After leaving Kirigakure, Kiyosuke returned to Konoha and enjoyed a brief period of peace.
Soon after, he began putting his plan into motion.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, now retired, rarely visited the Hokage's office anymore. With Tsunade firmly seated as Hokage, his assistance was no longer needed. He had stepped back to spend his days with his grandchildren, enjoying the quiet life of retirement.
This tranquility was something he cherished.
"It's rare. With how busy you are, I didn't expect you'd come looking for a worn-out old man like me."
Hiruzen chuckled warmly. His face was more lined than before, speckled with age spots, and his silver hair had grown thinner. Yet his complexion was still rosy, suggesting he could easily live another couple of decades.
It made sense—if Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane lived all the way into Boruto's time, then there was no reason why Hiruzen, who had survived the Konoha Crush, wouldn't as well.
Kiyosuke accepted the tea brought by Biwako Sarutobi, thanked her politely, and then said:
"Third, I need something."
"Oh? And what could possibly be important enough for you to come to me?"
Hiruzen raised a brow. Given Kiyosuke's status and influence in Konoha, almost anything he wanted could be acquired simply by informing Tsunade. What could be so important that he would come directly to him?
"Uchiha Madara's cells. Do you have them?"
The moment those words left Kiyosuke's mouth, Hiruzen froze. His aged eyes suddenly gleamed with sharpness, a brilliance that was hard to believe belonged to someone in his seventies.
"What do you need those for?"
He did indeed possess Madara's cells. Back when Tobirama Senju had studied Madara's supposed corpse, samples had been preserved. But why was Kiyosuke asking for them now?
"Don't tell me… you intend to—"
Hiruzen's expression darkened. He knew Kiyosuke had mastered the Impure World Reincarnation. During his battle against Orochimaru, he had seen Kiyosuke summon the Fourth Hokage through it. Could it be that Kiyosuke wanted to reincarnate Madara himself?
"No. Absolutely not. That's far too dangerous, Kiyosuke! You can't predict the consequences of abusing such a forbidden jutsu. And we're talking about Uchiha Madara!"
Even after all these years, the memory of that night haunted him—the night Madara attacked Konoha with the Nine-Tails. That godlike, demonic figure was the nightmare of his childhood. Even after Hashirama defeated him, Hiruzen had been plagued with countless nights of terror.
If Kiyosuke really resurrected Madara, even if it was only for a purpose, could anyone truly control a monster second only to the First Hokage?
"I know your strength, but Madara is no ordinary man."
Hiruzen's tone was heavy with concern. He hoped Kiyosuke would reconsider.
Kiyosuke, however, was resolute.
"Only he can help me accomplish certain things. This is for Konoha's future, for the future of the entire shinobi world—and for myself. Forgive me, Third-sama, but I must insist. Please hand over Madara's cells."
If he reincarnated Madara ahead of time, many future problems could be resolved before they even began. With Madara as a key piece, he could respond to any shift.
Black Zetsu's chosen vessel for reviving Kaguya was none other than Madara. No one was more suitable. Of course, Obito was also within his scope, but ultimately, anyone who became the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki was a candidate.
At present, only three people could possibly become that vessel: the dead Uchiha Madara, the manipulated Obito, and the crippled Nagato.
Black Zetsu had deceived Madara. Madara had manipulated Obito. Obito, in turn, had tricked Nagato. One link bound to the next.
Nagato was merely a tool to bring Madara back. Obito too was just another pawn. If circumstances shifted, Black Zetsu might even attempt to turn Obito into the Ten-Tails' host.
That cunning old monster had spent centuries scheming to resurrect his "mother."
The "dutiful son's quest to save his mother" was no exaggeration.
A fake filial son: the man feared as the progenitor of shinobi, power vast enough to suppress the entire world, still scheming from beyond the grave to prevent his mother's return.
The real filial son: a formless black shadow, genderless, eternally scheming, deceiving Indra's reincarnations for thousands of years—all just to set his mother free.
Madara was Black Zetsu's most prized vessel, the only Indra reincarnation who had been fully swayed and awakened the Rinnegan.
And the Rinnegan was essential. Without it, there would be no way to control the Ten-Tails, no hope of reviving Kaguya. Kiyosuke could, in theory, march to Amegakure right now, fight Nagato, and destroy his Rinnegan—ending everything.
But that wasn't necessary.
Without the Rinnegan, the Fourth Shinobi War wouldn't even happen. Without that war, Naruto and Sasuke would never receive the Sage's power. And without that power, they would be helpless against the Ōtsutsuki clan beyond this world. Even Kiyosuke himself wouldn't stand a chance.
Some parts of the story had to follow their natural course. Otherwise, too many paths would close off.
The thought gave Kiyosuke a headache. Still, there was plenty he could influence.
"No. I won't allow it!"
Hiruzen shook his head firmly.
Kiyosuke pressed on.
"Third, don't fear Madara's power. I need him for something specific. Yes, he's dead, but Obito—under his control—is still active in this world. To this day, I haven't been able to bring him back."
"You mean… you want Madara to bring Obito back?"
Hiruzen frowned. He knew Kiyosuke's bond with Obito had always been strong. He also knew that though Pain appeared to lead the Akatsuki, the true mastermind was Obito.
To think the same Uchiha boy who once dreamed aloud of becoming Hokage had fallen so far… Hiruzen sighed inwardly.
If Obito hadn't suffered that tragedy, perhaps he, not Tsunade, would have become the Fifth Hokage. Perhaps the Uchiha would have truly become one with the village. Instead, here they were, relying on Kiyosuke to slowly bridge the gap.
"Uh… yeah, that's right. For Obito's sake."
Kiyosuke nodded hastily. In truth, he hadn't thought of using Madara to reclaim Obito. If anything, Obito would probably bow down in worship the moment he saw Madara.
"Don't do anything reckless. Come with me."
Hiruzen finally rose to his feet. At this point, all he could do was hope that once reincarnated, Madara wouldn't spiral out of control… or at least that Kiyosuke would be able to restrain him.
"Relax. I can adjust his power to the lowest level. Nothing will go wrong. And even if it does, I'll handle it!"
Kiyosuke patted his chest confidently.
Don't worry. Trust me. I've got this!
"…Let's hope so."