bookbashuk Page 501
Page 501
That thing... was actually a traitor?
The Black Zetsu that Madara knew was an absolutely loyal believer that Madara himself confirmed was derived from his own will and used to guide the execution of the plan!
How could he possibly betray me?!
Seeing their shocked expressions, the Sage of Six Paths sighed and said, "His true identity is not your will."
"He is the last fragment of my mother Kaguya Otsutsuki's consciousness that separated before she was sealed away by my brother Hamura and me."
"In a way, he... is like my younger brother."
Everyone: "..."
The news struck like a thunderbolt within the soul space, plunging both Madaras and Hashirama into a deathly silence.
Black Zetsu is actually Kaguya's will? A conspiracy spanning such a long period of time, all for the purpose of resurrecting his mother?
"Because of his betrayal, all your efforts have been in vain."
"Even though you were expelled from Kaguya's body later, the ideal you pursued throughout your life was nothing but a carefully woven lie from beginning to end."
"This shock, this extreme regret and resentment, under certain circumstances, unintentionally triggered the deepest ability in your Samsara Eyes that you were unaware of—reincarnation."
The Sage of Six Paths' gaze fell on Madara's father: "And the price, or rather the effect, of activating this ability is... to eliminate or cover up the 'fact' or 'choice' that the caster most regrets or wants to deny in their subconscious."
Madara's father's body trembled, and a look of realization mixed with complexity appeared in his eyes: "So... what I regret is the decision to activate Infinite Tsukuyomi itself?"
Did they believe Black Zetsu's lies and embark on this path to destruction?
"exactly."
The Sage of Six Paths nodded affirmatively: "Your Rinnegan ability has 'reincarnated' and overwritten your memories and understanding of the extremely regrettable experience of 'initiating and executing the Eye of the Moon Plan until being betrayed.'"
"Therefore, you have retained most of your memories and power as Madara Uchiha, but you have lost the parts related to the core of the Eye of the Moon Project, as well as your understanding of Black Zetsu's true purpose."
Ban's father fell silent.
He finally understood why he felt alienated and repulsed by the "Eye of the Moon" and why he had an instinctive distrust of Black Zetsu.
It turns out that it originated from the depths of the soul, a denial and repentance for the wrong path.
"But……"
Madara's father looked up, still puzzled: "Even if I triggered 'reincarnation,' why did I come to this era and enter Naruto's body?"
"What's the connection between the two?"
A hint of emotion flashed in the Sage of Six Paths' eyes: "This is probably... a deep-seated 'regret' within you at work."
"That regret and remorse for Hashirama Senju... for ultimately turning against his best friend and fighting to the death."
"This emotion guides the power of 'reincarnation,' covering not only the future you don't want to face."
"Furthermore, this part of your soul consciousness was sent into the body of Naruto Uzumaki, who was also a reincarnation of Ashura's chakra."
"Perhaps, in your subconscious, you yearn to witness or even protect this bond that you once severed with your own hands in a different way."
Madara's father was stunned. He subconsciously looked at Hashirama Senju, who was also deep in thought.
Hashirama was also looking at him, his eyes filled with complex emotions, a mixture of knowing sadness and relief.
The revelation of the truth about the soul space has shocked every being.
The Sage of Six Paths' gaze seemed to pierce through the barrier between the soul and reality, looking out into the outside world.
Then, addressing the group before him, he asked, "So, Indras and Asuras, who know everything, what choice will you... make?"
This chapter has been revised many times, and I'm finally writing a version I'm quite satisfied with. A QQ group is already set up; if you want to join and urge me to update, add this number: 633316509
Chapter 518 A New Dawn Rises
Faced with the Sage of Six Paths' seemingly all-knowing question, the three people in the soul space fell into a brief silence.
A thousand-year-old feud, a distorted truth, the mystery of reincarnation, and the forgotten or suppressed regret and entanglement deep within one's heart...
Too much information overwhelmed their understanding.
However, whether it is the stubborn Madara, Madara's father who has undergone a spiritual baptism, or Hashirama who always cherishes peace.
They were all once powerful figures standing at the pinnacle of the ninja world, possessing decisiveness beyond that of ordinary people.
Ban was the first to break the silence.
He looked at the Sage of Six Paths, then glanced at Madara and Hashirama.
His voice carried a complex mix of emotions, a sense of relief born from years of experience: "So that's how it is... all that persistence I've held onto was actually a complete and utter scam."
"Black Zetsu...heh..."
His laughter was full of self-deprecation.
The Eye of the Moon, which he pursued his entire life, was nothing more than a tool for someone else's resurrection, which was the greatest irony of his proud life.
He slowly closed his eyes, as if processing this cruel truth.
Madara looked at Hashirama and said in a low voice, "Hashirama, it seems... no matter which version of me it is, I can't get around you, you idiot."
Hashirama scratched the back of his head, revealing his signature, slightly silly smile: "Haha, because we're friends, Madara!"
"Though our paths may diverge, this bond will never change, no matter how many cycles of reincarnation we go through!"
Seeing the subtle change in the atmosphere between the three, the Sage of Six Paths smiled with satisfaction: "It seems you have found your answers."
The outside world, the battlefield.
With the tailed beast extracted, Madara Uchiha's body completely lost its life force and lay quietly in the ruins.
The suffocating, terrifying pressure had dissipated, leaving only the desolate post-war winds blowing across the ravaged land.
The dark golden Six Paths Sage Mode light surrounding Naruto slowly receded and eventually disappeared completely.
He felt an unprecedented sense of weakness wash over him; his chakra was almost depleted, and his body felt as if it had been hollowed out.
He staggered and almost fell.
Sasuke on the other side experienced the same thing; the light of his Rinnegan dimmed, and his eyes returned to their deep black depths.
He struggled to support his body with the Kusanagi sword, but his slightly trembling arms showed his limits.
He fought against Madara Uchiha in six paths, neutralized the Heavenly Barrier Star, destroyed the Super Planetary Devastation, and finally extracted the Tailed Beast...
This series of battles, pushing them to their limits, exhausted all their strength.
Just as the two were swaying and about to collapse from exhaustion—
A pink figure rushed to the two of them at an astonishing speed.
He spread his arms wide and steadily supported Naruto and Sasuke, who were about to fall!
It's Sakura Haruno!
Her face showed exhaustion, but her eyes were filled with determination and worry.
As one of the core members of the medical team, she worked tirelessly to treat the wounded behind the battlefield.
Only after the battle had ended did she rush to the front lines to find her comrades.
"You two...you're such complete idiots!"
Sakura's voice was trembling with tears, yet filled with concern: "When you start fighting, you don't care about anything else? You don't even save the last bit of chakra to save your life!"
Despite his weakness, Naruto, whom she was supporting, gave a reassuring and radiant smile: "Because... we knew that Sakura would definitely arrive at the last moment."
Sasuke relaxed slightly, leaning against Sakura's body, completely relieved of the burden of the battle.
He whispered, "Yes. You have always been our... last line of defense and backup."
These simple words finally brought tears to Sakura's eyes.
She nodded vigorously, her voice choked with emotion: "I'm sorry... I'm late."
With the help of the arriving medical ninjas, Sakura quickly performed a preliminary examination and emergency treatment on Naruto and Sasuke.
Fortunately, nothing major happened to either of them.
After a brief rest, Naruto walked step by step to Madara Uchiha's cold, lifeless body.
He looked at that familiar yet unfamiliar face.
What came to mind was the "father" who resided within him, taught him, protected him, and ultimately vanished for his sake.
The joy of victory was overshadowed by immense loss and sorrow.
Tears welled up uncontrollably in Naruto's eyes, streaming down his face, which was stained with dust and blood.
"Dad...we won..."
His voice choked with emotion, thick with nasal congestion: "Sasuke and I...we...we won...we protected everyone...we protected this world..."
He crouched down, his fingers trembling as he touched the cold back of Ban's hand, as if trying to draw a trace of warmth that was no longer there.
"Will you... come back?"
He murmured softly, as if asking the corpse before him.
It was as if they were asking the souls that had long since merged into their chakra and vanished without a trace: "I long... to hear you speak again..."
Sasuke silently stepped forward, without saying a word, but simply reached out and firmly patted Naruto's shoulder.
His usually stern face was now etched with a complex and subtle sadness.
He was equally filled with gratitude and remembrance for Hashirama Senju, who had entrusted him with power and will.
This victory came at a heavy price. They lost a mentor who was like family to them.
In this moment of pervasive sorrow—
"What kind of behavior is this, you two?"
A slightly hoarse voice, yet with an incredibly familiar tone, suddenly rang out!
Naruto and Sasuke were startled and looked up in disbelief!
The body of "Sandalus" on the ground, which should have been dead, actually... slowly opened its eyes!
Those eyes were no longer the Rinnegan, but... Madara Uchiha's Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan!