Chapter 265: UOS Chapter 265 : Good, That's the Spirit!
Uchiha Madara ignored Uzumaki Naruto. He turned his head to look at Otsutsuki Hagoromo. “There is something you should probably know.”
Otsutsuki Hagoromo frowned slightly, looking at him in confusion.
Madara looked at him and continued, “My eyes… Originally, for the Eye of the Moon Plan, I transplanted my Rinnegan into an Uzumaki brat.”
“At that time, my body was already old and decaying, my chakra waning. I didn’t have the strength left to sustain the Rinnegan. So, I had to find someone with immense physical talent to act as nourishment and provide chakra for the Rinnegan.”
“That brat is named Nagato. He is now by Uchiha Taiga’s side. Bewitched by him, he is also pursuing peace for the ninja world.”
Otsutsuki Hagoromo’s brow furrowed. He seemed to have thought of something, but he didn’t speak. He just looked at Uchiha Madara, waiting for him to continue.
Uchiha Madara explained, “Not only that, but those eyes must have been removed by that Nagato brat on his own accord. Therefore, even the countermeasures I left within them can no longer affect him.”
He raised his hand, gently covering his eyelids with his fingers.
“Moreover, regaining the Rinnegan this time because of the Six Paths Power will inevitably alert them.”
He closed his eyes, felt it for a moment, and then opened them again.
“Right now, I can feel the existence of those eyes, and they have definitely undergone some changes.”
He looked at Otsutsuki Hagoromo, his gaze heavy.
“In other words, if you have any plans, you’d better hurry. They might have already sensed something.”
Otsutsuki Hagoromo nodded, his expression slightly grave.
“I see.”
His voice was very soft.
“This is a point I did not anticipate.”
He fell silent for a moment, then turned his head to look at Uzumaki Naruto.
“Children, you must familiarize yourselves with the Six Paths Power as soon as possible. Master this power and strengthen yourselves. I need to go contact other sources of help.”
Uchiha Madara’s eyes flickered slightly.
He looked at Otsutsuki Hagoromo and spoke.
“Hagoromo Otsutsuki, are even you no match for that Uchiha Taiga brat?”
Otsutsuki Hagoromo did not deny it, nodding directly. “That’s right. That child’s strength has somewhat exceeded my expectations. As a descendant of my bloodline, it should be impossible for him to surpass me without the help of other external forces. Just like you—even with the Rinnegan, you still haven’t exceeded my heights.”
“You are this powerful because of the power within your bloodline. This is the advantage of our lineage, but it is also a restriction. Just as it is difficult for me to transcend the limits of my mother’s bloodline, you similarly cannot surpass me unless you have the help of a more powerful external force.”
Uchiha Madara did not deny this statement. The higher his level of strength reached, the more he could feel his own bottleneck, or rather, his shackles.
And he naturally understood where these shackles came from.
It was his bloodline.
“So, if I can gather the Tailed Beasts, I will be able to surpass you?” Uchiha Madara asked.
Otsutsuki Hagoromo nodded, then shook his head. “You will only reach the heights I once achieved.”
He then added, “Because I, too, was once the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki.”
Uchiha Madara understood, and then changed the subject. “You have other helpers?”
There was a hint of probing in his words.
Otsutsuki Hagoromo looked at him and did not answer the question. He merely shook his head. “The ninja world is far more mysterious than you imagine.”
Uchiha Madara nodded thoughtfully.
“So, work hard, children. The future of the ninja world depends on you.”
Under the watchful eyes of Uchiha Madara and Uzumaki Naruto, Otsutsuki Hagoromo’s figure vanished from mid-air, as if he had never appeared at all.
Only Uchiha Madara and Uzumaki Naruto were left in the cave.
Uzumaki Naruto stared in the direction where Otsutsuki Hagoromo had disappeared, his mouth slightly agape.
He watched for a few seconds, then withdrew his gaze and turned his head to look at Uchiha Madara. “Old man, what do we do next?”
His tone carried a sense of bewilderment.
Uchiha Madara did not answer. He raised his hand and brushed aside the messy hair on his forehead, revealing his entire face.
At the same time, he revealed a wild, arrogant smile.
“Heh heh heh, hahaha…”
His laughter was loud, echoing through the cave and causing the flames of the lamps to flicker slightly.
Uzumaki Naruto looked at him and took a step back.
“Why are you laughing like that again, old man?”
His voice carried a hint of disgust.
“So weird.”
Uchiha Madara’s smile abruptly vanished. He looked at Uzumaki Naruto, staring at him coldly.
The concentric ring patterns of his Rinnegan were exceptionally clear under the lamplight.
Uzumaki Naruto took another two steps back.
He looked at Uchiha Madara, his voice tightening.
“What are you going to do?”
Uchiha Madara snorted coldly.
He raised his right hand, grabbed the long robe he was wearing, and gave it a vicious yank.
*Riiiip.* The sound of tearing fabric echoed in the cave.
The robe was ripped from his body, revealing a suit of red plate armor underneath.
The plate armor was deep red, gleaming with a dark luster under the light. There were scratches and dents on the chest plate—marks left behind by battles. The shoulder guards were broad, protecting his shoulders and upper arms. The bracers, knee guards, and shin guards were all perfectly intact.
He stood there, unleashing his imposing aura.
That aura surged from his body as if it were tangible, pressing down like a mountain.
Uzumaki Naruto felt as if a mountain was pressing against his chest, making it hard to breathe. His breathing grew rapid, his chest heaving violently, and beads of sweat seeped from his forehead.
He looked at Uchiha Madara, his eyes wide.
Uchiha Madara looked back at him. “Brat, you are too weak.”
His voice was freezing cold.
“If you want to be of any help to me, you need to grow.”
Sweat dripped down Uzumaki Naruto’s forehead as he struggled to endure the pressure.
But his teeth were clenched, his lips pressed tightly together, and the light in his eyes shone brightly.
He didn’t step back, he didn’t fall, and he didn’t even bend his back.
He just stood there, glaring at Uchiha Madara, and let out a cold snort.
“Damn it, I’ll get stronger and show you!”
His tone was resolute, so firm it sounded like an oath.
The corners of Uchiha Madara’s mouth curled up slightly.
“Good, that’s the spirit.”
His voice was still cold.
“Then let’s start right now.”
Uzumaki Naruto froze for a moment.
“Eh?”
His eyes widened, his mouth slightly agape.
The next moment, Uchiha Madara’s figure vanished, his speed so fast that only a red blur could be seen streaking through the air.
Then, he appeared directly in front of Uzumaki Naruto.
Uzumaki Naruto’s eyes snapped wide open, his pupils shrinking.
He opened his mouth to say something, but the words wouldn’t come out.
Uchiha Madara reached out his right hand, spread his five fingers, and grabbed Uzumaki Naruto directly by the back of his collar.
His fingers hooked into the fabric of the collar, lifting Uzumaki Naruto entirely off the ground.
Uzumaki Naruto’s feet left the floor, his body suspended in mid-air.
He flailed his limbs as if he were swimming, but grabbed nothing but air.
“Old man, what are you doing?!”
His voice was loud, carrying a tone of panic.
Uchiha Madara didn’t answer.
With a swing of his arm, he tossed Uzumaki Naruto away.
Uzumaki Naruto’s body flew through the air like a thrown stone.
He traced an arc through the air, flying toward the other side of the cave.
“Ahhhhh…”
His voice echoed in the cave, dragging out a long tail.
“Stupid old man!!”
Then, his body smashed into the ground.
*Bang.* It was a loud sound.
His body rolled twice on the ground before coming to a stop.
He lay sprawled on the floor, face down, limbs spread wide.
Then, he lifted his head and scrambled up from the ground.
He patted the dust off his clothes and glared at Uchiha Madara, anger burning in his eyes.
Uchiha Madara looked at him, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.
“Come, brat. Attack me.”
His voice was very calm, so calm it sounded like he was stating something incredibly simple.
Uzumaki Naruto’s eyes widened.
He opened his mouth, then closed it again.
Then, his brows knitted together, and his lips pressed into a thin line.
He glared at Uchiha Madara and raised his right hand.
Blue light gathered in his palm—a Rasengan.
“Damn it! Don’t underestimate me!”
With a howl, he charged at Uchiha Madara. His Shadow Clones were still around, and they immediately rushed to his side to help him form the sphere.
The sphere quickly took shape. Uzumaki Naruto held the Rasengan in his right hand, the blue light spinning rapidly in his palm, emitting a buzzing sound.
He dashed right in front of Uchiha Madara and thrust his right hand toward his chest.
Uchiha Madara stood in place, unmoving.
He merely shifted his body slightly, dodging the Rasengan.
The Rasengan brushed past his clothes without touching him.
Then, he raised his right hand and flicked his finger against Uzumaki Naruto’s forehead.
*Smack.* A crisp sound echoed.
Uzumaki Naruto’s body jerked backward, and he stumbled a few steps, nearly falling over.
He steadied himself and glared at Uchiha Madara, the anger in his eyes intensifying.
“Again!”
His voice was loud.
And then, he charged forward once more.