"…Who exactly are you?" Madara asked, gazing at his own reflection in the lake's surface, feeling an intense sense of amazement.
While Tobirama had indeed devised some impressive forbidden techniques, their drawbacks were significant. But the power that Dak had just demonstrated, through that mysterious creature, was simply otherworldly, reaching heights beyond human ability.
"I'm the proprietor of the Marvelous Breeding House, the first Alliance Leader, a man some call the 'King of Peeping.' That's me!" Dak said, flipping his long hair.
"…." Madara's interest dropped instantly. His amazement vanished as he turned his gaze to the massive head that hadn't yet retreated into the void. "So this is a Pokémon?"
"Yes, a legendary Pokémon known in other worlds as the 'God of Time,' and also our ally, Dialga."
"The God of Time?"
For Madara, the concept of "god" was still rooted in Hashirama's title as the "God of Shinobi." But even he had to admit, Hashirama could never achieve anything like this.
"Yes, Dialga commands the power of time. It's thanks to Dialga that I was able to arrive in this era."
"So, by that logic, could it grant someone eternal life?"
"Physically, yes," Dak confirmed, though he added a note of caution. "Dialga can restore your body to its youthful prime, but your mind and soul wouldn't go back with it. If you lived for ten thousand years, your spirit might decay. In a way, it's hard to say whether you'd truly be 'alive' at that point."
"With such a power, why don't you simply unite the Shinobi World through overwhelming force?" Madara asked, confused.
If he had such strength, his first move would be to forcefully unify the world.
"That's something you've tried before, isn't it?"
Dak shook his head. "It's not enough to subdue with force. Eventually, you and I will disappear, and the revolts will reignite. True peace comes gradually, as people learn to embrace and maintain it—generation by generation."
"…Fair enough," Madara said, clenching his now-strong fists. "It's been a while since I've felt this powerful."
Then he set his Eternal Mangekyo eyes on Dak.
"What? I already told you I don't enjoy fighting. Find someone else to spar with."
"…Boring," Madara muttered, glancing away with a frown.
"Now, with your strength restored, there shouldn't be anyone in the Shinobi World who can match you, right?"
"I could destroy any nation by myself."
Madara's pride and confidence remained unshaken, no matter his age.
"Good. Then let's start building an organization—one that will become a force above the entire Shinobi World, one that the common people will come to depend on."
Dak nodded and began browsing the Marvelous Breeding House's magical shop once more.
"What's the name?"
"Akatsuki."
"What's the meaning?"
"It's the same organization that you and Obito once led to carry out the Moon's Eye Plan."
"…Why use that name?" Madara's face darkened at the mention, eager to find Zetsu and eliminate it.
"Originally, Akatsuki was established to bring peace to the Shinobi World. It only went astray later. 'Akatsuki'—or 'Dawn'—symbolizes a fresh start, to bring light to a world overshadowed by endless strife."
"…As you wish," Madara huffed, tilting his head with feigned indifference. But his slight nod suggested he was pleased with Dak's reasoning.
"As of now, the organization consists of only the two of us—or rather, just you," Dak continued, scanning the shop. "You're the sole leader of Akatsuki, and will remain so for years to come, until the day you wish to retire and pass the torch to a successor."
"What about you?"
"I won't be able to stay here to manage things long-term. There are other matters I must attend to. The future of this world will rest in your hands."
"Trusting me so easily?"
"Hahaha! Why wouldn't I? We're comrades, after all. Comrades trust each other."
Dak laughed heartily, finding Madara's words a bit peculiar.
Since his time as the proprietor of the Breeding House, he had always entrusted everything to his companions without reservation, confident in their capabilities.
But this level of trust seemed almost unusual in the Shinobi World—especially in the eyes of someone like Madara, who had been abandoned by his own clan.
"Hmph, but if it's only me, it won't be enough. So, are we recruiting that Hanzo guy?"
"Yes, but not just yet," Dak said, finally closing the shop. "You'll need two deputies, ones you can trust absolutely—one who can strategize, and one who can stand by you in battle."
"…There's no one I trust that much."
Madara hesitated before replying, having long accepted that he had no one left to trust.
"One from the past, and one from the future."
Dak smirked and extended both hands.
In his left hand, he held an ordinary-looking sprig of grass. In his right, a fiery red egg.
"What's this supposed to mean?" Madara asked, eyeing Dak warily, sensing he was up to something extraordinary.
"You didn't hand Uchiha Izuna's body over to the Leaf, did you?"
"I'll show you where it is."
Madara glanced at the grass in Dak's hand, then back at Dak, his breathing growing slightly heavier as he gripped Dak's wrist and began to sprint.
"Wait, I can use teleportation."
Ten Minutes Later
Valley of the End
"Didn't expect you to hide your brother's body here," Dak observed, surveying their surroundings. "So, what's your plan?"
"Enough talk. Just do whatever you need to do."
Madara's patience was wearing thin. He only wanted to know if Dak's plan aligned with his hopes.
"Hold on. Let me check first."
Dak gestured for Madara to calm down as he examined Izuna's body. The herb he held was the [Revival Herb], not Sacred Ash.
If the Revival Herb worked, he'd prefer to use it first, as Sacred Ash had two significant drawbacks. First, anyone revived by Sacred Ash would only live for ten years, as they relied on its power to stay alive. After a decade, they would vanish.
Moreover, those revived by Sacred Ash were returned with only ordinary physical strength.
The Revival Herb's resurrection, however, was permanent. Though the herb's power fully dissipated after use, its effects wouldn't restrict the revived individual. Their restored abilities depended on the state of their preserved body, which Dialga could enhance if needed.
Uchiha Izuna's body lay on the ground before Dak.
"This resemblance…"
Dak was struck by the face of Izuna, eerily similar to Sasuke's.
Izuna's body was well-preserved, missing only his eyes. After revival, he should retain a fair amount of his power.
"Get ready to greet your brother, Madara," Dak said, grinning as he placed the Revival Herb in Izuna's mouth, using his powers to dissolve it.
Yellow light began to emanate from Izuna's chest, gradually enveloping his entire form as his body floated into the air.
"…."
Madara took a few steps closer, staring wide-eyed as Izuna's body began to show signs of life.
"Patience—it's a slow process, at least an hour or two," Dak said, handing Madara the fiery egg.
"What's this?"
"A Pokémon, your future companion."
After a moment's thought, Dak explained, "Pokémon are a lot like the Uchiha clan. They value loyalty and kinship. But unlike your clan, Pokémon are unwavering. If you treat them sincerely, they'll stand by you through anything—even if you stray from the path, they'll remain loyal."
"…This is for me?"
"Yes, to be raised by you—a future partner in battle," Dak said, patting Madara's shoulder. "To usher the Shinobi World into the era of Pokémon, you, as its savior, will need to become a Trainer, Madara."
"What's its name? What kind of Pokémon is it?"
Madara asked, eyeing the warm egg in his hands.
"It's a Growlithe, but a special one—a Hisuian Growlithe. It specializes in Fire and Rock moves, think of it as capable of using unsealed Fire and Earth Jutsu."
Dak pulled out a book-like Pokédex and flipped to the page showing Hisuian Growlithe.
His choice of this Pokémon had two reasons.
First, Growlithe was a Pokémon representing justice, which would help Madara uphold righteousness. Additionally, its Fire-type would further strengthen Madara's Fire Style techniques.
Second, Dak couldn't help but think Hisuian Arcanine bore a slight resemblance to Madara.
(End of Chapter)
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