As soon as Raijin finished speaking, Orochimaru instinctively licked his lips.
The Rinnegan, huh…
"Looks like Madara is getting impatient."
Tobirama chuckled, glancing at Raijin with amusement.
"Otherwise, he wouldn't have agreed to your request."
After saying that, Tobirama added another sentence, casually glancing at Orochimaru.
It was normal to be interested in the Rinnegan. But keep it as just an interest.
Even Tobirama himself was curious about the Rinnegan.
But he also knew that Madara would never let him have it.
After all, the grudge between them was far too deep to be resolved.
"That said, this arrangement doesn't really cost Madara anything."
"Exactly. Aside from Raijin, even if others gain the Rinnegan, they won't be a threat to Madara."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded.
"I heard Tatsu became Madara's student?"
Senju Tobirama ignored Sarutobi Hiruzen and turned to Raijin.
"Hmm, I only just found out about this myself," Raijin said with a sigh, rubbing his temples.
"Otherwise, I could have fought for a few more spots."
"What is Madara's current stance on the Moon's Eye Plan?"
Senju Tobirama nodded and asked Raijin.
"I'm not sure, but I feel like Madara isn't as fixated on the Moon's Eye Plan anymore," Raijin replied after a brief pause.
After obtaining Zetsu's memories, Madara should have fully realized the true nature of the plan.
If, even after knowing the truth, he still insisted on carrying it out, Raijin wouldn't believe it.
At the very least, Madara should understand one thing—Otsutsuki Kaguya still exists on the moon.
And right now, Jigen's whereabouts remain unknown.
That means...
Madara's biggest concern should be whether the so-called "Chakra Ancestor" Otsutsuki Kaguya would be released because of Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Sure, there are two different Ten-Tails, but who knows what would really happen if things played out that way?
If Otsutsuki Kaguya and Jigen ended up joining forces, then it would turn into an all-out battle.
"Hmm, a person's attitude toward something can always change over time," Senju Tobirama said with a nod before looking at Raijin.
"Whether Uchiha Madara is still attached to the Moon's Eye Plan or not, it's important to handle your relationship with him properly.
As long as you and Uchiha Madara maintain a balance of power, he won't be able to carry out the plan.
As for the benefits at stake, there's no need to dwell on them. After all, regardless of who possesses the Rinnegan, the future challenges ahead won't change much.
What truly matters is that you've obtained the Rinnegan and perfected your Kekkei Genkai. This could be a turning point in your growth."
"You're right," Raijin nodded, agreeing with Senju Tobirama. His instincts told him that Tobirama wasn't done speaking yet.
Sure enough, Senju Tobirama stood up, looked around at everyone, and spoke in a serious tone.
"The times have changed.
The jutsu we developed, learned, and continue to refine have lost their original purpose.
The enemies we face are no longer those on the same level as us, or even weaker.
Now, we are up against foes far stronger than us—ones who can even render our techniques useless.
But we are fortunate to have Uchiha Raijin.
Because of him, we aren't completely helpless against these enemies.
In fact, we might even have some control over the situation.
Whether it's Uchiha Madara, who now lives in Konohagakure, or Jigen, whose fate is still unknown, or other threats we may face in the future, one thing is clear:
Other than Raijin, no one in Konohagakure has the power to truly stand against them.
So, I hope everyone understands their own role and focuses on what they can do—whether in support, training, or research.
Senjutsu has given us a chance.
And this chance determines whether we can continue to survive."
"Raijin, do you know what Madara learned from Black Zetsu?"
Senju Tobirama turned his gaze back to Uchiha Raijin.
"I can guess the general idea, but I'm not entirely sure. I plan to finalize my deal with Madara first, then ask him directly. That way, we'll have more trust between us," Raijin replied.
Otsutsuki Kaguya wasn't a matter they could just ignore. No matter what, there had to be a plan.
And there weren't many people Raijin could discuss this with.
The only person he could turn to was Uchiha Madara.
"There shouldn't be any problem with your deal with Madara," Senju Tobirama said with a nod.
"Alright, then let's end it here for today," Raijin replied before disappearing in an instant.
After watching Raijin vanish, Senju Tobirama glanced at Orochimaru, hesitated for a moment, but in the end, said nothing.
Everything that needed to be said had already been said.
If Orochimaru still chose the wrong path, there was nothing Tobirama could do.
This world doesn't change for one person's desires.
If you want something, you must be ready to pay the price.
And if you steal a power that was never meant to be yours, then the original owner will come for you.
That's just how it is.
Not every ninja clan is as extreme as the Hyuga when it comes to controlling their Kekkei Genkai.
But when it comes to preventing their bloodline abilities from spreading outside the clan, all ninja clans handle it the same way.
If anything, the Hyuga clan is actually on the more conservative side.
As for someone like Uchiha Madara... heh...
Even back when he only had the Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan, he made the Four Kage bow to him.
And now?
If Konoha didn't have someone strong enough to keep him in check, the village might not even exist anymore.
—
"You're here?"
In Madara's courtyard, Uchiha Madara lifted his head slightly, looking at the figure that appeared before him.
"Yeah."
Raijin nodded, then after a brief pause, he spoke.
"I've been pretty busy lately. Once things settle down, I'll prepare a proper gift for Tatsu's apprenticeship."
"Heh... no rush, take your time. There's still plenty of time."
Madara chuckled casually.
"Oh? Then maybe I just won't bother preparing one?"
Raijin grinned.
"Hmph, what did you come here for this time?"
Madara snorted and ignored Raijin's remark, getting straight to the point.
"I came to ask what you've learned from Zetsu."
Raijin asked.
"Oh? You're only asking now? I thought you weren't interested anymore."
Madara let out a cold laugh, clearly unimpressed.
"I was just worried you had too much on your plate, so I came to help lighten the load."
Raijin raised an eyebrow and propped his chin on one hand as he spoke.
"The ancestor of chakra is real. Zetsu himself was created using Yin-Yang Release before Otsutsuki Kaguya was sealed away.
Right now, she's sealed inside the moon."
Madara gave a simplified explanation.
"Oh? She's sealed in the moon? So if we split the moon open, we can release Otsutsuki Kaguya?"
Raijin asked casually.
"How would I know? And do you even hear yourself right now?"
Madara looked at Raijin, clearly exasperated.
"And for what? So she and Jigen can both come after us?"
—
"Huh? I thought you'd say, 'Let's give it a shot.' Then you'd fight Kaguya while I take on Jigen."
Raijin grinned.
"If you were born in the Warring States period, you wouldn't have made it past fifteen."
Madara sighed as he looked at Raijin.
Of all times, this was not the moment to be joking around.
Madara admitted that he used to be a bit arrogant.
But that was only when he had overwhelming power over the Four Kage.
That wasn't the case right now.
"So what's your plan? Stay in Konoha, train, and strengthen yourself first?"
Raijin's smile faded as he asked.
"That would be the safest approach, but it could also put us in a passive position."
Madara thought for a moment before replying.
After all, if they did that, there was a real risk that even though they still had room to grow stronger, the final battle could break out before they were ready.
"When has anything in this world ever been perfect?"
Raijin shrugged, looking at Madara with a helpless expression.
"Besides, I don't think even Otsutsuki Kaguya is that much stronger than you right now."
"Yeah, that's true. The nine Tailed Beasts are scattered across the ninja world, and the Gedo Statue is in my hands. She might have been strong before, but she's definitely not as strong now."
Madara nodded. That was a fact.
With things changing, Madara felt that even if he faced Otsutsuki Kaguya alone, he wouldn't necessarily lose.
"But she's lived for so many years. Her understanding of her own abilities is definitely greater than mine."
After thinking for a moment, Madara continued.
Just like back then, when he fought Senju Hashirama, he took the strongest Tailed Beast, the Nine-Tails, into battle.
The truth was, whenever Madara faced an enemy he wasn't completely sure he could defeat, he was always careful.
"Then you should train hard."
Raijin nodded and said to Madara.
After speaking, he stood up, ready to leave.
"Where are you going?"
Madara was surprised and asked Raijin.
"I'm going to train too."
Raijin blinked in confusion and turned back to look at Madara.
Did his brain stop working or something?
"Go ahead."
Madara nodded, indicating he understood.
"Oh, by the way, there's something I've been really curious about."
Raijin suddenly wasn't in a hurry to leave. He looked at Madara with a sly smile.
"What is it?"
Madara frowned, not understanding what Raijin was getting at.
"The Eye of the Moon Plan—was it your idea, or was it Zetsu's?"
Raijin put his hands behind his back and asked Madara.
"Get lost."
Madara's face instantly darkened, and he spat out a single word.
"Alright then!"
Raijin grinned, satisfied, and disappeared in an instant.
Even though Madara cursed at him, Raijin was sure Madara felt worse than he did.
"This guy..."
Watching Raijin leave, Madara sighed helplessly.
This guy really knew how to rub salt in the wound.
To be honest, there was something even more embarrassing for Madara—he had always thought Zetsu was his own creation...
—
Back at home, Tsunade was nowhere to be seen for once, and Tatsu had gone to school.
Raijin lay on the bed alone, closed his eyes, and started thinking about the situation.
Things were pretty clear now. There were only two enemies left—Otsutsuki Kaguya and Jigen.
Kaguya was on the moon, and Jigen's status was unknown.
But Raijin had a feeling that Jigen was probably still alive.
The Otsutsuki clan, huh...
What worried him the most wasn't Kaguya or Jigen. It was the possibility that, one day in the future, even more Otsutsuki would show up in the ninja world.
And honestly, that seemed pretty likely.
After all…
A popular series like this was bound to get a sequel, right?
*Sigh...*
With a deep sigh, Raijin slowly drifted off to sleep.
Before training, he might as well give himself a little break.
People only start thinking when they're bored enough.
—
Meanwhile, in Konohagakure, the hunt for the remaining Kirigakure and Kumogakure survivors was still ongoing.
It was worth mentioning that Konoha, after deploying such a massive force, wasn't only targeting the survivors of those two villages.
Rogue ninjas, wandering ninjas, and bandits were all on Konoha's list for elimination.
Even the underground bounty exchange was on the verge of shutting down because of it.
There's no need to worry about whether the disappearance of bandits, rogue ninja, and missing-nin will lead to fewer missions.
Whether it's the Daimyo or the leaders of smaller hidden villages, they are all quite serious about creating bandits and missing-nin.
Meanwhile, as the ninja of Konohagakure fought tirelessly, a quiet wave of training was sweeping through the village's high-ranking officials.
No one wants to be left behind by the times. Even if they are abandoned, they refuse to be the worst.
After all, only by becoming stronger can they secure their position.
And only when Konohagakure faces danger and they make a name for themselves can they truly prove their strength.
People can accept that some individuals are stronger than them, but they absolutely cannot tolerate someone who was once on their level silently surpassing them.
—
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