Naruto: I Am Uchiha Madara

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Someone must have already realized what was going on.
Indeed, Uchiha Madara had flown to this location at an unimaginable speed and located the three children. However, to test their growth and issue them a stern warning, he used a powerful genjutsu to simulate the horrifying scenario of two dying and one being captured.
White Zetsu (the original body) stood beside Uchiha Madara, observing the three unconscious children, who still bore expressions of terror even in their faint. He turned to Madara with a puzzled look and asked:

"Madara-sama, do these three brats truly possess the kind of potential that would catch your eye?"
Madara retracted his Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, which he had used to cast the genjutsu, and nodded calmly:
"In terms of potential, these three are undoubtedly shadow-level material. However, though they may be fine pieces of jade, without proper tempering, they still lack much."

"So, Madara-sama used genjutsu to refine their resolve?"
Madara didn’t respond but silently nodded in agreement.
About three minutes later, the three children began showing signs of waking up.

It seemed fitting for the destined trio—almost simultaneously, they regained consciousness. Their faces were still pale with lingering fear as they sat up groggily, glancing around to assess their surroundings.
Suddenly recalling the harrowing events they had just experienced, they looked around in sheer panic.
To their relief—and surprise—their companions, who had seemingly met gruesome fates, were now perfectly intact and together!

However, the three children were still somewhat dazed, struggling to shake off the lingering sense of unreality from Madara’s genjutsu.
Yahiko, uncertain and shaken, stared at the disoriented Konan and asked hesitantly:
"Konan! Didn’t you get stabbed through by that blade? Are you alright?"

Konan blinked at Yahiko, pointing at him in confusion as she replied:
"And you too, Yahiko! Before I passed out, I clearly saw your head being cut off! But you’re fine!"
"How is that possible? In that situation, we were both completely dead!"

"Yeah... Could it be that this is hell? Have we reunited here in the afterlife!?"
Meanwhile, Nagato, who had been quietly ignored until now, suddenly snapped in anger. Without a word, he delivered a sharp flick to Yahiko’s forehead:
"Don’t be ridiculous! How could this possibly be hell? Even though I saw both of you die in front of me, I was captured by that ninja at the time! I didn’t die! And besides, everything feels so vivid—it doesn’t feel like death at all! Could it be..."
The relatively clever trio quickly realized that none of them had actually died!

Overwhelmed by the joy of survival, the three children immediately embraced each other tightly!
Their hearts swelled with a mix of emotions—relief, fear, and gratitude—as they clung to one another, muttering incoherent words while tears streamed down their faces.
Uchiha Madara cleared his throat twice, making his presence known.

Startled by the sound, the three children reflexively turned toward him, ready to flee at any moment.
Upon realizing it was Uchiha Madara and White Zetsu, they finally relaxed, followed by a wave of excitement.
Konan’s eyes sparkled like stars as she tilted her head cutely and exclaimed:

"Ah! It’s the ninja uncle from before! You really came to save us!"
Yahiko, flustered and wide-eyed, pointed at White Zetsu frantically.
"The pale guy isn’t dead either! What exactly happened just now!?"

Nagato, as quiet and reserved as ever, nonetheless revealed a clear expression of curiosity and inquiry.
Faced with the chatter of the three children, White Zetsu struggled to maintain composure. Fortunately, Madara’s imposing authority commanded respect. After clapping his hands a few times, the trio instantly fell silent, standing neatly in a row before him like obedient students eagerly awaiting instruction.
After sweeping his gaze over the three children, Madara explained coldly:

"What you experienced earlier was genjutsu—an illusion designed to deceive you. Everything you went through was fake!"
Yahiko, carefree as always, let out a huge sigh of relief:
"So it was all fake! You really scared us, Ninja Uncle! To think you’d pull such a trick when we finally meet again!"

"I don’t have the time or inclination to play games with you three brats. This wasn’t meant to scare you—it was meant to awaken you!"
"A-awaken us!?"
"Precisely. After studying what I left behind for you, I imagine you’ve already guessed. What you’ve learned from me is the power of a ninja! Though you’ve only just begun, it is indeed the power of a ninja without a doubt.

As I told you before, if you wish to survive in this world, you must have value. And if you want to live life on your own terms, you must have strength. The three of you have now taken the first step on this path.
Let me make one thing clear—this road is extraordinarily perilous. One misstep, and you’ll be obliterated. The consequences will likely be far worse than what you experienced in the genjutsu!"
Konan clutched her chest, relieved to find «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» no trace of the icy hole that had pierced her in the illusion.

Yahiko kept touching his head, repeatedly confirming that it was still attached.
Nagato, meanwhile, couldn’t stop gazing at his two companions. Only he knew how utterly devastated he had felt watching them die before his very eyes.
After a brief pause, Uchiha Madara gave the three children one final question:

"This cruel world operates on the principle of survival of the fittest. The strong devour the weak, and only the strong survive. To gain power, you must be prepared for the sacrifices that come with it.
If you do not wish to walk this irreversible path, I will absorb all the chakra within you, turning you back into ordinary people. However, I’m sure you understand how difficult it is for ordinary people to survive in this era.
But if you choose to walk this path, you can rise above others, earning respect and admiration, fulfilling your own value. However—"

Here, Madara paused, his voice chillingly resolute:
"—you must be prepared to face death!"