Chapter 160: Damn... Did I Become Madara's Son?
"I'm alive!"
That was the first thought that flashed through Li Yao's mind the moment his consciousness returned and he opened his eyes. Only then did he shift his attention to his surroundings.
What entered his view was a white spiral-shaped face, taking up most of his vision, and a pair of eyes shining with intense curiosity even in the dim room.
Tobi leaned in close to Li Yao's face, his eyes wide with wonder. "Do you feel the urge to poop?"
As he spoke, Tobi even reached for a certain... indescribable part of Li Yao's body, startling him. Li Yao quickly willed it, and the Black Iron Cloak instantly covered his body, shielding his fully exposed form.
Tap tap!
Startled by the sudden activation of Li Yao's chakra armor, both Tobi and White Zetsu instinctively leapt backward, thinking he was about to attack them.
They knew full well how terrifying the Black Iron Chains were—if caught, even they would be done for.
Of course, Li Yao had no intention of attacking them. He got up from the bed, sat on the edge, and looked around.
It was a sealed chamber with no light source, yet he could still clearly see everything inside.
He ignored the shocked looks from Tobi and White Zetsu, and paid no mind to the white-haired old man seated on a stone throne. Standing up, he stretched slightly, feeling the surging chakra and vitality within him. The corner of his lips curled upward in a satisfied smile.
"Just being alive is good enough."
Li Yao let out a long breath. As long as he was alive, he could continue his plan for revenge against the Third Hokage.
"Such rapid adaptation!"
White Zetsu was shocked at how quickly Li Yao adjusted to his body, now partially composed of Zetsu cells. Normally, someone who had been comatose for a year and had half their body replaced with White Zetsu cells would face severe internal discord, needing time to synchronize both mind and body.
It would be like two consciousnesses fighting for control—usually requiring a long period of adjustment.
But Li Yao showed none of that. His will completely dominated. The Gedo Statue's chakra had fused with his without causing any imbalance.
This could only mean one thing: Li Yao's consciousness was extraordinarily strong—or just utterly unique.
Either way, Li Yao was far from ordinary.
An uneasy feeling stirred again in White Zetsu's heart. But at the moment, he couldn't find any reason to believe Li Yao could escape the Gedo's chakra control.
Also… wasn't he acting a bit too calm?
It was as if he already knew them well.
"Hey, brat! Aren't you being a little too arrogant?" Tobi was a bit upset that Li Yao ignored him—and more importantly, hadn't answered his "poop" question—so he voiced his displeasure directly.
Li Yao chuckled slightly, turning his gaze to the white-haired man seated not far away—Uchiha Madara.
But the moment he did, his smile vanished.
Li Yao frowned. He could feel a trace of foreign chakra inside his own—just like how Sarutobi Tenchu's chakra once carried the Third Hokage's signature.
Now, his own chakra bore the distinct chakra signature of Uchiha Madara.
How did he know the old man was Madara?
Simple. Who else, at this point in time, would be living with White Zetsu?
Still... what kind of twisted joke was this?
Escaping death only to be rewarded with a "father"?
Li Yao groaned inwardly but didn't stop moving. He tried purging Madara's chakra from his body.
But it didn't work. Madara's chakra wasn't an external invader. It had already fused with his own—like carbon in steel, inseparable. At least, not by any means Li Yao currently possessed.
"Damn it… I've been tainted!"
Li Yao cursed to himself again, but ultimately could only face the reality.
Obviously, Madara hadn't saved him for nothing. Just like Obito, he was now a pawn.
"So much for freedom after everything."
Li Yao shook his head and mocked himself aloud, not caring if Madara heard. He had no fear of showing that he saw through Madara's manipulation.
"You already know who I am."
Madara's voice came, seemingly a question but with certainty beneath it. Li Yao's calmness had given him away—he showed no shock or confusion about the situation.
Actually, Li Yao had known since the moment White Zetsu dragged him underground.
After all, who else in the ninja world besides Konoha had access to Wood Release cells?
Li Yao had never forgotten that Uchiha Madara and White Zetsu were still alive at this point in time.
Knowing who had saved him, he had no reason to act surprised upon waking.
So when Madara asked, Li Yao just smiled and replied, "In this world, the only people who could silently steal me from under the noses of the Five Kage are Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama. And you clearly aren't Hashirama, even if those two white things beside you carry Wood Release cells."
Hearing Li Yao casually state the facts, acknowledging his strength yet speaking with such confidence, Madara couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Ha ha ha!"
"It's been a long time since anyone dared to speak so boldly in front of me."
"Since you were strong enough to make the Five Kage unite, I'll let you live."
Li Yao shrugged. He didn't argue. After all, his life was indeed in Madara's hands right now.
"So, what do you want from me?" Li Yao asked.
He knew Madara hadn't saved him out of kindness. And that made him curious—he wasn't an Uchiha. Why go to the trouble?
"What do you think of this world?"
Madara asked, suddenly wanting to know how this boy—beaten, betrayed, and hunted by the Five Kage—viewed the current ninja world.
What could Li Yao possibly think?
The moment Minato exposed his identity, any dream of becoming Hokage had gone out the window.
And anyway, he only ever said he wanted to be Hokage to stay in character as "Kimura Yō."
Unlike other isekai protagonists, he had never fantasized about creating some peaceful utopia in a world ruled by violence and supernatural powers.
Not necessary.
Li Yao genuinely believed the ninja world was fine as it was. No need to change it.
Survival of the fittest—that was the fairest law of all.
"No thoughts."
Li Yao smiled and said, "Whoever tries to kill me, I kill them. Whoever makes me suffer, I make them suffer. That's my simple ninja way."
Heh… Madara heard the superficial meaning behind the words, but he didn't mind. He didn't believe Li Yao would ever grow strong enough to be a threat.
This was someone already consumed by hatred.
That was Madara's conclusion after hearing his answer.
"You were useful to me once, but now you're not," Madara said softly.
Li Yao didn't react. The fact that he was still alive meant he was still useful to Madara.
"But…" Madara smiled. "Your strength has earned my recognition."
Being the first ninja to face off against all Five Kage—that was no small feat.
Even if the current Five Kage were unimpressive to Madara, they were still the Five Kage. Especially the Hokage of Konoha—even without Hashirama, it meant something to Madara.
Li Yao, as the first person to survive their joint assault, had proven his worth.
He might not be suitable as a Rinnegan vessel, but as Madara's enforcer? Not bad. A man who could force the Five Kage to unite wouldn't bring shame to Madara's name.
"I have a plan. It will take a long time to complete. During that time, there may be… unexpected obstacles."
Madara looked at Li Yao and said, "Your job is to eliminate those obstacles before they become a problem."
His time was running out. He still hadn't found the right person to act as executor of the final plan. If no one suitable appeared, Li Yao would have to do.
A backup plan.
In the end, Li Yao still couldn't escape the fate of being a backup.
"No problem."
Unaware of his status as a plan B, Li Yao agreed without hesitation. The job was basically being a glorified hitman—as long as it didn't interfere with his own plans to take revenge on the Third Hokage, he had no complaints.
(END CHAPTER)
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