Chapter 24: The Enemy in Shadows and the Man in the Dream
Chapter 24: The Enemy in Shadows and the Man in the Dream
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North of Takigakure and Otogakure
In an abandoned mine in the Mountains' Graveyard.
Deep within the forgotten caverns of the Mountains' Graveyard, the air was thick with silence, broken only by the faint dripping of water from stalactites above. The cavern was massive, its jagged walls glowing faintly with bioluminescent moss, casting eerie shadows that danced like ghosts. In the heart of this desolate place sat an ancient figure on a stone throne.
Madara Uchiha's once-proud visage was now a haunting memory of his former glory. His gray hair, wild and spiked, cascaded down his back, framing a face carved with deep lines of time and hardship. His crimson Sharingan eyes burned with an unyielding intensity, glowing like embers in the gloom. He leaned heavily on a scythe, which doubled as his walking stick, the weapon's blade dulled from years of neglect. His battle-worn armor hung loosely on his frail frame, the once-pristine Uchiha emblem on his chest faded.
In front of him stood his creation—Zetsu, a grotesque amalgamation of black and white halves. The black half radiated a sinister presence, while the white half bore a bubbly, almost comical expression, though no less unsettling.
Madara's voice was a low growl, carrying the weight of a man burdened by unfulfilled ambition. "What information have you brought?"
Zetsu's dual voices answered, a harmony of cunning malice and cheerful indifference.
"Nagato has formed an organization in Amegakure with his orphan friends. They call themselves Akatsuki. Their goal is to bring peace to the world through understanding and love."
Madara let out a dry, rasping chuckle, his amusement tinged with disdain.
"A dreamer, is he? Does he think holding hands with his enemies will bring peace? Foolish boy. His existence is to safeguard the Rinnegan. Nothing more. Any other news worth my time?"
The white half of Zetsu spoke next, its tone uncharacteristically serious.
"News has surfaced about a survivor of the Uzumaki clan. A direct descendant of Ashina Uzumaki and Hashirama Senju. It's a man, and he wields the legendary sword Yamato."
The air in the cavern seemed to grow colder as Madara's Sharingan narrowed, his grip tightening on his scythe.
"What did you say?" he hissed, his voice barely above a whisper but charged with lethal intent.
The black half continued, "The information was deeply hidden. It seems this survivor managed to escape the destruction of Uzushiogakure undetected. We only recently uncovered it."
Madara's lips curled into a sneer. "After all I did to orchestrate the fall of Uzushiogakure… manipulating the villages, sowing distrust, and ensuring their army was weakened over years. Even with my weaken state i personally went to eliminate the secret team sent by konoha to help them. yet, the very bloodline I sought to erase survives? This is unacceptable!"
He slammed the base of his scythe against the stone floor, the sound echoing through the cavern. "Have you found this survivor?"
"Not yet, but we are narrowing the search," the black half assured.
Madara exhaled slowly, his anger simmering beneath the surface. "Good. Ensure no mistakes are made. This survivor must be eliminated. Have you identified my successor yet?"
Zetsu nodded. "Two candidates stand out. One is Shisui Uchiha, the grandson of Kagami Uchiha. But he's only two years old. The second is Obito Uchiha, a six-year-old academy student. He's… not exactly talented, but he has potential."
Madara scoffed. "Talent is overrated. Determination and pain forge greatness. Watch him closely."
"What about Kirigakure?" Madara asked, his voice regaining some composure.
"They are preparing for war as per your instructions," Zetsu reported with a sinister grin.
Madara leaned back, closing his eyes. "Good. The real game is about to begin."
The black half of Zetsu smiled wickedly, its hidden motives concealed beneath layers of servitude.
"Yes, just a matter of time," it murmured.
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Konoha – Late Night
The quiet hum of crickets filled the air as the village of Konoha rested under the gentle glow of the moon. In his modest room, Minato Namikaze lay asleep, his breathing steady, a peaceful smile on his face. The day had been exhausting but fulfilling—time spent with Kushina, cheering her up after the failed mission, though it had cost him a fortune in ramen.
His dreams began like any other, a blur of familiar faces and memories. But then, the world around him shifted.
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The Dream World
Minato found himself standing on an isolated landmass floating in an endless void of stars and cosmic patterns. The ground beneath his feet was smooth and dark, like polished obsidian, glowing faintly with veins of silver light. The sky—or what could be called a sky—was a swirling vortex of celestial hues, like a living nebula.
The air was heavy with an unexplainable energy, making every breath feel significant. As he marveled at this otherworldly scene, a voice echoed behind him, rich and resonant, carrying an aura of immense power.
"Welcome, Minato."
Minato spun around, his heart skipping a beat. Before him stood a figure of unparalleled majesty and mystery. The man's face was pale and flawless, with sharp, angular features that radiated a divine authority. His long, white hair shimmered with streaks of silver and gold, flowing as though caught in an ethereal breeze.
His eyes were unlike anything Minato had seen—pale silver irises swirled with constellations, glowing with a light that seemed to pierce through reality itself. On his forehead was a glowing symbol, intricate and celestial, pulsing faintly with energy. His robes, white and adorned with patterns of galaxies, flowed weightlessly around him, giving the impression that he was untouched by mortal constraints.
Minato's breath hitched as recognition dawned on him. "Shinji…?"
The man smiled gently, a profound sadness hidden behind his serene expression.
"Hello, old friend," Shinji said, his voice carrying the weight of eternity.
The dream seemed to grow brighter as Shinji extended his hand, and Minato felt a surge of emotions—nostalgia, awe, and a deep sense of foreboding.
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To be continued...
(A/N): The plot thickens with this one. So, the leaf did sent help but were it never reached the Uzumakis. And this seems to be future Shinji. But why is he meeting with minato in his dreams and who did he call him friend? Give power stones to learn more.