Uchiha Madara cast a fleeting glance at White Zetsu upon hearing his words.
"I once mentioned that, despite your proficiency in concealment, in the presence of a true powerhouse, the emergence of your voice could still betray you."
"I assumed Konoha didn't harbor such formidable individuals now, but it appears another genius has emerged."
"In the future, I will enhance your concealment abilities. After all, there are numerous tasks for you to handle, and your increased strength aligns with my plans."
Madara stated this ruthlessly to White Zetsu, utilizing him as a mere tool.
White Zetsu displayed no discontent; instead, he cheered enthusiastically, "Excellent! Strengthening my abilities will enable me to serve Madara-sama even more effectively."
Madara, however, looked somewhat disinterestedly at White Zetsu, hinting at his impatience.
Without delay, White Zetsu continued conveying information to Uchiha Madara, "Lord Madara, this individual is the leader of the Uzumaki clan, rumored to be the only lord in the Land of Whirlpools."
"Essentially, he holds a prominent status as both a notable figure and a Clan Head, a rather intriguing identity."
Ignoring White Zetsu's jubilant tone, Uchiha Madara swiftly organized Kazuhiko's details in his mind.
"I've heard that his combat skills involve Light Release, a bloodline limit utilizing light for combat. It grants remarkable speed and attack capabilities."
"He's also responsible for the deaths of numerous members of the Sarutobi clan and some Anbu ninjas. Reports suggest the Sarutobi clan scolded him, yet he continues to roam freely in Konoha without repercussions. Quite perplexing..."
Upon hearing this, a peculiar glint flashed in Uchiha Madara's eyes. After contemplating his experiences since arriving in this blood-stained world, he quickly deduced a plausible scenario.
"Has Konoha truly devolved to this point? Even after his comrades were slain by outsiders within the village, he acquiesces due to power struggles?"
"Hashirama, this is the path you've chosen! After all these years, Konoha has become this."
"It's no different from the power struggles of the past—perhaps even more brutal and bloody."
Contemplating this, Uchiha Madara felt a mixture of disappointment and relief.
Though he had never witnessed the current leaders, he could vividly picture the kind of individuals now governing Konoha.
These leaders were no different from the feudal lords he observed during the Warring state era, only now draped in the guise of a village and country.
It seemed this incident further validated a certain expectation he held in his heart.
"Hashirama, your path is fundamentally misguided!"
His conviction in this deepened. Only through the Infinite Tsukuyomi's illusionary influence could an ideal world of peace be created, allowing him control over all existence and eradicating conflicts.
Only this path could bring genuine peace to the ninja world!
Uchiha Madara solidified his resolve, his eyes unwavering.
White Zetsu, observing Madara's contemplation, added, "I also heard some in Konoha call him the new god of the ninja world, comparing his talent to the legendary First Hokage."
Uchiha Madara listened with disdain, the god of ninjas, and he understood the true strength of Senju Hashirama, the god of ninjas.
Now hailed as the god of the ninja world, Madara couldn't help but ponder the remarkable power possessed by Kazuhiko at such a young age.
Considering his potential for continued growth, Madara acknowledged that Kazuhiko might surpass him in strength eventually. Moreover, being of Uzumaki lineage, he shared the formidable physique of Senju Hashirama.
Madara couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy toward Kazuhiko. "However, true genius lies in one's ability to mature!"
"No matter how powerful, a genius who doesn't grow is just talk..."
Shrugging off his momentary envy, Madara believed that Konoha harbored individuals who would resist the emergence of the next "God of the Ninja World."
"Let's see how long you can survive. Konoha believes you're dead, but you know, survival is more than just ninjutsu. Can you defend yourself at such a young age..."
Turning away, Madara focused on experimenting and enhancing White Zetsu's new stealth abilities. Despite his aging, Madara could still move and engage in occasional ninjutsu experiments.
Unlike being confined to a life support tube tied to the Gedo Statue, he retained a degree of mobility.
Meanwhile, Kazuhiko remained oblivious to the events unfolding there. His thoughts lingered on the alley encounter earlier, captivated by the lingering scent of vegetation.
Thanks to his advancing perception of natural energy, Kazuhiko could sense the residual essence of grass and trees, a skill that set him apart from those like Tsunade, whose senses were not as attuned.
"In this period, it's him, White Zetsu!"
****
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