Chapter 173: The Disappointing Heir

Madara Uchiha had gradually lost faith in Setsuna Uchiha.

If he could awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan under such stimulation, that would be ideal.

Failing that, breaking free from Izanami's Genjutsu would also suffice.

In that case, Setsuna could still serve as his Agent. After all, Setsuna had shown courage to resist fear, though Madara would need to adjust his later plans—without a Mangekyo Sharingan, there was no way to rival Nagato and his Rinnegan.

But Setsuna had neither awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan nor escaped Izanami's illusion.

In other words, Setsuna simply wasn't up to the task.

Madara pressed his fingers against his temples, a wave of frustration building into a pounding headache.

There was no time left to find another Agent now. He knew his own body best—it didn't have much time remaining. Though the Demonic Statue prolonged his life, his body's decay could not be undone.

Besides, he'd grown sick of this flesh long ago.

If he failed to choose an Agent, and something went wrong with Nagato, there would be no one capable of stopping him.

Madara cast a glance at Black Zetsu.

Forget it—he's nothing but waste.

Black Zetsu noticed Madara's gaze and instantly became furious.

That look—it was the unmistakable gaze of someone staring at a complete idiot.

Setsuna failed to awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan or escape Izanami—so what does that have to do with me?

Was everything going to be his fault again?

Meanwhile, Setsuna was on the verge of mental collapse.

He relived, over and over, the exact moment Tobirama Senju sliced off his arm.

And each time, the pain of losing his arm felt real—so painfully vivid that he couldn't even become numb.

No matter how he struggled or pleaded for mercy, each time ended with his arm being hacked off.

"Why?! Why are you doing this to me? I know I was wrong! I shouldn't have incited my clan members to seize power! I've been locked away for years already, nearly starved to death—what more do you want from me? Huh?! Tell me! What else do you want from me?! If you want me dead, just kill me already! Why keep cutting off my arms?! My neck is right here!"

Overcome with emotion, Setsuna screamed hysterically.

"I'll fucking die with you!"

Setsuna charged directly at Tobirama.

Tobirama once again sliced off Setsuna's arm, but this time, Setsuna tightly grabbed Tobirama with his right arm and bit down hard on his neck.

Driven by sheer madness, the Spinning Three-Tomoe Sharingan in Setsuna's eyes rotated wildly. The spinning tomoe blurred together, fusing into the distinct shape of a triangle.

By resisting Tobirama, Setsuna finally broke free from Izanami's illusion.

Setsuna Uchiha hadn't realized that the genjutsu had been broken. With his eyes still shut tight, he sank his teeth into someone's neck: "Let's die together! Damn Senju scum!"

Setsuna Uchiha was biting into the neck of a White Zetsu.

Madara Uchiha, who had felt only disappointment until now, finally saw hope when Setsuna awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan and broke free from Izanami.

"Ahh~ it hurts so bad! Can somebody help me? Huh? No one wants to save me? Then, before I die, could you at least punch a hole in my backside? I wanna see what taking a dump feels like…"

The White Zetsu cried out as Setsuna tore through its neck, eventually collapsing onto the ground.

Setsuna slumped onto the floor, panting heavily. That was when he realized this place wasn't Konoha at all—it looked like they were inside a cave.

There stood a man split between black and white, an old man, several pale figures, and a terrifying colossal statue.

"Where… am I?"

Madara Uchiha slowly approached Setsuna and said, "This is the gap between the underworld and the living world, Setsuna Uchiha."

Frowning, Setsuna asked, "How do you know my name?"

"Because I've been watching you for quite some time. You inherited my will—to lead our clan and reclaim sovereignty from the Senju. Unfortunately, you failed."

"I inherited your will? Who exactly are you to talk so big? That earlier scene… was it genjutsu? I vaguely saw a huge [Spinning Three-Tomoe Sharingan]…"

Setsuna glanced around. If that Sharingan was real, there should be another Uchiha among us.

Madara spoke with powerful presence: "My name is Madara Uchiha—you should already know me well. Earlier indeed was a genjutsu. I used the Uchiha's forbidden kinjutsu, sacrificing one of my Sharingan to awaken your Mangekyo Sharingan."

Madara lifted slightly the sickle he held like a walking cane. The blade's reflection allowed Setsuna to catch sight of his Mangekyo Sharingan.

Stunned, Setsuna exclaimed, "You're Lord Madara? No, impossible! Lord Madara was clearly—"

"Killed by Hashirama Senju, right?" Madara replied. "Not quite. Our battle ended in a draw at best. If anything, I won because I'm still alive while he's dead. Though I suffered severe injuries back then, losing over ninety percent of my strength. Ever since, I've been searching—for a worthy successor of mine. And you, Setsuna… I've had my eyes on you for a long time.

"You carried on my will without being assimilated by Hashirama and those Senju bastards. You are my true successor. That's why I had Zetsu rescue you from Konoha and bring you here to meet me."

Setsuna stared at Madara Uchiha, bewildered.

Had Madara Uchiha really been watching him for so long?

Was he really chosen as the successor by Madara Uchiha?

Madara Uchiha was Setsuna Uchiha's ultimate idol—he was a fanboy who worshiped him with absolute devotion.

A legendary ninja, the strongest of the Uchiha clan, now stood right in front of him. He not only paid attention to Setsuna, but also rescued him from Konoha and chose him as his successor.

Even more so, for his sake, Madara had used one of his Sharingan eyes to help Setsuna unlock his Mangekyo Sharingan.

This was incredible! Could anything possibly be more thrilling than having your idol recognize you?

Setsuna Uchiha gazed at Madara with blazing eyes: "Thank you for recognizing me, Lord Madara! You, Lord Madara, are the god of our Uchiha!"

A faint smirk appeared on Madara's lips. Since Setsuna admired him this much, things would be much easier going forward. He wouldn't have to waste words; it was best to get straight to the point.

Black Zetsu couldn't help but curl his lip unhappily when he saw Madara smiling. *Didn't you just look at him like he was nothing earlier?* he thought. *You wore a look of total disappointment and even glanced at him like he was trash. What the hell are you smiling about now?*

Madara spoke, "From now on, I will entrust you with an important mission. As my successor, I will give you everything of mine."

Setsuna Uchiha excitedly promised, "I'll carry out your mission flawlessly, Lord Madara!"

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