"Lord Madara! Lord Madara!"
From afar, Black Zetsu spotted the solitary figure seated atop the rocky rise. He immediately nudged Tobi forward, the two of them calling out in practiced reverence, their expressions flawless in loyalty.
Uchiha Madara slowly opened his eyes.
The gaze that fell upon them was calm, ancient, and heavy with authority—like a mountain that had existed long before the concept of time.
Black Zetsu stepped forward and knelt, presenting a jade vial with both hands.
"Lord Madara, this is the Qingming Longevity Pill we obtained."
Madara reached out and accepted it.
Despite his composure, his heartbeat betrayed him.
When the stopper was removed, a clear, penetrating fragrance drifted into the air. It was not overpowering, yet it carried an unmistakable vitality—one that seeped directly into the marrow.
Just from that single breath, Madara felt something long dormant begin to stir.
Aging cells reversed their decay. Blood flowed with renewed force. His body—once a prison of rot and exhaustion—responded eagerly.
"So such a pill truly exists," Madara murmured. "If I possessed its refinement method… youth itself would be meaningless."
He swallowed the pill without hesitation.
The effect was immediate.
Like a tidal wave, medicinal power surged through every meridian. Withered muscles filled out. His bent spine straightened. Brittle bones regained strength. Snow-white hair receded into deep black strands, retreating strand by strand as if time itself were being dragged backward.
Wrinkles smoothed. Dullness vanished from his eyes.
In moments, the ancient corpse of a man was gone.
Standing there was Uchiha Madara—restored to the prime of late middle age, radiating arrogance and life.
"Hahahahahaha!"
Laughter thundered through the valley, echoing off stone and sky alike.
Black Zetsu and Tobi immediately knelt, joined by the surrounding White Zetsu.
"Congratulations, Lord Madara, on reclaiming your youth!"
Madara clenched his fist, feeling power flow effortlessly. His expression sharpened—but dissatisfaction flickered beneath it.
"Not enough," he said. "One pill is not enough. I will need more."
Black Zetsu responded carefully.
"Based on our investigation, the next appearance of Longevity Pills may occur during a Sacrificial Shop auction."
He paused before continuing.
"There are also rumors that certain Spirit Masters carry such pills with them."
Madara's eyes narrowed.
"Who?"
"That information is tightly guarded. We can only probe indirectly."
Madara waved a hand dismissively.
"Then ignore it for now. Once I reclaim my eyes, gather the Tailed Beasts, and become the Ten-Tails' vessel, I will surpass the Sage of Six Paths himself."
"At that point, pills will be irrelevant."
Tobi interjected with updated intelligence.
"Several Jinchūriki are currently stationed at the Sacrificial Shop. Acting now would be… inconvenient."
Black Zetsu added, clearly cautious,
"The Sacrificial Shop is dangerous. Provoking it before our plan is complete would be unwise."
Madara did not respond directly.
Instead, he asked, "Where is Nagato?"
"In the Land of Rain," Black Zetsu replied. "He's formed an organization called Akatsuki. Idealists. Playing at peace."
Madara rose to his feet.
"Retrieve my eyes first," he said calmly. "The rest can wait."
In the Land of Rain, the rooftop was soaked in pale afternoon light.
A massive wild bear, several times the height of a man, froze mid-roar—bound by invisible force.
Nagato lowered his hand, the ripple of the Rinnegan fading.
"That was amazing!" Yahiko cheered. "With this, Akatsuki can trade for food and funds!"
Konan smiled faintly, already reaching for a blade.
They worked in easy rhythm, bickering and laughing as they prepared to process the carcass—three youths bound by trust and optimism, unaware that doom stood just beyond their awareness.
"The game ends here."
The voice was low, heavy, and impossibly close.
All three stiffened.
They spun, retreating into formation in a single breath—Nagato forward, Konan behind, Yahiko between them.
Madara stood there, unmoving.
"I've come to reclaim my eyes."
Shock flashed through Yahiko's face.
"These eyes were given by heaven!"
Madara said nothing.
The attack came fast—kunai, paper shuriken, wind-enhanced force exploding forward—
—and died uselessly against a massive war fan.
Madara raised one hand.
The seal hidden deep within Nagato's body awakened.
Nagato screamed.
His body convulsed as chakra ran wild, collapsing him to his knees.
Yahiko rushed forward.
"Konan—take him and go!"
White spores bloomed.
Chakra vanished.
Madara stepped past them.
"I'll give you my eyes," Nagato gasped. "Just don't hurt them."
Madara did not answer.
He simply reached out.
The world dimmed.
When sight returned, Madara stood whole once more—Rinnegan restored to their rightful owner.
He turned away.
"They are children chasing illusions," he said. "Leave them."
And with that, Uchiha Madara walked back into history—whole again.