"Impossible!"
"If the Infinite Tsukuyomi recorded on the stone tablet is truly a method to destroy the world, then, Sage of Six Paths, why would I, the forefather of the Uchiha clan, deliberately leave this tablet to mislead future generations?"
Madara, always perceptive, immediately grasps the core of the issue.
"The answer is simple. This stone tablet has been altered!"
"By whom?"
"Hei Zetsu, an ambitious schemer aiming to destroy the world, and a creation of the Goddess of Mao's will."
"Why would it want to destroy the world?"
"Destruction is merely a side effect of using the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Its true purpose is to revive his mother through the Infinite Tsukuyomi..."
"..."
Madara falls silent, absorbing the shock of this revelation.
The largest conspiracy and deepest secret in the ninja world have been casually exposed by Wakato. This strikes a significant blow to Madara.
Especially...
In Madara's mind, doesn't this make him look like a fool?
A fool manipulated and deceived by Hei Zetsu?
For someone as proud as he is, it's unbearable.
"Do you have any proof of this?" Madara suppresses his emotions, glaring at Wakato, hoping for undeniable evidence.
Without solid proof, no matter how convincing Wakato's words are, Madara won't accept them entirely.
"I can take you to the future, where you can witness with your own eyes the lies and costs of using the [Infinite Tsukuyomi]!"
"You... you can truly travel through time and space?"
Madara's excitement is tinged with caution.
As a warrior, he's longed to glimpse the future himself.
Most importantly, he yearns to see firsthand if the Infinite Tsukuyomi is indeed a conspiracy.
"Of course, but there's a price."
Wakato's lips curve into a slight smile, revealing his true purpose.
"What do you want?"
Madara feels a sudden sense of relief. It's not the conditions that bother him, but the idea of something being given without a cost.
An unsolicited gift often has a higher price.
"Destroy Iwagakure Village. Once you succeed, I'll take you to the future to see it with your own eyes."
"Destroy Iwagakure Village?"
Madara is secretly shocked. Why would someone with powers akin to a sage want [wagakure Village destroyed?
"What exactly are you after?"
"My goal is to unify the ninja world under Konoha Village and achieve peace."
Madara: (O_o)??
Seriously? You're aiming for nuclear neutrality across the world?
And you've singled out Konoha Village?
You actually think I'll fall for that?
"Ha! What a pitiful lie..." Madara snorts in disdain, unimpressed by Wakato's words.
Wakato doesn't bother explaining further. Once the ninja world is united, Madara will see that he wasn't lying.
For now, Madara's opinions are inconsequential.
"Believe it or not," Wakato says, "just think of it as a transaction!"
"Destroy Iwagakure Village and I'll show you the future. It's hardly a difficult deal for someone like you, right?"
Wakato understands Madara's fierce nature well; he trusts no one outside of Hashirama and his younger brother, Izuna.
Even Naruto, the Child of Prophecy, couldn't sway him with words alone in the future.
How could Wakato convince Madara with just dialogue?
Actual proof is far more persuasive than words.
Wakato plans to leverage this deal, motivating Madara to destroy Iwagakure Village first.
With Hashirama's temperament, persuading him to destroy another nation or village is nearly impossible within a short timeframe.
But Madara is different.
As long as the transaction makes sense, and the stakes are enticing enough, Madara won't feel any moral restraint.
He also has the power to decimate Iwagakure Village.
If Hashirama reacts negatively afterward, Madara will handle it.
Given his bond with Hashirama, as long as he doesn't harm Konoha Village, the two will likely only clash briefly.
They wouldn't sever ties over a rival village, would they?
And Wakato isn't bluffing.
Currently, he can only carry the leader of a bound force to parallel worlds.
To bring Madara along, two things must happen:
Either Hashirama must step down, letting Madara become Hokage and assume leadership,
Or, the world's unification progress must exceed 50%, allowing two additional bound members to travel to other worlds.
Since the ninja world has only Konoha Hidden Village and Iwagakure Village formed, with no other villages established yet...
Destroying Iwagakure Village could push Hokage World No. 1's unification progress over 50%.
Then, Wakato could bring Madara to witness the future.
A fair and logical exchange.
...
After a moment of contemplation, Madara agrees to Wakato's terms.
As Wakato anticipated, it's not a difficult task for Madara.
At this point, Iwagakure Village is no match for him alone.
The only concern is how to explain it to Hashirama and manage the backlash from Earth Country and other major nations.
But to Madara, those are trivial matters.
If necessary, he'll leave it for that annoying Tobirama to handle.
If Tobirama dares, will he actually risk crossing him?
Right.
I heard the envoys from Iwagakure Village will visit Konoha Hidden Village in two days; I'll use this chance to strike Iwagakure Village!
"Excellent. I look forward to your proactive performance."
"See you soon."
With that, Wakato vanishes from the secret room.
The seamless exit causes Madara's eyes to narrow.
"Disappearing without warning... this spatial ability is intriguing!"
"What a mysterious Blessed Immortal. I can't wait to uncover your true intentions."
"Time and space travel..."
"And if this 'Black Zetsu' really altered the stone tablet, deceiving me..."
"Hmph, just wait to die!"
Madara gazes at the ancestral stone tablet, slowly withdrawing from his Mangekyō Sharingan state, but his murderous intent remains undiminished.
The proud Uchiha would never let anyone deceive him! Never!
...
...
Meanwhile, after leaving the shrine, Wakato teleports to Hokage Rock.
The night has grown deep, and Konoha lies still and silent.
After a long day, Master Wakato is ready to rest.
First, he activates a Modern Exchange Voucher and acquires a luxury military sedan equipped with an intercontinental warhead.
Though he's in the world of Hokage and on the path to immortality, there's no need to deny himself comforts. When the option is there, one should indulge a little.
Wakato enjoys a warm bath and a late-night snack.
Finally, lying on a silk-velvet bed, he reflects on the day's accomplishments.