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JST Chapter 226: Tobirama’s Worst Nightmare Just Got a Respawn
🕑 Added 2025-03-26 01:43:51 +0000 UTCA blood-curdling scream echoed as the White Zetsu’s body rapidly dissolved, reshaping itself into the form of Uchiha Izuna.
The reincarnation was complete.
Black Zetsu’s gaze sharpened as he observed Izuna’s appearance.
It had seen Izuna before—decades ago, when it had closely monitored Madara.
Even back then, Black Zetsu had found Izuna to be a troublesome figure. Unlike most Uchiha, he possessed an uncharacteristic level of cold rationality. With someone like him standing beside Madara, manipulating that generation’s Indra reincarnate had been significantly more difficult.
Black Zetsu had been prepared to wait it out. A few more decades meant nothing to a being that had already waited for millennia.
But then, fate intervened.
A white-haired Senju had eliminated Izuna, igniting a deep-seated hatred in Madara that set the wheels of vengeance into motion.
It had been Black Zetsu’s idea to resurrect Izuna. Uniting all possible forces was necessary to deal with Kazuki…
Yet now, as it observed Izuna’s reincarnated form, a strange feeling stirred within Black Zetsu.
Izuna’s facial features bore an uncanny resemblance to Kazuki’s—far more than Madara’s ever did.
"It’s just a coincidence… it means nothing…" Black Zetsu reassured itself.
But for the first time in centuries, I wasn't entirely convinced.
It was even starting to regret reviving Izuna.
Maybe it wasn’t worth it. Even if it meant losing a powerful ally… anything that even remotely resembled Kazuki was bound to be trouble.
Why couldn't he have someone as obedient and easy to control as Obito? Or someone as conveniently gullible as old Madara?
Meanwhile, Obito stared at Izuna, his expression changing slightly as he noticed the Uchiha's resemblance to Kazuki. For a moment, something unfamiliar flickered in his eyes—an odd sense of goodwill.
This guy… Madara’s little brother…
Not bad. He looks alright. Maybe he’s someone I can work with.
At that instant, Obito and Black Zetsu’s thoughts took completely different paths.
Izuna’s eyes fluttered open, immediately sharp and alert.
'Damn you, Tobirama! You actually had the nerve to use the Impure World Reincarnation on me—' That was his first thought.
But as his vision cleared, instead of a white-haired Senju standing over him, he saw something completely unexpected.
Madara—his elder brother—gazing at him with teary eyes.
Beside him stood a young Uchiha, smirking slightly as he gave him an approving nod.
And… some weird plant-like creature standing there with its head bowed.
Before Izuna could process what was happening, Madara suddenly pulled him into a tight embrace.
Even though his Edo Tensei body was ice-cold, the warmth of their long-awaited reunion filled Madara’s heart.
For the first time in decades, he felt whole again.
In that moment, Madara cursed himself for all his past hesitation.
What an idiot I was.
Seeing my brother again… nothing could be better than this.
Izuna stiffened for a second before wrapping his arms around his brother in return.
He had missed Madara just as much.
After a brief silence, Izuna pulled back slightly and glanced around.
“Brother… where are we?” His gaze dropped to his Edo Tensei body, and his expression turned serious. "You brought me back… that means something urgent is going on."
Then, his eyes flickered toward Madara’s.
Something was off.
His brother’s gaze… it wasn’t the same as before.
Izuna's eyes widened in shock when he saw the ripple-patterned purple pupils.
“The legendary supreme dojutsu… the Rinnegan?”
Madara, clearly enjoying the reaction, straightened his posture ever so slightly.
“It’s just a step above the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, that’s all.”
Izuna nodded, playing along with a look of admiration—As expected of my brother.
Madara smirked in satisfaction before his expression grew serious again. “Izuna, I’m going to use these eyes to bring you back to life for real. But as you guessed, I need your help.”
Madara shot Obito a sidelong glance. “Kid, I don’t want any trouble.”
To truly resurrect Izuna, Madara would have to remove his Rinnegan and implant it into Nagato, allowing him to use the Rinne Tensei Jutsu to restore Izuna to life.
But he wasn’t entirely sure whether Obito would try to take advantage of the situation.
Obito’s gaze flickered toward the Rinnegan, a trace of longing flashing in his eyes.
Now that he had confirmation that the Rinnegan could bring back the dead, a fleeting thought crossed his mind—
What if I took them?
What if I revived Rin?
But almost as soon as the idea surfaced, he shut it down.
Bringing Rin back wouldn’t mean anything.
If this cursed shinobi world remained the way it was, history would just repeat itself.
Only after completing the Infinite Tsukuyomi—only when he had created the peace Rin had dreamed of—would he allow himself to see her again.
His hesitation mirrored Madara’s own when it came to reviving Izuna.
Maybe this was just how the Uchiha thought.
“Hmph.” Obito scoffed, his voice cold. “I have no reason to fight you before we save Kazuki.” His tone was indifferent, but there was a sharpness in his words.
"Don't forget, Madara. I was the one who asked you to revive Izuna because you said it was the best option to deal with Senju Tobirama."
“We don’t have time to waste. Kazuki is still suffering.”
Izuna’s ears perked up.
Tobirama?
His entire demeanor shifted in an instant.
His battle instincts kicked in, and his expression turned murderous.
“What happened?” His voice was sharp, his tone laced with killing intent. “That bastard—what unforgivable thing has he done this time?! I’ll hunt him down and end him!”
Even Obito was caught off guard by Izuna’s sheer intensity.
No wonder Madara had called him the perfect person to deal with Tobirama.
This wasn’t just a grudge.
This was personal.
“…It’s a bit complicated.” Even Madara, normally straightforward and decisive, hesitated.
Kazuki’s situation wasn’t something that could be summed up in just a few words.
It wasn’t something Izuna would immediately understand.
“Let’s revive you first, Izuna. I’ll explain everything after that.”
Izuna didn’t even hesitate. “Got it, brother. I’ll leave it to you.”
Izuna’s eyes gleamed with excitement. Serving his brother and beating the hell out of Tobirama—what could be better than that?
Last time, that bastard Tobirama had ambushed him. But this time, he wouldn’t get the chance!
Izuna was going to have his revenge.
After being gravely wounded by the Flying Thunder God Slash, Izuna had awakened his second dojutsu on the brink of death. But before he could use it, he was already too far gone…
In that sense, he was a lot like Sasuke from the original timeline—both had only unlocked their second dojutsu when pushed to the absolute edge.
Madara gave a slight nod. Without hesitation or any sign of pain, he plucked out one of his Rinnegan and placed it into Nagato’s eye socket.
“Black Zetsu, take control of him,” Madara commanded.
Black Zetsu hesitated for a moment, sneaking a quick glance at Obito before sighing internally.
It really didn’t want to possess Nagato right in front of Obito.
But at least… it was just Black Zetsu. Not Rin—the one ghost that would’ve really sent Obito over the edge.
Black Zetsu morphed into a viscous, black mass and wrapped around Nagato’s body.
Nagato’s eyes shot open, but under Black Zetsu’s control, his hands were already forming seals—Madara seized the moment and turned to Izuna. “Izuna, don’t move. I’m going to strengthen your body.”
Izuna blinked, then obediently nodded.
At that instant—Steam began to rise from Izuna’s body as the Gedo Statue’s tubes connected to his back, pumping the purest mix of Hashirama’s cells and Nagato’s lifeforce into him. Through the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique, these elements fused perfectly within his new body.
Madara channeled the very essence of the Gedo Statue into Izuna without hesitation.
The once powerful demonic statue withered, its towering form collapsing into little more than a shell of skin and bones.
Izuna exhaled deeply, feeling the overwhelming power surging through his reborn flesh. A triumphant grin spread across his face.
“Shinobi World… I’m back!”
Then, he burst into wild laughter.
“Hahahahahaha!!”
Watching Izuna’s excitement, Black Zetsu—having just emerged from Nagato’s lifeless body—finally relaxed.
At least he still had that classic, over-the-top Uchiha laugh. With that, he can barely be considered a traditional Uchiha…
If Izuna had smiled with that eerily calm expression like Kazuki, Black Zetsu might’ve actually freaked out.
Even so, just looking at Izuna’s face irritated him.
So annoying. Seriously annoying.
Obito is still the better option…
“Brother! This new body is overflowing with power. My pupil power feels unlimited!” Izuna stretched, his joints cracking as if he couldn’t wait to cut loose. “Brother, tell me—what exactly happened with Tobirama?”
“And this Kazuki you mentioned—who is he? What does he have to do with Tobirama?”
Madara sighed, motioning for Izuna to sit. He gestured for Obito to come closer as well.
“Let me start from the beginning,” Madara said gravely. “I’ll explain everything—about Kazuki and Tobirama.”
By the time he was done—Izuna and Obito were completely stunned.
“Brother… you’re telling me that this kid, Kazuki, has Tobirama’s chakra inside him? That he even carries a fragment of Tobirama’s soul? And on top of that, he has my chakra, plus the ancient Uchiha chakra that once resided in you?”
Izuna pressed his fingers to his temples. “I need a minute. I really need a minute…”
…
At the Shinobi Alliance Headquarters.
Dust-covered and exhausted, Kazuki finally returned. While Izuna and the others were still trying to figure him out, he was quietly preparing to say his final goodbyes to those closest to him—just as he had told Tobirama.
Each farewell had to be carefully planned. He needed to fill their hearts with hope for the future, so that when he 'left', the final bond would begin.
And when he rose above them in the sky, he would push each of their individual bonds to the limit.
Every little step mattered.
Kazuki extended his senses, then slowly stepped into one of the tents.
“Tsunade-sensei…”
As he spoke, he gently wrapped his arms around her from behind.
“It’s been a while.”
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Zero Speed
The grand play enters it's final act
