Naruto: The Otsutsuki Naruto

In the Eternal Hall of Mount Myoboku, the Great Toad Sage recounted to Madara the tales of his past with the Sage of the Six Paths, his brother Hamura, Kaguya, and the clan Kaguya feared. All were mentioned as participants in these bygone events.

What truly concerned Madara was the truth behind the Infinite Tsukuyomi and the true nature of Black Zetsu.

The Great Toad Sage, fully aware, did not tug at Madara's ear to say, "The Infinite Tsukuyomi is a lie, and Black Zetsu is Kaguya's will. Wake up!" Such an approach would be futile; with Madara's personality, it would only backfire.

Instead, the Great Toad Sage calmly and steadily narrated the story, allowing Madara to extract the useful information himself and draw his own conclusions.

Guiding gently—this is the wisdom of the eternal and the seer.

After listening, Madara fell into deep contemplation.

After consuming the Chakra Fruit a thousand years ago, Kaguya initiated the Infinite Tsukuyomi, yet Hagoromo and Hamura sealed her. This indicates that the Sage of the Six Paths opposed the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

Then why did the Sage of the Six Paths inscribe on the Uchiha Stone Tablet that the Infinite Tsukuyomi was a path to salvation?

It makes no sense.

Did the Sage of the Six Paths change his mind in his later years?

Or is everything this old toad said just lies?

No, that's not it!

Then there's only one possibility left!

Madara clenched his fist tightly.

When all impossible options are eliminated, whatever remains, no matter how improbable or unacceptable, must be the truth!

Black Zetsu is Kaguya's will. It altered the Uchiha Stone Tablet to use me to initiate the Infinite Tsukuyomi for its unspeakable purpose!!

At this point, Madara was utterly convinced!

Simultaneously, his mindset entered a new phase!

Naruto, through lip-reading, had hinted about Black Zetsu to me earlier, indicating that he knew the truth before I did. Was it this old toad who told him?

Heh, that makes sense. I wondered how a brat like Naruto knew these secrets, putting on airs in front of me. I even suspected he used some method to travel through time from the future to now. But now I see I was overthinking it. Hahaha, how could such a thing be possible?

The Great Toad Sage, sitting upright with closed eyes, asked, "Now that you've heard all this, what do you plan to do?"

"You ask me my plan?" Madara furrowed his brows.

"Black Zetsu, that wretched creature that dared to deceive me for decades—how can I not tear it to pieces to quell my anger? As for the path forward, I'll consider it after dealing with Black Zetsu!"

"I haven't decided yet," Madara mumbled, then looked up. "By the way, you mentioned someone wanted you to teach me Senjutsu. What's that about?"

The Great Toad Sage seemed to recall something. "Oh, if you hadn't mentioned it, I would have forgotten. Here, look at this letter!"

A letter drifted down from mid-air.

Madara opened it and read.

"To the Great Toad Sage, with respect.

Madara has merely strayed from the path and is not inherently evil. For the future of the ninja world, to resist threats from beyond, Madara's strength is indispensable.

Here, I vouch for Madara, ensuring he won't become a negative influence in the future. I humbly request you to impart Senjutsu to him!

Sincerely, Naruto Uzumaki."

Crack!

Seeing the signature, Madara's forehead veins bulged. He demanded, "What's the meaning of this? Why didn't you mention it earlier!!!"

The Great Toad Sage, with a serene expression, slightly opened his eyes: "I tend to be forgetful."

"Ridiculous!!!!"

With Madara's personality, if he had known from the start that his opportunity to learn Senjutsu was due to Naruto's influence, he would have rather abandoned the Senjutsu of Mount Myoboku than bow his head!

He couldn't afford such a humiliation!!

But the problem was, without knowing, he had already learned it!!!

Like water flowing naturally, this favor was now a debt he couldn't deny!

Forgetfulness, my foot—this was intentional!

Madara cursed inwardly, crushing the letter in his hand, and said solemnly, "Don't think this makes me owe him anything! I've done heartless things before, one more won't matter! Do what you will!"

Yet the Great Toad Sage remained calm: "I confined you for two months only because you trespassed on Mount Myoboku, disturbing my descendants' meditation. It was not a personal vendetta against you.

"As for your grievances with Naruto, we, as outsiders, won't comment. I merely stated the facts. How you interpret them and what actions you take are up to you."

The Great Toad Sage's reasoning left Madara momentarily speechless.

He suddenly realized something.

The old toad had mentioned Hagoromo, Kaguya, and even the so-called Otsutsuki matters, yet it had not mentioned its own origins. Was there a hidden story?

"I say—" Madara began to ask, but the Great Toad Sage interrupted with a dismissal: "I'm feeling sleepy. You're free to go."

Bang!

The doors of the Eternal Hall slowly opened, sunlight pouring in, elongating Madara's shadow.

Madara took a long look at the seated Great Toad Sage before turning to leave.

The Great Toad Sage advised, "Don't rush to find Black Zetsu. As you guard against it, it guards against you. If it decides to hide, you won't find it. Better to calm your mind and think about your path."

Tap!

Madara paused, then continued without stopping, exiting the hall.

Perhaps due to the Great Toad Sage's advice, Madara did not immediately leave Mount Myoboku. He sat on a lotus leaf, organizing his thoughts while contemplating the essence of Senjutsu.

Unbeknownst to him, a month passed.

The ambiguous information gradually pieced together into complete intelligence, with missing fragments filled in through deduction.

In past battles with Naruto, he had often held back at critical moments. Coupled with the letter mentioning resistance against threats from beyond—threats from beyond likely referred to Kaguya's clan, the so-called Otsutsuki.

Naruto had learned of these people from the old toad and saw them as a looming threat, thus preparing in advance.

It became clear—Naruto was engaging in an arms race, aiming to elevate the ninja world's combat capabilities through a competitive approach, positioning himself as the frontrunner.

Heh, why should it be him? Even if such enemies exist, I should be the main force!

Naruto, using my Rinnegan to defeat me—such a defeat I, Madara Uchiha, cannot accept!

If only I could use Limbo, the current Naruto wouldn't stand a chance!

Crackle, crackle!

On Madara's chest, Hashirama's face manifested the unique visage of Senjutsu!

Thus, Naruto Uzumaki, I, Madara Uchiha, will not acknowledge the current you! I must reclaim my eyes, and then I will be the one to lead. This time, I will leave everyone far behind. This is my path, Madara Uchiha's path!!!

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