Shi waved a hand lazily, as though to say "Fine, if you say it's yours, then it's yours." That casual dismissal instantly ignited Uchiha Madara's temper.
"So," Shi said, folding her arms and tilting her head, "what exactly do you need my help with?"
"There is a matter related to my research," Madara replied coldly. "You will accompany me to the Mountain Cemetery. Shi—do you dare?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Shi snorted. "What could someone like you possibly do to me?"
She deliberately let her gaze drift downward before letting out a mocking chuckle.
Crack—crack!
Madara's clenched fists echoed sharply in the cavern.
"Then let's go," Shi said lightly, already turning toward the exit. She glanced back at Madara from the corner of her eye and smiled coldly. "I hope you have something interesting to show me. Otherwise, you'd better find another hiding place—before you get buried alive."
The Mountain Cemetery
Deep within the Mountain Cemetery, Shi finally saw what Madara had brought her here to witness.
The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
An enormous, grotesque figure radiating ancient chakra stood silently before them.
And yet—
Why had Madara brought her here?
What exactly did he want her to do with the Demonic Statue?
Black Zetsu, hidden in the shadows, watched Shi closely as she examined the statue. A deep sense of unease gnawed at him. He desperately wanted to stop her—but he couldn't move.
The moment he exposed himself, the plan to resurrect Mother would be ruined.
"Shi," Madara said at last, his voice low and deliberate. "I want you to investigate Senju Hashirama's cells, as well as the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path."
He paused briefly.
"My lifespan is nearing its end. I must prolong my life. Only by living can I fulfill my purpose."
As Shi listened, Madara silently withdrew the black staff embedded in his arm.
As expected, Shi thought. He wants to extend his life.
She had suspected as much long ago.
"Senju Hashirama?" Shi scoffed. "What makes a dead man's cells worth studying?"
She spoke dismissively, making it clear she had no interest in Hashirama's cells.
Madara laughed mockingly. "That's because you've never witnessed their power. Hashirama's cells contain overwhelming vitality!"
"If they're that powerful," Shi replied calmly, "why summon me at all? If all you want is to live longer, why not use Hashirama's cells yourself?"
"..."
For a moment, Madara had no response.
The truth was simple—he couldn't do it alone. That was precisely why he had called Shi here.
"Old man," Shi said casually, "what is your true goal? If you tell me something that interests me, I might help you research Hashirama's cells… and this big fellow."
Shi fought hard to suppress the smile threatening to break across her face.
She never expected Uchiha Madara to come seeking her help after she awakened the Rinnegan.
Hashirama's cells held little appeal for her—but the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path?
That was another matter entirely.
Studying it could allow her to separate Ōtsutsuki Kaguya from it.
And using Kaguya as an experimental subject?
The thought alone was intoxicating.
Madara had unknowingly become her greatest benefactor—far surpassing even Danzo. He had delivered the Demonic Statue straight to her, complete with access to White Zetsu cells.
No, no—calm down, Shi warned herself. I'm Shi now, not Orochimaru.
"I want to bring peace to the world," Madara declared solemnly.
"…Huh?"
Shi stared at him in disbelief. "Peace? You're serious?"
"Yes," Madara said firmly.
"And how exactly do you plan to achieve that?"
"The Infinite Tsukuyomi," Madara replied. "The ultimate genjutsu left behind by the Sage of Six Paths. Everyone will live within a peaceful illusion. There will be no more war."
"So that's it," Shi murmured.
She bit back the overwhelming urge to mock him.
If she spoke freely now, she might anger him to the point of being killed—especially given how close he already was to the grave.
"Shi," Madara asked, narrowing his eyes, "what do you want to say?"
"Old man," she replied calmly, "we've known each other for a long time. You know I'm a scientist. Some things are better left unsaid—unless you want to die of anger before your time."
"Do you believe the Infinite Tsukuyomi cannot bring peace?" Madara demanded.
"Let me ask you something first," Shi said, raising a finger. "How long can people survive without food or water while trapped in the Infinite Tsukuyomi?"
"…."
"People need nourishment to live. If you cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi and succeed in creating 'peace,' how long would that peace last before everyone starves to death?"
Madara remained silent.
"Even if—even if—they somehow survive," Shi continued, "the average human lifespan is sixty to seventy years. After that? Everyone dies of old age."
She looked directly at him.
"So tell me—by then, would there be anyone left alive in this world? Is that your version of peace?"
Madara clenched his fists.
"The Infinite Tsukuyomi will bring peace to the ninja world!" he insisted. "The Sage of Six Paths recorded it on the stone tablet passed down through the Uchiha Clan. He couldn't be wrong!"
His words lacked conviction—even to his own ears.
Shi's questions struck at doubts he had never allowed himself to face.
Black Zetsu panicked silently.
Stop talking!
Stop right now!
If Shi continued, everything would collapse.
If it were Hashirama standing here, Madara would never have allowed such a conversation. But Shi—precisely because she was not his equal or rival—was dangerously persuasive.
"So," Shi said softly, "if everyone dies, wouldn't the world be perfectly peaceful? No ninja. No civilians. No conflict."
She smiled faintly.
"That's true peace, isn't it?"
Madara fell silent once more.
Say something! Black Zetsu screamed internally. Madara—say something!
At last, Madara straightened.
"These are merely conclusions drawn from your so-called science," he said firmly. "The Infinite Tsukuyomi will not have such flaws. It is the ultimate genjutsu—one that will unquestionably bring peace."
Ah—good. Very good.
Shi let out a silent sigh of relief.
She had been genuinely afraid he might abandon the Moon Eye Plan and send the Demonic Statue back to the moon.
Black Zetsu also relaxed slightly.
This woman was dangerous. Her thoughts were even more dangerous.
If she stayed by Madara's side too long, she might truly change him.
"I see," Shi said, extending her hand with a faint laugh. "Then let me witness it for myself, Uchiha Madara."
Madara took her hand. "You've made the right choice."
"Now then," Shi said, turning back to the statue, "let's start with this thing."
She rose onto her toes and peered up at the Demonic Statue. "Old man, it's not going to suddenly stand up, is it?"
"It won't move without my command," Madara replied proudly.
Shi shot him a disdainful glance before circling the statue, touching its surface, and even scraping off a small sample with a blade.
Madara didn't stop her. Given what he knew of Shi, this was entirely expected.
Black Zetsu nearly lost his mind.
Why didn't you kill her earlier?!
Standing in the statue's palm, Shi examined the nine closed eyes—each corresponding to one of the Tailed Beasts.
Her examination confirmed it.
Ōtsutsuki Kaguya resided within the Demonic Statue.
No—more accurately, she and the statue were now one.
When Hagoromo and Hamura sealed Kaguya, she had already merged with the Divine Tree, leaving behind only a shell.
Once all nine Tailed Beasts were gathered, the statue would transform into the Ten-Tails—and Kaguya's consciousness would awaken.
The Infinite Tsukuyomi was merely a byproduct of Kaguya's chakra-draining ability.
To separate Kaguya from the statue…
She would need to locate Kaguya's cells within it, cause them to converge—and then perform a caesarean section on the Demonic Statue itself.
Simple in theory.
But how long it would take?
Impossible to say.
"Old man," Shi said finally, "you don't have the research equipment I need here. I suggest relocating this to my laboratory."
"No," Madara replied immediately. "It must not be discovered."
Shi rolled her eyes. "Do you think I'm an idiot? Who would put something this big in a lab? I only need samples—cells from this thing and from Hashirama."
After a moment, Madara nodded. "Just make sure no outsiders discover what you're researching."
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)