[167] : The Secret of Immortality

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After Shin left, Madara Uchiha remained still, his expression unreadable. His sharp gaze lingered on the now-empty cavern entrance, his thoughts deep and calculating.

"Whew, he finally left."

Tobi Zetsu exhaled dramatically, shaking his head as if trying to dispel lingering tension.

"That guy's aura was insane, even more imposing than yours, Madara-sama."

Tobi Zetsu glanced at Madara, then spoke with an exaggerated sigh.

"You trying to get yourself killed?"

A new voice cut in as White Zetsu emerged from the shadows beside Tobi Zetsu.

"How dare you compare Uzumaki Shin to Madara-sama?"

Madara ignored their exchange, his fingers tapping lightly against the stone armrest of his seat.

"Make no mistake."

His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to it.

"That brat is no ordinary opponent. If I'd had the chance to take him down, I wouldn't have compromised."

Shin's discovery of his hideout was a major risk—one Madara wasn't comfortable with. If he had been certain of victory, he would have killed him already.

But he wasn't certain.

Shin wielded the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, Ice Release, and—most alarmingly—Wood Release.

Madara knew better than anyone the power of the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. He had fought and bled for it, had seen firsthand what it could achieve.

And Wood Release…

The very power that once humiliated him in battle, used by his eternal rival, Hashirama Senju.

Shin had even mentioned True Several Thousand Hands—the same technique Hashirama used to crush him and the Nine-Tails. That technique required Sage Mode to activate. If Shin had mastered that too…

Adding in his Ice Release and Space–Time Ninjutsu, Madara couldn't afford to be careless.

"Even Madara-sama is wary of him."

White Zetsu's voice was unusually serious.

"So that Shin guy really is a menace… He might become a bigger danger down the road."

"You think I don't see that?" Madara snapped, his gaze cold.

The cavern fell into silence.

"For now, we have little choice. Leave the rest to me—I have my own plans."

Madara closed his eyes, dismissing them.

White Zetsu hesitated, but one glance at Madara's unshakable resolve was enough. Without another word, he and Tobi Zetsu sank back into the darkness.

...

With a flicker of movement, Shin and the others left the damp underground cavern, stepping through the void of space before reappearing in the Land of Whirlpools—their home.

"We really hit the jackpot."

Shin grinned, tossing a large scroll to Mikoto.

"This is Madara's Fire Release archive. His techniques are devastating, and his insights are even more valuable."

Mikoto's eyes flickered with interest as she caught the scroll.

"Madara's Fire Release…"

She didn't hesitate—she immediately opened it, scanning its contents with rapt focus.

Madara's Fire Release mastery was second to none, refined through decades of battle. His personal notes alone were worth more than gold.

"Shin, are you really going to cooperate with Madara Uchiha?"

Tsunade's voice was sharp, her golden eyes watching him closely.

"Why not?" Shin replied casually.

Tsunade frowned.

"Because Madara isn't simple," she said firmly. "I'm worried he'll trick you somehow. That man's lived for too long—he's cunning."

Shin blinked in mild exasperation.

"Since when am I easy to trick?"

"I know you're clever," Tsunade admitted, "but facing Madara—the sly old fox who fooled the entire world into thinking he was dead—I wouldn't take it lightly."

She had a point. Even Hashirama Senju didn't know Madara was still alive.

"Shin, do you really plan to rule the world with him?"

Kushina's voice carried a hint of amusement, though her crimson eyes held genuine curiosity.

"No."

Shin shook his head.

"I have no such ambition."

"Then why agree to his plan?" Mikoto asked.

"Be careful around him, Shin-nii," Konan added softly. "He feels so… dangerous."

Shin chuckled.

"I only agreed to get his jutsu," he admitted, then added, "and there's something else I want—immortality."

Tsunade's expression darkened.

"Immortality?"

She crossed her arms skeptically.

"Immortality is a myth. Even the Sage of Six Paths eventually passed on."

At that moment, the System's voice echoed in Shin's mind.

[Master, you intend to copy Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's immortal body, correct?]

Shin raised an eyebrow, momentarily surprised.

The System rarely spoke unless necessary.

'That's right, Kaguya is immortal—I want that same power.' Shin replied inwardly.

Who wouldn't? Immortality was the ultimate safeguard.

[You don't actually need that, Master. Since you've fully bonded with me, you cannot die unless the System itself is destroyed.] the System said.

The revelation struck Shin like a lightning bolt—he stood there, momentarily stunned.

…Wait.

"What?"

[You are already immortal, Master.]

Shin's mind went blank for a moment.

"Shin?"

Kushina's voice snapped him back to reality.

"You zoned out. Something wrong?"

"No…" Shin exhaled. "Just thinking."

"You mentioned immortality," Kushina said curiously, "and that it was tied to cooperating with Madara. But come on—this world has no such thing."

"You're wrong." Shin's voice was calm, but firm.

"Immortality does exist. Kaguya Ōtsutsuki is still alive, sealed away. And as for me…"

A small smirk played on his lips.

"I'm already immortal. My next goal? Making all of you immortal too."

He announced it so matter-of-factly that Tsunade, Kushina, Mikoto, and Konan all froze. They obviously didn't believe him.

"Hah, if that's real, I might just offer you my entire self," Tsunade joked sarcastically.

"Oh? Don't regret that promise later," Shin teased right back.

"I believe you," Kushina suddenly declared.

"I'll offer my body right now!" She jumped into his arms.

She practically lunged into Shin's arms, but Tsunade and Mikoto teamed up in perfect synergy, yanking her away before she could follow through.

"Hey! Let me go!" Kushina struggled.

"Knock it off, Kushina," Mikoto said calmly, "Shin, Kushina might be delirious. We should get her to bed before she spouts more nonsense."

"I'm not delirious! You two are just jealous!" Kushina shot back.

Despite her protests, Tsunade and Mikoto dragged her away, her complaints echoing down the hall.

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