Chapter 12: Chapter 12 – An Armful of Sharingan
Inside the summoning space, Itō Hirofumi's chakra clone appeared before Uchiha Madara.
"What is it, Madara?"
"Hmph. Brat, you really are casual with how you address me. This is the real you, isn't it? That fake act you put on in front of Sarutobi Hiruzen… disgusting. Truly disgusting."
Itō Hirofumi looked at him helplessly. Was Madara really just summoning him here to scold him?
"Then how should I address you? The 'Man of the Shinobi God'? I mean, my strength isn't exactly impressive right now. If I don't act obedient, I might get wiped out. If you were truly willing to follow my orders like a summoning beast, I'd kick Hiruzen off his Hokage throne and take over myself."
"Damn it! Brat! Enough nonsense! I called you here for something serious!"
Madara was clearly rattled. This damn brat kept calling him 'the man of the Shinobi God' like there really was something between him and Hashirama!
"So what is it?"
Hirofumi noticed Madara's expression was especially grim.
"Who is that Shimura Danzō?!"
Hirofumi raised an eyebrow. Madara asking about Danzō? Could he have sensed the chakra of the Sharingan from him?
"He's a member of Konoha's Elder Council and the leader of the Root division. A scheming old bastard."
Madara didn't know what 'scheming old bastard' meant, but it clearly wasn't praise.
"Shimura... but why does he have Uchiha chakra on him? No... even more than that..."
Madara's brow furrowed even deeper.
He had sensed more than just the Sharingan. There was a presence he knew too well—Senju Hashirama's chakra!
"Isn't it obvious? That old bastard has a whole arm full of Sharingan."
Hirofumi's casual reply left Madara dumbfounded.
While sealed inside Hirofumi, Madara could still sense the outside world—as long as Hirofumi didn't block him off.
Earlier, he had indeed felt the chakra of the Sharingan... and noticed that Danzō's eye was sealed.
But a whole arm of Sharingan?
Since when did Uchiha eyes become so cheap?
And that bandaged arm—he could clearly sense Hashirama's chakra!
"Brat! What the hell is going on?! What do you know?!"
"Oh, I know plenty. What exactly do you want to hear?"
"What was that about a whole arm of Sharingan?!"
"That? I know, sure. But why should I tell you?"
"You insolent brat! Don't push your luck!"
Madara was furious. This damn kid was getting more brazen by the minute.
Since the Warring States era, no one had dared speak to him this way.
Except for that fool Hashirama.
"How about this, Madara: I'll tell you everything you want to know, but in exchange, you teach me."
Hirofumi knew perfectly well that making Madara follow orders was a pipe dream.
The man was too proud.
So instead of commanding him, why not ask to learn from him?
Madara's strength was indisputable—his battle experience and mastery of ninjutsu were top-tier.
And now that Hirofumi had Indra's chakra within him, being trained by Madara, Indra's reincarnation, would skyrocket his growth.
He could even awaken the Sharingan. After all, Indra's chakra was the source of the Uchiha bloodline.
"You want me to train you?! Hah! Don't flatter yourself. I've never taken a student in my life."
"So is that a no? Fine, I'll leave. And as for the truth—you can guess on your own."
"Damn it! Fine! I'll teach you! Just tell me about that damn Danzō already!"
Hearing Madara's reluctant agreement, Hirofumi grinned smugly.
"You damn brat! That twisted smirk again!"
"You don't get it. This is the legendary Smirking Dragon King look."
"Dragon King my ass. All I see is a smirk. I really want to slap you."
"So do you want the truth or not?"
"Damn it! Yes!"
Madara was practically grinding his teeth.
"The truth is simple. The Uchiha Clan was wiped out. Their eyes were all harvested. The Danzō you saw today? That sealed eye of his is a Mangekyō Sharingan. His entire arm is covered in Sharingan."
Hirofumi laid it all out, matter-of-factly.
Madara stood frozen, stunned.
"What... what did you just say?! The Uchiha Clan... exterminated?! That's impossible! Absolutely impossible!! The Uchiha Clan can't have been destroyed!! Brat, don't you dare lie to me!"
Hirofumi looked at him, exasperated.
"You asked me to tell you, and I did. Now you don't believe me? Want me to take you to the old Uchiha compound? It's a ghost town now."
"No! You're lying! You said they were wiped out, but today I saw another Uchiha in your class!"
"You're talking about Uchiha Sasuke, right? He's the last Uchiha in the village. Outside the village, there's one more—his older brother. Uchiha Itachi."