Although Uchiha Madara was genuinely intrigued by what Ito Akira had said earlier, deep down, Madara still regarded him as nothing more than a child.
And worse—a weak one.
I already have my own path, Madara thought. Even if that brat claims he was deceived, I won't abandon it so easily.
That plan wasn't something he could simply discard.
It was the dream he had shared with his comrades.
If dreams could be thrown away on a whim, then he wouldn't be Uchiha Madara.
Still… the boy was worth observing.
Being able to speak those words at all meant Akira wasn't ordinary.
They were the same thoughts Madara himself had held when he was young.
As those memories surfaced, Madara's thoughts drifted for a brief moment. In Akira, he saw a faint reflection of his former self.
The corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.
Without bothering with manners, Madara reached out, grabbed food from the table, and began to eat.
Seeing this, Akira's lips curled into a crooked grin.
The smug-faced Dragon King makes a limited-time return.
Just as Madara bit down on a braised pig trotter, a sudden voice echoed through the empty space.
Madara froze.
That voice—
Wasn't that his voice?
The next instant, a sharp sense of dread shot through him.
Because the words were far too familiar.
Do you think you can make me grateful with some strange food?!Let me tell you—impossible! Absolutely impossible!I'd rather jump off this villa and die than eat a single bite of your food!
When the voice faded, Akira looked at Madara—who was still chewing the pig trotter—with a half-smile.
Madara's face cycled rapidly through shades of pale, blue, purple, red… and finally back to white.
It was an impressive range of colors.
"Damn it… you little… DEVIL!!!"
Akira widened his eyes in exaggerated shock.
"Oh wow! Where did that voice come from? That's so weird!And why does it sound so familiar?"
He tapped his chin, pretending to think.
"Not just familiar… I swear I've heard it somewhere before.Where was it…?Hey, Madara—don't you think what that voice said sounded familiar too?"
Bang!
Madara violently hurled the pig trotter away.
He didn't want to.
It was really delicious.
"Brat!!!"
Madara glared at him.
"Didn't you say you wanted me to teach you how to train?!Fine—then stop eating!
Today, I'll teach you properly!I'll show you what training really is!What real training means!"
Madara already knew he couldn't truly harm Akira. That strange power would stop him if killing intent surfaced.
But as long as he didn't intend to kill him, it wouldn't interfere.
If I can't kill him… then I'll teach him.
Ninjutsu. Taijutsu. Chakra control.
Teaching was allowed, wasn't it?
A dangerous grin spread across Madara's face.
Brat…
Today, I'll show you what it means to face the Shura of the shinobi world.
Without another word, Madara grabbed Akira by the collar and dragged him outside to the open ground beyond the villa.
Akira was stunned—
Because this was exactly what he'd been waiting for.
There was no way Madara would work for him.
But Madara had agreed to teach him.
Looking at Madara's furious expression, Akira knew he wouldn't hold back.
Madara absolutely intended to teach him a painful lesson.
But Akira didn't care.
As long as he grew stronger, everything else was irrelevant.
This was Uchiha Madara.
Even getting beaten senseless by him wasn't shameful.
If anything, it might even awaken his Sharingan under pressure.
After all, he carried Indra's chakra.
With that thought, Akira decided to push things further.
"Madara, don't disappoint me," he said boldly."You said you'd guide my training, right?
If you teach me for ages and I still don't get stronger, wouldn't that be embarrassing for you?
The legendary Shura of the shinobi world wouldn't be worse than a Chūnin academy instructor… right?"
He tilted his head innocently.
"I mean, Iruka-sensei isn't that strong, but he's amazing at teaching.You're not worse than a Chūnin, are you?
That would be pretty laughable."
"Hmph!"
Madara's eyes burned.
Comparing him to a Chūnin?
Unacceptable.
"A shinobi's combat must be fast. Precise. Ruthless."
With that, Madara hurled Akira into the air.
The next instant, Madara vanished.
Before Akira could even react, Madara appeared behind him.
Bang!
A single punch.
Akira was smashed straight out of the air.
Because Madara had no intention of killing him, the strange power didn't restrain him at all.
"Too slow," Madara barked."Your reactions are pathetic.
Is this all you've got?
You're useless.I've never seen anyone more hopeless than you.
You're worse than a six-year-old Uchiha child.
Slow movement. Slow reactions. Weak strength. Fragile body. Everything about you is terrible.
And you think you can unify the shinobi world with this?
Don't say things like that again—it's laughable."
Madara finally had an outlet for his irritation.
His fists struck—and his words struck harder.
And yet, Akira was thrilled.
Madara was genuinely teaching him.
The system wasn't interfering.
That meant Madara had no killing intent at all.
Perfect.
That smug grin returned.
"The Dragon King makes another appearance."
"Madara!" Akira shouted as he staggered upright."Don't hold back just because I'm a delicate flower!"
Bang!
Akira was sent flying again.
"Damn brat!" Madara snapped."That expression of yours is disgusting!
A shinobi must never make unnecessary movements—or expressions—during combat!
Because that hesitation is what gets you killed!"