Konoha: The thirty-year-old Uchiha lacks motivation.

"Wow! The teachers won!"

Hiding in the shadows, the F6 members of IOMO clenched their fists in excitement, witnessing Uchiha Madara crush their nightmare clones with overwhelming force in an instant. Their faces were filled with joy and pride.

"Can we really reach the level of the Hokage?"

But as their initial enthusiasm cooled, looking at the arrogant Uchiha Madara dominating the arena, they felt as if an insurmountable mountain stood before them, one they would likely never be able to overcome in their entire lives.

Although the village doesn't have a strict rule that the next leader must be stronger than the previous one, the idea of ​​respecting the strong is deeply ingrained. These few individuals have all grown up with the dream of becoming Hokage village chief.

Hashirama Senju, Tobirama Senju, and Madara Uchiha were all figures they aspired to emulate. In order to become as strong as them, the passionate F6 members diligently trained.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible."

Now, once again overwhelmed by Madara Uchiha's formidable strength, their long-held dream has begun to waver for the first time, and they all shook their heads in dejection.

All of them combined are no match for even a single hair of the Hokage's hair; how dare they dream of reaching his level? It's utterly delusional.

"If I could have half... no! one-tenth of the Hokage's strength, I'd be laughing in the middle of the night."

Uchiha Kagami gazed at his idol from afar, his face filled with admiration. As for reaching the strength of Uchiha Madara, as a rare, steady Uchiha, he had at least the basic knowledge to back it up.

"The teacher is coming! Hide!"

Lost in their complicated emotions, the group suddenly noticed Tobirama Senju rushing towards them and were immediately terrified, for disobeying orders was a grave taboo for any ninja.

They disregarded their teacher's instructions, a crime punishable by death in wartime.

Fortunately, the group, who had been holding their breath, noticed that Tobirama Senju did not head straight for their hiding place. Instead, he landed at the spot where the gas explosion had just occurred, looking down and searching for something.

"Phew, that was close! Let's wait until the teachers and others leave before we go."

The group breathed a sigh of relief, but dared not make any rash moves. They carefully hid themselves, fearing that they would be discovered by Tobirama Senju.

On Madara's side, after sweeping away Tobirama Senju, who was trying to steal his spoils, he turned to look at the group of injured and lying clones, a flash of doubt crossing his eyes.

Although he didn't hold back in his attack, given Hasi's mother's physique, she shouldn't have taken so long to recover. Could it be that these clones have some kind of defect?

Unfortunately, he wasn't a professional, and Madara's doubts only lasted a few seconds before he forgot about them, reaching into his ninja tool bag to retrieve professional binding tools.

Looking at the sturdy yet flexible rope in his hand, Madara Uchiha's expression became subtle. His eyes narrowed slightly, and a cryptic look appeared in his gaze as he looked at the clones.

"Hmph hmph hmph~"

I can't bear to play the official version, but I'll just stand up and kick you pirated copies.

As if sensing the malice emanating from Madara Uchiha, the clones felt a chill run down their spines and their anuses tightened.

Number One had just been violently thrown away by Madara Uchiha and was now lying on the ground with his mouth open and eyes closed. His internal organs, displaced by centrifugal force, had not yet returned to their original positions, and his fist-throwing arm was twisted and dangling to one side. However, he was still conscious.

"Don't come any closer!"

He struggled to sit up, shouting with a livid face, but all he got in return was Uchiha Madara's even faster footsteps.

Hehe~

The more you call me, the more excited I get!

Madara Uchiha grabbed Number One, who was filled with terror, like he was catching a chick, and skillfully tied him up in a turtle shell bind.

Looking at the binding technique he had practiced in his mind for many years, he nodded in satisfaction.

"Yes, just as I expected."

"Damn it! If it weren't for this strange power..."

Although Hashirama Senju's physique was abnormal, he was not invincible.

The reason why the wounded clones did not heal quickly was because Madara Uchiha's attack contained a power different from usual, which prevented them from fully recovering in an instant.

Even Madara Uchiha himself was unaware of this power.

"Finally! Finally! I've finally waited for this!"

In a hidden corner of the battlefield, besides the F6, there was another spectator who had been lying in wait for a long time.

Black Zetsu, who had been utterly disappointed and ready to leave, was now almost bursting with excitement. His beady eyes were filled with intense greed as he stared intently at the victorious Uchiha Madara, as if he wanted to devour him whole.

Just moments before, as he was about to turn and leave, he saw Madara Uchiha using Wood Release, which startled him so much that he immediately stopped and sat back down to continue watching the battle.

It's okay if you don't watch it; the more you watch Black Zetsu, the more surprising it becomes.

When did this Uchiha Madara acquire the power of Senju Hashirama, and how could he wield it so skillfully? With just a little guidance, he could unlock the key to his mother's prison within a few decades.

Black Zetsu never expected that an even bigger surprise awaited him.

If Madara Uchiha had continued down the path he had set, he might have awakened the power of all things before he died of old age, obtaining the Rinnegan he had always dreamed of.

However, Black Zetsu overlooked one problem.

Battle is the best catalyst.

During the frequent use of Wood Release in battle, the power deeply hidden in Hashirama Senju's blood began to merge with the power carried by Madara Uchiha himself.

The two blended together perfectly, and a trace of the myriad powers of the universe that Hei Jue had always dreamed of appeared vividly.

Although it was only a trace, so small that even Madara Uchiha himself couldn't detect it, let alone awaken the Rinnegan, it was still real.

We must take control of him!

This was the only thought in Black Zetsu's mind, but he quickly woke up from his wonderful fantasy, his dark face full of struggle.

Given Madara Uchiha's current situation, with both his life and career thriving, it's highly unlikely he'd be fooled into leaving his homeland.

"This is going to be difficult~"

Black Zetsu scratched his head, frowning as he pondered.

Meanwhile, Number One was also finding the situation difficult; he had been bound hand and foot in an extremely humiliating position by Madara Uchiha.

Unfortunately, his internal strength had not yet fully recovered, so he could only curse the unfairness of the world, the incompetence of his teammates, the rapid pace of version updates, and so on in his heart.

"Status 3, Startup approved."

Just as he was in despair, Ci Xian's cold voice suddenly rang in his mind. As the voice sounded, Number One's eyes widened, and a shackle hidden deep within him was slowly unlocked.

The remaining six clones also received this order. Whether they were still unconscious or conscious, lying on the ground or getting up, each of them had a more savage, man-eating look in their eyes.

"what?"

Madara Uchiha, who was playing a bondage game with the equally disobedient Number Nine, sensed several violent auras behind him. His brows, which had relaxed with joy, instantly furrowed.

"roar!"

The next second, Number Nine, which he was holding, suddenly let out a beast-like roar. Madara Uchiha looked down and met the clone's savage, vertical pupils.

"Let me go!"

He had seen those eyes before; they were exactly the same as the Nine-Tails' eyes on his transformation card.

boom!

The intense heat of the tailed beast chakra burst forth from its body, quickly transforming into a jelly-like tailed beast cloak that tightly enveloped Number Nine's body.

"Sizzle!"

Feeling a stinging pain in his palm, Madara Uchiha flung the struggling Number Nine away. Looking at the blackened, corroded gauntlet, a strange expression crossed his face.

"What are all these things?"

Turning his head, the scene before him was exactly as he had expected: the group of clones that had just been defeated, like Number Nine, were enveloped in scorching tailed beast chakra.

Originally black pupils, they had long been replaced by all sorts of beastly eyes, pairs of eyes filled with a savage aura, staring intently at Uchiha Madara, as if they would tear him to shreds at any moment.

"State Three"

The bound Number One suddenly snapped the ropes binding him, licked his scarlet lips, and his coin-like beast eyes were filled with murderous intent. The tailed beast cloak on his body was still solidifying at a visible speed.

"I thought you guys were hiding some amazing move, but it's just a mere tailed beast transformation~"

However, facing the clones who had somehow stolen the power of the Tailed Beasts, Madara Uchiha showed no panic, but rather a hint of disdain.

As one of the most outstanding first-generation Tailed Beast Riders, Madara Uchiha possessed unparalleled knowledge of the Tailed Beasts.

The tailed beast transformations of these clones are a rudimentary way of utilizing the power of the tailed beasts.

Having reconciled with Kurama (the Nine-Tails), he can enter Tailed Beast form using the Kurama Card without using the Driver.

It's just a slight increase in various stats, nothing compared to the Knight System.

"This time, I'll make you admit defeat wholeheartedly."

Madara Uchiha sneered and assumed a fighting stance once more. This time, he was going to get serious.

"Whoosh!~"

Just then, his armor shone with a dazzling light, and countless light particles seemed to break free of his body uncontrollably, eventually transforming into nine huge red and white fox tails trailing behind him, with a mysterious and profound power brewing within them.

Seeing this, in the dark red portal above, Jigen swirled a glass of red wine he'd pulled out from somewhere, watching with great interest as the Uchiha clan displayed another kind of power for the first time.

"Destruction and regeneration, huh? Impressive power indeed, but don't underestimate my skills!"

"Nine-Tails, did you do this? How dare you hide this from me!"

Compared to Jigen's praise, Uchiha Madara was more bewildered. He turned to look at the nine tails trailing behind him, hesitated for less than a second, and then began to beat up his disobedient pet in his mind.

"Waaaaah, it has nothing to do with me~"

Having been beaten up for no reason, the Nine-Tails cowered in the corner of the cage originally prepared for it, like a wronged little wife, trembling as it explained to the displeased Uchiha Madara. No one knew the bitterness in its heart.

I'm the MVP. Without my support, you would have been beaten into a ball by those guys outside long ago.

"Do you think I'm an idiot? Who else is here besides you?"

But how could Madara Uchiha believe a beast's words? He immediately glared at Kurama with his scarlet eyes, giving him a vicious look.

Answer me!

Look into my eyes!

"besides."

Kurama swallowed hard, feeling wronged. Just as it was about to explain that the residents of this consciousness space were quite diverse, a pair of scarlet eyes that shone from the darkness behind Madara Uchiha grabbed its throat.

"You know best, don't you?"

There was no other way; being under someone's roof, one had to bow one's head. The Nine-Tailed Fox could only give an embarrassed smile as a beast carried the large pot down on its back.

That's right, I am the Tailed Beast King who is skilled in Yin-Yang Release, just as awesome as the old man!

"snort!"

Seeing that Kurama was so obedient, Madara Uchiha forgave its sin of hiding things, snorted coldly, and turned to leave the consciousness space.

When only the Nine-Tailed Fox remained in the space, Indra, who had been lying in wait for a long time, emerged from the darkness, holding a potted green plant in his hands.

"You did a good job."

Carefully tending to the vibrant potted plant in his hands, Indra, with his naturally pale skin, nodded expressionlessly to Kurama.

"It's what I should do."

Hearing this, the Nine-Tailed Fox stared wide-eyed, somewhat flattered. In its memory, Indra was a ruthless demon who took pleasure in plucking the tail hairs of tailed beasts.

After speaking, Indra ignored the nine-tailed fox who was acting like a lapdog, and, carrying a potted plant that appeared out of nowhere, disappeared into the space of consciousness.

"If you don't make a move, I won't be polite."

In reality, Madara Uchiha considered his newly awakened power as a hidden trick of the Nine-Tails and didn't pursue the matter further. Instead, he glanced at the clones still gathering the power of the Tailed Beasts, a fleeting look of impatience crossing his face.

It's just a tailed beast transformation, why does it take so long to read the script?

Faced with Madara Uchiha's provocation, the clones made no response; they were currently focused on refining the remaining tailed beast chakra within them.

"call"

Finally, after extracting all the chakra from the tailed beasts he had absorbed, Number One showed a relieved expression. He glanced at the impatient Uchiha Madara, a strange smile playing on his lips.

Slowly raising one hand, a grayish-brown seed sprouted from the palm of Number One's hand, under Madara Uchiha's questioning gaze.

"That is."

Madara Uchiha frowned. Although he had never seen it before, he recognized it.

Among the intelligence brought back by Uchiha Gin was information about this seed; the Second Kazekage of Sunagakure was almost drained dry by it.

What are they going to do with an item that can absorb the power of the tailed beasts' origin?

Seeing the seven clones simultaneously pull out grayish-brown Divine Tree spores, Uchiha Madara, unsure of their schemes, cautiously assumed an attack stance.

"Tailed beast transformation? Heh~"

Looking at the prepared Madara Uchiha, Number One revealed a faint disdain. As all the tailed beast chakra within him was extracted, the crimson chakra surged into the Divine Tree spores as if it were alive.

"We are the true knights."

Under Madara Uchiha's astonished gaze, he suddenly squeezed hard, and the seed's hard outer shell shattered under the immense force, revealing a round dial inside that exuded an ominous aura.

"Another Time!" (End of Chapter)