Uchiha Naruto: The Strongest

Chapter 21

Madara's eyes fluttered open, taking in the familiar sight of the white tent where he had last fallen asleep. He slowly stood, immediately noting the absence of his gunbai and armor. As he took a tentative step, his body wobbled, but he quickly caught himself, realizing a few days had likely passed.

Moving cautiously, Madara stepped outside, his impassive gaze sweeping over the camp. The scent of booze filled the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of the surrounding forest. Men and women stared at him, their expressions a mix of confusion and shock. It was clear they were aware of the plot to trap him in a perpetual nightmare and were now stunned by his unexpected return.

Regaining his strength, Madara walked purposefully toward Mei's tent. The whispers and murmurs of the camp faded behind him as he approached the source of two voices, one familiar and one foreign.

"Mei-sama, was what we did really right? You said yourself that even you can't defeat that Madara person," a trembling female voice questioned.

"Of course what we did was right. Madara's a risk. Not just to us, but to the shinobi world as a whole. He had to go. You should be happy that your Kekkei Genkai is the tool we needed," Mei's voice responded, calm and reassuring.

"Really?" the younger woman asked, doubt lacing her tone.

"Of course," Mei replied, her voice softening.

Madara stepped into the tent, his impassive gaze locking onto the young woman before him. She was a head shorter than him, with long brown hair framing her face and purple eyes that widened in terror upon seeing him. Mei held her in a gentle embrace. The woman's voice quivered as she pointed at him. "H-how?! Th-this is impossible!"

Mei turned, her brow furrowed. Her eyes widened in disbelief upon seeing Madara. "Madara?! What?! How are you awake?!"

Madara folded his arms, his expression cold. "The genjutsu was designed to end when my real body died. It was merely a matter of convincing my body it had done so," he explained.

Mei dropped into a defensive stance, ready to confront him. Madara stepped closer, his gaze passing over her to focus on the young woman behind. "I will admit, your jutsu is impressive. It was your own stupidity that led to my escape," he said, his Sharingan spinning ominously.

Remembering the sheer extent of Madara's power, Mei felt a surge of fear. "Madara, wait!" she shouted. "I'll do anything. I'll even let you kill me. Just please, let her live and defeat Yagura as you promised."

Madara's eyes narrowed slightly. "Yagura will die regardless, as will she."

Mei's hands shook as she desperately tried to placate him. "Please, Madara! Let her live! It was my idea; she just followed along!"

"Does that change the fact that she was an accomplice?" Madara asked calmly.

Mei shook her head, her voice trembling. "No, but still! She only listened because I convinced her to! Initially, she was against the idea!"

Tears streamed down the young woman's face. 'Please... I don't want to die! I didn't mean to... I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry... I'm sorry...' she thought, her silent pleas echoing in her mind.

Madara took another step closer to her. "You're lying," he said, his tone and expression unchanging.

Mei dashed in front of Madara, her speed a desperate blur. "Madara... please! You want powerful children, right? She can produce them! All of them capable of using her Kekkei Genkai. Just let her live! I'll even find a way to revert my physical age and bear children for you as well!"

Madara shoved Mei aside. "I do not wish for my children to use such pathetic tactics. Even I would not resort to such a thing."

The young woman stepped back, tears streaming down her face. "Please! Please don't kill me!" she begged, her voice cracking.