Uchiha Madara looked at Kakuzu, arms crossed, "I don't have the habit of hiding my identity."
Suddenly, as if recalling something, he stared at Kakuzu, finding him more and more familiar.
"You're that guy… the one who barely escaped from Hashirama's hands?"
"Hmph, so weak. Hashirama must have held back."
Kakuzu suddenly felt his pride take a hit. Even though that was indeed the truth, did it really have to be said out loud like that?
His eyes instantly sharpened, and the black threads of Earth Grudge Fear spread from his body.
"What, you want to fight?"
Madara merely shot him a cold glance, and an overwhelming killing intent erupted.
"You too… wish to dance?"
Cold sweat involuntarily trickled down Kakuzu's face.
Just now, he felt danger—extreme danger, terrifying danger.
That killing intent was so immense and unstoppable that no ninja in this era could possibly possess it, 'It was as if… as if…'
Suddenly, distant memories surfaced in his mind. That overwhelming aura… just like that of the Ghost of the Uchiha, the one who, alongside Senju Hashirama, ruled over the world—Uchiha Madara.
'Wait!'
Kakuzu's pupils shrank as he carefully scrutinized Madara once more. The same appearance, the same domineering presence. Just one glance from afar had imprinted itself in his memory forever.
"You… are Uchiha Madara!", Kakuzu exclaimed in shock.
Madara nodded slightly, "Indeed. I never thought I'd meet someone from my era in this time. Though you're weak, you at least recognize my name."
Kakuzu nearly died of fright and cautiously asked, "You… are also a member of the Akatsuki?"
Before joining Akatsuki, he had thought it was a mysterious and powerful organization. But after joining… he found it ridiculously weak and full of fools.
But now, seeing the infamous Ghost of the Uchiha clad in an Akatsuki robe, the organization seemed even more mysterious than he had initially believed.
Madara merely snorted and said, "Let's go see Nagato."
With that, he swaggered into the depths of the Akatsuki base.
Obito stepped forward and, due to his height, had to jump slightly to pat Kakuzu on the shoulder.
"Let's go in too."
Kakuzu looked at this small Konoha ninja, completely baffled.
"And you are…?"
Suddenly, an ominous and chilling aura radiated from Obito, and he rasped, "Kakuzu… have you already forgotten me?"
Kakuzu's eyes widened in disbelief as he pointed at Obito, "You… you're just a kid! A Konoha ninja! You're the mysterious masked man?"
Obito withdrew his aura, his presence returning to calm, "Nothing is impossible, Kakuzu. Just do your job well in Akatsuki. As you can see, I've even brought Uchiha Madara back. If you're planning anything… think twice."
Kakuzu could only let out an awkward laugh. Even if he had any schemes before, he wouldn't dare act on them now. That was Uchiha Madara. A man as strong as Senju Hashirama, who could defeat him in an instant.
The two of them entered as well.
Before long, the Akatsuki members noticed this unfamiliar new face. Soon, Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan were informed and arrived at the main hall.
At this moment, Madara was lounging on the sofa, lazily gazing at the three still somewhat youthful figures, "You are the founders of Akatsuki?"
Yahiko glanced at Obito in the distance, then at Madara, growing increasingly wary.
He cautiously asked, "You were recruited by Obito as a strong member of the organization?"
But Madara cut him off first, "Even though I'm wearing this outfit, it's only because I had no other clothes at the time. I can stay here for now, but don't bother me with your matters."
Yahiko let out a sigh of relief. Powerful individuals often had their eccentricities, and a strange personality was understandable. Judging by his tone, it seemed he had agreed to join Akatsuki.
He asked, "May I know your name?"
Madara spoke flatly: "I am Uchiha… Madara."
"""WHAT?"""
Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko were all stunned. They had heard tales of the Ghost of the Uchiha from Jiraiya.
Yahiko asked, "Are you really the Uchiha Madara we know? The founder of Konoha?"
Madara chuckled lightly, "Is there another Uchiha Madara besides me?"
Konan was in disbelief, "But… wasn't it said that you died long ago? And your appearance… you look too young. You don't resemble a man in his nineties at all."
Madara snorted, "No one in this world exists who can kill me. As for regaining my youth… for you, it may be a myth, but for me, it's nothing."
The Akatsuki members were collectively awed by Madara's imposing presence.
They never expected that when Obito claimed he was recruiting powerful individuals, he would bring in such a colossal figure.
Meanwhile, Nagato suddenly felt a strange reaction in his eyes. It was as if his Rinnegan was subtly resonating with the man before him.
Clutching his eyes, he asked, "Madara-sama, why do my eyes seem connected to you? What is the relationship between you and the Rinnegan?"
Madara glanced at Nagato and inwardly scoffed, 'What a waste. His mastery of the Rinnegan is still at a rudimentary level, unable to use even its basic abilities.'
Since he had no intention of reclaiming the eyes, he decided not to reveal that they originally belonged to him.
He simply said, "Those eyes are wasted on you. Whatever… come to me in the future, and I'll teach you how to use the Rinnegan's power."
Yahiko and Konan were delighted, "Madara-sama knows how to use the Rinnegan? That's great! Nagato's strength can improve even further."
Madara snorted, "Of course I know how to use them. After all, I've had plenty of experience dealing with the Rinnegan."
Nagato grew excited as well. Despite Jiraiya-sensei's teachings, his understanding of the Rinnegan had reached a bottleneck.
Now, with guidance from this ancient figure who deeply understood the Rinnegan, many of his questions might be answered. Not only that, but his strength could improve, allowing him to contribute more to Akatsuki's goals.
Nagato bowed and sincerely said, "Then in the future, I'll be in your care, Madara-sama."
Madara waved a hand dismissively, "Enough. We can talk about the Rinnegan later. For now, I need to return to Konoha with Obito and take a good look at that village."
At this moment, Konan hesitated, looking conflicted as if she wanted to say something but didn't dare.
Madara grew impatient, "Speak. I don't have time to waste."
Konan hesitated before awkwardly saying, "Madara-sama, it's just… there's a small ritual when joining Akatsuki, such as…"
From who knows where, she pulled out a large assortment of colorful nail polishes and carefully asked, "Madara-sama, do you have a preferred color? Please choose one."
For a moment… Uchiha Madara was utterly dumbfounded.
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