Black Zetsu completely failed to understand Madara's train of thought.
Wasn't he afraid that Lucian, seeing a new prize, would just gouge out his Rinnegan?
But Black Zetsu had to maintain his disguise as a 'product of Madara's will', so he couldn't ask too many questions. Too many words lead to too many mistakes.
"Such a powerful person, besides myself and Hashirama, stands at the pinnacle of the ninja world..."
Uchiha Madara unconsciously mentioned Hashirama again, his tone quite certain:
"What is the view from the top like? A kind of lonely solitude."
"The so-called Rinnegan is definitely not a threat in his eyes, nor would he greedily seize it."
"That would be a lack of recognition of his own abilities, a self-negation!"
Meeting Black Zetsu's questioning gaze, Uchiha Madara suddenly smiled.
"Rather, it's a kind of... surprise!"
"Not only will Nagato be fine, but he will also grow even faster!"
"That yearning for an evenly matched opponent is something a black lump like you cannot understand."
Black Zetsu: "..."
Not everyone is a battle maniac like you!
Hearing Madara's words, Black Zetsu truly didn't understand.
To hell with opponents.
Shouldn't all enemies be nipped in the bud?
"Next time, don't neglect intelligence gathering again, Black Zetsu!"
"Yes, Lord Madara!"
Black Zetsu's heart skipped a beat. He had, on a whim, deliberately not reported the intelligence on Lucian.
But who knew that Lucian, who was supposed to be a mere brat, would suddenly become so strong, completely losing control of the situation? It made him want to curse.
"Continue searching for my 'successor'. If you find him, then it will be time..."
Uchiha Madara looked at his frail body, then erupted with a domineering aura that viewed all creation as ants, filled with intense excitement.
"What a powerful opponent. Let us dance!"
"Use your death to send me off!"
Black Zetsu: "..."
At a time like this, you're talking about dancing?!
Noticing the fleeting astonishment in Black Zetsu's eyes, Uchiha Madara snorted coldly.
"Mere gravel, not even a fraction of my worth!"
"Besides Hashirama, no one has ever made me take them so seriously. You should be proud of that for the rest of your life!"
Black Zetsu immediately knelt on the ground and shouted, "Long live Lord Madara," while mentally plotting to kill Lucian.
He would not allow any accidents in his plan.
Especially with the Rinnegan near Lucian, it made him unable to rest.
After Black Zetsu left, Uchiha Madara was lost in his own thoughts again.
Hashirama, I will let you know that I was right!
...
Three days later!
After a few seriously injured Iwagakure and Konoha ninja, as well as spies from various villages, escaped from the Land of Rain.
The ninja world was in an uproar!
An unprecedented uproar!
Hanzō was dead!
The Four-Tails Jinchuriki was dead!
Thousands were annihilated in a single blow! The Land of Rain had fallen!
Not only that.
Orochimaru had submitted! Tsunade had been captured!
And then came Konoha's wanted poster:
S-rank rogue ninja Orochimaru, bounty of one hundred million ryo!
News like this spread like wildfire throughout the ninja world. The "Demon King Lucian," who had shaken the ninja world a few days ago, now had his title upgraded.
His name was now: The Great Demon King Lucian!
The villages' vigilance towards Lucian rose sharply, and he was immediately classified as an SSS-rank dangerous person.
The villages were also doing their best to gather intelligence on Lucian.
At the same time, news was released from the Land of Rain!
"From this day on, the Land of Rain shall be renamed the Wandenreich!"
"Anyone who dares to invade the territory of the empire shall die!"
A simple sentence, yet it was filled with the domineering nature of the new empire, or more accurately, the domineering nature of Lucian.
While it stunned people, they were also waiting for the reaction of the Five Great Nations.
"...Sniff, sniff, so scary!"
The Third Mizukage admitted defeat.
Whether it was true or not, he wasn't getting involved in mainland affairs anyway.
When would the Village Hidden in the Mist produce a "God of Shinobi"? Even an Asura of the Ninja World would be fine. One must be prepared for danger in times of peace.
Who knew if some powerhouse would come to the Village Hidden in the Mist one day and torment them.
And indeed, in the original timeline, there was one. He was played to death by an angry Obito.
"Another God of Shinobi? Konoha is truly a cradle of the strong..."
"See? Never be arrogant. Remember that there is always someone better!"
The kind, muscular Third Raikage earnestly taught the future Fourth Raikage.
The young Killer B was off playing somewhere, and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Blue B, was silent!
Lately, he had been hearing the Eight-Tails' strange wails, but even the Eight-Tails didn't know why. He was often awakened by nightmares, as if someone wanted to kill him.
"Don't worry, he won't attack the Village Hidden in the Sand. After all, we're so poor..."
These were the Third Kazekage's original words, but he spoke them with tears in his eyes.
Being poor was an advantage at a time like this.
"Aaaaargh! Die! I want you to die!"
The Third Tsuchikage, Onoki, had gone mad, his eyes bloodshot and filled with killing intent.
That was over two thousand ninja.
And the strategic-level Four-Tails Jinchuriki.
Onoki could not accept this loss. His hatred for Lucian had reached its peak.
In the original timeline, to kill the Third Raikage, Onoki had gathered over ten thousand Iwagakure ninja and surrounded him for three days and three nights.
He had literally worn him to death.
This showed just how ruthless Onoki was!
"So what if he's strong? Is he as strong as Hashirama Senju? Is he as strong as Uchiha Madara?"
"Even if he is that strong, he still has to die!"
Onoki gave the order, a mad order!
The Tsuchikage's kill order: Gather the ninja, and fight Lucian to the death!
"...!"
In the Hokage's office, silence!
Or rather, Hiruzen Sarutobi was so heartbroken he couldn't even speak.
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