"Madara-sama, it's time to eat."
Renya held a steaming hot grilled fish and carefully offered it to Madara.
Uchiha Madara looked at the golden-brown grilled fish in front of him and did not reach out immediately.
With the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path continuously supplying chakra to maintain his bodily functions, he did not need to eat.
Ever since summoning the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path, he had never eaten normal food again.
As time passed, he gradually grew used to it.
Looking at the grilled fish Renya handed over, memories of the time he lived in a cave with Hashirama surfaced in his mind.
Back then, their daily food had been grilled fish.
There was no special reason—simply because grilled fish was the only dish they knew how to make.
After eating it too many times, they developed a physiological aversion to it.
Even though their living conditions were crude, those days were among the few times he truly felt happy.
Uchiha Madara had thought he would never eat grilled fish again in this lifetime, but staring at the enticing color of the fish before him, his Adam's apple rolled slightly.
After hesitating for a moment, he finally reached out and took the grilled fish.
Soon, the entire fish was gone.
"Madara-sama, would you like another?"
Seeing this, Renya handed over another grilled fish, afraid that he might not be full.
Elderly people needed to be taken good care of—it made inheriting assets much easier.
"No need."
Uchiha Madara waved his hand, refusing the grilled fish Renya offered.
At his age, his appetite was no longer as large as when he was young. Eating a little just to savor the taste was enough.
The kid's cooking skills hadn't declined at all—it was still that familiar flavor.
If Hashirama had supported his ideals, the two of them would not have gone their separate ways.
But it didn't matter. Hashirama would soon see the day when peace was realized across the shinobi world.
He believed that within the illusion of the "Infinite Tsukuyomi," Hashirama would be able to spend his remaining time in happiness.
"Kid, once you're done eating, you can go capture the tailed beasts."
Uchiha Madara looked at Renya, who was devouring his grilled fish, and spoke in a deep voice.
He was starting to grow impatient.
He feared that delays might lead to unforeseen changes.
Since this kid had already left Konoha, it would be better to accelerate the process of capturing the tailed beasts.
As long as all nine tailed beasts were gathered, the Ten-Tails could be revived.
At that point, by becoming the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki, he could cast the "Infinite Tsukuyomi" and bring true peace to the shinobi world.
Peace in the shinobi world was the dream he and Hashirama had always wanted to realize.
Hashirama failed—but he would succeed!
Hearing Madara-sama's words, Renya, who had been enjoying his grilled fish, suddenly felt that it no longer tasted good.
No way, right?
He had only been here for two days, and Madara-sama was already sending him to capture tailed beasts.
Wasn't he promised a month of rest?
It had only been half that time—this was just unfair!
Renya felt like he was being exploited by capitalists, but he couldn't bring himself to refuse outright.
"I understand, Madara-sama."
Whatever.
If his guess was correct, that old fox Senju Tobirama had already headed to the Land of Water.
The other villages had likewise sent people there, guarding the Six-Tails' jinchūriki.
They might have even set up an inescapable net.
Anyway, there was over a ninety percent chance that this mission would fail.
And even if it didn't, he would still find a way to mess things up.
Ideally, he could stall around the Six-Tails' jinchūriki for a few months, then quietly wait for the Three-Tails to revive.
Among the nine tailed beasts, Renya liked the Three-Tails the most.
It was practically his lucky star!
Ever since the Three-Tails was killed, there had been no news of its revival. This undoubtedly delayed the gathering of all nine tailed beasts by a huge margin.
As long as the Three-Tails did not revive, Madara-sama could not revive the Ten-Tails.
He hoped the Three-Tails would revive a few years later—by then, his chances of beating Madara-sama senseless would be much higher.
"Madara-sama, I'm going to capture the Six-Tails."
Renya quickly finished the grilled fish in his hands, then put on his mask and left the underground space.
Uchiha Madara silently watched Renya leave, then slowly closed his eyes.
Only the last three tailed beasts remained.
He believed that the day when peace was fully realized across the shinobi world was very close.
And he, Uchiha Madara, would be the savior of the shinobi world!
Hashirama, just wait and see.
...
Three days later, the Land of Water.
Renya looked at the Mist ninja constantly patrolling along the coastline, the corner of his mouth under the mask curling slightly upward.
Just as he had expected, Kirigakure had indeed strengthened its defenses.
Even the border areas alone were heavily guarded—there would only be more guards inside the village.
There was no doubt that capturing the Six-Tails' jinchūriki had become infinitely more difficult.
But that was exactly the outcome Renya wanted.
No matter how strong he was, he couldn't fight an entire ninja village alone—especially one backed by other villages.
It was equivalent to Renya single-handedly opposing the shinobi of the Five Great Nations.
Mission failure was completely normal.
Madara-sama would surely understand.
After all, the only people in the shinobi world capable of pulling off such a feat were Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara.
But now, one was aged, and the other was crippled and aged.
Neither could recreate the feats of their youth.
It could only be said that time was a butcher's knife—no powerhouse could escape its blade.
"Renya-sama, there are so many patrol ninja!"
Tobi appeared beside Renya at some point and spoke in a lowered voice.
"Go in first and scout the Six-Tails' jinchūriki's whereabouts and the ninja deployment, then come back and report to me immediately."
Renya gave instructions to the suddenly appearing Tobi.
White Zetsu was an expert at gathering intelligence—sending him in to observe the situation was perfect.
Once the specifics were known, he could put on a little performance.
"Understood, Renya-sama."
Kirigakure.
Tobi infiltrated smoothly without being discovered by anyone.
But it soon discovered in horror that Kirigakure was currently under heavy guard by countless ninja.
There were even ninja from other villages!
Wait—wasn't that white-haired guy at the front Senju Tobirama, the Second Hokage?
Why was he here?
No—wait, it wasn't just Senju Tobirama. Even the Second Kazekage of Sunagakure, Shamon, was here!
As it continued to observe carefully, it finally realized in terror—
The powerhouses of all Five Great Nations had gathered in Kirigakure.
You've got to be kidding me!
Tobi's already pale face turned even paler.
No, this had to be reported to Renya-sama immediately.
...
On the coast, Renya was leisurely sunbathing behind a reef when he suddenly heard Tobi's anxious voice.
"Renya-sama, this is bad—please stop sunbathing for a moment!"
At a time like this, he still had the leisure to sunbathe.
If the tailed beast wasn't captured on schedule, Madara-sama would definitely be furious.
Seeing this, Renya knew that old fox Senju Tobirama had not disappointed him…
Kirigakure must now be heavily guarded by countless ninja. Sneaking away with the Six-Tails' jinchūriki was simply impossible.
"What happened?"
Renya asked curiously, pretending he knew nothing.
"Renya-sama, Kirigakure…"
Tobi began recounting everything it had seen and heard in Kirigakure, as well as the distribution of personnel.
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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