243 Naruto: Snatching the Mangekyō

Uchiha Madara's plan had no guarantees from the very start. If it weren't for Black Zetsu diligently maintaining the course of action for the sake of reviving his so-called "mother," Madara would have remained in the Pure Land forever.

Yes, in Madara's mind, he had created Black Zetsu—his will incarnate.

But the real issue was that the Black Zetsu he created with Yin-Yang Release had no real combat ability. How was it supposed to ensure the plan's success?

Fortunately, the Edo Tensei technique still existed. Without it, both Madara and Black Zetsu would have been completely doomed.

The plan would have been a failure.

Left with no choice, Black Zetsu began explaining, "Something unexpected happened in Konoha. A powerful individual emerged, and Obito was defeated."

"Oh? Who was it?" Madara's interest was piqued. He asked curiously, "That brat Obito has an incredibly formidable dojutsu. If he truly wanted to escape, even I wouldn't have had a sure way to stop him without using a sealing technique. How did he lose?"

"The current Fifth Hokage of Konoha," Black Zetsu replied, then continued, "That kid Obito was likely ambushed using the Spirit Transformation Technique—killed in a single strike. Now, his eyes are in the hands of Uchiha Akira."

"An Uchiha!?" Madara's expression changed to one of surprise. "An Uchiha actually became Hokage? What happened to the Fourth?"

"Yes, an Uchiha," Black Zetsu shrugged. "The Fourth Hokage was killed by Obito and Nagato working together, giving Uchiha Akira the opportunity to take the position."

"That Uchiha Akira is no ordinary man. Under his leadership, Konoha has flourished, completely breaking free from the Fire Daimyo's influence and growing at an astonishing rate." Black Zetsu spoke with a hint of emotion.

"An Uchiha with such capability... this is getting interesting." Madara smirked.

Looking at Black Zetsu, he asked, "If that's the case, then this Uchiha Akira must be incredibly powerful. How does he compare to that brat Tobirama?"

Black Zetsu hesitated, an awkward expression appearing on his face. He wasn't sure if he should say it.

"What's with that look?" Madara frowned, his voice low and commanding. "Speak!"

Hearing Madara's demand, Black Zetsu answered immediately, "Lord Madara, I believe that Uchiha Akira has surpassed the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama."

After all, the one who would be most shaken by this revelation wasn't Black Zetsu—it was Madara himself.

Madara was proud, arrogant even. Aside from Hashirama, he had never truly acknowledged anyone else's strength.

"What did you just say?" Madara's expression darkened, an overwhelming surge of chakra erupting from his body.

He glared at Black Zetsu and demanded, "Stronger than Hashirama? Black Zetsu, do you even know what you're saying? How could anyone in this world surpass Hashirama?! He was my lifelong rival!"

Black Zetsu sighed. "Lord Madara, I understand this is difficult to believe, but it is the truth."

"That Uchiha Akira transplanted Obito's eyes into himself and awakened the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. Not only that, but like the First Hokage, he has also mastered Sage Mode," Black Zetsu explained.

Hearing this, Madara's expression turned serious. He fell silent in thought before murmuring,

"If that's the case, then it is possible that he has indeed surpassed Hashirama..."

"I never expected Konoha to produce someone like this!" Madara's face lit up with excitement.

"Black Zetsu, let's go. I want to meet this Akira and see if he's truly as powerful as you claim!"

Battle intent surged from Madara's body, his overwhelming chakra spreading outward, shattering the containers in the lab with explosive force.

"Lord Madara, I don't think heading to Konoha right now is the best idea," Black Zetsu quickly interjected. "Nagato is already there, and the battle is fierce."

"The battle is fierce? Nagato, as the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, hasn't won yet?" Madara was taken aback.

He had no reason to doubt Black Zetsu—surely he had White Zetsu monitoring the battlefield in real time.

"Indeed, the battle is intense. Not long ago, White Zetsu reported that Nagato seems to be at a disadvantage," Black Zetsu said.

This information was not in real-time, of course, but it was still relatively recent.

"Nagato is struggling? How is that possible? He has the power of the Sage of Six Paths! How could Konoha be that strong?" Madara found it hard to believe.

"Nagato's Ten-Tails isn't complete. Several tailed beasts were not fully captured, and a significant portion of their chakra remains in Konoha's hands. Even worse, the Nine-Tails had to be replaced with the resurrected Gold and Silver Brothers using Edo Tensei," Black Zetsu explained.

Madara stared at Black Zetsu and questioned sternly, "That would weaken the Ten-Tails, but not enough to make such a drastic difference. What else happened?"

Black Zetsu chuckled awkwardly. "After Obito's death, to ensure our plan continued smoothly, I unsealed a certain Uchiha. When Nagato became the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, that Uchiha betrayed him and used the Six Paths: Ten-Tails Coffin Seal to steal a portion of the Ten-Tails' power!"

Madara's expression twisted in fury, his voice icy.

"Black Zetsu, you act on your own far too much. You ruin more than you accomplish!"

Suddenly, Madara turned sharply, his eyes locking onto the entrance to the laboratory.

"Boom!"

With a muffled explosion, the tightly shut doors of the lab were kicked open.

A silver-haired Uchiha with two short horns on her forehead strode inside, leading Senju Tobirama into the room.

"Oh? So it's you, Black Zetsu!" Uchiha Hikari stepped forward, glancing at Madara and the Orochimaru-possessed Black Zetsu. "Seems like you've been busy—reviving someone impressive, I see."

Madara's heart tensed at the sight of Hikari. This girl was definitely not ordinary.

"This presence... Even Hashirama never gave me this kind of feeling..." Madara's expression grew grave.

He had already guessed who she was—the very Uchiha who had stolen a portion of the Ten-Tails' power from Nagato.

Hikari turned her gaze toward Madara before shifting to Tobirama. "Who's this?"

"Uchiha Madara," Tobirama replied, his knowledge and memories still intact despite being under Hikari's control.

"Uchiha Madara!?" Hikari's eyes flickered with surprise.

She sized Madara up from head to toe, muttering, "So it's him... No wonder he feels this strong."

For the first time in his life, Madara felt irritated at being scrutinized like this.

In an instant, his Sharingan flared open—Madara was making his move!