LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Farewell
Chapter 85: Farewell
Obito and Zetsu hurried to the edge of the battlefield, but they didn't find any trace of Madara.
It seemed he hadn't been summoned alongside the Gedo Statue.
That meant they were out of time!
Neither of them had expected Nagato to summon the Gedo Statue so quickly. The Rinnegan wasn't like the Sharingan—how could losing a close friend accelerate its development?
Black Zetsu mentally took notes. If this generation's Rinnegan failed to revive his mother, this data could prove useful in the future.
"We need to head back!"
Madara still had unfinished business. Dying unexpectedly would ruin everything.
---
In an unknown underground cavern.
By the time Obito and Zetsu returned, the summoning of the Gedo Statue had ended.
The statue's tendrils were once again connected to Madara, but it was clear his aura had grown even weaker.
"It seems you succeeded," Madara said flatly, his tone devoid of emotion. "I thought I had more time to guide you, but it looks like I have only a month or two left."
"Obito, the things I don't have time to teach you, I will implant into your mind using Transcription Seal."
"Let's begin."
---
Elsewhere, in a very different underground hideout.
Orochimaru and Tobirama exited the laboratory, peeling off bloodstained gloves.
The dark, foreboding atmosphere made them seem like two sinister scientists.
Although they couldn't rely on the daimyo of the Fire Country for funding anymore, Tobirama had no trouble securing resources. With his capabilities, acquiring money and equipment was hardly a challenge.
Why not just steal the equipment?
Even someone like Uchiha Kagami resorted to fundraising to purchase medical devices.
If scientists were regularly robbed, who would bother to develop or produce technology? Equipment needed maintenance and upgrades, after all. Robbing money or manpower was one thing, but research and innovation deserved respect.
---
"We've finally found a suitable direction for improvement."
Orochimaru leaned back on the sofa, picking up a still-warm boiled egg from the table. He despised cold food.
Tobirama, who had no need for sustenance and lacked taste buds, frowned as he looked at Orochimaru.
"I heard something disturbing on my last trip out," Tobirama began. "Is it true that boy, Kagami, is Madara's reincarnation?"
Orochimaru chuckled lightly.
"It's one thing for others to believe such rumors, but you, Tobirama-sama? You, who invented Edo Tensei—surely you know reincarnation doesn't work that way."
Tobirama shook his head. "Just because it doesn't work for most people doesn't mean it's impossible for Madara."
"That boy's personality is different from Madara's," Tobirama admitted. "He's more ruthless, but also more devoted to the Uchiha clan."
"In fact, he reminds me…"
Tobirama trailed off, unwilling to voice the thought.
Combining everything he knew about Kagami, the boy seemed like a blend of himself and Izuna.
After some thought, Tobirama stood up.
"There's only one way to find out."
---
"You're planning to summon Madara with Edo Tensei?!"
Tobirama nodded. "Previously, I lacked the control over the technique to dare such a summoning. But with its current completion, as long as we prepare even the minimum sacrifices, we should be able to control him."
"How bold," Orochimaru said, his eyes glinting with an unsettling light. He grinned.
"Do you have Madara's DNA?"
"I have plenty—his entire body was buried by me."
---
Tobirama didn't make Orochimaru wait long. With his Flying Raijin technique, he quickly returned. However, his expression was grim, reminiscent of when he'd returned from inspecting Konoha's reconstruction two years ago.
"His body… it's gone!"
Orochimaru's pupils contracted. "Who could have taken it?!"
Tobirama shook his head. "Impossible. I placed numerous seals. Not even my brother could have taken it without leaving traces."
He retrieved a strand of Madara's hair. "I have a bad feeling about this. Let's test this first."
---
Orochimaru found himself feeling rather saintly in comparison to Tobirama.
The Edo Tensei ritual began quickly, with a recently captured rogue shinobi as the sacrifice.
Tobirama maintained a shred of dignity—their sacrifices were criminals from the black market, ones who had slaughtered innocent villagers.
As the living sacrifice was consumed by the ritual, Tobirama and Orochimaru readied control seals, their nerves taut.
But…
After a gut-wrenching scream, the sacrifice fell lifeless to the ground, and nothing happened.
Madara's soul was not in the Pure Land.
---
"There are two possibilities," Tobirama said darkly. "First, that boy really does house Madara's soul."
"Second… Madara isn't dead."
Orochimaru fell silent for a moment before speaking.
"The second option."
"Kagami can't be anyone's reincarnation or vessel."
"He is unique. Perfect."
Tobirama stared deeply at Orochimaru. After two years of working together, he trusted the man's judgment.
Orochimaru had seen Kagami up close; if even he said so…
Tobirama clenched his fists, frustration evident.
"We've all been deceived by Madara!"
"He never died!"
"He's in hiding, planning something terrible!"
Orochimaru frowned. "But if Madara never died, then during the period after Hashirama's death, who stopped him from acting?"
"Who knows? Perhaps he was gravely injured and couldn't move freely."
Tobirama sighed. "The more the Sharingan develops, the more extreme the Uchiha's emotions become. That's why I've always been wary of them."
"Ordinary emotional outbursts are fleeting, but when the Uchiha succumb to their emotions, it becomes permanent."
"Just like Madara. Even if there was a brief reconciliation, in the end, he still…"
Orochimaru chuckled. "I won't comment on past grievances between the founders. Let's focus on what's next."
"What should we do now?"
Tobirama pondered for a moment. "Continue refining Edo Tensei. We need Hashirama to return at his peak strength."
"Neither Kagami nor the lurking Madara are opponents we can handle as we are."
---
A month passed.
At the Konoha cemetery, Kagami crouched before a gravestone, replacing the flowers in a vase.
Ten days ago, his grandmother had passed away.
She had never known what had happened in Konoha. During the great battle, Kagami had arranged for her and Shisui to travel.
She died peacefully, surrounded by a comforting lie: that Konoha was finally at peace. That Kagami and the Uchiha were now in harmony with the village.
---
Footsteps approached behind him, but Kagami didn't turn.
"Rikufu… it's her."
"She was a lovely girl," came Madara's voice.
He stepped up beside Kagami, gazing at the two names engraved on the stone: Uchiha Rikufu and Uchiha Kagami.
"You've lived up to the name, though I doubt he would have approved of what you've done."
Kagami smirked faintly.
"Is this goodbye, Madara-sama?"
Madara glanced toward the Founders' Rock, his lips curving into a faint smile.
"Just a trip to the Pure Land. I'll be back, Kagami."
"Mm. I'll be waiting."
"Grow as much as you can. I look forward to the day we fight again, at our full strength."
Chapter End.
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