After controlling the Third Mizukage to spar with his disciple and bringing Yagura back to Kirigakure, Madara Uchiha severed his connection with the Third Mizukage. With the genjutsu in place, he was confident nothing would go wrong, though he could no longer observe things from the first-person perspective.
Besides, Black Zetsu was keeping watch. What did he have to worry about?
Madara felt exhausted. His eyelids grew heavy, and he eventually propped his chin on his hand and drifted into sleep.
This sleep was deep, filled with moments of joy, pain, and madness.
He dreamed of his first meeting with Hashirama, their first time playing together, and later becoming clan leaders, facing each other on the battlefield as heads of their respective clans.
He dreamed of his younger brother, Uchiha Izuna.
"Brother, take my eyes and the clan's longing for peace, and keep moving forward."
"Brother, I can no longer fight by your side. From now on, take care of yourself."
Madara screamed in his dream, but his voice gradually faded. He wept in his dreams, but after that, he never shed tears again. Once, he had rejoiced in his growing strength, but now he viewed everything with indifference.
His mind replayed the moment Tobirama Senju killed Izuna. In his dream, he repeatedly analyzed the Flying Thunder God Slash, trying to decipher it so he could kill Tobirama with his own hands.
But reality betrayed him. In the end, he and Hashirama founded Konoha together, ushering in an era of peace. For the sake of peace, he even gave up avenging Izuna and worked alongside his former enemy.
Back then, he even wore Konoha's forehead protector, didn't he? Izuna had wanted the Uchiha to live in peace. He must have achieved that, right?
Yet as time passed, he realized the villagers revered Hashirama. The title of First Hokage was given to him, and Madara had no objections.
Hashirama even promised him the position of Second Hokage. But what happened in the end? That very enemy of his became the Second Hokage. At that moment, Madara understood—if the Uchiha remained in Konoha, they would never rise to power.
All he had ever wanted was to lead his clan toward peace. But his clansmen abandoned him, their clan leader, content with this false peace.
"Hashirama, do you think I don't understand? Compared to me, the villagers and the higher-ups all want Tobirama to be Hokage." Madara stared at Hashirama.
Hashirama hesitated, his expression evasive. He was a terrible liar, so in front of Madara, he could say nothing but empty words, urging him to calm down.
"The Uchiha are being pushed further and further away from power! You've disappointed me, Hashirama!" Madara turned and returned to the clan compound without another word.
To protect the Uchiha, Madara decided to restore their path to political power and chose to oppose Hashirama.
He knew this clearly, so he gathered the clan and called on them to follow him out of Konoha, to seek their own promised land.
But…
The Uchiha longed for an end to war. None were willing to follow him. Even his own subordinates despised him for trying to reignite conflict.
They all chose betrayal. He had only wanted to protect his clan.
He couldn't even protect his younger brother. The promise he made to Izuna to safeguard the Uchiha—he had failed.
If Izuna knew in the afterlife, would he be angry? Madara didn't know. He left the village, betrayed by everyone, without a single follower.
Like an old wolf abandoned by its pack, he was left in disgrace, loneliness, and pity.
Madara Uchiha did not need pity. Even if he stood alone, he would carve out a path to peace for the ninja world. Even if he stood alone, he would end all wars with the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
This was him—the Demon of the Shinobi World, Madara Uchiha!
"Indulging in this false peace is meaningless, Hashirama. I will prove to you that I was right."
Madara whispered to himself. But now, it seemed he had gained another bond—that man who resembled him by seventy percent, with brows bearing a thirty percent likeness to Izuna: Uchiha Ryun.
This was his brother's only living descendant. Even if he died, he would protect him.
With this thought, Madara opened his eyes. Black Zetsu stood nearby.
"How long was I asleep?" he murmured.
"Lord Madara, an entire day," Black Zetsu replied respectfully.
Madara nodded. "Any news from Konoha?" He was actually asking about Ryun's recent well-being, but his pride kept him from saying it outright.
Black Zetsu understood immediately. "Konoha recently came into a fortune, all thanks to your grandson."
"Oh? Explain in detail. What happened?" Madara's lips curled, his eyes brightening as he sat up straight.
Black Zetsu sighed inwardly. To please Madara, he recounted everything he had learned.
Madara burst into laughter. "Hahahaha! As expected of Izuna's grandson! He's inherited all the best traits from me and Izuna!"
But then he paused. His grandson seemed quite close to Konoha and unwilling to join his cause.
Well, it didn't matter. Young people had their own paths to walk.
"By the way, Lord Madara, in three months, Uchiha Ryun will be getting married. His bride is Hashirama's granddaughter," Black Zetsu said, narrowing his eyes.
Madara nodded. "That girl is quite beautiful. A good match for my grandson. The grudges of the older generation shouldn't involve the young."
"Still, even if I can't attend my grandson's wedding, the gifts must be delivered. Black Zetsu, take this to him."
With that, he handed Black Zetsu the Uchiha War Fan.
Black Zetsu's eye twitched. Was Madara really willing to part with this? The Uchiha War Fan not only amplified the power of fire-style jutsu but was also a symbol of the Uchiha clan leader!
"Yes! I'll set off immediately!"
Madara nodded. 'This heirloom of the clan leader's lineage was always meant for future generations. I don't know how much longer I have left. It's only right to give it to Ryun.'
Black Zetsu moved swiftly, infiltrating Konoha underground and possessing an ordinary person. He then used the body to write a wedding blessing.
The signature read "Madara," but the surname was omitted. He was sure Ryun would understand.
When he reached the Uchiha compound, Ryun had just woken up. Someone outside called for him to retrieve an item.
When Ryun reached the gate, he found a wooden box, but the person who delivered it was already gone.
He carried the box back to his room and opened it, only to find the Uchiha War Fan inside. His brow twitched. Beside it was a note signed "Madara."
Ryun's emotions were complicated. He ran his fingers over the fan, and suddenly, it emitted a flash of light, pricking his finger.
A drop of blood fell onto the fan, forming a connection between him and the weapon. The Uchiha War Fan's secrets and usage flooded his mind.