Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 58: Uchiha Madara: I Will Personally Take Charge of the Eye of the Moon Plan!

Could Nagato bring change to the ninja world?

According to the plan, yes.

And Minato?

He had become the Fourth Hokage and was about to end the Third Great Ninja War, already bringing significant changes to the ninja world.

Minato's student, Obito, was also a key piece in Madara's plan.

Madara's mind raced, his hand slowly clenching into a fist.

How much did Mount Myoboku know about his plan? How much had it foreseen?

White Zetsu seemed to have received new information. He reported to the pensive Madara: "That toad was summoned by Jiraiya and then went directly to the Fourth Hokage."

"…I see."

This confirmed that Fukasaku indeed knew Fugaku would be attacked. But before the action, only Madara and White Zetsu had known about this.

Could White Zetsu have betrayed him?

Even if he did, White Zetsu wouldn't have had the time to contact Mount Myoboku in such a short period.

Madara's gaze darkened.

This only proved that Mount Myoboku truly possessed the ability to foresee the future.

"Do toads enjoy dreaming?"

The main White Zetsu noticed the cold gleam in Madara's eyes. Unlike his usual carefree demeanor, he directly responded:

"There's a rumor that the Great Toad Sage at Mount Myoboku makes prophecies through dreams. But if it's truly lost in a never-ending dream, it might not want to wake up."

"So, in the future, I fail?"

"Perhaps it hasn't foreseen the conclusion yet," White Zetsu replied flatly.

"Heh," Madara sneered. "Do you remember when Jiraiya started to grow and became Mount Myoboku's heir?"

White Zetsu fell silent.

Jiraiya became Mount Myoboku's heir before Nagato was even born. If the Great Toad Sage had already foreseen the future at that time, then…

"My plan has been under the control of another entity all along. Doesn't that sound like a joke?" Madara's tone was calm, but his eyes were complex. "I've become someone else's pawn."

Self-deception served no purpose. He had to admit that his plan had significant flaws.

"But, Lord Madara, if they've truly foreseen the future, why would they still allow such a future to unfold?" White Zetsu asked.

If Mount Myoboku intended to stop Madara's plan, its actions seemed puzzling.

Just having Jiraiya take disciples and never directly confronting them over all these years? That was suspiciously passive.

If they could foresee the future, they should be able to trace the clues and find them.

Madara coughed lightly, composing himself. "If they've already seen a future where we fail, why should they intervene directly?"

"Jiraiya's disciples are the key. Over the years, Mount Myoboku's only clear action has been ensuring Jiraiya took on students. My failure is very likely tied to his disciples. And then there's..."

"Uchiha Fugaku!"

Madara narrowed his eyes, his thoughts sharp and focused.

"You know the extent of my power. For someone to match me in battle, the most likely scenario would involve… another pair of Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan!"

To be honest, Konoha's current strength was formidable, but it wasn't enough to challenge him.

Not even Konoha's elite could break through the techniques of his Rinnegan.

But what if another pair of Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan were to emerge?

With those eyes, someone could uncover the secrets of the Rinnegan!

Mount Myoboku wouldn't care about Konoha's casualties. White Zetsu hadn't targeted the Fourth Hokage, yet that toad had saved Uchiha Fugaku… What made this Uchiha clan head special?

The Mangekyo Sharingan. Fugaku was one of the rare Uchiha in Konoha to have awakened it.

"He has an exceptionally talented son, doesn't he? Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan doesn't necessarily require a sibling's eyes. It could come from a blood relative."

Madara's voice deepened. "With the Eternal Mangekyo, one can decipher the hidden content on the Uchiha Stone Tablet and uncover the secrets of the Rinnegan."

"Although Hashirama is dead, Konoha has been studying his cells for years. Who's to say they haven't made progress?"

"This is just speculation. As far as I know, there shouldn't be any Uchiha in Konoha who would both study the Stone Tablet and aid the village. You needn't worry too much about that. From now on, focus your surveillance on Minato, Nagato, Jiraiya, and Uchiha Fugaku."

"I understand." White Zetsu then asked, "Lord Madara, since the plan has been exposed, should we retrieve Nagato's Rinnegan?"

To Madara, the other arrangements could be sacrificed. Even Obito was expendable. But the Rinnegan could not be lost!

Madara shook his head. "For now, there's no need. The Rinnegan requires a ninja with immense chakra as a temporary wielder. Even if we replaced Nagato, Mount Myoboku would still foresee it."

Nagato was just one step away from summoning the Gedo Statue and initiating the first stage of the plan. Changing the host now would bring no benefit.

Moreover, with the Rinnegan, Nagato's strength was unmatched by ordinary shinobi. Combined with Madara's covert arrangements, destroying the Rinnegan by force would be nearly impossible.

As for persuading Nagato to destroy it himself…

Recalling Nagato's bond with Jiraiya, Madara narrowed his eyes.

"The plan indeed requires some adjustments."

As he spoke, Madara turned to White Zetsu. Seeing the latter's puzzled expression, Madara placed a hand on his shoulder. Black material flowed from Madara's palm, gradually fusing into White Zetsu's body.

"This is my will. Provide appropriate guidance to Obito. From now on, your main task is to search for resurrection techniques. Whether it's Tobirama's Edo Tensei or some other jutsu, anything that can bring me back from the afterlife ahead of schedule is acceptable."

"The Eye of the Moon Plan—I will personally take charge of it!"

His original plan to be revived perfectly through the Rinne Rebirth technique now needed to be revised.

The Eye of the Moon Plan must not fail.

Only that technique could provide the ninja world with its sole salvation.

The ninja world's tragic cycle of over a thousand years would end with him.

Madara looked upward, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

This attack had been worthwhile. The revelations of this short period made him realize that his understanding of the ninja world was far less complete than he had imagined.

The three great summoning realms… they needed closer examination.

With that thought, Madara suddenly chuckled softly.

Jiraiya was a Konoha ninja. So were Minato and Uchiha Fugaku. Mount Myoboku, it seemed, had placed all its bets on Konoha.

As expected, my greatest rival has always been you, Hashirama!

The village we built together has ultimately become my greatest opponent.

Beyond these individuals, who within Konoha had guided him to recognize Mount Myoboku's threat?

Who could make Uchiha Fugaku stop hiding his Mangekyo and fight alongside the Fourth Hokage against the Tailed Beast, fully aware of Madara's existence?

Whoever it was had to be from Konoha.

Was it someone who had studied the powers of Senju and Uchiha and understood Izanagi? Or someone with a unique ability to see the future, like the Great Toad Sage?

A faint smile appeared on Madara's lips.

"The final 'war' might not be so boring after all."

Behind him, Black Zetsu observed his ever-confident demeanor and suppressed its own thoughts.

Everything… should be fine, right?

(End of Chapter)