The container shattered, black spiritual pressure ripping through the lab, shooting into the sky.
As Nagato's red hair billowed upward, Yukika knew his masterpiece was complete.
"Do you understand pain now?"
While Orochimaru stared in shock, Yukika calmly stepped forward and tossed Nagato a Senju cloak.
Nagato's dazed eyes flickered with struggle, then trembled as a deep, instinctual fear of Yukika surfaced.
This was the unique bond between superior and subordinate.
Nagato felt the tie clearly, fully aware of Yukika's overwhelming strength. Even now, the gap between them seemed impossible to bridge.
"Before we start, I have one question." Yukika stroked his chin, eyeing Nagato.
"You want Madara to feel pain—nothing wrong with that. But you know your body has limits, and the cost is high."
"Even if it kills you."
Nagato, now calmer, shook his head.
"For someone who's already died once, there's nothing left to fear."
"I'm leaving Konan to you."
Nagato bowed, donned the cloak, and walked toward the lab's exit.
Madara owed him a debt, and this time, Nagato would take it back with his own hands.
"Master Yukika, was it really necessary to scare him?" Orochimaru asked curiously after Nagato left.
"The experiment was purely a strengthening process. His power grows with pain, yes, but it's not as dangerous as you made it sound. His Uzumaki lineage and regeneration mean the toll isn't too severe."
Yukika answered calmly, "Power that's too easily gained isn't valued. Only mortals can truly appreciate life's beauty at the brink of death."
"I merely used this to teach him the truth."
"Talking about pain and valuing life superficially... that's too naïve."
Orochimaru thought for a moment and nodded, realizing Yukika's deeper reasoning.
After all, many events from the original story never happened thanks to Yukika's presence.
Yukika's goal was simple: teach Nagato the most basic lesson. Before making others feel pain, one must endure it themselves. This was essential for Nagato's growth.
And Yukika didn't help Nagato out of sentiment—he valued Nagato's potential.
Even in the original, Nagato's Rinnegan held immense power. With that talent, Nagato deserved a place at Yukika's side.
...
In the Valley of the End.
Night had fallen. Madara's figure reappeared above the canyon, gazing at the distant, tattered ninja alliance lines—a flimsy defense.
They knew it wouldn't stop him.
Now, after gathering all the Tailed Beasts and absorbing the Demonic Statue, Madara had changed dramatically.
Wielding Six Paths rods, white-haired, marked with strange patterns—he was closer than anyone to the Sage of Six Paths, though not yet at full power.
To truly reach that level, he needed to absorb the transformed Ten Tails—the Divine Tree—into himself to awaken the Rinne Sharingan on his forehead.
"Hashirama, watch closely," Madara muttered.
"Tonight, the ninja world changes forever."
He clasped his hands together, summoning the Demonic Statue behind him.
Suddenly, a flash of light appeared, and the Nine Tails popped out, lazily sipping cola.
"Honestly, my boss hates working with that stupid raccoon," Kurama muttered, referring to the One-Tail.
Madara's eye twitched. Why could the Nine Tails come and go freely from the statue?
The Demonic Statue, the Ten Tails' true form, should've been the ultimate Tailed Beast weapon. Yet its chains couldn't restrain Kurama.
Madara didn't understand it, and it frustrated him.
"Uncle says hurry up and cast Infinite Tsukuyomi. We've got things to do," Kurama said, sipping his drink.
Madara glared, tempted to fight, but knew better. Kurama, under Yukika's influence, was immune to the Sharingan's illusions.
Without Kurama's cooperation, Madara couldn't complete Infinite Tsukuyomi.
"Didn't you hear me?" Kurama huffed, annoyed.
Madara sighed. He had no choice but to proceed.
This was supposed to be his final step toward peace, but now he faced unexpected complications.
Still, they began.
BOOM!
The earth trembled as the Demonic Statue's eyes snapped open, and a deafening roar echoed through the night sky.
Far away, the Allied Forces felt the terrifying chakra of the Ten Tails and scrambled to regroup.
And as the Ten Tails began transforming into the Divine Tree...
A red-haired man appeared in the Valley of the End.
"You are..."
Madara, now pseudo-Six Paths level, narrowed his eyes, a flicker of seriousness in his gaze.
"Uzumaki Nagato?!"