“White Zetsu.”
Madara Uchiha opened his cloudy eyes and looked at the white figure before him.
He sat on an enormous chair woven from wood, with numerous tubes inserted into his back.
Behind those tubes stood the massive Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
“Begin.”
Madara spoke calmly.
Although he never left this place, he used the vast underground network formed by the White Zetsu to control intelligence from across the entire shinobi world.
The reason was simple.
White Zetsu could use the Mayfly Technique to freely merge their bodies with the earth, plants, and trees, allowing them to move at high speed to any location.
In addition, White Zetsu could communicate mentally across long distances and possessed the powerful Substitution Technique, allowing them to infiltrate any ninja village at will.
White Zetsu emerged from the ground, half his body still buried in the soil, and began reporting.
“Today, Obito walked back and forth across the street two extra times and helped the same White Zetsu pick up things he dropped twice.”
Madara did not speak.
He only nodded slightly.
Obito was becoming kinder and kinder.
Whenever he saw an old person fall, he could not help going over to help.
His heart held others more than himself.
People like that were the most perfect.
Because when they lost everything, that kindness would rebound like a snapped blade, turning into hatred sharp enough to pierce the entire world.
Madara knew very well that Obito was absolutely not the type who could endure forever.
A half-baked saint like him was the easiest to stir toward darkness and hatred.
“What about Kiyohane?” he asked.
Although Madara had already been paying attention to Obito for some time, he was even more interested in Kiyohane, who was in the same year.
Kiyohane possessed the same bloodline as him and the same bloodline as Hashirama.
That made him an extremely special existence.
If Hashirama had agreed with his ideals back then, the two of them would not have parted ways.
Perhaps there would have been many more people like Kiyohane within the clan.
Moreover, Kiyohane had awakened the Sharingan from birth, and his mind was also very flexible.
That proved that the blood of the two clans did not actually conflict.
Most importantly, from Kiyohane’s handsome face, Madara saw an illusion of someone else.
Kiyohane truly resembled Izuna, his beloved younger brother.
Madara closed his eyes, and Izuna’s face, which had appeared countless times in his memories, surfaced once more in the darkness.
His younger brother’s death was also the greatest pain in Madara’s heart.
If not for that accident, his most beloved brother would not have died at the hands of the detestable Tobirama Senju.
“His performance has been excellent.
Full marks in ninja tool throwing, and he succeeded in the Three Basic Techniques on his first try.
However, we still lack detailed information about his actual combat ability.
He has only fought Kakashi once.”
White Zetsu reported Kiyohane’s intelligence.
At the same time, Madara sank into his memories.
Madara Uchiha was no exception.
Among the Uchiha, the bond between brothers surpassed everything.
He and his younger brother had also supported each other.
Compared to Madara’s arrogance, Izuna had not only been a genius, but also steadier and calmer.
If one had to describe him, he was like the Uchiha version of Tobirama Senju.
Even such a calm younger brother had hoped, before his death, that the clan could find peace.
He had even entrusted his Mangekyo Sharingan to Madara.
Remembering the past, those tears have never dried…
“Lord Madara, I’ve finished.”
White Zetsu glanced at Madara Uchiha.
Sometimes Madara kept his eyes half-closed, and White Zetsu could not tell whether he had fallen asleep or was still awake.
“What is his current ninjutsu progress?” Madara asked, opening his eyes again.
He had been lost in memories just now.
“He’s learning Water Release this week,” White Zetsu said.
“According to observation, he’s practicing a D-rank Water Release technique.
It should be part of the inheritance left behind by Tobirama Senju.”
Water Release?
A mocking curve appeared at the corner of Madara’s mouth.
Teaching Kiyohane Water Release was harming him!
In Madara’s view, Fire Release was naturally more destructive than Water Release.
That cowardly kind of jutsu had definitely been influenced by the vile Senju clan!
Even though Madara himself possessed a water-natured chakra affinity, he rarely used Water Release techniques.
“Continue observing Kiyohane,” Madara said.
If his attitude toward Obito was that of a chess player toward a pawn, then toward Kiyohane, Madara actually had some intention to nurture him.
Because Kiyohane was naturally walking the same path as him.
He had combined the power of the Uchiha and the Senju from birth.
If Hashirama’s cells were transplanted into Kiyohane, what level of compatibility would he reach?
If the Infinite Tsukuyomi was completed, perhaps Madara could give Kiyohane, who resembled his younger brother Izuna so much, an eternally beautiful dream as compensation.
“Yes, Madara.”
White Zetsu nodded.
“And Obito?”
“Continue observing him as well,” Madara said.
Compared to the foolish, reckless Obito, Kiyohane was extremely cautious.
Madara had once sent White Zetsu disguised as an old woman for Kiyohane to help.
In the end, Kiyohane had actually said he was afraid of being framed, and that if he had not knocked her over, why should he help?
Even if someone truly was in trouble, he would make sure there were witnesses around before helping.
He acted with extreme caution.
That was why Madara planned to prepare two options.
Kiyohane’s habit of always leaving himself room to retreat showed that his nature carried a layer of caution.
Before being moved emotionally, he first considered the benefits and losses.
Someone like that was not easy to deceive.
…
Soon, another half month passed.
The Ninja Academy welcomed its first monthly exam.
In the morning was the written test, covering basic theory, essay questions on the Will of Fire, and theoretical knowledge of ninja tools.
Kiyohane answered everything very well.
For the Will of Fire section, he focused on writing that the Third Hokage was as majestic as the newborn sun, allowing the great tree of Konoha to grow strong and flourishing.
Kiyohane almost wished he could raise both hands and shout his loyalty from the heart.
In the afternoon came the practical portion.
On the training field, Umino Shika stood before the students with a roster in hand.
Behind him, several sparring areas had already been marked out with white lines.
“This afternoon, we’ll conduct combat sparring tests.
When your name is called, step forward.
Two people per group.”
The moment he finished speaking, Obito Uchiha could not wait to jump out.
“Kakashi!”
Obito pointed at that conspicuous head of silver hair in the crowd.
“I challenge you, Kakashi!”
Kakashi barely raised his eyelids.
He only shook his head.
“Idiot.”
With Obito’s limited tricks, Kakashi could beat him with his eyes closed.
“What did you say?”
Because Rin Nohara was watching from nearby, Obito felt his pride take a hit.
“Even if someone is going to challenge me, you’re not first in line, Obito.”
Kakashi shook his head.
Then he looked at Kiyohane.
If possible, he would much rather fight Kiyohane.
Seeing Kakashi’s gaze turn toward him, Kiyohane gave a slight nod.
At this point, Kakashi and Obito had not yet built a deep enough bond.
At most, they were classmates who bickered.
Their feelings would only grow rapidly after the Shinobi World War began.
Only then would they gain the most mysterious power in the shinobi world…
Bonds.
“Obito, follow the order.”
Umino Shika tapped the roster in his hand, his tone stern.
“Step forward only when your name is called.
Unauthorized challenges will not count toward your score.”
Obito could only retreat back into the line unhappily.
If he really got a zero, it would be over.
Umino Shika lowered his head, glanced at the roster, and read out the names of the first sparring pair.