Chapter 773: Izuna: Is This Not Hell?
Early in the morning, as soon as Hashirama woke up, he hurriedly left the house.
He headed to the secret base newly established behind the Uchiha clan’s headquarters.
Today was a momentous day—Madara’s long-planned revival of Izuna. Hashirama couldn’t possibly miss it.
Izuna’s unexpected death had always been a thorn between the Senju and Uchiha clans, or rather, the deepest barrier in Hashirama and Madara’s hearts.
Only by reviving Izuna and removing this thorn could Konoha Village truly embrace a bright future, and Hashirama and Madara could fully return to the pure friendship of their childhood.
This was the top priority right now!
*KNOCK!* *KNOCK!* *KNOCK!*
"Madara, open the door, it’s Hashirama!"
Hashirama anxiously knocked on the base’s door.
To ensure the revival experiment went smoothly, Madara had set up the base with the highest security, not even allowing Uchiha clan members to approach.
Unfortunately, this era lacked facial recognition; otherwise, Hashirama would’ve been the first granted access.
Moments later, the thick base door opened.
Though this steel door couldn’t withstand a single Mokuton technique from Hashirama, basic etiquette still had to be upheld.
Madara stood with arms crossed, speaking arrogantly:
"Why are you here so early?"
"Of course, I couldn’t wait."
"Didn’t I give you the password? Can’t open it yourself?"
"Ah! I forgot..."
"Hmph! So foolish, come in."
Madara invited Hashirama into the base and offered him breakfast.
The day hadn’t fully dawned, and Hashirama, sneaking over at this hour, surely hadn’t eaten.
Madara was very familiar with this.
"How’s the experiment going?"
"Very well, the results are excellent. We can start the final step..."
Madara began explaining.
Since starting the revival plan with Rinnegan transplantation, Madara had been working overtime day and night.
He’d overcome one difficulty after another.
The most critical challenge: transplantation required immense vitality and strong enough spiritual will.
Insufficient vitality would easily be drained dry by the Rinnegan.
Insufficient spiritual strength couldn’t withstand the Rinnegan’s erosion or control it.
During the experiments, five rogue ninjas and three Uzumaki ninjas with severe illnesses had unfortunately died.
Fortunately, the Uzumaki clan’s extraordinary vitality generally met Rinnegan transplantation requirements.
But spiritually, it was trickier.
Even the second Uzumaki ninja, after transplanting the Rinnegan, lost control, believing he’d gained power to defeat the entire ninja world, and went completely mad.
Then Madara beat him back to his senses.
Know this: even someone as strong as Obito, transplanting just one Rinnegan, nearly lost control.
This showed how powerful the Rinnegan was—not a force just anyone could wield.
"Madara, they..."
Hashirama hesitated, conflicted, still somewhat opposed to using his wife Mito’s clan members as test subjects.
Though Mito herself had agreed.
Seeing Hashirama’s worry, Madara said:
"You don’t need to worry. The Uzumaki clan members who participated in the experiment were blood disease patients who volunteered. I never forced anyone."
"And the compensation provided is enough to buy half the Uzumaki clan."
Madara kept his prior promise.
Selecting a few severely ill patients from thousands of Uzumaki clan members was easy.
Many healthy Uzumaki ninjas were eager to take their place, preferring this over meager mission pay and risking lives for nobles.
Madara’s terms were far more enticing.
Even in modern times, desperate people sell themselves or kidneys for money, let alone in this chaotic war era.
Of course, Madara rejected these volunteering healthy Uzumaki ninjas.
Hashirama’s baseline was there, and he wouldn’t cross it casually. This was respect for Hashirama and self-restraint.
"Sigh!"
Hashirama sighed, unsure if this was right or wrong.
The Uzumaki ninjas in the experiment were gravely ill; even without being used, they wouldn’t live long.
By agreeing to participate, they could leave substantial compensation for their families and clan while advancing medical industry progress, gathering experience to save more people.
But sacrificing one life for another—Hashirama still didn’t fully agree.
Nothing in this world is perfect.
To gain something, something must be sacrificed.
Hashirama could only try his best to ensure no one was forced to participate during this period. Fortunately, with Sharingan genjutsu, forced participation was impossible.
"Enough, stop sighing."
"I, Uchiha Madara, won’t accept kindness for free. Besides the generous compensation, if the experiment succeeds and Izuna is truly revived..."
"I, in the name of Uchiha Madara, will protect the Uzumaki clan and ensure they never face extinction again!"
"This promise is eternal!"
"Is that enough?"
Madara’s promise made Hashirama’s eyes light up.
This promise was too generous! Incredibly valuable!
With Madara’s protection, the Uzumaki clan wouldn’t fear annihilation for a long time, far more important than any compensation.
It also proved Madara genuinely appreciated the Uzumaki clan’s sacrifice.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Soon, the two reached the experiment base’s innermost section.
Here was the fourth Uzumaki ninja, currently the only one to successfully transplant and nearly control the Rinnegan.
"Madara-sama, Hashirama-sama, hello!"
The emaciated Uzumaki Shinmaru sat weakly at the experiment table, his nose connected to an oxygen tube. His condition clearly showed he wouldn’t live long.
But his eyes were bright, showing no fear or panic.
Especially the Rinnegan in his left eye socket, proof he’d truly controlled its power.
"How did you solve the spiritual issue?" Hashirama was slightly shocked and puzzled.
"Thanks to Madara-sama!" Shinmaru looked at Madara, sincerely grateful.
"Madara, you..."
"I borrowed Itachi’s Mangekyou Sharingan for fun, using Tsukuyomi genjutsu. I personally trained him for three years in the genjutsu world, greatly enhancing his spiritual strength to a level sufficient to control the Rinnegan."
Hashirama was stunned.
Wow, he endured three years of Madara’s devilish training in the Tsukuyomi world?
This kid could handle it?
No, Tsukuyomi is a spiritual genjutsu space, unbound by physical illness; with strong enough will, it was entirely possible.
’What kind of torture did he endure from Madara?’
’To become strong enough to control the Rinnegan!’
"Are you okay?"
"I’m fine. If I’d gotten Madara-sama’s guidance earlier, I might’ve killed a few more enemies for the clan! It’s just my body..."
Young Shinmaru had no regrets, genuinely grateful to Madara for giving him an honorable, valuable end to his life.
He was also an Uzumaki clan ninja who’d fought on battlefields.
Sadly, due to severe illness, he had to retire, living off family support.
But that wouldn’t last long.
Rather than lying at home burdening his family, he’d rather try his luck in Konoha. Even if it meant selling his heart or kidneys, he could at least provide some reward for his family to live better.
Clearly, these volunteering Uzumaki ninjas initially didn’t know the experiment’s truth but still chose to sacrifice themselves.
Fortunately, after coming to Konoha, they weren’t tortured or forced to sell organs.
Instead, they gave him three years of ’healthy’ fantasy life, though in genjutsu, though grueling; for him, it was a magical, beautiful dream.
"Is the Uzumaki clan still suffering?"
"No, no, it’s much better than before."
"When I left, the clan leader, with Konoha ninjas’ help, calmed the chaos and even began preparing to establish our village."
"This is thanks to Hashirama-sama and Konoha Village."
"It’s just that I won’t see that beautiful future. I hope my daughter can live well for me!"
Shinmaru was deeply grateful to the Senju clan and Konoha.
Without the Senju marriage alliance, the Uzumaki clan might not have survived the Warring States Period.
During the long Warring States Period, countless ninja clans went extinct in history...
"You have a daughter?"
"Yes. Just five years old, very cute. She’ll surely be a beautiful woman in the future!"
"What’s her name? I’ll..."
Hashirama felt sad and immediately asked.
"No, no, I’ve received enough kindness. The compensation from Madara-sama is enough for the mother and child to live well. No need for Hashirama-sama to give special attention."
Shinmaru was clear—sometimes excessive attention wasn’t good. He didn’t dare ask for too much.
"Her name is Uzumaki Yuzu, I’ve confirmed it."
Madara provided the answer; such information was impossible for him not to know.
"And are they...?"
"No need to worry, Hashirama. I’ve sent people to fetch the mother and child. The girl’s talent isn’t bad—I might consider taking her as a student and teaching her personally."
"Huh? You’re taking a student too?"
"Why? Only you can take students, and I can’t train one?"
"But she’s not Uchiha..."
"Does Uchiha Madara care about a student’s origins? And don’t forget, the Uzumaki clan’s Bijuu suppression talent is fundamentally similar to the Uchiha’s. Don’t let my student beat yours to a pulp later!"
Madara snorted coldly, but in his heart, he was a bit eager.
"Great, great! That’s good too. With your guidance, they won’t worry about being bullied."
Hashirama felt relieved.
The orphaned mother and child with substantial wealth, even in Uzushiogakure, might not be safe.
Madara had thought it through thoroughly and arranged it from the start.
"Thank you, Madara-sama! Thank you, Hashirama-sama!"
Shinmaru cried with gratitude, understanding the importance of this teacher-student legacy.
Even if his daughter later underperformed or was expelled by Madara, just being his student for a day would be an indelible bond, enough to protect the mother and child.
Referencing Anko in Parallel World 3—since her teacher Orochimaru became Hokage, she lived carefree.
If not for Orochimaru’s tightened oversight, she might’ve become a ’sweet potato’ even sooner.
"Alright, let’s begin!"
Madara couldn’t stand seeing a man cry at him, so he ruthlessly urged, preparing to start the final revival experiment.
"Understood!"
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The final experiment began.
Madara activated a summoning technique, calling forth a pre-prepared coffin.
Inside lay Izuna’s body, crafted earlier by Madara with Edo Tensei, using a White Zetsu from Parallel World 3’s Orochimaru as the sacrifice—highly effective.
This significantly reduced the jutsu user’s chakra and vitality consumption, lowering the chance of revival failure.
This consumed far less than reviving with Rinne Tensei no Jutsu from scratch without a body.
Shinmaru began the jutsu.
Everything followed Madara’s planned steps.
Shinmaru raised his hands with difficulty, forming hand seals, relying on his body’s chakra and eye power, using his gravely ill body to finally execute the forbidden technique.
"Gedo: Rinne Tensei no Jutsu!"
*BZZZT!*
Not only Hashirama but even Madara grew nervous.
Years of longing and affection would become reality at this moment; even as strong as Madara, his emotions for his brother were no different from an ordinary person’s.
Perhaps even more obsessive.
Finally, a white light emerged from Edo Tensei Izuna’s body, enveloping him completely. A dense aura of vitality began to restore, and even the sound of a heartbeat and flowing blood could be heard.
At this moment, Uchiha Izuna was revived!
The former number-two of the Uchiha clan returned to the real world!
Izuna woke up.
But his expression was slightly confused, his memories stuck at the moment before his death, completely unaware of the current situation.
And having lost both eyes, he couldn’t observe his surroundings.
"Little brother!"
Madara was overjoyed, leaping to embrace him.
"Aniki!"
Izuna, initially confused, then elated, couldn’t mistake his brother’s voice or the familiar chakra.
"Hahaha! You’re finally back, good, good, good!"
"Aniki, what’s going on? Wasn’t I supposed to be dead?"
Izuna was deeply puzzled. He could feel his current condition—not gravely injured and incurable but healthy and full of energy.
Logically, this was impossible!
He even suspected he was dreaming.
"Yes, you were dead. But now I’ve revived you!"
"Revived? Is such a thing really possible?"
Izuna couldn’t quite believe it, feeling he was still dreaming.
"It’s the Rinnegan! I obtained the legendary Rinnegan, and with its power, I revived you, of course, not without others’ help."
Madara explained while creating a clone to discreetly remove Shinmaru’s body.
He certainly wouldn’t forget the kindness that helped revive his brother.
"So it’s the Rinnegan’s power? I see... Wait... Then, Aniki, haven’t you gained the power to defeat the Senju clan? Then we..."
Izuna suddenly grew excited.
Know this: before his death, he gave both his eyes, hoping his brother could protect the clan and defeat the Senju!
Compared to Madara’s obsession with his brother, Izuna was the one who loved the Uchiha clan most and bore the greatest sense of responsibility.
"Hmm... That’s for later. Let me introduce you first."
Madara paused, unsure how to explain.
Seeing Izuna truly revived, Hashirama was also thrilled. With his innocent nature, he had no reservations and greeted directly:
"Izuna, I’m Hashirama. Yes, you’re finally back—this is great!"
Hashirama’s voice, like a sharp thorn, pierced Izuna, making him panic instantly.
"SENJU HASHIRAMA?!?"
"Damn, why are you here?"
"Where is this?"
Still in war-mode thinking, Izuna couldn’t grasp the current situation. He didn’t understand why Hashirama, the sworn enemy clan leader, could appear so close to him and his brother?
’Where is this? Where am I now? Is this still the Warring States Period?’
And why wasn’t his brother killing the enemy?
Had the Senju clan invaded the Uchiha headquarters?
Were he and his brother Hashirama’s prisoners?
That was too horrifying!
This place was practically hell!
The more Izuna thought, the more chaotic, his heart filled with anxiety. Though thrilled to be alive, he didn’t want to be a Senju prisoner, tortured daily by that bastard Tobirama!
"Izuna, calm down! Hashirama is actually..." Madara hurriedly restrained his brother, trying to explain.
"Aniki! Run quick! I’ll hold off Hashirama—you must escape!" Izuna was frantic, unwilling to listen.
He even prepared to risk his life, determined to buy his brother a chance to escape the Senju demon’s clutches, even if it meant sacrificing himself again.
"This... Madara, you brothers talk first. I’ll send a message to Tobirama, sharing this good news."
Hashirama understood—Izuna had just been revived and would struggle to accept it.
His presence would only provoke Izuna; better let the brothers explain first.
He could also share the good news with Tobirama.
"Alright, leave it to me here." Madara nodded in agreement, holding back the furious Izuna.
"Aniki! What’s really going on? You and Hashirama?!?" Izuna didn’t understand.
He couldn’t fathom why his brother stopped him—had the Uchiha clan been fully defeated and tamed by the Senju?
"It’s complicated. Put on this Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan first, then we’ll talk slowly!"
"Huh? Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan?"