Naruto: Zoro of Uchiha Chapter 52 52 — So Everyone’s Acting, Huh? Then Let’s See Wh

The air inside the cave beca strangely heavy.

The killing intent erupting from Zoro's body was so dense it felt almost tangible, pressing against the surroundings like an invisible ocean. Even the White Zetsu hidden above the underground tunnel could not help staring in shock.

"This brat is actually that smart?!"

Naturally, White Zetsu did not believe Zoro had intentionally discovered the hidden passage beneath the cave.

In his eyes, the reason Zoro released such terrifying killing intent was most likely because he had already guessed that his grandfather's death was sohow connected to Konoha.

As for uncovering the tunnel...

That was probably just luck. A blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse.

Suppressing the shock in his heart, White Zetsu imdiately retreated deeper into the underground passage.

He needed to report this to Madara at once.

That Uchiha brat would likely arrive soon.

Zoro narrowed his eyes slightly, his expression remaining completely indifferent.

Only after White Zetsu's presence fully disappeared from his perception did he leap down into the underground tunnel.

If nothing unexpected happened, this entire matter was undoubtedly connected to Black Zetsu and Uchiha Madara.

As for whatever lies and brainwashing they intended to feed him next—

That part did not matter.

What truly mattered was Uchiha Madara himself.

That man still possessed value.

Forbidden techniques such as Yin–Yang Release, secret Uchiha arts, Six Paths techniques...

Even if Zoro originally had no interest in learning them, he would now force himself to master them all.

Lack talent?

Sorry.

That was only because he had never seriously pursued ninjutsu before.

As a swordsman, Zoro instinctively rejected ninjutsu. Deep down, he believed that excessive reliance on such techniques would dull his instincts and weaken the purity of his swordsmanship.

But now that Black Zetsu and Madara had already set their sights on him, there was no chance they would simply leave him alone.

Since that was the case—

Rather than constantly remaining on guard against them, it would be better to strike first himself.

The underground tunnel was far wider than expected.

As Zoro walked deeper inside, he noticed the air was not damp or suffocating like a normal underground passage. Instead, it was surprisingly fresh, almost no different from the surface above.

Even with the lack of light, he could still clearly perceive everything around him.

At the end of the tunnel stood a corner.

The mont he stepped past it, a stone bed and an old man entered his sight.

The old man possessed wild white hair, empty eye sockets devoid of eyeballs, and skin so wrinkled it resembled dried bark. His body looked frail to the point of collapse, yet the overwhelming aura radiating from him remained impossible to ignore.

Several white tubes pierced into his back, linking him to the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path behind him. Chakra continuously flowed through the tubes, barely maintaining the final traces of his life.

"He's here."

Standing beside Madara, White Zetsu softly spoke as a reminder.

"Who are you people?"

Zoro deliberately acted as though he did not recognize them.

The icy coldness in his tone caused a trace of satisfaction to arise within Madara's heart.

Yes...

This was exactly the reaction he wanted.

He wanted Zoro to drown himself in hatred and vengeance.

Only then could he properly manipulate him.

"?" Madara spoke calmly. "I am your ancestor. The man who once made the entire shinobi world tremble in fear... the Asura of the Shinobi World—Uchiha Madara."

Despite already standing at death's door, the domineering pressure emanating from him still overflowed naturally.

"Uchiha Madara?" Zoro frowned coldly. "Then where are your eyes? And why aren't you dead yet?"

"Cough—"

Madara nearly choked on the spot.

Why was this brat's mouth so poisonous?

"To speak of such matters is shaful." Madara's expression darkened slightly. "Because of old age, my Sharingan was stolen by Konoha. I myself was also forced out of the village."

"The corrupt higher-ups of Konoha have always feared the power of the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan. That is why they continuously suppressed us and forced our clan into the shadows."

Madara slowly spoke, his tone carrying deep hatred and resentnt.

anwhile, Zoro silently listened beside him with an indifferent expression.

...

(After several thousand words of brainwashing dialogue omitted.)

...

"So..." Madara finally revealed his true objective after speaking for what seed like an endless amount of ti. "Do you want revenge against Konoha?"

"You can help ?"

Zoro coldly questioned him, obvious suspicion filling his voice.

Because this was the most natural reaction possible.

How could anyone fully trust the words of a dying old man after hearing only a few manipulative stories?

"Of course."

Madara's tone beca heavier.

"First, recruit Nagato. Then gather all nine Tailed Beasts and revive completely. Afterward, initiate the 'Eye of the Moon Plan.' Once that plan succeeds, a world without war will finally be born."

As he spoke, excitent gradually surfaced within Madara's voice. Even his aging body trembled slightly.

"Fine."

Zoro lowered his head slightly, terrifying killing intent surfacing once more within his eyes.

"I'll make Konoha pay the price."

Seeing the hatred and emotions within Zoro's gaze align almost perfectly with his expectations, Madara finally relaxed.

From that mont onward, he began arranging his final affairs.

And technically, Zoro had not lied.

Because the killing intent and hatred in his eyes truly ca from the depths of his heart.

Danzo, you old bastard...

Just wait until I co for your head.

...

Ti passes, gone in the blink of an eye. Before anyone realized it, half a year had passed.

The sa underground cave still remained hidden deep beneath the earth.

And Zoro had stayed within this barren underground hideout for an entire six months.

He had now reached the age of eleven.

During those six months, aside from eating and sleeping, Zoro devoted nearly every second entirely to training.

Even Uchiha Madara found himself secretly astonished.

The willpower of this young descendant was genuinely terrifying.

In the future, he absolutely would not remain an ordinary shinobi.

"Zoro, I have already taught you everything I can."

Madara's voice sounded weaker than before.

"Rember my final instructions. The 'Eye of the Moon Plan' is now entrusted to you. It is a heavy responsibility... and I hope you can complete it."

As he spoke, Madara motioned toward the White Zetsu standing beside him.

No one knew exactly what Madara did.

But soon afterward, a portion of his will was infused into the right half of White Zetsu's body.

That half instantly turned black.

"From now on, he will serve as your assistant," Madara said slowly. "He carries my will and can assist you in the future."

"And the na 'Uchiha Madara'... I now pass that na on to you as well."

After making all the necessary arrangents, Madara finally reached out and disconnected the tubes attached to the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.

His body rapidly shriveled at a visible speed.

Once the last traces of vitality completely vanished from him—

The legendary Uchiha Madara finally died of old age.

Zoro silently watched the man who had taught him for six months pass away before his eyes.

Yet his expression never changed in the slightest.

Throughout these six months, he had already mastered the Uchiha Clan's ultimate forbidden ocular technique—

Izanagi.

While the technique remained active, even death itself could be rewritten into illusion and altered into reality.

A terrifying dojutsu capable of making its user virtually invincible.

His genjutsu abilities had also advanced trendously.

Now, rely establishing eye contact was enough for him to activate powerful hypnotic effects.

Though it still lacked the absolute overwhelming power of Tsukuyomi, Zoro had already pushed the Sharingan's hypnotic capabilities to their current limit.

In addition, he had learned the Contract Seal Release technique, capable of forcibly severing the connection between a Tailed Beast and its Jinchuriki.

As well as multiple sealing and summoning techniques:

Sealing Technique: Demonic Dragon Nine Consuming Seals.

Summoning Technique: Nine-Tails.

And Summoning Technique: Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.

Of course, summoning the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path required possession of the Rinnegan.

"Zoro, from now on, I'll call you Madara."

Black Zetsu smiled faintly as he looked toward Zoro.

"So... what are your plans next?"

"Madara?"

A strange smile slowly appeared on Zoro's face.

He was not entirely certain whether he could instantly kill Black Zetsu beside him.

And without absolute confidence—

Zoro would never casually expose hostility toward Black Zetsu first.

***

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