Chapter 33: Two Choices of Madara

The Land of Rain.

The fine rain was falling steadily, hitting the military tents and making a pattering sound like pearls dropping on a jade plate (a vivid description of the sound of raindrops hitting the tent in Chinese literature).

Tanzō was sitting cross - legged in front of a table with a military map spread out on it, full of dense routes.

Kaze was kneeling on the other side of the table. Actually, he had nothing to do, but this damned old scoundrel Tanzō insisted on having him accompany him.

"Kaze," Tanzō shifted his gaze from the map and looked at his absent - minded son.

"Do you think, after this long - standing war between Konoha and Amegakure, who is winning and who is losing?"

"Ah!" Kaze quickly snapped out of his daze, thought for a moment, and replied.

"Currently, it seems that our Konoha has the upper hand, but we haven't won completely."

In terms of comprehensive national strength, the Land of Rain was far inferior to the Land of Fire. It was almost in continuous retreat on the front - line battlefield.

However, Sanshōuo Hanzō was extremely powerful. He was chasing and beating Konoha's high - level combat forces single - handedly, leaving Konoha powerless.

If the war goes on, it will bring more losses than gains. That's why Tanzō asked this question.

"You're right. This war has dragged on for too long. It's time to end it," Tanzō said slowly.

"Hiruzen and I have decided to make peace with Amegakure Village. After that, we'll focus all our efforts on dealing with Sunagakure Village. We can't let our village sink deeper and deeper into this endless quagmire."

"This is a wise decision," Kaze nodded, showing his approval of the proposal.

Kaze heard from his father that those old bastards from Kumogakure were getting restless again. They seemed to have the idea of taking advantage of Konoha's current situation by coming through the Lands of Hot Water and Rice Fields.

Those damned old scoundrels were typical opportunists. They were the ones who kidnapped Kushina and Hinata.

Konoha had to divert a lot of its troops to defend against Kumogakure. Even the newly - graduated ninjas this year were sent to the border, and Minato was among them.

After all these rounds of consumption, Konoha really couldn't hold on anymore. If they didn't pull out, they would exhaust all their resources!

"Hiruzen has given me full decision - making power for this operation," Tanzō said with a certain implication.

"Wow, he just gives you so much power like that. The old monkey (Hiruzen) really... really trusts you," Kaze thought to himself.

"After making peace with Hanzō, I plan to increase our troops against Sunagakure Village. When they have all their main forces transferred to the Land of Rain, we'll organize a surprise attack on Sunagakure Village!"

"However, if we do this, I'm afraid many Konoha ninjas will sacrifice their lives," Tanzō looked at Kaze and asked quietly, "Do you think what I'm doing is right?"

On this matter, Kaze thought Tanzō was right. He nodded and said, "Mercy has no place in war. In order to achieve strategic goals, some sacrifices are inevitable."

"Yeah," Tanzō nodded slightly, very satisfied with his son's answer. "Then, do you want to go with me to see the legendary Demi - God in person?"

"No!" Kaze refused without hesitation, shaking his head like a rattle.

Forget about the danger. What's so cool about a guy wearing a diving mask? 

"Get out of here!" Tanzō waved his hand impatiently and said, "Once you've rested, lead the team to carry out the mission right away."

"Sure thing, Dad. Bye!"

Kaze dashed off in a flash and went back to his tent to have a chat with two young ladies.

As for Yuto, of course, he had to share a tent with someone else!

[At the end of the 34th year of Konoha, Konoha and Amegakure Village reached a peace agreement.

In the same year, Konoha fought several small - scale battles with Kumogakure in the countries of Tang and Tian.

Both sides suffered casualties, and finally, Konoha successfully forced Kumogakure to retreat.]

"Why? Why?!"

Uchiha Yau hugged the girl's corpse and let out a heart - wrenching roar.

His voice echoed in the empty forest, but no one could answer his question.

Around him, corpses were lying in layers. When viewed from above, the blood on the ground formed a blooming flower.

"Why..."

With the help of White Zetsu, Yau finally managed to escape from Madara's underground palace.

Full of hope, he thought he was about to embrace a new life and couldn't wait to see her.

After White Zetsu told him where the girl was, he rushed here at full speed, only to see the girl's last moments!

"Aaaaaah!"

The black pattern in his eyes spun wildly. Yau didn't know whether it was blood or tears sliding down his face.

All he knew was that "This place... is a living hell!"

Driven by despair, Yau returned to Madara's underground palace and went back to Madara's side.

Madara was sitting quietly on the high platform, propping his chin with one hand, seemingly not surprised by Yau's return.

"I told you that things in the world don't always go as people wish. You'd come back."

Yau's hair was in a mess, and there was an air of destruction about him, which sent a chill down one's spine.

The once lively eyes were now filled with only deathly stillness, and his cheeks were covered with blood.

"Tell me how to create the world in my dreams, Madara!" Yau demanded coldly.

"Humph, what an impolite young man." Madara snorted and beckoned to Yau. "Come here. No need to thank me."

"Look into my eyes!"

Madara pulled Yau into the genjutsu space and introduced the Moon's Eye Plan to him.

It involves collecting all the tailed beasts, reviving the Ten - Tails, making himself the Jinchūriki of the Ten - Tails, reaching the level of the Sage of Six Paths, and activating the Moon's Eye.

Then, cast Infinite Tsukuyomi to place everyone under a genjutsu and create a peaceful illusory world.

"And you can also be reunited with your elder brother and your beloved girl in the illusion world," Madara said.

Yau tilted his head and said in a very pretentious way, "Well, I approve of your plan."

"Um." Madara nodded slightly and stopped talking. Instead, he thought about how to deal with the other child.

Different from the original plot where he was on his last breath, Madara could still hold on for another ten - plus years now and had plenty of time to perfect his plan.

He left Yau alone to study the Mangekyō Sharingan and went to Uchiha Rin's room.

Uchiha Rin was sitting on the bed. Her right arm was milky - white, clearly a different color from the rest of her body.

The moment Rin saw Madara, she instantly jumped up from the bed. Looking at the sickle in Madara's hand, which glistened with a cold light, a trace of fear flashed in her eyes.

"Are... are you here to kill me?"

Madara smiled and waved his hand. "Hehe, I'm just using it as a walking stick."

"After all, you're just a kid in your early ten - year - olds. No matter how mature you are mentally, you're still just a child."

In Rin's panicked gaze, Madara sat beside her, patted the edge of the bed, and motioned for Rin to sit down.

"Don't be nervous. You're a smart kid. Let's have a good chat."

Rin carefully sat beside Madara, nervously looking at him, completely unaware that a red light flashed in the other's eyes.

"You've guessed the truth, right, kid? Tell me what's really in your heart."

Rin's eyes were blank. She blurted out subconsciously, "I think you saved me in order to use me."

"You and that Konoha Anbu showed up so coincidentally. I even suspect that Anbu was under your control."

Hearing this, Madara silently tightened his hold on the sickle, and a trace of coldness flashed in his eyes.

"But I don't blame you..."

Huh?

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