There was no doubt—what the Summoning Technique connected to was indeed the Gedo Statue. And wherever it stood, that had to be Uchiha Madara's location. After all, in his current state, Madara was so frail that he could no longer survive without the Gedo Statue—unless he replaced his body's functions with White Zetsu cells, even down to his internal organs. For a human body, the real keystones were the internal organs and the brain. Muscles and flesh on the outside were just carriers; before chakra conditions were met, they could be swapped out at will. But even if Madara replaced his organs— Kyoichi still wasn't afraid. Madara's power came almost entirely from his eyes. Without the Rinnegan or the Mangekyō Sharingan, his strength would be cut down drastically. Even with Hashirama's cells granting him Wood Release, he wouldn't be much of a threat. Nagato carefully focused on sensing the statue's location. Kyoichi even set up a sensory barrier for him. Nagato only shook his head. "I can't locate him. It feels like he already prepared for this. And this statue… it's strange. I can't explain it, but it feels like… it's watching me." He had done all he could. He probed and strained, but there was this uncanny sensation— That while he was trying to sense the statue, the other side was sensing him back. Kyoichi thought for a moment, then understood. The Gedo Statue itself was dead matter. It was nothing more than the husk of the Ten-Tails. With its chakra split into nine separate beasts, it couldn't possibly possess its own will. What Nagato had felt wasn't the statue— It was Uchiha Madara. Madara now likely knew that Nagato had nearly mastered summoning the Gedo Statue. A smile tugged at Kyoichi's lips. Madara, what will you do? If you don't move quickly, I'll be forced to let Nagato take the risk. And once the statue is summoned away, keeping yourself alive through it won't be so simple anymore. What's more—Kyoichi remembered that Madara had cultivated the White Zetsu through the Gedo Statue. Taking it away would be striking at the very root. For Nagato, the danger was immense. Even Kyoichi couldn't guarantee the statue's power was harmless. In the anime, Nagato's fatal mistake had been summoning the statue to attack Hanzō. After turning it over in his mind, Kyoichi finally made his decision. "I suspect the presence you sensed may be Uchiha Madara himself. Gather the Anbu who can perform chakra transfer—we're going to summon the statue." Kyoichi had seemed so relaxed before, but now he was suddenly calling for the summoning of the statue. He couldn't make sense of it at first. The Nine-Tails, sprawled nearby, spoke up languidly. "Idiot. Madara's ancient. He's not like me, a tailed beast. His body would've collapsed long ago." "You mean… Madara may already be fused with the statue? He's been using its power to survive until now?" Nagato's eyes went wide in disbelief. That guess fit the situation perfectly. Madara couldn't be truly immortal, right? If so, then merging with the statue sounded all too likely. Nagato now understood the urgency. But—Kyoichi suddenly remembered something even more important as he stepped out. Nagato's seal hadn't been removed yet! "Nagato, we don't have time to clear the seal. During the summoning, Kushina and Oriri will stay beside you. If you lose control, we'll seal you immediately." "Then it's decided. Go let Tsunade-hime know." Plans never keep up with change. Kyoichi didn't waste another moment—he used the Flying Thunder God Technique to appear outside Minato's home. Even though Minato had his own markers inside, barging into a man's house while he wasn't there was just asking to be greeted by Kushina's fists. Kushina sensed him instantly. Someone suddenly appearing at her doorstep with no attempt to mask their chakra was impossible to miss. She poked her head out the window. "Kyoichi, what is it?" "We've decided to carry out the summoning ritual. You're being called in." She ducked back inside. Within a few breaths, she emerged wearing her shinobi flak jacket. She hardly ever had reason to wear it, but now, Kyoichi couldn't deny, she carried the same commanding presence as Tsunade. Kyoichi didn't dare let her go alone. She was the keystone of the plan. If anything happened to her, everything would collapse. He brought her to his home, where Tsunade was already seated, fully prepared. "How is it?" Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝※𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖※𝕟𝕖𝕥 "I'll inform the Anbu. We'll summon the statue in the Forest of Death. If things go wrong, we can destroy it without endangering the village." Tsunade's tone was grim but firm. She knew Kyoichi's caution was warranted. If Madara really was bound to the statue, summoning it might bring him along as well. And if that happened inside the village, the risk would be enormous. Kyoichi used Flying Thunder God to alert the Anbu. The message spread swiftly, and soon the village's black-ops network was in motion. Madara sat beneath the Gedo Statue, Uchiha war fan in hand, eyes narrowing. "…Was that just now…?" "Heh. Looks like they're preparing to summon the statue," he said coolly. For once, Black Zetsu kept calm. After a pause, he replied, "You've replaced much of your body. There's no need to worry for now—" "A pity. If only I could be summoned along with it, I'd finally get to test myself against that boy." Madara sighed softly. He had swapped out so many parts of his body—even his organs had been remade with White Zetsu cells. For now, he could survive apart from the statue. But what he longed for most… was a battle worthy of his name. "…Uh." Black Zetsu felt numb. What went through this man's head all day? If Kyoichi really summoned the statue to Konoha… what "honorable duel" was Madara imagining? There was no chivalry here—only a deathtrap waiting. Without his Mangekyō Sharingan, Madara couldn't even be sure of making it past Kyoichi. Madara exhaled wistfully, then turned to look at the statue behind him. Gathering his thoughts, he asked, "And those eyes—how are they?" "They're still lacking. He has no true bond with his brother. Without real emotion, the Mangekyō won't awaken. What you see now may be his limit." "…So be it. That's enough for Susanoo, at least." Madara rose to his feet. He couldn't wait any longer. "I hope, when the time comes, you can give me a real fight." "…Ugh." Black Zetsu gave up completely. The sooner you die, the sooner you're freed!