Naruto: Copy System

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Early the next morning—after a simple breakfast—Shin used [Yomotsu Hirasaka] and teleported straight into Madara Uchiha's hidden lair: a dark, damp underground cavern where Madara had dwelled for who knew how long.@@novelbin@@

"How does that old man stand living here?" Shin wondered softly, glancing at the dimly lit stone walls. "I'd go insane if I had to spend more than half a day in a place like this."

But such an environment didn't seem to affect Madara, who immediately sensed Shin's arrival. As Madara's three-tomoe Sharingan spun, he realized Shin had used that uncanny space-time jutsu again.

'So that technique is Shin's personal dojutsu?' Madara thought.

He had long concluded that Shin's formidable space-time ability was one of the key reasons not to fight him head-on.

After all, if Shin could simply warp away, killing him in a single blow would be nearly impossible—thus jeopardizing Madara's delicate plan.

Even more troublingly, Madara and Black Zetsu hadn't anticipated someone like Shin could exist, possessing so many unimaginable powers.

It was a wrench in the works they never saw coming. Black Zetsu was even more anxious, having plotted a thousand years to resurrect Kaguya only to see it all risked by a single ninja.

"So, Madara," Shin greeted, strolling up with a faint grin, "Have you eaten breakfast yet? Hard to keep your strength in a place like this."

Madara regarded him silently, showing no sign of hospitality. Shin shrugged, then formed a Wood Release chair and sat down.

"Your lair is as dreary as ever. But I'm guessing you didn't call me here to talk interior design."

Madara's eyes narrowed.

"Uzumaki Shin. You've meddled with all nine Tailed Beasts!"

His voice carried a thread of anger. Officially, they were partners in some "alliance," but Madara had never fully trusted Shin. And Shin's actions with the Tailed Beasts only proved him right.

"Ah, so you heard about that now?" Shin replied breezily. "I started collecting Tailed Beast chakra over half a year ago. If you're only finding out—maybe you need better intel."

"You know it disrupts my plan. Our plan," Madara corrected icily. "It isn't time to start the Eye of the Moon Project."

Shin shrugged, crossing his arms in a casual posture.

"That's your plan, not necessarily mine. But if you want to unify the Tailed Beasts, what's stopping you? We could commence Infinite Tsukuyomi right now."

He eyed Madara, looking for a reaction. The elder Uchiha outwardly remained impassive, but inside he felt a twinge of alarm. He was far too frail to attempt becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki at this stage.

"It isn't time," Madara stated flatly. "My body is in no shape for it yet."

"Fine, if you say so," Shin said with a faint smirk.

Madara paused, then shifted topics:

"Uzumaki Shin, you have the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. I don't know how you obtained it, but—do you realize it can evolve further?"

Shin's face took on a suitably shocked expression.

"What? The EMS can…evolve more?"

He feigned "incredulous excitement," and Madara felt a surge of satisfaction.

Shin's act was flawless—'Life is a Stage, and We Are All Actors!'

"It can become the Rinnegan," Madara declared. "I awakened it myself. That's how I achieved what I have now."

Shin pretended to breathe harder, a covetous look creeping into his eyes—like someone enthralled by the idea of the Rinnegan. It was the perfect performance for Madara's benefit.

"Are you saying you…possess the Rinnegan?" Shin asked, with feigned restraint but obvious hunger in his tone.

"Are you planning to steal my Rinnegan?" Madara asked coolly, reading the flicker in Shin's gaze.

"Of course not! We're collaborators, right?" Shin began, but allowed a flash of killing intent to pass through his eyes. He wanted Madara to see that shadow of greed.

Madara gave a slight nod.

"Well, if you did try, it wouldn't matter. Even if you stole my eyes, you couldn't wield their full might."

He paused, scanning Shin's reaction.

"But I'm not here to threaten you. On the contrary, I'll tell you how to unlock your own Rinnegan."

"You'd do that?" Shin asked, feigning deep skepticism. "Why the sudden generosity?"

"We're allies," Madara said, injecting false warmth into his rasping voice. "I want you to believe in our plan. Besides, if you gained the Rinnegan, you'd truly see how Infinite Tsukuyomi can dominate this world."

He locked eyes with Shin.

"But don't jump the gun. Rushing things might ruin everything. We can't unify the world if you trigger our plan too soon."

Shin allowed himself to appear eager.

"Tell me the method, and I'll hold off. For now."

Madara gave a slow, deliberate nod.

"You already possess the Eternal Mangekyō. Next, you need to incorporate Hashirama's Cells. Only then can your eyes evolve into the Rinnegan. It's not guaranteed, but that's the theory. I myself only awakened them on my deathbed."

Shin's eyes gleamed with contrived fascination, but inside he was rolling them. Madara must be hoping he'd attempt the risky fusion of Hashirama's cells, which could easily kill the unprepared. Only a rare few survived that graft.

"You don't look convinced," Madara observed, narrowing his eyes.

"Oh, I believe you. It's just…given our lack of mutual trust, you can't expect me to jump right in," Shin said pointedly. "I know it might be a trap."

Madara anticipated that hesitation.

"I can prove it, if that's what you require," he replied vaguely.

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