---
Uchiha Madara wasted no time. With Uchiha Fugaku's assistance, the inscription on the Uchiha stone tablet was swiftly altered. Once completed, Fugaku left to oversee its dissemination across the clan. Meanwhile, Madara took Reiki and departed Nanga Shrine, leaving behind a shadow clone to manage any remaining tasks.
Reiki was surprised by Madara's decisiveness. It wasn't solely his persuasion that drove the elder Uchiha's actions; the influence of Senju Hashirama also played a significant role. The power of the bond between the two founding fathers of Konoha was undeniable, even after decades of separation.
With Fugaku handling the clan's reformation, Madara led Reiki to a small courtyard in the heart of the Uchiha district. Though modest in size, the courtyard's central location and detailed design suggested it had been constructed specifically for Madara upon his return.
"Alright, kid," Madara said, his tone light. "I'll fulfill the promise I made to you. But first, I have a question. With your talent, why did you choose to become a medical ninja?"
Madara's curiosity was evident. He had witnessed Reiki's impressive combat abilities and his unparalleled skill as a medic. The combination was unusual.
Reiki smiled, deflecting the question. "Because I'm a medical ninja," he said simply, before quickly changing the subject. "Now, let's proceed. Madara-sama, please activate your Rinnegan."
Madara raised an eyebrow at the abrupt shift but complied, revealing the iconic, swirling Rinnegan in his eyes. The chakra radiating from them was immense, a testament to their power.
As the Rinnegan activated, Reiki's analytical ability kicked in, and the energy surrounding Madara began to change.
**"Can the Rinnegan conceal certain types of energy?"** Reiki pondered. **"It seems my earlier hypothesis was correct."**
He placed his hands on Madara's, carefully examining the elder Uchiha's body and ocular energy. Hours passed in intense focus, but the results left Reiki perplexed.
While he had anticipated some anomaly, Madara's Rinnegan and body appeared completely stable. There were no signs of the unusual energy Reiki had encountered in other Uchiha Sharingan, Byakugan, or even tailed beasts.
This discovery was baffling.
"Little guy, is there something seriously wrong with me?" Madara asked, watching Reiki's expression shift from confusion to deep thought. For someone who had once saved his broken body, Reiki's current reaction was unsettling.
Reiki shook his head. "No, Madara-sama, your body is fine," he muttered, still trying to process the absence of the strange energy. "But… why is everything normal?"
Though Reiki's voice was soft, Madara overheard. "Why must something be wrong for me to be considered fine?" Madara quipped, his sharp tone breaking the tension. "If you say I'm healthy, then that's all I need to know."
Reiki's thoughts shifted. **"Fitness… Wait! These eyes aren't Madara's original ones!"**
"Madara-sama, these Rinnegan aren't your original eyes, are they?" Reiki asked, his realization dawning.
Madara nodded calmly. "Correct. My original eyes were given to someone else long ago. These were gifted to me later, which is why I never rushed to retrieve my original pair."
Reiki's mind raced. **"If these eyes were gifted… could it have been… the Sage of Six Paths?"**
The absence of the strange energy, coupled with the Rinnegan's origin, pointed to one conclusion. The Sage of Six Paths, Otsutsuki Hagoromo, had a hand in these events. The mysterious energy that appeared in the Sharingan, Byakugan, and tailed beasts seemed to trace back to him.
**"Why would Hagoromo leave behind this energy in others but not in Madara's current Rinnegan?"** Reiki wondered.
"Madara-sama, your body and eyes are perfectly fine," Reiki finally said, pushing his swirling thoughts aside. "I'll take my leave now."
"Ah," Madara responded with a nod. "Good work."
---
After leaving Madara, Reiki sought out Obito, who was cooking in a nearby area. Strangely, Obito's Sharingan also lacked the peculiar energy Reiki had observed in others.
"Boss!" Obito greeted warmly as Reiki approached.
---
Meanwhile, across the ninja world, tension continued to mount.
Uchiha Madara's dramatic return to Konoha had sent shockwaves through every village. Konoha, bolstered by Madara's presence, its advancements in medical technology, and its specialized medical teams, had risen to unprecedented power.
The other great nations were in turmoil.
- **Kumogakure**, once dominating the ninja world under Hiruzen Sarutobi's leadership, now struggled to adjust to Konoha's sudden resurgence. The changes left them uneasy.
- **Iwagakure** and Kumogakure found themselves at odds again, reigniting old conflicts.
- **Sunagakure**, though quiet, immediately halted any notions of provoking Konoha after this upheaval. The memory of Ebizō's death was still fresh, and the thought of facing Madara alone was enough to quell any aggression.
- **Kirigakure**, though uninvolved in recent events, remained watchful. News of Madara's return had reignited a deep-seated fear of the Uchiha clan's power.
Across the lands, the name Uchiha Madara once again commanded awe—and terror.