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A heavy silence hung over the dimly lit cavern.
Madara stared at Shin. Fighting him wouldn't work, but simply handing over his jutsu felt even more humiliating—like an admission of defeat. Madara's pride wouldn't allow that.
"Why are you still staring?" Shin's voice cut through the silence, his fingers lazily twirling a kunai.
"My patience is wearing thin."
The irritation in his tone wasn't an act. He wasn't in the mood for games.
Finally, after a long pause, Madara spoke.
"Uzumaki Shin... how about we collaborate?"
Shin raised an eyebrow, feigning mild interest.
Madara had two choices: Eliminate him or Recruit him.
Since killing him was off the table, it was only natural he would try to lure Shin into his grand scheme.
"Collaborate?" Shin asked, tilting his head slightly. "And what exactly do you propose?"
Madara hesitated. In truth, his grand "Eye of the Moon Plan" was to cast Infinite Tsukuyomi, subjugating the entire world in a single genjutsu—his twisted path to "peace." But he didn't plan on explaining all the details to Shin, whom he hardly trusted.
Still, Madara reasoned that the promise of "dominating the shinobi world" might entice Shin enough to cooperate.
"Do you desire to rule the Shinobi World?" Madara finally asked.
"Rule the shinobi world…" Shin murmured, rubbing his chin in mock contemplation. "That does sound tempting."
His words were a lie.
Shin couldn't have cared less about controlling anything. But acting intrigued might help him get what he wanted: Madara's Jutsu Knowledge.
Also, Shin needed Madara to continue the Eye of the Moon Plan—he knew the true mastermind behind it was Black Zetsu, orchestrating Kaguya's revival.
Tsunade, sitting beside Shin, frowned slightly but remained silent. She didn't trust Madara, but she trusted Shin. If he was playing along, he had a reason.
"This creature behind me…" Madara gestured toward the Gedo Statue, its lifeless, skeletal form looming in the background. "It is the husk of the Ten-Tails."
The statement drew a sharp glance from Kushina.
"Wait—Ten-Tails? I thought there were only nine?" she whispered.
Madara gave her a brief glance, then continued addressing Shin:
"By collecting the Nine-Tailed Beasts, the Gedo Statue can be revived as the Ten-Tails." His voice was calm, confident. "And the one who becomes its Jinchūriki will awaken the Rinne-Sharingan—the key to casting the ultimate Genjutsu upon the moon."
Shin narrowed his eyes.
"And what exactly does that do?"
Of course, he already knew.
"It is called Infinite Tsukuyomi—the Perfect World."
Madara's voice was smooth, persuasive.
"A world without war. Without suffering. Through the Rinne-Sharingan, one can place the entire world under a dream… a peaceful dream. True unity, beyond human limitations."
"Huh. Sounds poetic." Shin smirked. "So you want to trap everyone in a dream and call it peace?"
"Peace is peace, regardless of the means." Madara's voice remained firm. "The world will never find balance on its own. It needs a Shepherd—someone with the power to guide it properly."
Shin let the words linger for a moment before leaning back slightly.
"I'm intrigued. But talk is cheap."
"If you want my help, show me proof of honesty."
Madara's gaze darkened slightly.
He knew what Shin was asking for.
The Forbidden Arts. The secrets of the Uchiha Clan. The very knowledge that gave him an edge over the world.
But he had no choice.
With a slow, deliberate motion, he reached into his cloak and retrieved a Large Scroll.
"Everything you seek is in here," Madara said, tossing it over. "Yin–Yang Release. Six Paths Senjutsu. My clan's lost Fire Release techniques. If there is anything you don't understand, ask me."
Shin caught the scroll effortlessly.
His eyes scanned its contents.
As expected—Six Paths Senjutsu, Yin–Yang Release techniques, and powerful Uchiha Fire Release Jutsu that had been lost over time. Great Fire Annihilation. Great Fire Destruction. Dragon Flame Release Song Technique.
Rare Knowledge... Dangerous Knowledge!
A smirk spread across his lips.
"Not bad. You're surprisingly generous, Madara."
"I do not deal in deception." Madara's voice was unreadable. "If I say I will cooperate, I mean it."
"Good to hear." Shin rolled up the scroll and tucked it away. "So, what's next?"
Madara didn't answer immediately. He studied Shin carefully.
"You say you are interested," Madara finally said, "but I do not trust you."
"Likewise." Shin smiled.
"Then we will keep things simple." Madara's tone turned sharp. "When the time comes, I will summon you. Until then… I will observe you."
"Fair enough." Shin stood up, stretching slightly.
He had gotten what he came for. There was no need to linger.
He turned toward the others.
"We're done here. Let's go."
Tsunade, Kushina, Mikoto, and Konan rose from their seats.
"I'm not fond of places ," Shin muttered, glancing around the damp, eerie cavern. "It's depressing."
With that, he walked away.
Tsunade, Kushina, Mikoto, and Konan followed, their footsteps echoing through the underground chamber as they made their way back toward the surface.
Madara remained seated, watching them disappear into the darkness.
His expression was unreadable.
For the first time in a long time…
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