Chapter 62

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Toshiro began making hand seals with a serious expression. The next experiment would determine if he could practice Sage Mode without any external help.

Not only was he without help, but he also lacked the "special stick" traditionally necessary for practicing the Sage mode.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Despite his seriousness, this ninjutsu was not difficult to perform. Ignoring his shadow clone, Toshiro sat on the ground and began to gather his chakra.

His experiment was quite straightforward. This method was inspired by Naruto, it involved using the shadow clone jutsu. The principle was simple: first, create a shadow clone to take away half of the body's chakra. Then, the main body continues to gather more chakra, ensuring that his chakra reserves surpass those of the clone.

"Let's get started!"

After he had waited enough time, his body was filled with chakra again. Toshiro looked at his shadow clone and nodded.

"Every time, it's us clones who do the dangerous stuff. You originals are really cruel! When will you take the risk yourself and let us watch?" The shadow clone complained.

"Don't be so dramatic! It's not like you're really going to die! Besides, I feel the pain every time too, okay?" Toshiro retorted, ignoring the clone's complaints. He didn't have time for a chat; his time was precious.

"Hey! What a scummy guy..." The clone grumbled but, fortunately, didn't cause any trouble and started preparing honestly.

The shadow clone, now cross-legged on the ground with eyes closed, began to meditate. The original body watched intently, activating his Sharingan to observe any changes in the clone. He held his small sword in hand, its blade reflecting the sunlight, ready to strike the clone if necessary. This was the fundamental reason for the clone's dissatisfaction.

Time passed slowly…

Five minutes...

Ten minutes...

Half an hour...

Though there was no visible change, Toshiro remained vigilant, his eyes widening as time passed. The magatama in his Sharingan rotated slowly, reflecting his intense concentration.

Without any warning, Toshiro cut his shadow clone with a clean, precise stroke.

Bang!

A cloud of snow-white smoke spread out, enveloping Toshiro.

"Ha! Ha! Ha!"

"Sure enough... my guess was right..."

Toshiro's figure finally emerged completely. But what on earth did he find out? Holding the sword in one hand, grasping his waist with the other, and laughing wildly at the sky—was he going mad because of the continuous failures or was it because of a success? His manic laugh was similar to when Madara got reincarnated using the Rinne Rebirth Jutsu.

Toshiro was so out of control. The experiment just now proved that his hypothesis was correct. He was genuinely happy, his emotions bubbling over.

Earlier, Toshiro's shadow clone had started to deform around the abdomen area, without any warning. This sudden change was evident in his Sharingan eyes, and the deformation quickly showed signs of petrification. He promptly interrupted this transformation. The result was the dissipation of chakra, the return of memories, and the pain from the earlier strike.

Fortunately, the out-of-control natural energy, due to the incorrect mixing ratio, did not return to his body along with his consciousness. This was extremely important; otherwise, he could have gone home then and there. All his ideas would have been aborted. He would have had to wait until the Third Ninja World War to see if he could successfully obtain the Gunbai from Madara and try again, hoping the Gunbai could beat the natural energy out of the human body, as he speculated.

But that plan was risky. Facing Madara, even in his old age and weakened state, made Toshiro's resolve waver. The mere thought made his nerves tighten involuntarily; it's like sending a lamb into the lion's den. However, with the success of his experiment, this risky plan was no longer necessary. The idea vanished from Toshiro's mind.

Interestingly, while Toshiro was preoccupied with his thoughts, someone else was also thinking about him in the shadows.

"Madara, the kid named Toshiro you asked me to monitor has been out to sea for a long time," said a white figure with a deformed body, speaking to an old man sitting on a stone chair in a dark, expansive basement. "Because of the sea, my clone lost him."

In the weak candlelight, the old man with long white hair and a wrinkled face could be seen. His back, once straight, had become bent with the ravages of time. Only the eye not covered by his white bangs remained sharp and clear, full of the same unruly spirit as ever.

This dying old man was none other than Uchiha Madara, who had been hiding in the ninja world, quietly planning the Tsuki no Me Project. And Toshiro was one of his targets.

"White Zetsu! Shut up!"

Madara's voice, hoarse and unpleasant from disuse, echoed from the stone chair.

"Uchiha Toshiro, the genius who unlocked the Sharingan at eight... If I recall correctly, he's the grandson of that girl, Nako."

He slowly turned his head, his neck stiff from prolonged inactivity. The old man began to recall the younger generation of his clan that he had told to keep an eye on, bringing forth Toshiro's details from his memory without error. He even remembered Toshiro's blood relatives and elders, awakening some deeply buried memories.

"Has it really been so many years? Even her grandson has grown up now..."

He fell silent, lost in the past. The underground space was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. This tranquility was abruptly interrupted by a noisy, childish voice.

"Madara... do you know what defecation means?"

Despite his calm mind, Madara felt a sudden headache.

'Did something go wrong when I created this guy?' he wondered. Why do these beings created after Black Zetsu seem so... odd? Perhaps subconsciously, he wanted someone to keep him company.

After a long silence, ignoring White Zetsu's ramblings, Madara asked directly, "Uchiha Toshiro went out to sea? Do you know why?"

He didn't ask White Zetsu, but turned to Black Zetsu, who looked more menacing in the dark environment. Compared to White Zetsu, Black Zetsu, his first creation, seemed much more normal.

"He's searching for a summoning beast," Black Zetsu replied, his voice gravelly as if it were produced by rubbing rough sand and stones together.

"Is that so? No need to pay too much attention then."

Toshiro didn't know he was already in Madara's sights. If he did, he would become more harmless than a quail.

"Madara... Compared to the other candidates, Uchiha Toshiro is undoubtedly the best. When do you plan to take action?"

Possessing another White Zetsu body, Black Zetsu's voice remained unique and unsettling. The next person to replace Madara was crucial, as it was linked to his plan to rescue his 'mother'.

"The candidate..."

"Let's see if there's a more suitable one than this kid."

Madara was undecided about choosing Toshiro as the executor of his plan. Toshiro was nearly perfect in strength, perseverance, wisdom, and character, far ahead of other candidates. However, such individuals were usually difficult to control. Even with curse seals, there was no guarantee of obedience. Uchiha had the forbidden technique "Izanagi," and as the grandson of the creator of "Izanami," Toshiro might be hard to control.

"How is Uchiha Obito, the one I asked you to monitor last time?"

Madara had files on every Uchiha child who had graduated or was about to graduate. He paid attention to one or two of them occasionally to find alternative targets. He had to be very careful in his choice. Although Black Zetsu embodied his will, he had no fighting power. A failure would waste years of effort.

"I know! I know!" White Zetsu piped up, having been ignored. "That kid! He's a complete loser! He fantasizes about winning his beloved girl's heart after unlocking the Sharingan. He's always late for class and helps old people cross the road..."

"Is that so!" Madara replied, a hint of amusement in his voice.

After that he started to contemplate on whom to pick…

***Chapter End

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