Chapter 76: Shadow of the Wind

Kato Mikaze's soul clone shook his somewhat dazed head, steadied his mind, and continued to observe the situation over there.

After the white Zetsu clone finished speaking, Madara Uchiha, who was lying on his side, did not respond. Judging from Madara’s face, it had turned even redder—whether from the pain he was suffering or from the irritation caused by the words of the white Zetsu clone behind him, it was hard to say.

Black and white Zetsu, still standing beside the platform, could no longer bear to watch. Seeing Madara’s flushed face, black Zetsu guessed he was probably angered by the white Zetsu’s comments. Black Zetsu turned and glared at the white Zetsu clone, then the main body of white Zetsu spoke, reprimanding sharply, “Shut up! You’re an idiot too! Just insert the tube properly, no, I mean hold it steady!”

“Focus on your task. No one will think you’re mute if you keep your mouth shut. Have you forgotten what happened to the last idiot?”

The white Zetsu clone who had spoken seemed to want to say more, judging by his expression, but seeing the threatening look in his boss’s eyes, perhaps remembering some unpleasant consequences, he wisely chose to silently hold the tube behind Madara, focusing on his work without another word.

Madara, whose face had just been bright red, let out a long breath. Part of his flush had been from anger at the white Zetsu clone’s idiotic remarks, but most was from the wild, chaotic surge of alien energy from the Gedo Statue rampaging inside him, causing intense pain.

Such a unique method to extend one’s life, or even briefly restore youth, could never come without a price.

Having endured the most agonizing stage of consciousness, Madara, whose color was returning, ignored white Zetsu’s scolding of the foolish clone. Instead, he asked black and white Zetsu, “How much longer will it take? Hiss… It didn’t take this long last time, and hiss… it wasn’t this painful either.”

Black Zetsu replied, “Lord Madara, please bear with it just a little longer. It will be over soon…”

“As for the pain and the extra time, it’s because you didn’t heed my advice recently and insisted on going to the Land of Wind to meet that Kazekage who manipulates iron sand.”

“Though you didn’t fight fiercely, you still summoned the Gedo Statue for intimidation. That drained you quite a bit—your body is weaker than during the last ritual.”

“You really should have listened to me, taken it slower, and recuperated before undergoing such a ceremony…”

“The Rinnegan is still a heavy burden for your current physical condition.”

Madara, still lying on the platform, did not respond to black Zetsu’s explanation, enduring silently the pain and the rush of vibrant life force flooding his body from the Gedo Statue.

He knew his own state well. Last time, he had only temporarily regained some youth through the Gedo Statue’s power; it was merely a superficial rejuvenation, while inside, his body remained frail and aged.

As for his decision to personally meet the iron sand-wielding Kazekage of Sunagakure, it was simply because he had only a handful of followers left—just black and white Zetsu, and a few reliable white Zetsu clones.

The white Zetsu clone who had just spoken behind Madara was actually one of the more dependable ones; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been assigned by black and white Zetsu to help Madara with the tube. Still, he occasionally spouted foolish remarks, as he had just done.

Left with no other choice, Madara had to take matters into his own hands, pushing his body beyond its limits to accomplish more.

The meeting with the Kazekage was conducted in secret, with both sides bringing only a small number of trusted aides. Madara brought only black and white Zetsu and a few clever white Zetsu clones, and kept them hidden; he himself never revealed his face, only hinting at his possession of the Rinnegan.

The iron sand-wielding Kazekage was the current Third Kazekage, newly ascended to power in Sunagakure and full of ambition. Enticed and provoked by Madara’s Rinnegan and certain Konoha secrets, he agreed to a clandestine meeting with Madara to discuss grand plans.

That young Kazekage was, by nature, ambitious and restless, reputed to be the strongest Kazekage. But since Madara aimed to stir him into initiating war with Konoha—potentially sparking a conflict across all of the shinobi world—he had to offer not only secrets and benefits, but also a display of power.

A youthful appearance was not enough; nothing was more convincing than summoning the Gedo Statue, the vessel of the Ten-Tails.

Madara lay on the platform, reflecting on these events, gradually feeling the pain recede as the nourishing energy of life expanded, his physical functions beginning to recover, signaling the ceremony’s end.

He finally responded to black Zetsu’s earlier words, saying, “I know my own body well. The Rinnegan… The Rinnegan—I have my plans. Now, what about that red-haired Uzumaki infant?”

This time, the main body of white Zetsu, eager to impress, answered before black Zetsu could speak, “Lord Madara, I checked on the red-haired infant this afternoon; there is no problem. The child and her mother are well, and I’ve arranged for several clever clones to keep watch at all times, ensuring nothing goes wrong.”

Madara continued, “That red-haired infant is important. Ensure she is protected, and don’t let any nonsense disturb their family…”

He exhaled again, but this time it was a comfortable sigh. Through Kato Mikaze’s soul clone’s perspective, Madara’s life force began to rapidly recover, his appearance visibly rejuvenating from aged to youthful.

Kato Mikaze sensed it was time to withdraw. His covert infiltration of this underground base in the Land of Rain had yielded much valuable information.

Seeing Madara’s body returning to youth, he knew if his soul clone lingered any longer, escape might become impossible.

Originally, Kato Mikaze had planned to leave a soul sensing technique at the entrance to monitor further intelligence, but after considering the information already obtained, and glancing back at Madara’s soon-to-be restored body, the distinctive Rinnegan, and the quietly looming Gedo Statue, he decided against it.

Without further hesitation, carefully masking his soul fluctuations, he swiftly turned and floated away along the same path.

…

PS: New author seeking support, recommendations, and favorites.