’ll attack head-on; you cut off its escape. Let’s finish this quickly!”  

“Understood!”  

After a brief exchange, the two darted toward the front lines with clear determination.  

Disguised as Mist Hidden ninjas, the White Zetsu army was utterly incapable of stopping them.  

In no time, following a thunderous explosion, 

a massive wave, dozens of meters high, erupted on the sea's surface, and from within it, a ghostly pale figure leaped into the sky!  

Mangetsu and Hohozuki immediately pursued it with lethal intent.  

As they engaged in battle, chaos rippled through the Mist Hidden army encircling Green Abyss Reef. 

“Water Style: Hidden Mist Jutsu!”  

On another front, dense white fog rose from the sea, impairing the Rinnegan’s vision.  

Under the fog’s cover, the three core members of the decapitation squad—Mei Terumi and her allies—charged toward the heart of the White Zetsu army.  

However... 

Just as they reached the southern shore, they were met with a cold, mocking voice:  

“Wood Style: Wood Human Jutsu!”  

A colossal wooden figure with seven heads erupted from the center of the battlefield!  

High above, as Shinji approached the Land of Water, 

his enhanced vision allowed him to see more and more.  

He saw the White Zetsu army, appearing several story arcs too early. 

He saw Kakashi’s team fighting desperately against Yagura.  

He saw Mangetsu Hozuki and Hohozuki Flame chasing down the true White Zetsu.  

He also witnessed Mei Terumi, Kakuzu, and Sasori battling against the Third Mizukage, who was possessed by Spiral White Zetsu and wielded Wood Style, Ice Style, and five elemental jutsus.  

Unexpectedly, the trio was holding their own against this immensely powerful Mizukage.  

It wasn’t just the Third Mizukage who had been enhanced by Madara Uchiha’s influence. Unbeknownst to Shinji, both Mei Terumi and Sasori had grown stronger due to his own impact on this world.  

Watching the scenes unfold, Shinji felt a sense of disorientation as if the original world was forcibly merging with the altered one he had influenced, resulting in an illogical yet strangely fitting distortion.  

Shinji recalled a theory called [World Line Convergence]:  

When multiple world lines converge, they form a “world divergence” larger than any single line—known as the world line convergence range. 

All world lines within this range eventually lead to the same outcome.  

No matter how hard one tries to change the predetermined outcome within this convergence, the world will find a way to ensure it happens. As long as the result is the same, the path taken doesn’t matter.  

This is the so-called “inescapable fate.”  

In a way, 

Shinji’s reckless actions disrupted this world’s original timeline. Yet, fundamentally, he had only altered one major event:  

The Third Great Ninja War.  

From there branched several key battles, including:  

• The Battle of Green Abyss Reef (The catalyst for the Blood Mist Coup),  

• The Final Battle of the Third Raikage,  

• The Battle of Kannabi Bridge, and  

• The First Akatsuki Battle in the Land of Rain. 

Starting from his indirect influence on the Battle of Green Abyss Reef, to his direct participation in the Third Raikage’s Final Battle (which prematurely ended the Third Great Ninja War), 

to his involvement in The First Akatsuki Battle, triggering Nagato’s summoning of the Gedo Statue.  

And now, the Battle of Kannabi Bridge, along with the subsequent Blood Mist Coup, had resurfaced, albeit in a different form, right before his eyes.  

At this moment,  

The inertia of the original story—or perhaps, the convergence of world lines—was colliding violently with the storm Shinji had set in motion four months ago! 

Every battlefield was locked in fierce, deadlocked combat.  

Every fight hung in delicate balance, needing just a slight push to tip the scales. 

Every scene seemed to be calling out to Shinji!  

If only he could arrive! 

If only he could appear! 

If only he could descend heroically, inspiring hope! 

If only he could push just a bit harder and create changes beyond the world line convergence range, 

then this world could prevent countless tragedies from occurring now and in the future!  

But, just as Shinji was about to intervene—  

From an unnamed island below, an overwhelming chakra surged, demanding his attention.  

Under the newly risen half-moon, 

with rippling reflections of water and the silhouettes of palm trees, 

an elderly man with snow-white hair, dressed in blue robes and using a Death God’s scythe as a cane, slowly emerged from the ground.  

He leaned wearily against a reef, his breath labored from old age. 

Then, he lifted his head, revealing a warm, nostalgic smile as if reunited with a long-lost friend. Looking at Shinji, who was descending from the sky, he spoke:  

“Shinji—” 

“You’ve finally come.”  

Shinji’s expression grew cold. He landed on the beach and began walking toward the elderly man resting against the reef.  

Despite the island’s desolation, 

despite the ordinary reef, 

the moment this old man sat there, 

Shinji felt as though the elder was on the world’s grandest stage, silently watching and waiting for him.  

And he was stepping onto this stage. 

“Yes... I’m here.”  

“Madara Uchiha!”  

Chapter 480: Limited Tsukuyomi  

Not everything in this world goes as planned.  

For Shinji, who had been pushed forward by one unexpected event after another, this was certainly the case.  

And for Uchiha Madara, it was even more so.  

In order to make Shinji understand the truth of this world, 

to have him inherit the name of "Uchiha Madara," 

Madara had carefully woven a dream for him.  

Yet now, that dream was collapsing, piece by piece.  

The White Zetsu army, the Third Mizukage, the Chieyu Organization, Yagura Karatachi, Rin Nohara, who had become the Three-Tails' Jinchūriki—even the Elder Genshi of Kirigakure, who was currently in the village, under Madara’s Sharingan-induced control, waiting for the final moment to stab Mei Terumī in the back—  

But…  

The side plots that once served to push the main storyline forward had now lost their purpose.  

And so, Uchiha Madara had no choice but to reveal himself earlier than planned—to face Shinji in this manner.  

At this moment,  

Madara sat atop a rocky outcrop on a deserted island, his eyes slightly open as he gazed toward the distant shoreline, where battles raged across the battlefield.  

He shook his head and let out a self-mocking chuckle.  

"Hmph. If I said everything was going according to plan, I’d be lying… But beggars can’t be choosers, right?"  

"Even a lion going all out against a rabbit can still see its plan unravel in an instant."  

He turned his head slightly, his deep, dark eyes casting a faint glance toward Shinji.  

"Shinji, you've done well."  

Shinji, suddenly receiving praise, had no idea why this old man was smiling, nor what his words truly meant.  

All he knew was—  

Never before had he felt this level of danger.  

Simply standing here, his heart pounded uncontrollably.  

A visceral, primal fear crept over him, as if an invisible blade was pressing against every inch of his skin, ready to slice him apart at a single command.  

And then, as Madara turned his head fully, locking eyes with Shinji—  

That sense of danger surged to its peak!  

In an instant—  

Shinji's pupils contracted sharply. A crimson glow flooded his eyes, and the three black tomoe in his right eye spun wildly.  

He was about to awaken his Mangekyō Sharingan!  

"Relax,"  

But just then—  

Madara, still perched on the rock, slowly stood up with the aid of his deathly scythe, his movements slightly unsteady. He shook his head at Shinji.  

"The one standing before you now… in many ways, I should already be a ghost of the Uchiha clan."  

"I exist only because I still wander in this hell called reality."  

"However—"  

"Even in this state, there is one last thing I must accomplish before I finally rest."  

He paused for a moment, his sharp, unwavering gaze locking onto Shinji’s face.  

"So—"  

"Shinji, I will give you one final choice!"  

"Choice?!"  

Shinji’s expression tensed, his brows furrowing slightly.  

He couldn’t imagine what Madara still had left to say to him.  

Especially when both of them already knew where they stood, when the elaborate charade Madara had set up had been forcibly dismantled—  

They were on completely different planes of existence now.  

"Yes, I will give you the chance to make a decision—after learning everything for yourself."  

Madara’s dark eyes suddenly widened, their deep blackness being overtaken by a crimson hue.  

The three tomoe in his eyes rotated and connected, forming intricate black patterns—  

A design that wasn’t just his own.  

It was the Mangekyō Sharingan pattern of his younger brother, Izuna, layered over his own.  

The Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan!  

Taking a deep breath, Madara spoke in a low voice—  

"Look into my eyes!"  

Shinji hesitated for a moment, then fearlessly met Madara’s gaze head-on.  

Madara wasn’t like the unhinged Obito he had manipulated.  

At the very least, he still had some integrity.  

He wouldn’t set a trap here.  

And even if he did, Shinji wasn’t afraid.  

His own eyes, a fusion of the Sharingan and the Blood Dragon Eye—a Kekkei Tōta-tier Dojutsu—were no weaker than the Eternal Mangekyō or even the Rinnegan.  

He had no fear of Madara’s Genjutsu.  

Besides,  

He could use this moment to activate his buffs.  

Two pairs of crimson eyes locked onto each other.  

And then—  

"Limited Tsukuyomi!"  

Whoosh!  

The world shattered before Shinji’s eyes.  

Like a puzzle breaking apart, the shattered fragments of reality reassembled into something new.  

Shinji opened his eyes and found himself in a vast, empty, white void.  

Standing before him was Madara—  

Hunched over, draped in a deep blue robe, with long, withered white hair and a face full of wrinkles—  

Looking as though he could keel over at any moment.  

He appeared no different from when Shinji had entered the illusion—  

Except for one thing—  

"You are now inside an experimental Genjutsu known as ‘Limited Tsukuyomi,’"  

"Right now, it’s just a blank space. But through the projection of my will, I can shape and control everything here."  

As Madara spoke, the wrinkles on his face smoothed out at a visible rate.  

His skin regained its youthful vigor—  

In mere moments, he had returned to his appearance from his early twenties.  

"Like this."  

With his words, the illusion shifted.  

In an instant, they were standing atop the First Hokage’s stone monument in Konoha.  

Below them, the village stretched out in all its bustling vibrancy.  

A breeze rolled through, rustling the vast sea of trees behind them, sending leaves drifting through the air.  

But—  

Unlike the Konoha Shinji remembered, where the Hokage Rock bore three faces—  

This one had only a single carving: that of Hashirama Senju.  

The young Madara smirked slightly and reached out, catching a falling leaf between his fingers.  

Through its hollowed-out center, he gazed down at the village below.  

"Shinji, this was my era."  

"So what?"  

Shinji frowned, his expression indifferent.  

"Whether it’s Infinite Tsukuyomi or Limited Tsukuyomi, creating a world like this… you’re just running away."  

"An illusion is still an illusion. You know that better than anyone."  

"No matter how much you indulge in a dream, it's just a temporary escape."  

"When you wake up—whether it’s you, me, or anyone else—we all have to face reality."  

"No matter how heavy that reality may be!"  

"Is that so? So that’s what you believe."  

Madara, hearing Shinji’s words, didn’t get angry.  

Instead, he chuckled and shook his head.  

"You’ve read the stone tablet beneath the Naka Shrine, haven’t you?"  

"With the eyes you inherited from Uchiha Setsuna, eyes nearly on par with mine—"  

"You must have deciphered the truth of Infinite Tsukuyomi."  

"But—"  

Madara’s expression turned cold.  

His eyes deepened, darkened, as a chill spread through the air.  

Turning away from Shinji, he gazed upon the world below with an impassive stare.  

"Shinji, you are still too young. You have yet to grasp the true nature of this world."  

"You think I seek Infinite Tsukuyomi to escape reality?"  

"You think the world it creates is false?"  

"You’re still too naïve."  

"What is real? What is false?"  

"Then—let me show you."  

"My era—"  

"And the failure that is Hashirama Senju’s world!"  

(End of Chapter)