Chapter 78: The Gift Left by Izuna
Unfortunately, Uchiha Kazuki's radical proposal was ultimately rejected by Madara.
This wasn't merely about addressing the root cause—it was about completely eliminating the 'root cause' itself!
Under Madara's persistent and increasingly desperate persuasion, Uchiha Kazuki reluctantly had no choice but to abandon the genocidal idea.
Wiping cold sweat from his weathered brow, Uchiha Madara couldn't help but breathe a profound sigh of relief.
This guy is far too dangerous. His ideas are even more extreme than my own were back in the Warring States period!
Thank the heavens he wasn't born during that era. Otherwise, even the notoriously good-tempered Senju Hashirama would probably have killed him on sight.
In truth, if it weren't for the critical importance of the 'Eye of the Moon Plan,' Madara would have already taken decisive action—nipping this dangerous threat in the bud before it could grow.
"Ahem. Try not to be quite so extreme in the future."
Uchiha Madara coughed twice uncomfortably, settling back down onto his stone seat. He spoke with genuine helplessness:
"If we actually followed your proposed method, we would have to systematically kill at least half the world's population!"
Even at the absolute height of the Warring States period's bloodiest conflicts, half the population didn't die in a single stroke.
He's casually ready to wipe out half of all humanity with just a few words. He's practically a living devil incarnate!
"This would merely be a necessary sacrifice on the road to true peace."
Uchiha Kazuki seemed completely oblivious to the moral implications, calmly adjusting his glasses:
"However, since you've firmly rejected my plan, I won't insist on it further. Just don't try to interfere or stop me if your Infinite Tsukuyomi plan ultimately fails."
"A backup plan?"
Uchiha Madara sneered inwardly with dark amusement. He doesn't think I could possibly fail, does he?
But outwardly, he simply nodded with apparent agreement:
"Don't worry yourself. I definitely won't stop you if that unlikely scenario occurs."
"Then I agree to join your Eye of the Moon Plan."
Uchiha Kazuki stated with solemn finality:
"However, all of this cooperation is conditional upon you making me significantly stronger as promised."
"Heh. Good."
Uchiha Madara smiled with satisfaction:
"Don't concern yourself. I will absolutely keep my promise to you."
"If there's nothing else requiring discussion, I should return to the village now."
Uchiha Kazuki adjusted his glasses with one finger:
"It's getting quite late. If I return too late, it will inevitably attract unwanted attention. I don't want my true allegiance exposed prematurely."
He'd been lingering in this underground cave for quite some time now. The night air outside was probably freezing cold by this point.
If he didn't return soon, someone would definitely notice his absence—which would inevitably cause unnecessary complications and suspicion. Better to avoid potential trouble entirely.
"Fine. I'll have a White Zetsu accompany you back."
Uchiha Madara, leaning heavily on his gnarled cane with drooping eyelids, spoke calmly:
"If you need to contact me in the future, you can communicate through it."
"Through... it?"
Uchiha Kazuki frowned slightly, appearing visibly reluctant at the suggestion.
"Don't worry—absolutely no one can detect the White Zetsu's presence."
Uchiha Madara saw through his obvious hesitation and explained patiently:
"Besides, with the White Zetsu at your disposal, you can command it to handle certain secret tasks. And if needed, we can also maintain contact through it."
"Heh. I suppose you also intend to spy on my activities?"
Hearing this transparent explanation, Uchiha Kazuki sneered coldly—directly seeing through Madara's true intentions.
"You can interpret it that way if you wish."
Uchiha Madara made absolutely no attempt to conceal his suspicions, his sharp gaze fixed intensely on the young man:
"The Eye of the Moon Plan is of paramount importance to everything. You should understand my necessary caution, correct?"
"I understand perfectly."
Uchiha Kazuki smiled slightly, responding with apparent nonchalance:
"It's perfectly fine. After all, there's no foundation of mutual trust established yet. It's completely normal for you to doubt my sincerity. In that case... let it follow me."
It's just one White Zetsu. I have a thousand different ways to make this creature keep quiet.
Besides, this arrangement fits perfectly into my own plans.
After the discussion reached its conclusion, Uchiha Kazuki departed from the underground cave. A single White Zetsu silently followed him, quietly lurking beneath the earth's surface.
"Lord Madara—"
Black Zetsu spoke in its characteristically hoarse voice after Kazuki had left:
"Are you really going to let him leave just like this? Should I follow him as well to ensure he doesn't betray us?"
"Hehehehe..."
Inside the dimly lit cave, Uchiha Madara's sinister laughter echoed ominously off the stone walls. His eyes flashed between light and darkness with satisfaction:
"There's absolutely no need to follow him... because I've already succeeded!"
Only then did Black Zetsu see clearly that within Uchiha Madara's left eye socket, a Mangekyō Sharingan was gradually turning dull gray—its power completely expended.
"His thoughts and will have been subtly altered by me without his knowledge or awareness."
Uchiha Madara's lips curled into a deeply contemptuous, satisfied smile:
"From this moment forward, he will be my loyal successor—faithfully carrying out my will after my inevitable death!"
"Kotoamatsukami! I never expected Lord Madara to have Shisui's legendary eye technique hidden away!"
Black Zetsu chuckled with dark amusement:
"Even within the Uchiha clan itself, that particular dōjutsu must be extraordinarily precious and rare, correct?"
"This specific technique was preserved through 'Transcription Seal' methodology back then."
Uchiha Madara wearily closed his eyes, leaning back heavily against the stone chair. He muttered almost to himself with nostalgic melancholy:
"This is the very last gift that Izuna left for me before his death."
"Heh. Kotoamatsukami, is it?"
Uchiha Kazuki adjusted his glasses with one finger, a playful, knowing glint shining in his eyes:
"I genuinely never expected you to have such a powerful treasure hidden away. I'm getting more and more excited for the moment when I'll be metaphorically rolling in my rewards."
Then, he silently recited within his mind: 'System, display personal attribute interface.'
[Personal Status Interface]
Name: Uchiha Kazuki
Age: 15
Occupation: Shinobi, Psychologist
Pathway: Spectator (Audience)
Sequence: Sequence 6 - Hypnotist
[Beyonder Characteristics & Sealed Artifacts]
Filthy Words
Effect: Allows the user to force opponents to hear terrifying mental roars, infecting their minds with creeping madness and confusion.
Sleep Charm
Effect: After reciting a short incantation, can induce peaceful sleep in targets.
Fate Doll
Effect: Blocks divination and fate-related detection. Allows the wearer to defend against curses, scrying, and tracking effects.
[Lies]
Corresponding Pathway: Fool's Path - Sequence 6 Faceless
Appearance: Ornate earring
Abilities: Allows realistic appearance transformation; grants three abilities: fire manipulation, damage transfer, and danger intuition. Improves balance and agility significantly.
Negative Effect: Emotions are amplified and harder to control when wearing this item.
[Hermes' Brass Candlestick]
Corresponding Pathway: Spectator Path - Sequence 3 Dreamweaver
Appearance: Antique brass candlestick
Abilities: Extracts and burns spiritual energy to weave near-perfect realistic dreams. Can pull multiple targets into shared dream spaces simultaneously.
Negative Effect: Within twelve hours after use, everyone within a one-kilometer radius will feel inexplicable hostility and malice toward the user.
[Flame Thief]
Corresponding Pathway: Error Pathway - Sequence 6 Thief
Appearance: Red leather gloves
Abilities: Enhances user's natural charisma, making words highly persuasive. Allows theft of one Beyonder ability or ninjutsu technique from any target within 50 meters. Success rate depends on knowledge of the target—greater familiarity increases precision; ignorance makes theft random. After successful theft, original target loses that ability for minimum 12 hours. User can utilize stolen ability for approximately 10 minutes.
Negative Effect: Small probability of randomly losing one personal item when worn. One of user's own abilities will also be sealed for 12 hours, though only one ability can be lost per cycle.
[Witch's Ring]
Corresponding Pathway: Demoness Path - Sequence 5 Affliction
Appearance: Uniquely designed silver-black ring inlaid with blood-red rubies
Abilities: Dramatically enhances wearer's charm and allure, granting certain demoness characteristics. Can create mystical viruses and bacterial plagues. Wearer remains immune for first ten minutes, but negative effects accelerate exponentially as plague spreads.
Negative Effect: Extended wear will subtly corrupt the wearer's gender and essence, gradually transforming them into a female Beyonder within the Demoness sequence.
[End of Chapter 78]
Author's Notes:
MAJOR REVELATIONS THIS CHAPTER!
What Just Happened:
Madara's "Success":
Used Kotoamatsukami (Shisui's ability) on Kazuki
Thinks he mind-controlled him perfectly
The eye was Izuna's final gift (preserved via Transcription Seal)
Believes Kazuki is now his loyal puppet
Kazuki's REAL Status:
Clearly knows he was targeted
Fate Doll artifact blocks fate manipulation
Has system interface showing his actual stats
Multiple sealed artifacts at his disposal
The Artifact Arsenal: This is INSANE! Kazuki has:
Lies - Perfect disguise/transformation
Hermes' Candlestick - Dream manipulation
Flame Thief - Ability stealing (ERROR PATHWAY!)
Witch's Ring - Plague creation (with gender-bending danger)
Fate Doll - Blocks divination/curses
Critical Questions:
Did Kotoamatsukami actually work, or did Fate Doll block it?
Is Kazuki letting Madara think it worked?
What will he steal first with Flame Thief?
Why does he have a DEMONESS artifact?! (Gender corruption risk!)
The Manipulation Layers:
Madara thinks: "I mind-controlled him perfectly!"
Black Zetsu thinks: "Perfect, now he'll serve our plans!"
Kazuki thinks: "Thanks for the free Kotoamatsukami ability~"
This is getting absolutely wild! Three master manipulators, each thinking they're winning!
[500 Power Stones → +2 Bonus Chapters]
[10 Reviews → +1 Bonus Chapter]
Enjoyed the chapter? A review helps a lot.
P2treon: DarkFoxx (20+ advance chapters)