CHAPTER 62

"This is…"

After breaking free from Uchiha Madara's illusion, Mizuki Ryosuke's face was filled with genuine shock.

He had just experienced the Infinite Tsukuyomi, the grand scheme Madara had been preparing for decades—an illusion that would trap the entire world in a dreamlike genjutsu. Even though Mizuki Ryosuke had anticipated something grand, he never expected it to be this.

Seeing his expression, a satisfied glint flashed in Madara's Rinnegan.

"How does this compare to the peace you seek?"

Uchiha Madara's voice was firm, laced with the confidence of a man who had walked through an era of war and despair. His sharp gaze bore into Mizuki Ryosuke, waiting for a response.

"Shocking… all I can say is that it was truly shocking."

Mizuki Ryosuke feigned admiration, but deep inside, his mind was racing.

Turning the entire world into White Zetsu… truly a shocking concept.

The truth of the Infinite Tsukuyomi was far darker than Madara realized. While he believed it would grant eternal peace, Mizuki Ryosuke knew—thanks to his extensive research into the Uchiha Stone Tablet—that Black Zetsu had twisted the plan to serve Kaguya Ōtsutsuki. Those trapped in the illusion would eventually become part of the Divine Tree, their bodies transformed into mindless White Zetsu soldiers.

Madara, blinded by his idealism, was merely a puppet in a plan that had spanned millennia.

"Mizuki Ryosuke, I acknowledge your strength and ambition."

A rare glimmer of appreciation flickered in Madara's expression. "If you wish, you can join the Eye of the Moon Plan."

His voice was filled with conviction. It was the same voice that had once led the Uchiha against the Senju, the same voice that had faced Hashirama Senju at the Valley of the End.

Mizuki Ryosuke put on an eager expression, his face brimming with admiration.

"Can I truly be part of such a grand design?"

His tone was carefully controlled, as if he were overwhelmed by the weight of Madara's trust.

Madara chuckled. "Hah… Very good."

He leaned back slightly, his once-frail body radiating newfound energy.

But while Madara appeared pleased, deep within his ancient, battle-hardened mind, he knew words alone were not enough. Promises were cheap. Actions were what truly mattered.

Meanwhile, miles away…

Deep beneath the Lake of Mist, within the Land of Water, a massive figure stirred.

A colossal three-tailed turtle rested at the lakebed, its chakra fluctuating as it absorbed the surrounding water to recover. This beast—Isobu, the Three-Tails—had just been released from its former Jinchūriki, Okubo, following a successful extraction led by the Third Mizukage.

Despite its temporary freedom, Isobu was far from jubilant. It knew that once the battle above concluded, it would simply be sealed inside another Jinchūriki.

Even as a mighty tailed beast, it was powerless against the cycle of human greed.

Suddenly, its pupils shrank.

A ripple passed through its consciousness, and in an instant, its will vanished.

Its massive frame trembled, then began shrinking rapidly. Its enormous body collapsed inward, condensing down to a mere fraction of its size—until the once-mountainous creature was no larger than a meter-long turtle.

Under the grip of an unseen force, it began burrowing into the lakebed…

Back in the depths of the Mist Anbu's underground chamber, Mizuki Ryosuke and Uchiha Madara continued their discussion, the tension between them masked by polite conversation.

On the surface, they were two visionaries exchanging ideas about the future of the world. In reality, they were predators, each carefully probing the other's weaknesses.

Then—

Crash!

A small hole suddenly burst open in the chamber's dome.

A small turtle, barely a meter in size, dropped down between them.

Mizuki Ryosuke's eyes widened. His heart nearly stopped.

It was none other than Isobu, the Three-Tails!

"How is this possible?! Why is Three-Tails here?!"

Mizuki Ryosuke's mind reeled.

He had known of Madara's ability to control tailed beasts—Mangekyō Sharingan had always held a unique power over them. But to manipulate one from miles away with such precision…

Madara, seeing Ryosuke's reaction, let out a low chuckle.

"Ryosuke, since you've agreed to join the Eye of the Moon Plan, consider this my gift to you."

He gestured toward the diminutive Three-Tails.

"I believe that with your abilities, you should be able to harness its power."

Despite his calm tone, there was an unmistakable weight behind Madara's words.

Mizuki Ryosuke narrowed his eyes.

So that's your game, old man…

Madara wasn't simply giving him a gift. This was a test.

By making Mizuki Ryosuke Isobu's Jinchūriki, Madara would have a direct method to control him.

Even though Ryosuke was resistant to genjutsu, a Jinchūriki's life was tied to their beast. If Madara chose, he could rip the tailed beast from Ryosuke's body using the Gedo Statue—a technique that had instantly taken down even Naruto Uzumaki in the Fourth Great Ninja War.

This wasn't generosity. It was a leash.

Mizuki Ryosuke's thoughts raced.

He had two choices: refuse and arouse suspicion… or accept and plan his next move.

Outwardly, he put on a reluctant expression.

"This… isn't right, Mr. Madara," he said cautiously. "Didn't you say the Eye of the Moon plan requires gathering all the tailed beasts? If I become Three-Tails' Jinchūriki, wouldn't that complicate things?"

His words were measured, a subtle attempt to avoid falling into Madara's trap.

But Madara merely smirked.

"Hahaha!"

"Don't worry."

His voice was filled with absolute confidence.

"If I have the power to give you Three-Tails, then naturally, I have the power to take it back at any time."

Ryosuke's lips curled slightly.

Old fox.

Madara's true meaning was clear—submit, or die.

Realizing there was no way out, Mizuki Ryosuke let out a laugh and nodded.

"Well then, Mr. Madara… I gratefully accept your gift."

As the words left his lips, a victorious glint flashed through Madara's eyes.

Likewise, Mizuki Ryosuke's gaze darkened.

You think you've won?

Let's see who ends up using who.

Though outwardly, the two men were allies, the truth was clear: this was merely a battle postponed.

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