Behind Uchiha Kai appeared a tall, slightly hunched elderly figure.
The three inside the group recognized him instantly.
It was Uchiha Madara.
Because in the group space, he looked exactly the same.
Even the strongest shinobi could not escape the erosion of time.
The fully aged Madara bore deep wrinkles etched across his face—marks of countless battles fought across the ages.
Yet even as "Elder Madara," his aura remained overwhelming.
A lion may grow old—
But its lingering might can still shake the plains.
However—
[Uchiha Fugaku]: This is…?
[Uchiha Fugaku]: Uchiha Madara… Ancestor, are you over there?
[Elder Madara]: …
?
Madara himself was stunned.
He was clearly dead.
So why was there—
[Elder Madara]: Wait. The one behind Uchiha Kai isn't me.
[Uchiha Fugaku]: How so? Ah—is it because of the skin texture?
[Uchiha Fugaku]: I recall the Second Hokage's forbidden technique, Edo Tensei. It summons the dead back to this world in that state.
[Elder Madara]: …
[Elder Madara]: Of course I know Tobirama's technique.
[Elder Madara]: But this is not Edo Tensei.
[Elder Madara]: Edo Tensei requires the fusion of a deceased soul and physical remains, summoned through a living sacrifice.
[Elder Madara]: My soul is here. I feel no pulling sensation.
[Elder Madara]: Furthermore, Edo Tensei control requires a talisman embedded in the back of the head to suppress the resurrected one's will.
[Elder Madara]: The one behind Uchiha Kai bears no such control seal.
[Uchiha Fugaku]: …I see.
As expected.
Their ancestor understood Tobirama's techniques thoroughly.
Which meant—
[Uchiha Fugaku]: Then what exactly is that "Edo Madara" behind Uchiha Kai?
[Elder Madara]: I do not know.
[Elder Madara]: But have you noticed? He only revealed his right eye.
[Elder Madara]: That likely means this stems from his right eye's ability.
[Elder Madara]: By my estimation… it is yet another special Mangekyō ability.
[Uchiha Fugaku]: Mm.
Fugaku nodded slowly.
His thoughts were complicated.
Uchiha Kai's left eye had produced this "Uchiha Recycling Station."
His right eye—
Summoned their ancestor as a spiritual manifestation.
If Fugaku had encountered Madara in person, he would have burned incense immediately.
But Uchiha Kai?
He treated him like a summoned guardian spirit.
Utter irreverence.
Which meant—
Fugaku could never truly control this boy.
If Uchiha Kai dared treat Madara this way—
Why would he care about a mere acting clan head?
Fugaku sighed internally.
The Uchiha had always been this way.
The strongest among them were the hardest to restrain.
As for the Nine-Tails incident—
If Madara denied involvement, then Obito was responsible.
Obito… alive?
Why?
But now was not the time to probe further.
The past was set.
What mattered was the future.
Six years ago, Fugaku had believed Itachi's choice was correct.
But time had proven otherwise.
So now—
He could only move forward step by step.
[Uchiha Izuna]: This kid's interesting. Mangekyō can be played with like this?
[Elder Madara]: What do you think, Izuna?
It had been too long since Madara had spoken with his brother.
And guilt still weighed on him.
After reconciling with Hashirama, peace had not endured.
Hashirama died within years of their final battle.
Madara obtained Hashirama's flesh, implanted the cells into his own body, and eventually awakened the Rinnegan.
Yet—
The ninja world still plunged into three Great Ninja Wars.
Hashirama's path had failed.
So the burden—
Fell to him.
[Uchiha Izuna]: I think it's flashy.
[Uchiha Izuna]: After awakening the Mangekyō, he simply sticks the strongest version of my big brother behind him.
[Uchiha Izuna]: Even without fighting, who would dare disrespect him?
[Uchiha Fugaku]: That's true… Wait!
[Elder Madara]: What is it, Fugaku?
[Uchiha Fugaku]: Six years ago, when we attempted rebellion again… the village leadership proposed having my son eliminate the Uchiha.
[Uchiha Fugaku]: My son Itachi was said to think like a Hokage. He joined the Third Hokage's ANBU as vice-captain.
[Uchiha Fugaku]: It's possible he was swayed… and stood with the Third.
[Uchiha Fugaku]: But thinking back, exterminating an entire clan alone would be impossible.
[Uchiha Fugaku]: He must have had assistance. Someone powerful.
[Uchiha Fugaku]: And perhaps that person saw Madara behind Uchiha Kai… and withdrew.
[Uchiha Fugaku]: That might be how our clan survived.
[Elder Madara]: …
Madara pieced it together.
If Obito had initiated the Nine-Tails incident and failed—
He would likely attempt something else.
Helping Itachi slaughter the Uchiha?
A simple motive.
To collect Sharingan.
Yet—
He had retreated.
Frightened off.
Madara chose not to voice that theory aloud.
Then—
[Uchiha Izuna]: Impossible!
[Elder Madara]: What is it, Izuna— …What?!
Madara's attention snapped back to the livestream.
Uchiha Kai turned to face the elderly Madara standing behind him.
"I've accumulated enough chakra."
"You should evolve."
With a crack—
The elderly shell shattered.
The white hair darkened to jet black.
Wrinkles vanished.
A youthful face emerged.
Sharp features.
Crimson Mangekyō Sharingan blazing.
Healthy, powerful skin.
Arms crossed.
Young Uchiha Madara in his prime.
If the elderly form had been a fading hero—
This was a conqueror at the height of his power.
The pressure radiated outward.
Yet Uchiha Kai frowned.
"Still not enough…"
The young Madara's eyes changed.
The crimson faded—
Replaced by rippling violet rings.
Not merely purple overlay—
But the true Rinnegan.
[Elder Madara]: This is—!
[Elder Madara]: My younger self… no—my peak state! And the Rinnegan too?!
Madara stared in disbelief.
Even he had awakened the Rinnegan only after integrating Hashirama's cells over decades.
And this brat—
Simply said the word—
And it appeared?
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