After leaving the Naka Shrine, Dak led Madara all the way to the Land of Rain.
"Just as I experienced before, we need to establish an organization that wields absolute power, one that everyone fears. Only then can we impose a new order that everyone will follow."
"So, why the Land of Rain?"
Madara had no objections to Dak's plan since it aligned with his own beliefs. But he couldn't understand why Dak chose such a small country, surrounded by the Great Nations of Wind, Fire, and Earth, as their base.
If the goal was secrecy, wouldn't the Land of Hot Water be a better choice? It was relatively large, surrounded by the sea, and distant from conflict—a safe place for growth.
"There are two reasons."
Dak seemed to have anticipated Madara's thoughts and provided an explanation.
His choice had little to do with the Akatsuki's eventual location here; the Akatsuki had chosen it because of the Rain Tiger at Will Technique. In a place where it rained constantly, Nagato could sense any disturbances, making it the ideal location for concealment.
"First, chaos breeds heroes. In a stable and peaceful place, it's harder to find capable recruits. But in the Land of Rain, surrounded by three Great Nations, danger is high, yet it's also a gathering place for rogue ninjas."
Rogue ninjas were not inherently evil or malicious.
Many were simply ninjas who felt betrayed or abandoned by their villages, forced to turn to rogue paths due to political machinations or personal betrayals.
The label of "rogue" was ultimately decided by the villages themselves.
It was no different from the way the Grand Line once worked: if you didn't follow the established rules, you were labeled a pirate.
Additionally, Madara's future allies—Yahiko, Nagato, and Konan—originated in the Land of Rain, making it easier to recruit them here. Even if Nagato might not retain his Rinnegan in this timeline, all three were proven talents with remarkable potential.
Together, they would be invaluable assets to Madara's plans.
"That makes sense."
Madara nodded after hearing Dak's explanation.
This reasoning held true—both he and his brother Izuna, as well as the Senju brothers, had grown strong in times of war.
"The second reason is that here, you'll gain a powerful ally."
"Who?"
"The new leader of Amegakure, Hanzo of the Salamander."
In this time, Dak saw several individuals worth recruiting, and Hanzo was a particularly valuable one.
At this point, Hanzo was a young idealist discontented with the ongoing wars between Great Nations. He wanted to protect the citizens of the Land of Rain.
It was this very idealism that later made Yahiko and other Rain ninjas admire him so much.
However, as he grew older, Hanzo lost his way. Weakened by time, he became consumed by power and paranoia, ultimately needing a lecture from Mifune, a former rival, to reignite his forgotten resolve.
"That kid in the respirator?"
"…."
Dak fell silent at Madara's blunt remark.
But considering Madara's rank and strength, it was natural that he didn't see Hanzo as much of a threat.
"Don't underestimate him. After the Second Ninja War, he's known as the 'Demi-God of the Ninja World,' a figure regarded as one of its strongest."
"Him?"
Madara's words were filled with disdain.
Frankly, even in his current state, he could defeat Hanzo without breaking a sweat.
"You and Hashirama are the reincarnations of Indra and Ashura, so of course your power far surpasses the rest of your generation. Until the next reincarnations emerge, no one else comes close in strength. These Kage barely handle tailed beasts."
"…I think I understand how I became a 'destroyer' of the Ninja World."
Madara sighed, finally realizing his earlier assumption was correct: the Kage who came after him were, indeed, weak. Struggling even against tailed beasts?
Tailed beasts were mere playthings to him.
"Among these so-called elites, Hanzo stands at the top, so don't look down on him."
Dak sighed, sensing that Madara's confidence was bordering on arrogance.
But given Madara's history, he had every reason to feel superior.
"If it's just his strength, I don't see why he would catch your interest."
By now, Madara understood Dak well enough to know he wouldn't be impressed solely by strength.
"Right. Hanzo, at this moment, also seeks peace. He has a vision similar to the ones you and Hashirama once had."
"'At this moment'?"
Madara picked up on the implication.
"Yes. Unlike you and Hashirama, he lost sight of that vision as he aged. He eventually grew attached to power and feared death, even going so far as to eliminate promising young Rain ninjas who might threaten his position."
"A man like that…"
"Your village's Third Hokage and his advisor turned out much the same."
"…Who?"
Madara was silent, astonished that Tobirama would produce such subpar successors.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo."
"Those two? I didn't think…."
Madara had some recollection of Tobirama's two disciples. Though they had a harsh stance on the Uchiha clan, they seemed capable as young shinobi. How could they degrade to that extent?
"Your clan's massacre is partly their doing. Sarutobi opposed it but didn't act to stop it, while Shimura Danzo was the main orchestrator. He inherited Tobirama's fixation on the Uchiha's Sharingan and even implanted many of their eyes in himself to perform 'Izanagi'."
"…"
Madara's expression didn't change much.
He expected Tobirama's disciples to have a prejudice against the Uchiha, but to go this far?
"They were once decent, but they clung to the Hokage's position in their old age. Danzo in particular resorted to underhanded tactics within the village, harming countless comrades."
Dak sighed, rubbing his temples as he thought of the two.
Hiruzen's passivity was tolerable—he never actively harmed his comrades—but Danzo was a different story.
That man needed to be dealt with.
If not, the Uchiha clan would inevitably face extinction, with or without Obito's interference.
And there was a high chance Danzo would target Pokémon as well, wanting to study them.
"These younger generations are proving themselves more disappointing than expected."
Madara shook his head, clearly unimpressed.
As he suspected, only Hashirama in all of Konoha was truly worth his respect.
"You have to remember that none after you have the power to unite the Five Great Nations. Without the strength to enforce unity and peace, it's difficult to hold to ideals."
Dak didn't look down on Hanzo or Hiruzen as much as Madara did.
At the very least, they were better than Obito, Itachi, or Danzo, who had caused far more damage.
"…So you plan to recruit this Hanzo?"
"Yes, I'll bring him in to serve under you. But after the coming decades, it'll be up to you to keep an eye on him. With you around, he shouldn't lose his vision of peace."
Dak nodded, showing his confidence in Madara.
"Don't worry. As long as I'm alive, he won't be able to act against us."
Madara couldn't help but smirk, feeling rather pleased.
"Don't be so sure."
"What do you mean?"
Madara's satisfied expression instantly soured.
He didn't appreciate Dak's sudden lack of faith.
"Look at yourself. How old are you?"
"…Fifty-three."
Madara went silent. That was indeed a weakness.
Shinobi, unlike the strongmen of the Grand Line, tended to lose their physical strength in their fifties or sixties.
"When you're sixty or seventy, how much strength will you have left? Will you still be able to keep those around you in check?"
Dak's words hit Madara like a kunai to the heart.
"What am I supposed to do? I won't even be alive when you reappear in thirty years."
Madara was starting to understand the problem, then turned to Dak. "Do you have a successor in mind?"
"You can choose one when the time comes."
Dak brushed off the question and opened the Pokémon Shop.
"What are you doing?"
Madara watched Dak, confused as he seemed to be staring into the air.
"What if I could restore you to your prime…? Wait."
Dak suddenly paused, realizing something. "When would you say you were at your peak?"
"…Don't you know history?"
"I mean, wouldn't you know yourself best?"
Dak rolled his eyes. "I can't bring you to your future self's level just yet, but once we deal with Zetsu, that might be possible."
"About twenty years ago, I suppose."
After some thought, Madara gave his answer.
He had been thirty-three then, in his physical prime, and had just awakened the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan after Izuna's death.
"Perfect. Dialga, restore Madara's body to its state from twenty years ago."
Dak signaled to the empty air beside him.
Others couldn't sense it, but Dak, with his fully developed Aura and psychic abilities, could feel Dialga's presence lingering nearby.
"Buzz~"
Dialga's enormous head appeared from the space-time rift above.
"!"
Madara's eyes widened, taken aback.
He hadn't sensed such a massive being nearby, and now…
"Restoring me to my prime… you're not joking?!"
Madara's usually stoic demeanor showed a hint of excitement.
"You'll see."
Dak grinned.
Dialga activated its powers, channeling the time-altering energy directly into Madara.
In just a few seconds, Madara watched as the wrinkles on his hands faded, his hunched posture straightened, and his body regained its youthful strength.
Madara, now in his early thirties, stood tall and muscular once more.
"Hmm! Not bad—you look quite dashing."
(End of Chapter)