The father and son embraced, a silent testant to the bond that had grown between them.
"Child, you have just completed the cell fusion," Madara said, his voice gentle. "Do not strain your body. Let's take it easy for a few days while you acclimate."
"You too, father. Your chest must be in so much pain. I will stay with you for the next few days. I won't go anywhere."
"Okay. My son is truly a good boy."
Six months later, inside the secret base, Madara and Shiro were leisurely sampling the vegetables grown by the Uchiha clan.
"It has to be said, purely natural, organically grown produce is truly delicious," Shiro praised sincerely.
During this half-year, Shiro had not left Madara's side for a mont. They were inseparable, even sharing the sa bed each night. Under the constant, close-range influence of Shiro's life-giving talent, Madara's body had rejuvenated at an astonishing rate. In terms of appearance, he had shed decades, now looking no older than a man in his late fifties. The rudints of new eyeballs had even begun to form in his empty sockets, and the grueso wound on his chest had long since healed.
It is said that when people spend a great deal of ti together, they begin to resemble one another. Madara found this to be true. As Shiro grew, Madara felt that the boy looked more and more like himself. Perhaps even more handso.
It must be the will of heaven. My blood has played its part, Madara thought with deep satisfaction.
Obito had also matured a great deal during this ti. He was taller, and his strength and physical fitness had reached a new level. White Zetsu and Black Zetsu, however, remained exactly the sa, unchanged by ti or the presence of others. The Uchiha clan mbers had been farming diligently for half a year and, to their own surprise, had grown to enjoy the simple, pastoral life.
All except for Itachi and Sasuke. The two brothers spent their nights training in the quiet woods, pushing themselves to beco stronger and stronger.
"Itachi, Sasuke, you two must be tired. I brought so fruit. Let's eat together."
A young, long-haired girl approached them with a basket of fruit. She had a sweet face and a warm smile. She was a mber of their clan and Itachi's good friend, Uchiha Izumi. In truth, Izumi had been in love with Itachi for a long ti. She was a talented kunoichi in her own right, and the very reason she chose the path of the ninja was to walk alongside the person she admired most. She had even confessed her feelings to Itachi once, outside a tea shop when they were academy students, but Itachi had not accepted. So, for now, their relationship remained that of friends.
"Izumi-san!" Seeing her, Sasuke's face lit up. He ran over, grabbed an apple, and began to munch on it happily. "Itachi, Izumi is so gentle and considerate. It would be wonderful if she beca my sister-in-law. You have my full support." As he gave his brother a divine assist, Sasuke caught Izumi's eye and gave her a thumbs-up.
Itachi wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Sasuke, don't talk nonsense. Izumi and I are still young."
Izumi took the initiative. "So, if we were older, there would be a chance?"
Itachi was stunned by her directness. His face flushed, and he couldn't find the words to respond.
"Hahahaha, brother is blushing! This is the first ti I've ever seen him like this!"
Itachi smiled but said nothing more, simply sitting down to eat a piece of fruit. He was, in this mont, deeply content with his life. It felt… fulfilling. To be away from the life of a ninja, away from missions, killing, and war. To have more ti to spend with his family and friends was far better than anything else. This was the ordinary life Itachi truly desired. The three of them sat together, sharing the delicious fruit in the peaceful quiet of the woods.
Just then, a stern voice broke the tranquility.
"Itachi, there you are." Uchiha Fugaku walked over slowly. Itachi and Sasuke quickly put down their fruit and jumped to their feet.
"Father, do you need my brother and for sothing?" Itachi asked.
"No," Fugaku shook his head. "I am only looking for you."
"Lord Madara has finally given instructions. He wants to select fifty of the strongest mbers of our clan to serve as his sparring partners."
"Huh? He wants to fight fifty people? That blind old man?" Sasuke blurted out, his tone full of childish disbelief. "He must be bluffing! I don't think he can even walk properly!" The last ti the Uchiha had seen Madara was six months ago. They had not dared disturb him since, simply farming the land for their ancestor.
Sasuke continued, unconvinced. "Why does he need Itachi to fight him? I could beat him myself!"
Fugaku shouted angrily, "Silence, Sasuke! Lord Madara's power is unfathomable! Do not speak so carelessly!"
Sasuke turned his head away stubbornly. "Tsk!" He truly could not understand how a blind old man could have the audacity to face fifty elite Uchiha shinobi.
Fugaku ignored Sasuke and turned to Izumi. "Izumi, you are here as well. You will participate."
"Understood, Lord Fugaku." Although she was young, Izumi had already awakened her three-tomoe Sharingan, and Fugaku recognized her strength.
"Father! Don't forget ! I want to join!" Sasuke protested, unhappy at being ignored.
"No! You are too weak. You would not even make the top fifty!"
"Don't underestimate ! I've been training with Itachi every day! I'm much stronger than before!"
"That does not matter! You haven't even awakened your Sharingan. What use would you be on the field?" Fugaku refused firmly. It was not that he wanted to hurt his son's feelings, but he knew Sasuke's limits and feared he would get hurt.
"Father, I…!"
"Enough! You will say no more. Lord Madara has finally given the Uchiha a mission. To let a small child like you participate would be to make a mockery of it! Do you want to displease Lord Madara?" With that, Fugaku turned and walked away, ignoring Sasuke's frustrated shouts.
After complaining for a long ti, Sasuke grew quiet and sullen. He sat back down on the stone, sulking. "I'm so sick of this life, depending on others! My father is so powerful. Why does he have to obey the orders of so blind old man?"
"Itachi! Can you please ask father to let participate? I want to expose that blind old man for the fake he is!" Sasuke had never taken the stories of Madara seriously.
Itachi smiled gently, raised his fingers, and tapped Sasuke's forehead. "Next ti, Sasuke. This ti, just listen to your father. Stay by my side and watch."
Early the next morning, Uchiha Fugaku stood with a group of his clansn before Madara's secret base, waiting for him to appear. After a mont, the heavy stone door slowly rumbled open. Madara and Shiro walked out, hand in hand.
"Huh?" Seeing Madara's appearance, everyone was stunned. The frail, withered old man from six months ago was gone. He looked… so much younger. Lord Madara… how did he do it? Everyone was shocked, their impression of their legendary ancestor once again shattered.
"I wish to see how far my current body can go," Madara stated, his voice calm and powerful. "You have been farming for half a year. I hope your skills as shinobi have not grown dull." He pointed to a large, empty clearing not far away. "Let's go there. And do not hold back simply because I am an old man. Use your full strength, do you understand?"
"Yes, Lord Madara!"
Everyone followed Madara to the open ground.
"Father! I've never seen you fight before. Today, I want to see everything!" Shiro said, his eyes wide with excitent.
"Haha, son, you must watch closely."
Once everyone was in position, the contest was about to begin. Although Madara looked much younger, he still appeared to be an old man. Fugaku stepped forward and spoke first. "Lord Madara, let us warm up first. We can begin with a one-on-one match…"
"Hmph!" Madara shook his head coldly. "You, and everyone behind you. Co at all at once. Do not waste my ti with pointless formalities. I can no longer wait!" With that, Madara clasped his hands together.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
A monstrously oversized fireball erupted from his lips, so large it seed to block out the sun. The Uchiha, masters of this very technique, stared in utter shock. They had never seen a fireball of such ridiculous scale. he sheer amount of chakra required was unimaginable.
"Is this… is this Lord Madara's true strength?!"
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