"My national treasure! You have finally come back to the Land of Sugi!"

The Daimyo of Sugi was so overcome with emotion that he was on the verge of tears, his body trembling uncontrollably. "Madara-gakure is truly a reliable village! I hereby promise that from this day forward, all missions for the Land of Sugi will be entrusted to you." With that, he took the scroll from Shiro, cradling it in his arms as if it were a newborn child.

"…" Shiro finally understood. His father had cleaned up his mess. That makes sense, he thought. He is my father, after all.

"It's settled then!" Seeing the scroll, Yakumi was even more excited than the Daimyo. "Our reputation is saved! Lord Madara is truly worthy of his name!"

After receiving their payment, they didn't linger. After a few simple pleasantries, they set off on their journey back to the village. Upon arriving at the base, Shiro went to find his father at once. When he saw Madara, he threw himself into his arms, a sheepish grin on his face. "I'm sorry, Dad. If it weren't for you, I would have ruined the reputation of our village."

Madara smiled. "Haha, did White Zetsu deliver my message?"

"Yes, he did," Shiro said, a slight blush coloring his cheeks. "I know what you meant. You wanted to tell me that I am still too young, too inexperienced. That I need more time to settle down."

"That's right," Madara nodded, his expression one of deep satisfaction. "My son, I know you are strong, but you are not yet strong enough to control every situation. I hope you will remember the experience of this failed mission. For a time, do not run off so often. Stay by my side. Accompany me. When the time is right, we will descend the mountain together."

"Oh?" Hearing this, Shiro's eyes lit up. "Dad, are you preparing to leave this mountain?"

"Yes," Madara said, his fists clenching as he looked off into the distance. "Judging from my current physical condition, the day I have been looking forward to for so long is not far away. Then, I will take back everything that was stolen from me."

In the time that followed, Shiro began to settle down. He no longer yearned for the outside world, instead dedicating himself wholeheartedly to his training, living and learning at his father's side. Day after day, the two were inseparable. This close companionship allowed the effects of his talent to be in constant effect, and the rejuvenation of Uchiha Madara's body accelerated rapidly.

After only five years, Madara's appearance and physical fitness had returned to that of a man in his late twenties. In terms of his physical condition, he was in his absolute prime.

"Hahahaha! Hahahahahahaha!"

On the cliffside, Uchiha Madara held Shiro, who had now grown to the age of thirteen, and laughed wildly at the full moon.

"I have finally waited for this day, my dear son!" he roared, his voice booming with a triumphant joy. "You have made a great contribution to my return! Now, it is our turn to fix this broken world!"

"Hahahahahahahaha!"

Seeing his father so happy, Shiro couldn't bear to interrupt him. After Madara's laughter had finally subsided, Shiro asked, his own voice filled with excitement, "Dad, you're finally going to leave the mountain, right?"

"Yes!" Uchiha Madara nodded, his expression one of grim determination. "Tomorrow, I will officially make my return!"

"First… let us start with Konoha. This village, which I founded with my own hands, has been brainwashed by that disgusting 'Will of Fire' to the point of numbness. It is time for a change!"

As he spoke, a familiar white figure slowly emerged from the ground. White Zetsu held a scroll in his hand, a funny, lopsided grin on his face. Lord Madara, Shiro, this is something Fugaku just gave me. The contents are quite interesting. It's an invitation. Can you guess who sent it?"

Madara squinted his eyes, his voice cold. "Stop playing games. Tell me, who is it?"

"It's Konoha! You didn't expect that, did you?"