Chapter 35 – Uchiha Madara
Uchiha... Madara...?! The Legendary Shinobi back in the days when Konoha was founded? Several generations have passed since then, no human could live that long.
"That is not possible. He is supposed to be dead."
Tobi's sinister chuckle gave an implication that I might be wrong. "Well then, I might just have to show you..." His hand slowly reached for his mask. "But... it won't make much of a difference..."
Sweat ran down my face. Either way it's impossible..
His mask was lifted off. Two gleaming Sharingans shone in the darkness. Those eyes are different than Uchiha Itachi's. They exhibited ascendency and puissance in a different way. The rest of his facial features were hard to distinguish due to the meager light source. Even if I could see him, I wouldn't know how Uchiha Madara looked like anyway.
"The Uchiha Clan is no more. No one besides a remaining few can possess such visual prowess. Its up to you to whether believe me or not." The dominating voice left no room for disagreement
"If you are indeed the real Uchiha Madara, how did you manage to live this long..?" My mind was congested with confusion and doubt
"Like I said, it's up to you to whether believe me or not." Tobi slightly raised his voice
Alright then...
"Like you, I'm a savior of the Uchiha Clan... I know for a while now, about your kekkei genkai.. and your plan."
Itachi revealed me to the Akatsuki after all..! But no one besides my Clan Elders and me knows about my goal to revive the Uchiha Clan. How did he-
"Zetsu was created from Hashirama Senju's cells that enables him to roam freely without being detected. He told me about you." Tobi said
"Heh!" The plant monster in question grinned.
"Since when did you find out?" I panicked
There was a brief silence.
"On the day you infiltrated Amekagure with those two Konoha Shinobis, Zetsu has observed your entire battles with Itachi and Konan. Seems that Uchiha has discovered something interesting about you.. Afterwards Zetsu informed me, I ordered him to follow you and to track you down. How fortuitous, you directly went to your Clan Elders for advise.. Your motive was revealed. Zetsu told me everything..." Tobi put his mask back on
"We would come to get you much sooner if not for you being in the same town as Jiraiya~!" Zetsu exclaimed, his dragging voice tone changed the austere ambience in a weird way
"From Zetsu's assumption, Jiraiya is likely to be traveling in search for our other hideouts. Unnecessary fights should be avoided for now." Tobi walked closer to me
The new information revealed to me is too overwhelming to assort; why didn't Itachi denounce my ability to the Akatsuki? Aren't they interested in special kekkei genkais? And now its confirmed that Jiraiya's mention of the "Organization" was indeed referring to the Akatsuki. Some outcomes can be predicted, yet, some are so confounding... Uchiha Itachi, you are so hard to figure out.
"Madara, huh? What do you want to tell me?" I can't suppress my perplexity anymore
For now I'll believe him as Uchiha Madara. I'm in no position to judge a man's identity that I know nothing about. Even if he weren't Madara, the sole existence of another living Uchiha is a mystery.
"I tracked you down in order to have a concession with you." Madara finally said
"Your power is to be feared, if used to its full potential. With that ability, you can not only save the annihilated Uchiha Clan like you originally planned, but also further deeds from the past that can reshape the Shinobi World's history."
Madara's words reminisced the night when my Clan's founder unlocked my kekkei genkai with his Chakara. Some points in Takahiro and Madara's messages indirectly matched together. Madara knows about my destiny and my mission. But...
"I know what you are thinking." His powerful voice ringed again. "Itachi might know about your ability, but only Zetsu and I are aware of your motive."
He used his Sharingan to read my mind.. Just like that Itachi.
"So, what do you expect me to do?" I said at last
"......................."
"Join the Akatsuki."