"You're dead."
Hearing those words from Madara Uchiha, Anya smirked—a mocking curve forming at the corner of his lips. "Kill me? With just this illusion of yours?"
At first, Anya hadn't realized the truth. But once he activated his Mangekyo Sharingan, the figure before him couldn't hide anymore—it clearly wasn't a physical body.
"A mirage?" Anya roughly understood what was happening. He'd always thought of Madara Uchiha as that kind of overwhelmingly powerful figure—the kind who'd charge alone into an army of ten thousand and wipe them all out. How could such a man possibly run away?
Thinking back now, wasn't it perfectly normal for him to retreat? After all, he was already on the brink of death. Why would he challenge a young opponent like himself? Even winning would probably mean both of them dying.
In the same situation, Anya would've fled too—without leaving behind even an illusion.
Madara remained expressionless as he got exposed, speaking calmly, "I know your sword art is impressive, but killing someone doesn't always require a blade."
"I agree with that statement," said Anya. Since Madara wasn't really here, he lowered his sword and decided to talk things through. "So why do you want to kill me?"
"Because your existence creates too many variables," Madara explained. "I've studied your journey and understand how you awakened your Mangekyo Sharingan. I can't comprehend your current choices, yet after observing your eyes, I suddenly grasped the truth—you're someone who insists on seizing control of everything himself. Someone like you—with such talent, schemes, and ambition—must be eliminated."
Anya's eyes blazed as he asked slowly and clearly, "I'd really like to know how exactly you plan to kill me."
Madara sneered slightly. "Do you really think I'd tell you?"
"Oh yes, you will," Anya replied emotionlessly while pointing toward his own eye. "Both of us wield the Mangekyo Sharingan; you should know its abilities better than anyone. You've only been gone three days—I won't believe you left no trace behind. Now that you've chosen to flee, it means you lack confidence facing me directly. Give me some time, and I will find you."
Suddenly, he recalled something Serpent Master often said—one simple phrase that echoed in his mind. Time really is a hollow thing. With it passing, everything rots and decays—even a man as powerful as Madara Uchiha is no exception.
"Well done. You've actually managed to threaten me," Madara remarked, smiling not with anger but growing admiration in his eyes. "However, I'm afraid you won't have enough time. Do you still remember the one you awakened Susano'o to protect? I intend to start with her... and then move on to the others."
Before Madara could finish speaking, Anya's figure had already vanished completely.
"Huh, so he left already?" White Zetsu emerged from beneath the ground, sounding puzzled.
"Any Uchiha who has awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, no matter how cold or selfish they may appear on the outside, will stop at nothing once their deep emotions are stirred. What would someone who wanted to grasp everything become when, in the end, they failed to grasp anything at all? I'm truly looking forward to seeing it. Pity—I won't be able to witness it."
As the final words of Madara Uchiha faded, his illusionary image finally vanished.
Not far from that location, Madara stood solemnly, staring at a figure lying on the bed. Upon closer inspection, that person was actually Nagato, who had vanished from Sanshouo Hanzo's area.
At this moment, Nagato was emaciated, paralyzed in both legs, lying there with his brows tightly knitted, seemingly unconscious.
"Begin."
At Madara's command, Black Zetsu quickly covered Nagato's body.
As Black Zetsu's invasion proceeded, Nagato—who had already been suffering—let out a few unconscious roars. His expression became extremely grotesque, but his Rinnegan eyes remained tightly shut, and he did not resist at all.
Once Black Zetsu had completely taken control of Nagato's body, Madara placed both hands over him, frowned, and sighed, "So it really won't work after all? Even a descendant of the Senju Clan cannot withstand the backlash of the Rinnegan. Nagato still needs time to mature. He's completely unable to use the Rinne Rebirth Technique right now. However, this outcome isn't bad either—it saves me a lot of trouble."
"Come out," Madara said. Although somewhat disappointed, this result had been somewhat expected—he had merely tested the situation on a whim.
Obediently, Black Zetsu withdrew from Nagato's body. Madara took one last glance at Nagato before leaving the room together with Black Zetsu.
Not long after he left, the previously suffering Nagato seemed to awaken from a long nightmare. His Rinnegan eyes finally opened wide, and he reflexively sat upright, gasping heavily with sweat pouring from his entire body.
At that moment, a voice filled with seduction echoed in his ear: "I am Madara Uchiha... and you, Nagato, are the savior of the future."
Aya left without a word. Summoning a battle hawk, he sped away, leaving a confused Sasori and Kakuzu still waiting outside.
"That's strange," Sasori said, sending a puppet to scout the place Aya had just entered, frowning. "This is the first time I've ever seen Big Brother Kurotsuchi act in such a panic. What could have possibly happened?"
"Indeed," Kakuzu said darkly. "Even when this brat was nearly dying back then, he remained calm. For him to act so out of character, something big must have happened."
"Let's go, follow him and check it out," Sasori and Kakuzu exchanged glances before pursuing together.
As Aya flew through the sky, his mind felt as heavy as lead. He desperately tried to calm himself, unable to believe that Madara Uchiha would target those close to him, especially starting with Bai.
But wasn't this exactly what combat was all about? No holds barred. He had been the one to seek out the fight, so a counterattack was only natural. One could only say he was still too young.
Aya blamed himself—why hadn't he thought one step further? Why hadn't he anticipated this consequence before coming? Indeed, he truly was a selfish and cruel person.
Bai, wait for me!
In Mist village, Master Gen entered the Mizukage's office, only to find that the Third Mizukage, who had never shown himself publicly, was already gone. The Anbu of Kiri had been fully mobilized, and many ninja received transfer orders from the Mizukage and left the village.
Originally coming to confront them, Master Gen muttered to himself, "Mizukage, what exactly are you trying to do?"
In Cloud village, A, the new Raikage, had just received a clear intelligence report. Before him knelt a ninja trapped in a genjutsu, gasping out with great effort: "I'm a member of Konoha's Root division. We were the ones who leaked the intelligence about the rescue of the Third Raikage to the Tsuchikage. There are also people inside Iwagakure, ensuring that Iwagakure succeeds in killing him."
"Hmph." As soon as the sentence ended, the furious Fourth Raikage, A, blitzed forward and impaled him in an instant, angrily declaring, "Konoha, just wait for me."
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