After the meeting concluded, Setsuna visited the awakened Madara in the specially constructed cell in the deepest part of Konoha's secret prison.
The cell was dimly lit. Sealing formulas covered the walls.
Madara's hands were bound with special Chakra Chains, but his gaze remained as proud as a falcon's.
"Just one year..." Madara's voice was hoarse and dark. "...you've become this powerful?"
A year ago, Setsuna was strong, but in Madara's eyes, he was far inferior to his own prime self.
But now... Unless he truly revived and regained the complete Rinnegan, he wouldn't stand the slightest chance against the current Setsuna.
"Naturally, it's the result of my diligent training," Setsuna replied with a smile.
Madara sneered, not believing a word of it. How could anyone progress this much in just a year of training?
Setsuna didn't continue that topic. Instead, he said, "My purpose in coming to see you this time is to recruit you. I want you to become my subordinate."
The cell suddenly fell dead silent.
A moment later, Madara burst into wild laughter. "Hahahaha... Don't think just because you're stronger than me now, you can make me bow! Even Hashirama could never make me do that!"
"You will agree," Setsuna's tone was full of certainty. "Because I am your great benefactor, the one who saved your life."
Madara's laughter stopped abruptly. "Saved my life? Have you lost your mind? My life ended long ago."
Setsuna smiled. "You can lie to others, but don't lie to yourself. Didn't you already arrange for Black Zetsu to pave the way for your resurrection?"
Madara's pupils constricted sharply. "You... know about Black Zetsu?"
"I know far more than you imagine," Setsuna's smile held a touch of pity. "For example... Black Zetsu is not your will at all. You are merely a pitiful puppet manipulated by it your entire life."
"Preposterous!" Madara snorted dismissively. "Black Zetsu is naturally my will."
Setsuna lightly clapped his hands. "Black Zetsu."
Hearing Setsuna's call, Black Zetsu instantly appeared at his feet, obedient as a puppy.
"Madara, didn't you say Black Zetsu was your will?" Setsuna gently nudged Black Zetsu with his foot. "Try and see if you can reclaim this part of your 'will' now."
Madara frowned, attempting to bring Black Zetsu back under his control. But he found Black Zetsu didn't respond at all to his mental resonance.
"How is this possible?" Madara's voice wavered for the first time. "Just who are you?"
Black Zetsu looked up, its voice eerie. "Hehehehe, I am—"
Whap.
Setsuna slapped it on the head. "Talk properly."
Black Zetsu shrank back resentfully, explaining honestly. "I am the will of Otsutsuki Kaguya. The contents of the stone tablet in your Uchiha Clan's Naka Shrine were actually altered by me. The purpose was to revive Mother."
Madara's body trembled violently. "So... the Eye of the Moon Plan is fake? There is no so-called perfect world?"
"The Infinite Tsukuyomi is real. That Jutsu does exist," Black Zetsu said cautiously. "But the Jutsu itself exists to revive Mother. The entire world would become the offering for her resurrection."
Madara instantly saw red. He had always believed that only the Infinite Tsukuyomi could create a truly beautiful world. He hadn't truly intended to destroy the world.
The thought that he had been played like a pawn by Black Zetsu made fury surge uncontrollably within him.
He had always wanted to prove Hashirama's ideas were wrong, that only he could truly bring peace. Now, he didn't know if Hashirama was wrong, but he himself was definitely, horribly mistaken.
"I'll kill you!"
Madara's roar made the entire prison tremble. In his extreme rage, he even broke through the seals momentarily.
But just as he was about to break free from the chains, Setsuna lightly raised a hand and suppressed him.
"Calm down," Setsuna's voice remained calm. "Now, don't I count as your great benefactor?"
Madara's chest heaved violently, his eyes blazing with fury.
Finally, he snorted coldly. "Even if you did me a favor, I could never become your subordinate."
Setsuna shrugged. "Alright, then I'll phrase it differently. We cooperate. Join forces to deal with our common enemy… the mastermind behind summoning you."
He glanced at Black Zetsu, curled up to the side. "As for the grudge between you and Black Zetsu, set it aside for now."
Madara fell silent for a moment, then reluctantly nodded. "Cooperation is acceptable. But... how do you plan to deal with that mastermind? That guy's strength is terrifyingly powerful!"
Madara's expression was serious. "I prepared the Edo Tensei as a backup long ago. I also mastered the method to release Edo Tensei on my own. Logically, I should have been able to escape the caster's control... But that person's power is too immense. The Edo Tensei he personally cast... even I couldn't break it."
Setsuna's gaze was steady. "It's normal for you to feel pressured. Your Uchiha Clan's bloodline originates from the Sage of Six Paths. The Sage of Six Paths' power, in turn, comes from Otsutsuki Kaguya. The mastermind is named Otsutsuki Isshiki, a member of Otsutsuki Kaguya's clan."
Madara's eyes glazed over, 'Did Black Zetsu tell him all this?'
Setsuna narrowed his eyes. "The Rinnegan you worked so hard to awaken... among the Otsutsuki Clan, it can only be considered a medium-to-high-tier ability. Many in that clan can naturally awaken the Rinnegan."
"Impossible!" Madara found it hard to believe. "How could such a powerful clan exist in this world?"
Setsuna shook his head slightly. "The issue now isn't exploring why they exist, but considering… how do we kill Otsutsuki Isshiki?"
"Kill him?" Madara's pupils contracted sharply. "If that clan is truly as strong as you say, are you sure you can kill him?"
Setsuna gave a faint smile. "If he were in his prime, I truly wouldn't be a match. But an Otsutsuki barely clinging to life? If I go all out, I might just be able to kill him!"
Madara looked directly into Setsuna's eyes. "How strong is your full power state?"
"About ten times my normal state?" Setsuna said, then thoughtfully looked at Black Zetsu.
He had always been afraid to fully open all Eight Gates, worried even Senzu Beans couldn't save him.
But now, with Black Zetsu as support, perhaps he could try the Eight Gates Released Formation.
After all, Black Zetsu's very essence could even exempt the cost of death from a Rinne Rebirth.
Black Zetsu felt uneasy under his gaze, forcing out a smile. "Does Setsuna-sama need me to do something?"
"Heh, it's nothing."
"Ten times?" Madara's eye twitched violently. He felt that even if he revived perfectly and regained his Rinnegan, he probably still wouldn't be Setsuna's match.
He took a deep breath. "How do you want me to help you?"
Setsuna said solemnly, "I'm not afraid of the Otsutsuki Clan's power. The only thing I'm wary of is their spatial abilities. Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique requires marking beforehand. Against Otsutsuki who can freely traverse space, it's just not reliable enough."
At this point, he let out a rare sigh. "Ultimately, it's because I'm still too weak. If I could shatter space with my physical body, I wouldn't have to worry about being trapped in another dimension."
Madara: "..."
'Shatter space with his physical body? Does this guy have some misunderstanding about the word 'weak'?' Madara inwardly screamed.
"So..." Setsuna looked back at Madara. "...I'll have Black Zetsu cooperate with Nagato and use the Rinne Rebirth Technique to resurrect you."
Madara frowned slightly. "I understand your intention. But even if I regain the Rinnegan, my Dojutsu doesn't possess spatial abilities."
Setsuna said calmly, "Don't worry. I never intended to have Nagato return your eyes."
Madara asked, puzzled, "Then what do you mean?"
Setsuna said unhurriedly, "Since your body was able to nurture the Rinnegan, it should count as an Otsutsuki body. I plan to make you the incubator for the Tenseigan."