"We just arrived in the Land of Hot Springs, why the rush to leave?"
The White Zetsu's body moved uncontrollably, burrowing into the ground and speeding towards the northern stronghold in the Land of Iron.
"Some unforeseen powers have emerged!"
Black Zetsu's voice was cold and sinister as he replied, his shadowed half-face etched with a grave expression.
"Was it that Orochimaru?"
"He's truly formidable!"
"Such a powerful Dust Release... I doubt even that Third Tsuchikage could wield it, right?"
The white half of the face showed an expression of astonishment.
Despite sharing a single body and head, the black and white halves acted like they were mentally fractured, speaking independently yet discussing matters together.
If an ordinary person were to witness this, they would likely faint on the spot from sheer terror.
"It wasn't Orochimaru!"
Black Zetsu's eyes were filled with fear and confusion.
That fleeting aura, before a non-human being like itself, created purely from Yin-Yang Release, was like the scorching sun in the sky.
Dazzling, powerful, piercing everything, irresistible...
It was like...
Its mother, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, was that powerful!
"The plan to pillage humans in the Land of Hot Springs to create White Zetsu has failed!"
"Return to the stronghold immediately and inform Madara that the Land of Hot Springs is now a forbidden zone for the Moon Eye Plan in the future."
"Our actions must not be discovered by the person hidden in the Land of Hot Springs."
The White Zetsu's limited thought process clearly couldn't comprehend the true meaning behind Black Zetsu's words.
But as the saying goes, no brain means no worries; if it couldn't understand, it simply wouldn't think about it.
...
While the Black and White Zetsu moved underground, a blurry cyan figure streaked across the sky.
The swirling cyan Sage Mode chakra transformed into a dragon. Orochimaru, pulling the Nine-Tails along, also pulled Hozuki Mangetsu, who in turn held the tortoise.
Isobu would likely never have imagined that a tortoise could fly.
The Nine-Tails, upon hearing Orochimaru's intention to seek out Uchiha Madara, insisted on coming along, refusing to be left behind. It claimed that an old friend was about to depart from the world, and it had to be there to see them off.
As for Hozuki Mangetsu, the Nine-Tails was unwilling to return to Konoha, and Orochimaru was also hesitant to leave Hozuki Mangetsu alone in the Land of Hot Springs.
With the unparalleled hidden abilities of Isshiki Ōtsutsuki, if he were to find a place to hide Hozuki Mangetsu, by the time they met again, he might not be the same person.
As for Isobu, a tortoise that only knew how to sleep, facing Isshiki Ōtsutsuki, it was better to serve as a mascot.
There was no telling if it might end up casually providing chakra to someone.
...
"Orochimaru, are you sure that Uchiha Madara fellow is really hiding in the Land of Iron?"
"After all these years, with his disposition of immediately activating Susanoo if someone displeases him, could he endure such loneliness?"
"I truly find it hard to believe!"
The Nine-Tails gazed at the distant cliff where giant beast bones stood, filled with unease.
"He will!"
"To achieve his goals, he can endure hardships that ordinary people cannot."
"This is the commonality of the strong!"
Orochimaru suddenly stopped above the cliff, overlooking the entrance to the cave by the sea, and explained casually.
"You actually hold him in such high regard?"
The Nine-Tails huffed in dissatisfaction.
"It's not admiration!"
Orochimaru shook his head.
"If Madara lacked that stubbornness, even as the reincarnation of Indra's chakra, he wouldn't have awakened the Rinnegan."
"In a sense, he is more outstanding than the First Hokage."
"It's just..."
"This stubborn nature has also become his greatest weakness."
"Stubbornness itself isn't wrong, but when the direction of that stubbornness stems from a lie, that's a tragedy."
"The blind confidence brought by his immense power has obscured his ability to see the essence of things, which is where he falls short of the First Hokage."
Orochimaru sighed with emotion and lunged into the cave.
...
The dim underground cavern was illuminated by the cyan light of Sage Mode chakra. Uchiha Madara, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, sensed the presence and opened his scarlet eyes.
"Senior Madara, we finally meet!"
The dragon-shaped chakra slowly dissipated. Orochimaru released Hozuki Mangetsu and walked towards Uchiha Madara, who was sitting cross-legged, accompanied by the Nine-Tails.
"Uchiha Madara, we meet again!"
Although much older, for the Nine-Tails, this face was unforgettable.
"Oh?"
"You are..."
"Orochimaru?"
Uchiha Madara paused for a moment, then a proud curve formed on his lips.
He looked sternly at Orochimaru, enveloped in Sage Mode chakra, and nodded with a touch of emotion.
"An impressive junior!"
"Your current power likely rivals that of Hashirama in his prime!"
As for the Nine-Tails, baring its fangs and barking at him...
Heh!
A mere beast fit only to be toyed with as a pet, not worthy of Uchiha Madara's attention.
"Bastard!"
Uchiha Madara's dismissive attitude immediately ignited the flames of hatred that had burned in the Nine-Tails' heart for years. It roared in anger, preparing to transform into its true form and tear this detestable bastard apart.
"Noisy."
Uchiha Madara's expression was indifferent. The three tomoe in his eyes slowly spun as he casually glanced at the enraged Nine-Tails.
A terrifying pupil power crashed into the Nine-Tails' mental world. The Nine-Tails, about to erupt, froze. The surging chakra within its body instantly stagnated.
"Senior Madara's methods are still so direct!"
Orochimaru commented with a smile, reaching out to stroke the Nine-Tails' head.
A surge of spiritual power poured into the Nine-Tails' mental space, and the image of a white flood dragon instantly appeared in the Nine-Tails' consciousness. The dragon's head raised, and a high-pitched roar echoed in the Nine-Tails' mind.
"Crack!"
The scarlet Sharingan pattern that enveloped the Nine-Tails' mental space made a cracking sound and shattered into pure Yin Release energy.
The Nine-Tails' consciousness broke free from its shackles and instantly cleared.
"Damn bastard, trying to control me with the Sharingan again!"
The Nine-Tails cursed hatefully, but under Orochimaru's calming influence, it stopped provoking further.
"Hmm?"
Uchiha Madara frowned as the genjutsu placed on the Nine-Tails' mind was instantly broken.
"Is spiritual power capable of being refined to the extent of shattering Eternal Mangekyo genjutsu?"
"Is it due to Sage Mode?"
A hint of admiration flashed in Orochimaru's eyes as he nodded gently.
"As expected of Senior Madara, your grasp of combat information is truly impressive!"
"Hmph!"
Uchiha Madara snorted coldly, a proud expression appearing on his face.
"In this ninja world, besides Hashirama, no one is qualified to evaluate me."
"You..."
"Are not worthy!"
To utter such arrogant words at his age, one would be hard-pressed to find another like Uchiha Madara.
"Since you've discovered my hiding place, you have no reason to continue living."
"To thank you for bringing the Nine-Tails before me, I will permit you to have a final word."
"Is there anything else you wish to say?"