Chapter 187

He knew the Nine-Tails and Two-Tails wouldn't pose any problems.

This was just a temporary fusion with the Ten-Tails to satisfy Madara's little wish.

Later, he'd split off some chakra to leave for Kaguya, then head to the moon and shatter it with one strike—releasing her true form.

That would mark the true end of all shinobi conflict.

Madara stood there dumbfounded, staring at the two miniaturized Tailed Beasts.

In the distance, Black Zetsu cautiously approached him.

"Lord Madara, what was that kid even talking about…?"

How would he know?

Madara frowned, not bothering to glance at Zetsu.

"Hey, you black blob. If you dare call my boss a 'kid' again, I'll rip out your heart myself—before he even has to," Nine-Tails growled.

Before he could finish, Black Zetsu immediately bowed and apologized.

He had no choice.

Madara had begun collecting the Tailed Beasts.

Finally, that kid—Senju Yukika—was out of the picture.

No way could he ruin the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan now!

Clearly, Yukika understood what the Infinite Tsukuyomi really entailed.

So did Nine-Tails.

Even he had the Rinnegan!

Black Zetsu wasn't blind.

He had seen that titanic battle just now.

Susanoo, Wood Release, Rinnegan.

Asura's power? Yukika had it.

Indra's power? He had that too.

Even the Sage of Six Paths—others seemed to have those abilities!

What could someone like Black Zetsu do in front of that?

He knew the Infinite Tsukuyomi's true purpose was to resurrect Kaguya.

Yet Yukika not only didn't stop it—he actually helped Madara proceed.

So what exactly was he planning?

Black Zetsu was full of questions.

But at least Yukika wasn't interfering anymore.

That was good news in itself.

"Nine-Tails. Two-Tails," Madara addressed the beasts, sighing.

"How do you address your uncle?"

"Let me tell you something," Nine-Tails replied. "Just because the boss isn't here doesn't mean you can mess with this uncle. He's only helping because he's in a good mood. Annoy him, and he'll tattle to the boss."

Definitely not someone to mess with.

Madara narrowed his eyes but said nothing.

Just a beast.

But one you couldn't ignore.

He couldn't afford to be the one begging Yukika to give it back later.

"Keep your voice down, Nine-Bro," whispered Two-Tails nervously. "That's Uchiha Madara."

"So what? You don't get it."

"You deal with Uchiha Madara. My uncle already slapped him before."

Nine-Tails grinned smugly.

Clearly, he had grown a lot under Yukika's influence.

"You're amazing, Nine-Bro," said the bull-headed Mr. Niu, giving a thumbs-up.

"Jealous?"

Nine-Tails grinned wider. "See? Being the boss's pet comes with perks."

"Uchiha Madara, you got smacked. No hard feelings."

Tempting, wasn't it?

The two beasts nodded vigorously.

Still, once they returned, Two-Tails would have to go back to Yukika's wooden puppet—one of the rare female feline Tailed Beasts.

But if she became Yukika's pet, that meant she'd also be his leading actress.

And her jinchūriki would be...

…Searching for flowers…

Well, the wooden puppet had already been Yukika's maid.

Even at pet level.

No big deal.

Just go back and recognize him as master.

The two Tailed Beasts were soon ignored.

Madara, still puzzled, left Black Zetsu confused too.

He had the beasts.

The troublesome Senju had been dealt with.

What more did he need?

Still, Black Zetsu didn't dare push him.

Yukika also had the Rinnegan—and had clearly been using it for a long time.

But he didn't have Black Zetsu.

Or White Zetsu.

If Madara ever asked Yukika about this… he might expose them all.

Better to lay low.

So Black Zetsu stayed quiet, waiting for Madara to act.

"Lord Madara!"

But White Zetsu had other ideas.

The ground rippled, and White Zetsu emerged with a report.

"The other ninja villages are forming an alliance to stop you from casting Infinite Tsukuyomi. But I've found where they're hiding the jinchūriki—"

"I already know where they are."

Madara cut him off coldly and glanced around.

Things had quieted down since Yukika left.

"Find a way to tell them—I've reached the end of the road."

"If they want to stop me… come and try."

"The Third Great Ninja War—will end with me."

...

Black Zetsu opened his mouth to protest—but gave up.

He knew what Madara was thinking.

Getting beaten by Yukika had wounded his pride.

Now he needed an outlet.

Those trying to stop him were perfect targets.

As for gathering the jinchūriki?

That wouldn't be too hard.

He still had time.

Once he became the Ten-Tails jinchūriki, he'd challenge Yukika again.

His final chance.

His true declaration of victory.

But Yukika... hadn't stopped moving forward.

Land of Fire. Konoha.

Despite the tension across the ninja world, people here smiled as they started their day.

Even though the Valley of the End had just exploded in chaos, no one here panicked.

Why?

Because beside Konoha stood the Senju Clan.

And Senju Yukika was their faith.

With that belief intact, what was there to fear?

"I've gotten lazy lately," Tsunade said, sprawled over Yukika at a street stall.

Even if she didn't mean to, she looked kind of cute like this.

It had nothing to do with the calm before war.

Even the youngest and oldest Senju didn't care that Uchiha Madara had shown up.

Thousands of gelled Senju didn't fear his power.

And the Infinite Tsukuyomi?

Sorry—that light couldn't pierce the barrier Yukika had reinforced around Hueco Mundo.

So this so-called war had nothing to do with the Senju.

They were just spectators, waiting for the rest of the ninja world to suffer and come crawling for help.

Just like when the Senju still believed in Konoha's leadership.

Once people understood pain, they'd know who was right and who was wrong.

That was part of the two options Mikoto once mentioned.

Since they hadn't chosen to follow the Senju like Konoha did… loss was inevitable.

"Be reasonable. You're getting heavier," Yukika muttered, holding Tsunade close and staring at a certain location.

It was expanding again.

Hard to believe—it had been growing for years, but the current rate was something else.

Yukika blamed Tsunade.

She wasn't fat.

She was slender, even.

"You've got some nerve," Tsunade huffed, cheeks red as she fiddled with silver coins, but said nothing more.

"No, no, you've got it wrong," Yukika said solemnly. "I'm just teaching people how to stimulate blood flow properly."

He had grown up.

But some things still needed to be done.

Once peace came to the ninja world, he'd give the girls by his side a proper answer.

"But... do you really trust Uchiha Madara won't make trouble again?"

Tsunade finally asked the real question.

As a Senju, she understood what that name meant.

"Do you really think you can turn him into Senju... Madara?"

...