With contemptuous ease, Madara's hand shot out, seizing Kakashi's arm mid-charge. The grip was like an iron clamp, the force so imnse that Kakashi's limb trembled uncontrollably. In one fluid motion, Madara pivoted, unleashing a spinning kick with breathtaking speed and a perfect angle.
The impact was a sickening thud, and Kakashi was sent flying like a discarded doll caught in a gale. He tumbled through the air before crashing heavily to the earth, kicking up a cloud of dust and debris. Madara hadn't even used his full power; it was a casual, dismissive strike, yet it felt to Kakashi as if he'd been hit by a speeding carriage, leaving him stunned and unable to rise.
Madara stood unmoving, his robes fluttering gently in the breeze, an imposing figure akin to an unassailable deity. His cold voice cut through the silence, each word laced with indisputable authority.
"Cease this foolishness. You are no opponent for . Besides... the mont the Sage of Six Paths took possession of that body, the boy you knew was already gone."
With the power of the Rinnegan, he could perceive the very souls of others. He knew with absolute certainty that the vessel the Sage had inhabited no longer contained Naruto's soul.
Kakashi struggled to his knees, Madara's words hitting him with the force of another physical blow. Shock and utter despair filled his eyes, and the only response he could muster was a raw, agonized roar that tore from his throat.
"Ahhh—!!!"
He knew Madara wasn't lying. A man of his power had no reason to deceive him. With his target for vengeance now aningless, all that remained was a guttural scream to vent the depths of his guilt and rage.
Paying Kakashi's anguish no mind, Kagami fixed his gaze on Madara, voicing the question that had been burning in his mind. "Madara, why did you strike the Sage of Six Paths? More importantly... why did you choose that specific mont to act?"
When Madara had launched his attack, sothing had felt distinctly off to Kagami. The Sage possessed the ability to see the future; how could he possibly have been caught in such a perfect ambush? And yet, it had succeeded.
It wasn't entirely impossible that the Sage's foresight had so critical flaw, allowing Madara's attack to land. But for such a perfect coincidence to occur at that exact second? The odds were astronomical. No, Kagami felt it in his gut—sothing was deeply wrong here. This was either a deliberate gambit by the Sage himself, or soone else had influenced Madara's actions. When events align so perfectly, foul play is almost certain. His senses were now on high alert.
Hearing Kagami's probing question, Madara's brow furrowed. He saw no reason to hide the truth. "I acted because I had a powerful premonition," he stated bluntly. "I sensed the Sage was about to move against Hashirama, so I chose to eliminate him!"
If anyone else had asked, he would have ignored them completely. But Kagami's strength demanded respect; he couldn't dismiss the questions of a true powerhouse as he would an ant.
Kagami's eyebrows shot up. "A premonition, you say?"
Madara's words all but confird his suspicions. There was definitely sothing amiss.
Then, looking at Madara with a playful, knowing expression, Kagami chuckled softly. "You were aware of the Sage's abilities, weren't you? What made you so certain your attack would succeed at that precise mont?"
"Of course, I knew! I—"
Madara began to nod, but the words caught in his throat. He froze, the realization dawning on him, and his expression turned thunderous. With his formidable intellect, Kagami's pointed question was all it took for him to see the truth. He hadn't questioned it in the heat of the mont, but looking back, it was clear his own mind had been compromised.
He'd had no intention of acting, but then an overwhelming premonition had seized him, compelling him to strike at that very mont.
It seed normal on the surface, but it was fundantally wrong.
Knowing the Sage could likely foresee the future, why would he risk an attack without absolute certainty? Yet, his "premonition" had assured him of success. And it had been right…
If Kagami hadn't pointed it out, he wouldn't have realized how unnaturally abrupt that feeling was, as if soone were deliberately guiding his hand.
The thought that his consciousness had been manipulated without his knowledge sent a wave of cold fury through Madara. To dare and play with the mind of Uchiha Madara—that was an unforgivable transgression.
As Madara stewed in his silent rage, Kagami was conducting his own internal inquiry. 'System, can you detect if my consciousness has also been implanted with subconscious suggestions?' he asked silently.
Soon, the familiar, chanical voice responded in his mind.
[Ding! After analysis, the host has been subject to subconscious guidance on three occasions. As none of these instances were malicious in nature, the system's protective protocols were not triggered.]
'Three tis?'
Kagami's expression darkened, a genuine chill running down his spine. The system's assurance that the guidance wasn't malicious did little to soothe him; the fact remained that he had been manipulated without his knowledge. It was a violation.
Fortunately, the system had explained that any malevolent influence would have triggered its defenses, which offered a small asure of comfort. But even if the intentions were benign, Kagami refused to be a puppet.
So, he quickly pressed further. 'System, can you locate the source of this subconscious guidance?'
[Affirmative.]
The cold, chanical reply sent a jolt of anticipation through Kagami.
'Quickly, tell who is influencing !' he demanded internally. He had already decided the fate of whoever dared to tamper with his mind. This ability to influence others without their knowledge was far too terrifying; he would not allow such a power to exist. Unless, of course, it was a power he himself could master.
[Analysis complete... The guiding presence implanted in the host's subconscious is the planetary consciousness of this world.]
'What in the hell... What did you just say?'
The system's answer made Kagami's eyes widen in sheer, unadulterated disbelief.
A wave of stunned numbness washed over him.
He had considered the Otsutsuki God or so other hidden entity, but he had never, in his wildest thoughts, imagined that the planet itself was guiding him.
'The original story never ntioned the Shinobi World having its own consciousness,' Kagami lanted internally. He had already ntally planned the utter destruction of the entity pulling his strings, but now the system's answer left him sighing in helpless frustration.
The planetary consciousness... even if he wanted to retaliate, there was absolutely nothing he could do.
At least, not until he possessed the power to shatter a planet. Until then, he was powerless against the will of the ninja world itself.
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