Chapter 369: The Second Attempt
"Don't panic. What kind of expression is that, Hashirama? I just drank a bit of milk. I didn't expect this body to be so weak that it can't even hold down a little milk."
Uchiha Madara glanced down, then immediately gave an expressionless explanation.
In the original story, after being revived, Madara bit himself right away just to feel pain, showing a kind of excitement that made it seem like he had some strange fetish.
But in truth, it was simply because he couldn't get used to the lack of sensation in an Impure World Reincarnation body.
And that was after he had already experienced multiple world-shaking battles.
Now, he had only spent a few peaceful days in the cabin, so naturally, he hadn't fully adapted yet.
In fact, it could be said that Madara simply disdained adapting to such a frail body.
In his view, he would inevitably regain his strength, and possibly surpass his former peak.
Adapting to weakness would only instill the mindset of the weak.
So it was normal that he hadn't noticed the milk leaking from his body.
He had deliberately avoided paying close attention to the condition of his body at all times.
If Madara were cautious, he could periodically inspect his entire body with his eyes.
Even without sensation, that would allow him to avoid most abnormalities.
But Madara would never do that.
If he did, he wouldn't be himself anymore.
It would be "unworthy of being Uchiha Madara."
And the fact that he immediately lied to Hashirama, claiming the liquid leaking from him was milk, though it actually was, proved that while Madara disdained adapting to the mechanics of Impure World Reincarnation, he still understood them perfectly well.
He knew that Hashirama, also being an Impure World Reincarnation body, had no sense of smell either, so he wouldn't notice anything unusual.
As expected, Hashirama didn't suspect a thing.
"Madara, we're already dead. We don't need to eat or drink. And Tobirama told me that Impure World Reincarnation bodies don't have internal organs, we don't even have stomachs or intestines. Of course drinking milk would turn out like this…"
"By the way, Madara, since when do you like drinking milk?"
As Hashirama spoke, he began looking at Madara suspiciously.
They had grown up together since childhood, lifelong friends.
How could he not know Madara's preferences?
"Why do you have the illusion that you understand me so well?"
Madara remained expressionless.
"…Uh…"
Hashirama clutched his chest, as if wounded by the remark.
"Don't forget, after I faked my death back then, I lived far longer than you did."
Madara added.
He felt he needed to stabilize Hashirama a bit.
If he accidentally drove him away, Tobirama would be the one dealing with him next, and that would be far worse.
"Oh? Right!"
Hashirama suddenly realized, clapping his hands together. "You lived to old age, Madara. As an elderly man, drinking milk to supplement nutrition makes perfect sense!"
"…As long as you understand."
Madara turned his head aside and casually picked up a book, preparing to learn more about the current state of the shinobi world.
Hashirama didn't press further.
He actually felt the atmosphere over the past few days had been quite good.
If things could continue like this, then even if he couldn't persuade Madara, it wouldn't matter.
After all, persuading him was only meant to bring him into their side to assist the new generation of shinobi.
But now, it didn't seem like they particularly needed Madara's strength.
If he didn't join, so be it, as long as he didn't interfere.
Besides, Hashirama realized that Madara in his current frail state was essentially the same as what he had once said, "breaking his limbs."
Madara began reading.
At first, everything was fine.
But as he continued, he grew increasingly restless, occasionally glancing at Hashirama not far away.
If Impure World Reincarnation bodies could sweat, he would already be drenched in cold sweat.
Originally, Madara had thought that as an Impure World Reincarnation body, he had plenty of time and room for error.
Whatever Hashirama tried, he could simply endure and counter it gradually.
But after reading these books, he realized he needed to speed things up.
It wasn't just Tobirama who was dangerous.
Hashirama was also hiding something sinister.
The books contained lines like: [After the battle at the Valley of the End, Senju Hashirama sealed the Nine-Tails into Uzumaki Mito so that when "digging", he could feel the presence of his old friend, Uchiha Madara.]
And: [Madara's greatest weakness is that he dislikes people standing behind him. Whenever someone stands behind him, he becomes tense.
However, the ever-helpful Senju Hashirama noted that removing the "tense" part also works just fine.
Thus, in the beginning, Hashirama's favorite kind of "knowledge" was thick and scholarly.
Why "in the beginning"?
Because over time, Hashirama discovered that in work, "balance between tension and relaxation", "moderation", and "combining labor with rest" were the true essence.
So he invited the head of the Hyūga clan and taught Madara how to use Rotation.]
There were countless absurd "historical anecdotes" like these.
Madara felt that even under the Infinite Tsukuyomi, he wouldn't have imagined such ridiculous scenarios.
But that wasn't even the main issue.
The truly terrifying part was a subtle implication.
Hashirama had deliberately bought these strange books for him. Was he trying to hint at something?
And another thing.
Who else knew that he disliked people standing behind him?
Only Hashirama.
If these "records" could include such details, perhaps Hashirama himself had a hand in spreading them.
Terrifying. Absolutely terrifying.
Madara was extremely grateful that Impure World Reincarnation bodies didn't have intestines.
Otherwise, with his current fragile condition, he might have already been "contaminated" by that beast in gentleman's clothing, Senju Hashirama.
Even so, Madara knew he couldn't stay here any longer.
Over the past few days, he had tricked a lot of information out of Hashirama.
That included events from the recent Chūnin Exams in Konoha.
He didn't care about the children's fights.
What he remembered was that a certain young ninja had actually dared to threaten the inherently evil Senju Tobirama, talking about implanting some kind of purple bow into an Impure World Reincarnation body.
That young ninja clearly had potential.
But now, thinking about it again, it felt terrifying.
Impure World Reincarnation bodies might not have "passageways", but that didn't mean things couldn't be implanted.
If Tobirama could put that kind of "medicine" into his body, then he could just as easily implant functional organs for his brother's… enjoyment.
And then there was Hashirama, occasionally letting out strange chuckles.
As expected, neither of those brothers had any good intentions.
A few more days passed.
Next door, Sasuke once again went out to purchase supplies.
Madara urged Hashirama to leave as well, asking him to go to the Amegakure Village and bring back more books.
After confirming that both of them had left,
Madara revealed a dark smile.
This time, he would truly obtain the cells of the reincarnation of Asura's chakra.
(End of this chapter)