CHAPTER 57

Even Uchiha Madara, a master of genjutsu, cannot rival Uchiha Shisui's Kotoamatsukami, the most powerful illusion technique. Thus, for him to keep Yagura Karatachi, the Fourth Mizukage, under his control, he must reinforce the genjutsu periodically. Given his deteriorating condition, the underground chamber of Kirigakure's Anbu headquarters became the most secure and secretive location for this operation.

The moment Mizuki Ryosuke confirmed Uchiha Madara's existence, an intense internal conflict arose.

One thought dominated his mind—should he attack?

Despite being a legendary figure, Madara was still human. If his head was severed, even he would perish. And right now, Madara was at his weakest.

Ryosuke had already observed that Black Zetsu and White Zetsu were not present, leaving Madara alone and vulnerable. This was the perfect moment, an opportunity so rare it might never come again.

Yet, Mizuki Ryosuke hesitated. His heart pounded as he weighed the consequences. This decision was a gamble of life and fate.

However, letting Madara live meant the world would follow its original trajectory, one that would eventually lead to the emergence of Six Paths Madara, the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, and ultimately, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.

If Madara died here, Kaguya's inevitable resurrection might be thwarted.

The more he thought about it, the more tempted Ryosuke became. Compared to fighting Madara with the Rinnegan, Obito with the Ten-Tails, and Kaguya herself, dealing with an aged, immobilized Madara seemed far more manageable.

Hesitation leads to failure.

Mizuki Ryosuke had always been decisive. If anything went wrong, he could retreat immediately. He understood Madara's physical limitations and was confident in his own escape capabilities.

Just as he prepared to strike—

A voice echoed through the chamber.

"Oh no! The old man's in trouble!"

"Yagura is about to lose, do something~"

The sudden, cheap-sounding voice broke the silence.

A familiar, grotesque pitcher plant-like figure emerged from the wooden floor.

Mizuki Ryosuke's body stiffened.

If he had attacked just moments ago, he would have been instantly exposed to Black Zetsu and White Zetsu upon their return.

Despite their lack of combat prowess, White Zetsu's ability to meld with the environment and his Hashirama-enhanced Wood Release techniques could prove troublesome. And even an old Madara was still Madara.

At that moment, Madara's eyes opened.

His Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan gleamed with an ominous light, spinning slowly yet overflowing with malice.

Just one glance made Ryosuke's every cell scream DANGER.

"Forget Yagura. There's something else to deal with."

Madara's voice, though aged and weakened, carried a chilling intensity.

Black Zetsu and White Zetsu exchanged knowing looks. Meanwhile, Mizuki Ryosuke felt a sinking dread in his chest.

"Come out."

Madara's gaze locked onto Ryosuke's precise location. It was no bluff.

The words could have been a mere trap, but his piercing gaze was unmistakable.

"Stay calm. Think!"

Ryosuke forced himself to analyze the situation at lightning speed. His mind raced like never before.

Silence.

The underground chamber became a vacuum of stillness, the air thick with impending doom.

After three agonizing seconds, Madara sighed. Impatience crept into his face.

He raised a single finger.

Just before he could act, Mizuki Ryosuke removed his concealment jutsu.

A young man, clad in white, materialized before them.

White Zetsu jerked back in exaggerated shock.

Madara's raised arm slowly lowered.

"Whoa!!!"

"Did he just pop out of nowhere? Like—puff!?"

White Zetsu's cartoonish antics disrupted the tension, his exaggerated exclamations akin to a child at a circus.

Neither Madara nor Black Zetsu reacted.

They were used to White Zetsu's behavior.

Instead, Black Zetsu narrowed his gaze, intrigued by Ryosuke's stealth capabilities.

Meanwhile, Madara scrutinized the young shinobi with mild amusement.

Then, for the briefest moment, his eyes flashed.

Mizuki Ryosuke's instincts screamed "IT'S COMING!"

Without hesitation, he formed two hand seals at breakneck speed.

A sharp icy-blue glint flickered in his eyes.

At the same time, Madara's Eternal Mangekyō spun violently.

A sinister, blood-red glow radiated from his left eye.

A Genjutsu assault—

Mizuki Ryosuke's body shuddered violently.

"Hahaha…"

"Idiot. You should have run the moment you had the chance."

Black Zetsu's hoarse laughter filled the chamber.

He sneered at Ryosuke's immobility.

"No one can resist the Eternal Mangekyō."

But before he could finish—

A calm voice cut through his mockery.

"Is that so?"

Black Zetsu's face twisted in shock.

Even Uchiha Madara showed a flicker of surprise.

"Impossible!"

For the first time in centuries, Madara Uchiha was genuinely intrigued.

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