"…in terms of potential and aptitude as an heir, he inherited his father's talent for endurance quite well. He's not the type to lose his temper easily."
Endurance? Let's call it what it is—his father got so thoroughly suppressed by that bastard Tobirama Senju that he was too scared to make a sound. Most likely, that cowardice was passed down straight into the kid's bones.
Madara scoffed coldly. "In the future, when selecting a successor, stay away from the main family line. They're all worthless."
Are you… insulting yourself now?
Black Zetsu's lips twitched slightly.
"Uhh, understood, Lord Madara."
After clearing his throat, Black Zetsu's expression shifted subtly, taking on a strange glint.
"The second piece of news is what I briefly mentioned earlier. The Senju clan… has a new clan leader."
"And he… is the direct grandson of Tobirama Senju."
Tobirama Senju.
In that instant, Black Zetsu once again felt that suffocating pressure coming from Madara.
Only this time, it wasn't the kind of pressure that came from calm dominance—it was anger.
Of course. Madara's younger brother, Izuna Uchiha, was killed by Tobirama. And when Konoha had just been founded, even when Hashirama wanted to make Madara the First Hokage, Tobirama was the one who opposed it.
Madara had long since known that even without Tobirama's resistance, the villagers would never have accepted him as Hokage. But hearing that rejection come from someone else still left a bitter taste.
It was in that moment Madara realized—true understanding between people is a naïve illusion.
"Lord Madara… should we—?"
Black Zetsu's eyes sparkled as he gently attempted to steer Madara's thoughts.
He didn't need to say more—Madara already knew what he was implying.
Black Zetsu didn't hold any particular grudge against Senju Yukika. In fact, if anything, he was a little grateful to Yukika's grandfather. After all, it was because Tobirama had pushed Madara out of Konoha that Zetsu had managed to get his claws into him so easily.
Zetsu's goal here was simple: give Madara something to focus on. He was genuinely worried that Madara might brood himself to death with all that reflecting. At least Senju Yukika could be a temporary distraction.
"Zetsu."
But soon, Zetsu found himself locked in Madara's cold, terrifying gaze.
"L-Lord Madara…"
Zetsu tensed up instantly. He noticed that Madara's fury… had vanished.
And that wasn't a good thing.
When someone is driven by rage, they're easier to read, easier to predict. But when they learn to control that rage, they become truly terrifying.
"Don't try to interpret my thoughts through your narrow lens," Madara said in a voice as calm as a dead lake.
"And never presume to tell me what I should or shouldn't do."
"You're nothing more than… a fragment of my will."
"And one more thing—remember what I'm about to say."
"After Hashirama… there is no more Senju. Never mention that name to me again."
"As for that brat… the fact I even gave him a moment's thought is already too much of a compliment."
Madara slowly closed his eyes, no longer interested in continuing the conversation.
The grandson of a man he hated?
All that meant was a slight ripple in an otherwise undisturbed mind.
He had already sacrificed everything for the sake of the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
When a person turns their gaze toward reshaping the entire world, their mindset operates on a level far beyond ordinary thinking.
The cave grew still once more. The only remaining sound was the steady drip of water echoing in the darkness.
"Achoo!"
Land of Fire, Konohagakure.
At the entrance of the Senju clan's ancestral shrine, a loud sneeze echoed inside.
"…You good?" Tsunade glanced skeptically at Yukika. "Don't tell me you're nervous facing those old fossils for the first time as clan head?"
You people sneeze when you're nervous?
Yukika sighed. "It's probably just some crusty old geezer cursing my name from afar…"
Still…
These elders, huh?
Glancing toward the shrine, Yukika took a deep breath and stepped in boldly.
While many of the Senju clan had long since assimilated into the village, hiding their surnames and blending in, a small portion had chosen to remain.
Among them were the so-called clan elders, along with several main and branch family members—those whose bloodlines were even purer than the more average members of the clan.
And today marked his very first clan meeting as the newly appointed clan leader.