Uchiha Madara truly had not expected that his current situation would be completely different from what he had imagined.
He had originally thought that Hashirama, like him, had been awakened by this mysterious young man whose strength was suffocating.
But now, it seemed that things were not quite the same. According to Hashirama, he was actually together with this young brat, while Madara himself was their experimental subject.
This reason and explanation made Uchiha Madara's expression darken. He had never expected the situation to be like this.
Putting aside Hashirama's choice, he did not even know why they had awakened him. Was it to humiliate him, or to conduct an experiment with Edo Tensei?
However, in just an instant, Uchiha Madara suddenly noticed something different. He discovered that both Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama had the aura of living people.
This situation made Uchiha Madara's expression change slightly. Perhaps because he had just revived, he had not carefully observed them earlier.
But now he noticed it. The states of Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama were indeed completely different.
There was a huge difference between the dead and the living, and Uchiha Madara would never mistake that.
Especially since he himself was currently under Edo Tensei. How could he possibly mistake the difference between the two?
This strange situation left him extremely confused. He clearly remembered that when he died, Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama had already been dead for a long time.
At that time, the shinobi world had been in the middle of the Third Great Ninja War, and Konoha had once again become the target of all sides. This also proved once again that his thoughts back then had not been wrong.
Hashirama was his lifelong friend, but he was also his lifelong enemy. This would not change.
Back then, because of the issue of how to bring peace to the shinobi world, they had eventually gone their separate ways. Uchiha Madara had even fought fiercely in order to obtain Senju Hashirama's power.
Of course, the final result was that Uchiha Madara lost the battle but won the future. He had successfully obtained Senju Hashirama's power in that battle.
And because of that battle, he was forced to recuperate, which gave him the chance to awaken the Rinnegan.
Unfortunately, by the time he awakened the Rinnegan, he was also close to death. Even so, he still wanted to prove that he was the one who had been right.
Especially after reading the stone tablet left behind by the Sage of Six Paths, that feeling became even stronger, and he felt deep despair toward the current shinobi world.
He knew that in the future, he would definitely meet Senju Hashirama again. After all, Senju Tobirama had developed a technique like Edo Tensei.
He had decided that when the time came, he would definitely make Senju Hashirama understand that his decision back then had been the correct one, while the shinobi world Hashirama created was nothing more than a failed product.
He wanted to face his old friend in a living state, with an even prouder posture.
But now, the situation seemed to have reversed. They had indeed met now, but the one in the state of Edo Tensei was actually himself.
Could it be that his plan had been exposed, Nagato and Obito had both been completely defeated, and in the end, the Rinne Rebirth technique of his Rinnegan had fallen onto these two?
The moment he thought of this, Uchiha Madara's expression became even uglier.
Although he had not yet obtained enough information, it seemed that only this explanation made sense. Otherwise, why were these two currently in the state of living people?
Thinking of this, Uchiha Madara could no longer endure it. He looked at the three before him with a dark face, then finally gritted his teeth and asked.
"In other words, I was awakened by the three of you together? Who is this brat? What is your purpose in awakening me? Also, what era is this now?"
Uchiha Madara asked many questions at once, and all of them were things he cared about most right now.
The world before him was truly too unfamiliar. After all, he had been away from the mortal world for far too long, and this unfamiliarity was extremely dangerous for him.
He needed information. He needed enough information to understand everything now, so he could face the current situation more calmly.
"Let me explain."
Before Senju Hashirama could speak, Natsuhiko spoke first. It would be somewhat unfortunate if he could not have a conversation with such a charming villain as Uchiha Madara.
Although Natsuhiko was not confident that he could settle this guy, that did not stop him from doing something.
Moreover, the true caster was him. If he did not speak and threw everything to Senju Hashirama, that would also seem somewhat inappropriate.
"It is true that we awakened you, but the caster was me.
"As for who I am, you can call me Senju Natsuhiko, or you can call me the Fifth Hokage."
"Senju Natsuhiko? Fifth Hokage?"
When Uchiha Madara heard Natsuhiko's words, his mind began turning rapidly. This name was far too unfamiliar to him.
Because when he died, Konoha had still only had the Third Hokage, that brat from the Sarutobi clan.
And Uchiha Madara also knew what had happened to the Senju clan. Even though he was no longer in Konoha, the entire shinobi world was still under his attention.
He truly had not expected that in the blink of an eye, Konoha's Hokage would have gone from the Third to the Fifth, and the Fifth was even a Senju brat he did not know.
It seems the Senju clan has risen again. Is it because of this brat?
Uchiha Madara silently thought about it, but the moment this idea appeared, he confirmed it directly. After all, the feeling this brat gave him was truly far too dangerous.
And now it is already the Fifth Hokage. It seems a very long time has passed. Damn it, this is truly not good news.
Uchiha Madara continued thinking silently, and the more he thought, the more he felt that something had gone wrong with Obito and the others.
After all, Konoha had already reached the Fifth Hokage. No matter how one looked at it, Sarutobi Hiruzen could have served for another ten years or so before the Fourth appeared.
After the Fourth, the Fifth Hokage would then be selected. Going back and forth like that, it would be impossible without forty years.
Most importantly, for the Senju clan to rise again under such extreme circumstances, it would be impossible without forty or fifty years of development.
And during those forty or fifty years, the Hokage also had to stop suppressing them. Otherwise, there was truly no possibility of them making a comeback.
"As for your last question, what era is this now?"
Just as Uchiha Madara was thinking, Natsuhiko suddenly spoke.
Of course, he knew why Uchiha Madara was curious about this question. After all, it was related to this guy's plan.
However, Natsuhiko did not intend to hide this matter from him, because the truth of this matter was the most interesting part.
"Right now, it is Konoha Year 55. Welcome back to the living world, Uchiha Madara."
Konoha Year 55?
Hearing Natsuhiko's words, Uchiha Madara froze slightly, because he truly had not expected it to be this point in time.
When he died, it had been around Konoha Year 47 or 48. Did that not mean only seven or eight years had passed since his death?
In just seven or eight years, Konoha had gone from the Third Hokage to the Fifth Hokage?
That was not the key point. The key point was that in only seven or eight years, the Senju clan had actually produced such a terrifying young man?
Uchiha Madara carefully sized up Natsuhiko and discovered that Natsuhiko seemed to be only in his early twenties.
If calculated this way, did that not mean this kid was about the same age as Obito?
They were around the same age, but the feeling they gave was completely different. It could even be said that the person before him had completely surpassed Obito, whom he had chosen.
Did this mean that even after his death, he had lost to Senju Hashirama once again?
The moment he thought of this, Uchiha Madara's mood became even worse.
Losing to Senju Hashirama was not something he could not accept. After all, he had lost to Senju Hashirama far too many times in his life.
But he truly was unwilling to accept that even after death, after making so many arrangements, he had somehow lost to this man's descendant. That feeling was far too damaging.
Quietly looking at this young man who called himself Senju Natsuhiko, Uchiha Madara could not help sighing faintly in his heart.
As for nonsense like "welcome back to the living world," hearing it truly made him feel disgusted. He frowned tightly, and only after a while did he speak indifferently.
"A descendant of the Senju clan. Kid, you are not bad. But what is your purpose in awakening me?"
"Naturally, we have our own plans. After all, the current situation of the shinobi world is truly not optimistic."
Natsuhiko spoke very calmly. Seeing Uchiha Madara frown as if he wanted to say something, he spoke first and interrupted his thoughts.
"Do not rush. Listen to me finish before you express your thoughts. That is good for both you and me. Besides, are you not curious about the current state of Hashirama-senpai and Tobirama-senpai?"
Natsuhiko's words immediately made Uchiha Madara fall silent. If it were something else, it might be reasonable to say that he did not care.
Although he did care somewhat about the living beings of the shinobi world, since deep in his heart, he still longed for world peace.
He had already fallen into despair toward the real shinobi world, especially after being stabbed in the back by Senju Hashirama. That feeling of despair had become even stronger.
Fortunately, after obtaining the method provided by the Sage of Six Paths, he had gained a new path and idea.
Therefore, when it came to something like the shinobi world falling into crisis, he only felt somewhat emotional. Aside from that, he had no other thoughts.
But the current state of Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama was what attracted him the most, because he could clearly sense that both of them were in an "alive" state.
This "alive" did not merely mean that they had the traits of life. Their strength had also returned to its peak. This was what Uchiha Madara desired most.
One had to know that when strength reached their level, true resurrection was not a simple matter.
Even if they revived, if their strength could not return to its peak state, the gap would still be very large.
A state like Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama's was what Uchiha Madara desired most.
Thinking of this, Uchiha Madara instead calmed down and waited quietly for Natsuhiko. He also guessed that he might learn the secret of why he had been awakened.
"The current shinobi world is truly not peaceful. Although in terms of intensity, it is far from comparable to the era of you and Hashirama-senpai, the situation cannot really be called good either.
"Of course, in my eyes, the intensity of war in this era truly does not amount to much.
"I believe you can sense my power. To put it bluntly, in this era, there is no one who can truly be my enemy."
Natsuhiko's words were proud and arrogant, but Uchiha Madara had no intention of refuting them.
He could indeed sense the strength of Natsuhiko's power. Earlier, he had already discovered that Natsuhiko's power was probably no weaker than Senju Hashirama's.
Although he was truly confused about why this kid was so strong, strong enough to move even him.
Deep down, he still maintained his confidence, because once he returned to his young and fully peak state, he believed he could deal with this kid.
But what made him feel strange was that since this kid's strength had already reached this level, why would he still say that the shinobi world's situation was not optimistic?
"Because a group of outsiders has come to this world."
Natsuhiko did not make Uchiha Madara wait long. He directly stated the reason, and his words went straight to the heart of the matter.
"As the former clan head of the Uchiha clan, I believe you must know the story of the Sage of Six Paths. You must also know that he is absolutely not some mere legend.
"After all, in a certain shrine of the Uchiha clan, I saw a rather interesting stone tablet."
When he said this, Natsuhiko paused slightly and closed his eyes. The next moment, when he opened them again, his eyes had already become a brilliant blue.
When Uchiha Madara heard Natsuhiko's words, he could no longer sit still. That stone tablet was the Uchiha clan's greatest secret. It could even be said to be his greatest secret.
But why could this Fifth Hokage find it? Could it be that the Uchiha clan had already been completely dealt with by him?
Thinking about it, that did not seem strange. Since this Hokage of the Senju clan possessed such powerful strength, dealing with a fallen Uchiha clan would not be difficult.
Still, even if he had dealt with that fallen clan, how could this guy see the contents of that stone tablet?
But just as Uchiha Madara was feeling doubtful, he sensed a destructive power rushing toward him.
Looking over, he saw that Natsuhiko's eyes had already changed. A dreamlike blue, as if it could absorb the soul, appeared in his eyes.
Uchiha Madara had truly never seen such eyes before, but in the end, he was someone who had awakened the Rinnegan through his own power.
Almost immediately, he discovered that these eyes were no weaker than his Rinnegan.
For a moment, however, his mind failed to keep up. No matter how he thought about it, he could not understand how someone from the Senju clan had awakened a pair of special eyes.
And while Uchiha Madara was extremely puzzled, Hashirama and Tobirama were also confused.
Because the two of them truly did not know anything about the stone tablet in the Uchiha clan's basement.
In truth, Natsuhiko was only talking nonsense about the Uchiha clan's stone tablet.
He had never gone to that shrine of the Uchiha clan, nor had he seen what that so-called stone tablet looked like.
But in the end, he was a transmigrator. If he did not even know about this matter, then he would truly be a foolish transmigrator.
Aside from Senju Tobirama's involvement, the most important item in Uchiha Madara's fall into darkness was that stone tablet.
The reason Black Zetsu could deceive Uchiha Madara was largely because he relied on his Yin-Yang Release body to alter the information on the stone tablet.
This made Uchiha Madara mistakenly believe that the stone tablet had been left behind by the Sage of Six Paths, telling the descendants of the Uchiha clan how to bring peace to the world.
Because he had failed in the Hokage selection, heard Senju Tobirama's words, and had his idea of unifying the shinobi world rejected by Senju Hashirama.
Uchiha Madara, who had almost been forced onto an extreme path, believed the contents of the stone tablet.
And that belief directly led to countless later conflicts, countless secrets of the shinobi world, and countless tragedies.
But no matter what, it was understandable that Uchiha Madara, who had nearly fallen into despair at the time, would believe the stone tablet.
At least in Natsuhiko's view, under such extreme circumstances, Uchiha Madara truly had no better choice, nor did he have any reason to doubt whether the stone tablet was true or false.
Moreover, Uchiha Madara's later actions were also very reliable. At the very least, before making his decision, he had asked the other members of his clan.
Compared with certain people, Uchiha Madara's actions were already completely worthy of praise.
Uchiha Madara quietly looked at Natsuhiko, the Sharingan in his eyes constantly spinning. He looked like a leopard waiting for the right moment to strike.
However, Natsuhiko seemed to completely ignore his actions. He only looked at him quietly, the expression on his face somewhat amused and hard to read.
"What exactly is going on with that stone tablet?"
At this moment, Senju Hashirama broke the current silence. He looked at the two of them with some curiosity before asking.
"Natsuhiko, Madara, what exactly is going on? Did that stone tablet record something incredible?"
"You could say that."
Natsuhiko calmly nodded. He looked deeply at Uchiha Madara, then slowly spoke.
"Legend says that stone tablet was left behind by the Sage of Six Paths, and some very interesting information was recorded on it.
"For example, the story of Indra and Ashura. For example, the changes that can be obtained by gathering the power of Indra and Ashura.
"After all, only when these two powers are fused together can one obtain the power of all creation, and thereby obtain the power of the Sage of Six Paths.
"Of course, there is also another very interesting piece of content, and that is the Infinite Tsukuyomi."
Natsuhiko spoke these words lightly, while Uchiha Madara's expression completely changed.
This was a secret that had always been buried deep in his heart, and it was also the goal he had always pursued.
At this moment, the purpose in his heart was seen through and spoken aloud. How could he possibly endure that?
Fortunately, he was Uchiha Madara, not Uchiha Obito. Even after being seen through, he could still maintain a calm posture.
He did not shout, nor did he look as if he was about to attack. Even though his expression became slightly ugly, he still maintained his bearing.
"Infinite Tsukuyomi?"
When Senju Tobirama heard this, he could not help speaking. Moreover, his hostility toward the Uchiha had always been deep, so he asked directly.
"Was this guy preparing some evil plan again?"
"Hmph. After being dead for so many years and then revived, you are still the same. A dog really cannot stop eating filth."
Before Natsuhiko could speak, Uchiha Madara looked at Senju Tobirama with a dark face and said.
However, after saying this, he no longer looked at Senju Tobirama. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Natsuhiko.
"Since you already know this plan, you should also know what makes it great.
"This world is filled with so much despair. Especially after Hashirama rejected my wish to unify the entire shinobi world, tragedy had already been planted.
"Judging by your age, you should not be old. In your twenties, you should have experienced the most brutal war in the shinobi world, right?
"A war on the scale of villages, with greater scope, harsher methods, and fewer limits. A war fought for each side's interests, with hatred used to fuel it.
"When it reached its most extreme point, even children had to go to the battlefield. How did that feel?"
Uchiha Madara had no intention of denying it. Although his pride did not let him directly admit his thoughts and plan, he had indirectly admitted that he was indeed carrying out the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
He was once the clan head of the Uchiha clan. It was impossible for him not to have seen that stone tablet.
Moreover, his eyes were so powerful that it was naturally impossible for him not to have read the contents inside.
Denying it was unrealistic. Since that was the case, why deny it and make himself look so undignified? It was better to admit it directly.
In any case, he had never felt there was anything wrong with it, especially since his goal was still to create a peaceful world.
Besides, things had already reached this point, and he had already been seen through. There was nothing left for him to refuse to admit.
Looking at Natsuhiko again, Uchiha Madara did not wait for him to speak before continuing.
"Since the world is already so miserable, and since we no longer have a way to unify it, I only have one method left to deal with it."
"That was to create a new world, a world where everyone's dreams could come true."
"To create the world the Sage of Six Paths revealed to us, the world he hoped to create.
"Only in such a world would everyone's heart become peaceful. Only then would everyone obtain and realize their dreams. Only then would there be no smoke of war spreading everywhere."
"Only such a world would be a truly peaceful world."
As he spoke to this point, Uchiha Madara's expression had already changed slightly. He looked somewhat fanatical, and also somewhat excited.
He looked deeply at Senju Hashirama and Natsuhiko. Then he raised his head slightly and asked proudly.
"That kind of world, a world without war, is the world I pursue.
"This is the revelation the Sage of Six Paths gave me. This is the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan.
"This is the final peace!"
The final peace?
When Natsuhiko, Senju Hashirama, and Senju Tobirama heard his words, their expressions could not help becoming somewhat strange.
Natsuhiko was still fine, since he knew Uchiha Madara's purpose. But when Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama heard such words, they looked much stranger.
Although Uchiha Madara had not explained everything clearly, the two of them were not fools. Just the words "realize everyone's dreams" and "create a new world" were enough.
They could not help thinking that this guy was not planning to drag everyone into a genjutsu, then use that genjutsu to create such a world, right?
It had to be said that these two brothers truly understood Uchiha Madara. In only a few sentences, they had already thought of so much.
And the plan he described filled both of them with a strange feeling. What kind of good method to bring peace to the world was this supposed to be?
Unconsciously, the words "mental illness" even appeared in both their minds.
However, neither of them spoke. Instead, they turned their gazes toward Natsuhiko. After all, to them, this was truly the first time they had heard of this matter.
Natsuhiko was different. This kid had, after all, come into contact with that so-called stone tablet, so he naturally knew more.
Of course, they also had some doubts in their hearts. For example, why would the Sage of Six Paths leave behind such a stone tablet?
This was very different from how the information they had seen on the moon described the Sage of Six Paths.
Also, why would the Sage of Six Paths leave such a stone tablet within the Uchiha clan? Was there some other story behind this?
If Natsuhiko knew what they were thinking, he would definitely sigh helplessly.
In the end, the information collected inside the moon was far too much. What they had read was basically about how the Sage of Six Paths and his younger brother defeated Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
After that, what was easier to see was mostly about Ōtsutsuki Hamura's affairs on the moon.
There was information about the descendants of the Sage of Six Paths, but they had not gone looking for it.
Moreover, they had not gone there many times. Even when their clones went up, they were arranging the chaos inside the moon. Even when they read information, what they read the most was information about Yin-Yang Release.
Otherwise, some of their doubts would have been easily resolved.
"I think there is one thing you have mistaken."
Natsuhiko naturally noticed the gazes of the two of them, so he shook his head and chose to speak first.
"The Sage of Six Paths would never leave behind such a foolish method to tell his descendants how to resolve the conflicts of the shinobi world."
"Descendants?"
Natsuhiko's words immediately made Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama extremely stunned. Uchiha Madara, however, remained very calm.
After all, he had already guessed it long ago, had taken actual action because of it, and had obtained the conclusion. How could he still appear surprised?
"Yes. Why do you look so surprised?"
Natsuhiko looked at Senju Hashirama and Senju Tobirama as if he found it somewhat strange, then asked with clear confusion.
"Are there not books on the moon? The Sage of Six Paths had two children. One was Indra, and the other was Ashura.
"These two children continued fighting in order to decide the rightful successor of Ninshū. One of them inherited the Sage of Six Paths' body and the power of his will.
"The other inherited the power of the Sage of Six Paths' eyes. According to the records, Ashura could use Wood Release, while Indra could use the Sharingan…"
"In other words…"
When Senju Tobirama heard Natsuhiko's words, even if he were slower, he still understood. He could not help looking at Uchiha Madara with disgust.
"One of these descendants is us Senju, and the other is this Uchiha?"
"But why did you never tell us?"
Senju Hashirama looked at Natsuhiko in confusion. He scratched his head and asked curiously.
"Does the moon really have this information?"
"Of course it does. All of you kept reading about Yin-Yang Release, and my clone did not follow you every single time. How would I know what you had or had not seen?"
Natsuhiko nodded as if it were natural. In truth, he had not read it either, but he remembered that the Ōtsutsuki he killed had recognized his Wood Release.
He had even directly stated that Natsuhiko was Asura's descendant. Therefore, Natsuhiko was not afraid of being exposed. Besides, what he said was not that detailed.
"The moon?"
Uchiha Madara naturally heard their conversation as well. At this moment, he seemed somewhat confused.
"What exactly are you talking about? What is going on?"
"To put it simply, you may have been deceived."
Natsuhiko let out a faint sigh. He deliberately looked at Uchiha Madara with a slightly pitiful gaze, and this irritated Madara so much that he clenched his fists.
But this was exactly the effect he wanted. Moreover, Natsuhiko unexpectedly discovered that their conversation seemed to be going a little too smoothly.
Perhaps it was because Senju Hashirama was here, and because Natsuhiko's own strength made Uchiha Madara realize that he was someone Madara had to speak with on equal terms.
"The Sage of Six Paths' name was Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, while the people on the moon were the descendants of his younger brother, Ōtsutsuki Hamura.
"Of course, as for what happened on the moon, Hashirama-senpai can tell you later. Let us discuss the more important matter first.
"On the moon, we learned the true origin of the shinobi world. It was because the mother of the Sage of Six Paths and his brother, as a world-destroyer, wanted to plunge the entire shinobi world into silence."
"Therefore, the two of them decided to resist. They sealed their mother inside the moon, and she remains there even now. The Sage of Six Paths also taught the shinobi world how to use chakra.
"As someone who laid the foundation of the shinobi world, and even of ninja themselves, and as someone who saved all living beings in the shinobi world from his own mother.
"Why would he then try to make this shinobi world fall into an illusion?"
Natsuhiko spoke calmly, while Uchiha Madara frowned as he looked at him. This story was completely different from what he knew.
Because what he knew was that the Sage of Six Paths had resisted the Ten-Tails' destruction of the shinobi world and ultimately sealed the Ten-Tails inside his own body, thereby saving the entire shinobi world.
But that sealing had also made him pay a price. He no longer had enough power to bring peace to the shinobi world, which was why he left behind that stone tablet.
For a moment, he became somewhat confused. He truly did not know who he should believe.
If what this Hokage and Hashirama were saying was true, then what was going on with that stone tablet?
But if they were deceiving him, then what was their purpose? His current strength was not worth mentioning at all.
"I know what you are confused about. Is it the matter of the stone tablet?"
Natsuhiko looked at Uchiha Madara, whose expression kept changing, and could not help revealing a faint smile.
"That stone tablet may truly have been left behind by the Sage of Six Paths, but its specific contents were probably already modified.
"Do not tell me that such a thing cannot be done. In truth, as long as one possesses Yin-Yang Release, many things can be changed.
"And were you not wondering why we still summoned you?"
When he said this, Natsuhiko slightly shifted his body, revealing Ōtsutsuki Urashiki's corpse behind him.
"This is the reason. He is of the same clan as the Sage of Six Paths, and now, they have come to the shinobi world again.
"Look carefully. Feel it carefully. Then think carefully. Perhaps you will discover the clues hidden within the things you know."