Reborn in Konoha; I Think I’m Cultivating Immortality

While Hui was contemplating his plan involving the moon, in the shinobi world, Madara was on his way toward Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's location.

The last time Madara encountered Isshiki, it had been sheer coincidence, an unbelievable stroke of luck.

One could say it was the workings of fate.

Everything seemed orchestrated by destiny.

Of course, even though their encounter was fated, the result had not been favorable for Madara Uchiha.

He had been utterly crushed, almost losing his life entirely.

But now, Madara felt that things had changed.

He figured that even Ōtsutsuki Isshiki would never have expected that the ant he had almost crushed would dare to come back seeking revenge.

Time passed, and Madara finally arrived at the place where he had once stumbled upon Isshiki by chance.

This wasn't Isshiki's true base of operations.

During their previous encounter, Madara had happened to cross paths with Isshiki during one of his outings.

"This time," Madara muttered as he stood at the very spot where he had previously been humiliated, "I'll make sure to finish things."

His voice was cold and full of murderous intent.

Obviously, this place brought back bitter memories for him.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

With a hand seal, dozens of shadow clones emerged from Madara's body.

For search operations like this, shadow clones were undeniably the most efficient.

Although Madara wasn't in his Edo Tensei form, which granted him infinite chakra, the Hashirama's cells embedded in his body gave him an immense amount of chakra, comparable to, if not exceeding, that of a Tailed Beast.

Creating dozens of shadow clones was nothing more than a trivial feat for him.

Madara's true body remained stationary as the clones spread out.

Whether his true body participated in the search or not made no difference.

There was no need for the real Madara to personally waste effort searching.

Soon, with the shadow clones searching in a grid-like formation, Madara located Isshiki's trail.

"So, you're hiding in that place? Just like a rat scurrying in the dark," Madara sneered and dispelled his shadow clones.

The flood of information surged into his mind all at once, giving him a brief headache.

Instead of attacking immediately, Madara took a moment to recover and adjust his state.

Despite his outward arrogance, Madara took Isshiki very seriously deep down.

He had always been that way, prideful on the surface but never underestimating his opponents internally.

Facing an opponent who had once thoroughly crushed him, Madara knew he needed to be fully prepared before making his move.

Once he had finished recuperating, Madara began advancing toward Isshiki's location.

It didn't take long for him to arrive.

At the same time, Isshiki sensed Madara's presence.

[A/n: Since I don't know Isshiki's exact personality, I'm relying on my imagination for his characterization. I hope it doesn't feel too out of place!]

"That familiar chakra... Is it that ant who barely escaped last time? He seems much stronger than before," Isshiki muttered to himself, his eyes flashing with a cold glint.

The last time, due to his carelessness, that ant had narrowly escaped death.

And now, that same ant dared to come knocking again.

In that case, he would crush it completely this time.

…

Madara raised his hand, and a terrifying wave of repulsive force erupted from his body, sweeping across the area.

Sand and rocks flew in all directions as the immense force obliterated the place where Isshiki had been staying.

"Last time, you were lucky enough to escape by sheer chance. Are you so eager to die that have come knocking to my door?"

Amidst the cloud of dust, a voice rang out, and a figure emerged from within.

It was Jigen—or rather, Ōtsutsuki Isshiki in his host's body.

He looked at the now-young Madara Uchiha, his gaze tinged with curiosity and hint of astonishment.

"You've awakened those eyes... No wonder you dared to come find me."

His voice was calm but carried a biting chill.

"These eyes do possess formidable power, but if you think they alone will grant you victory, you're far too naive."

Isshiki's eyes glimmered coldly as he stared at Madara's Rinnegan.

In response, Madara's expression remained unflinching as he spoke in a low, frigid tone.

"Words are meaningless. Today, you're destined to die here."

He spoke without calling out Ōtsutsuki Isshiki's name directly.

This was intentional, as calling him by name would give away the fact that Madara knew information about Isshiki, potentially putting Isshiki on guard.

Though the battle hadn't officially begun, in truth, it already had.

"What laughable and pitiful words. Like a frog at the bottom of a well, you have no idea how vast the heavens truly are. Even with those eyes, you are nothing more than an ant to me."

Isshiki's cold gaze looked down upon Madara with utter disdain.

"Then let's test that theory," Madara replied as he raised his hand, unleashing a wave of gravitational pull toward Isshiki.

However, Isshiki stood there, completely unaffected by the pull, as if gravity itself had no sway over him.

Madara's heart sank. He once again raised his estimation of Isshiki's power.

"What a pitiful power. If you think such a lowly trick could kill me, then that is truly disappointing."

Isshiki's tone was calm, yet it carried an eerie intensity.

"It has been countless ages since anyone has managed to entertain me. Show me your full strength. Let's see if your confidence is justified."

Madara's eyes narrowed as he responded, "I'll grant your wish!"

With that, Madara began weaving hand signs, activating Wood Release.

During their previous encounter, Madara had learned a lot about Isshiki's abilities.

For example, Isshiki could absorb chakra-based ninjutsu.

No matter whether it was Fire Release, Lightning Release, Water Release, or Wind Release, they had all been absorbed during their last fight.

However, Earth Release techniques, especially those with physical, material elements, were different. While Isshiki could absorb the chakra within them, he couldn't negate the raw, physical forces entirely.

In other words, the best way to fight Isshiki was through physical attacks and nature energy-based assaults.

Unfortunately, Madara didn't know how to use natural energy.

So, physical-based ninjutsu was his next best option.

When it came to physical destruction, Wood Release was one of the top choices.

Additionally, Madara was not especially proficient in Earth Release techniques, making Wood Release the superior choice in this battle.

As massive tree branches surged forth from the ground, enveloping everything in their path, Isshiki soared into the sky, evading the attack with ease.

The wooden tendrils came to a halt. Madara stared at Isshiki in the air, realizing that Wood Release attacks wouldn't be enough to strike him effectively.

After all, while the Wood Dragon Jutsu and Wood Human Jutsu could reach that high, those constructs were slow and cumbersome. Someone as agile as Isshiki would never be caught by them.

With that thought, Madara manipulated the repulsive force within his Rinnegan, propelling himself into the sky as well.

With the Rinnegan's powers, Madara was fully capable of aerial combat.

Isshiki showed no surprise at this development.

He was well aware of the Rinnegan's abilities, attraction and repulsion were its most fundamental powers.

"All that talk, yet here you are, running to the sky like a coward."

Madara taunted Isshiki with a sneer.

However, Isshiki responded with a cold smirk.

"I admire your courage. To challenge me in the skies... how bold."

The moment Isshiki finished speaking, he shot toward Madara at an unbelievable speed, like a blazing streak like a meteor.

His speed was terrifying, almost incomprehensible.

In the blink of an eye, Isshiki was already upon Madara.

He lashed out with a devastating kick, infused with tremendous power.

Madara's pupils constricted in shock.

He attempted to evade, but it was too late.

The kick connected..

An ant is still an ant. They could't even resist when they were stompec by something larger than them. Isshiki thought coldly.

However, as his foot made contact, Madara's body suddenly changed.

Instead of flesh and blood, it transformed into crackling lightning. It was a Lightning Clone.

The unexpected flash of lightning caught Isshiki off guard, as he hadn't anticipated a chakra clone of this type.

For that brief moment, Isshiki's body was struck by the lightning discharge.

At that exact instant, a figure shot out from within the tangled forest of trees below.

It was the real Madara, who had hidden his true body and used the lightning clone as a trap.

In his hands was the Uchiha clan's war scythe, a weapon imbued with destructive force.

With a swift, brutal motion, Madara swung the scythe directly toward Isshiki.