Naruto: Tenseigan Eye

What Madara Uchiha desired was a young, strong body—preferably in his thirties, at the peak of his strength and vitality.

Unfortunately, Black Zetsu's repeated attempts had only marginally improved the Impure World Reincarnation technique. While the resurrection had brought Madara back in better condition than before, it still fell far short of his prime.

Given enough time and ample opportunities to experiment, Black Zetsu was confident he could perfect the technique. But time had run out.

At this moment, Madara appeared as if he were in his fifties—not frail, but nowhere near his peak.

"Master Madara, I'm afraid we need more time and resources to perfect this technique," Black Zetsu said cautiously.

"Forget it. You've done enough."

Madara didn't blame Black Zetsu. He knew the limitations they faced, and although dissatisfied, he couldn't afford to wait any longer.

"It will suffice," Madara muttered, clenching his fists and feeling the power coursing through his body. It wasn't ideal, but it was enough for now. He was ready to confront the Five Kage and retrieve the Rinnegan.

Before departing, he turned to Black Zetsu and said, "Start cultivating more of Hashirama's cells for White Zetsu. I may need them soon."

"Understood," Black Zetsu replied, watching as Madara prepared to leave.

With a deafening crash, Madara blasted a massive hole in the underground base and leaped out. Though he could have phased through walls using White Zetsu's abilities, such subtlety didn't suit his character.

He, Madara Uchiha, preferred to leave his mark.

As for the gaping hole in the base? Black Zetsu would deal with it.

Madara wasted no time heading toward Konoha.

Meanwhile, Black Zetsu watched him vanish into the horizon, conflicted.

Would Madara succeed in retrieving the Rinnegan, achieve resurrection, and move forward with the Infinite Tsukuyomi Plan?

The plan, which could have been executed more methodically, had been thrown into chaos the moment the Five Great Ninja Villages united and took the Rinnegan.

Madara had been forced into the open earlier than intended—a move dictated by necessity rather than strategy.

Black Zetsu sighed, his frustration growing as he reflected on the chain of misfortunes that had brought them to this point.

In Konoha, Shinki's surveillance puppet captured Madara's approach.

"He's coming," Shinki said calmly.

"What's coming?"

Recently, the four Kage had taken to frequenting Shinki's house, often indulging in tea, conversation, and the occasional argument. Noticing the change in Shinki's demeanor, they turned their attention to him.

"Tsuchikage," Shinki said, turning to Onoki with a faint smile, "the person you've been waiting for is here. Madara Uchiha will reach Konoha by this afternoon. We need to prepare."

"Finally!" Onoki exclaimed, his fighting spirit ignited.

The Third Raikage crossed his arms, eager to test the strength of the infamous Uchiha Madara.

The Third Kazekage remained stoic, his expression betraying little emotion, while Yagura blended into the background as usual, his presence almost negligible.

Shinki wasted no time. After notifying Tsunade of the situation, he and the Kage left Konoha.

The last thing Shinki wanted was for a confrontation with Madara to erupt within the village. Konoha had already suffered significant destruction in the past; it couldn't endure another large-scale battle.

When Nagato invaded Konoha, the village was nearly leveled. A battle between Madara and the Five Kage could very well wipe Konoha off the map entirely.

Thus, the decision to meet Madara outside the village was an easy one.

In the Land of Fire, Madara suddenly stopped.

Ahead of him, two puppets blocked the path.

Madara recognized them as part of Shinki's surveillance network, courtesy of Black Zetsu's prior reconnaissance.

Amused, Madara decided to wait. If the puppets had detected him, their master would soon follow.

He sat on a nearby rock, gazing in the direction of Konoha.

"Hashirama," he murmured, his voice filled with nostalgia, "the village we once protected has changed so much."

There was a time when Madara shared Hashirama's vision of peace and unity. But their dream had crumbled, along with their friendship.

When the Uchiha clan abandoned him, Madara's ideals shifted, and his once-noble mission became twisted by bitterness and betrayal.

The wait wasn't long.

Onoki, Shinki, and the other Kage soon arrived at the border of the Land of Fire.

Madara stood as they descended, his iconic flame fan in one hand and a battle scythe in the other. His sharp gaze swept over the group, pausing on Onoki.

"Uchiha Madara!" Onoki roared, his calm demeanor crumbling into a display of raw anger.

The sight of the man who had humiliated him decades ago triggered an eruption of emotion. Onoki's fists clenched as he gritted his teeth, his body trembling with rage.

The Third Raikage raised an eyebrow, impressed by the intensity of Onoki's grudge.

The Third Kazekage and Yagura exchanged glances, shaking their heads in silent disapproval.

Madara regarded Onoki with the detached curiosity of someone observing a tantrum-throwing child.

"Onoki," he said, his voice calm but laced with condescension, "you're just as weak as you were decades ago."

The simple statement cut through Onoki like a blade. Memories of their last encounter flooded back, paralyzing him.

Shinki sighed.

Yagura remained silent.

The Third Raikage smirked.

The Third Kazekage stayed expressionless.