Just as the tension in the cavern reached its peak, White Zetsu and his clones returned.
They had reaped a bountiful, albeit terrified, harvest. Five trembling doctors, also abducted from the neighboring Daimyo's mansion, were now standing before them. Under the clone's unsubtle threats, the medical team was compelled to give Shiro a comprehensive examination, their hands were shaking but their work was meticulous.
After the examination, the doctors were utterly stunned, exchanging looks of disbelief and repeatedly exclaiming in wonder. They had never before encountered an infant in such a state of perfect health. Not only was he completely free of any ailment, but all his internal organs were extraordinarily robust and brimming with a vitality that seemed impossible for an abandoned child.
"Sir… monster… sir," the lead doctor stammered, "your child is in perfect condition. His physique is healthier than any I have ever seen. You have nothing to worry about."
Hearing these words, a collective sigh of relief echoed through the cavern. Madara, Obito, and the Zetsu clones finally relaxed.
Uchiha Madara's voice was filled with relief. "Phew… It is good that my son is well. White Zetsu, see these doctors out. There is a great deal of money in the storehouse; reward them for their trouble. Obito use genjutsu to make them forget."
"Yes, Lord Madara," White Zetsu nodded, then turned to the doctors.
"Follow me. I will take you to get your payment, and then I will send you back. But remember this: it is best you do not speak of what happened here to anyone if somehow you managed to remember this placem"
If Madara hadn't been in such a good mood, White Zetsu would have simply disposed of them.
"Sir, we don't want the money," the lead doctor said, his voice surprisingly firm. "Could we… stay?"
"Huh?" White Zetsu was taken aback. "You wish to stay here?"
"Yes. We are utterly fascinated by that child. We wish to remain by his side, to watch him grow and ensure he remains healthy. Of course, if you would agree to let us adopt him, that would be even better…"
He didn't get to finish his sentence. Five White Zetsu clones erupted from the ground, their bodies splitting open to engulf the doctors. "You should be grateful you are being allowed to live, and yet you dare make such audacious demands? Begone!"
"Ugh!"
The next moment, the clones had "escorted" the doctors away.
After having his fill of milk, little Shiro lay sound asleep in a small cradle fashioned from Wood Release. Uchiha Madara, Obito, White Zetsu, and Black Zetsu formed a protective circle around him, watching with fond smiles, none of them willing to leave his side.
Even Black Zetsu, who had only snuck a few close looks and gentle strokes, had fallen under Shiro's spell, though his cold rationality remained.
It cautiously reminded Madara, "Lord Madara, I have observed a peculiar trait. It seems the boy possesses an innate charm. Anyone who spends time in close proximity to him develops a powerful affection for him."
At that moment, Uchiha Madara's world consisted only of Shiro. "I am already aware of this," he dismissed. "You need not state the obvious. Our purpose is to raise him as one of us. This child is destined for greatness!"
Obito spoke up, his voice filled with a newfound sense of purpose. "From now on, I will be responsible for changing his diapers!"
White Zetsu chirped, "Then I shall be in charge of playtime! I am the best at making children laugh!"
Uchiha Madara's voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. "I care not what you do during the day, but no one is to challenge me for the duty of sleeping beside him at night! I am his one and only godfather. You are, at best, his nannies."
Black Zetsu's shadowy form rippled. "If you have claimed both day and night, then I shall become little Shiro's shadow. With me by his side, no matter where he goes in the future, no one will ever be able to harm him!"
And so, under the meticulous care of one godfather, three devoted nannies, and a legion of wet nurses, Shiro began to grow up happily. White Zetsu used its Wood Release to construct a series of rooms within the base for the women to live in. A strange but effective routine was established: White Zetsu was responsible for keeping Shiro entertained, the wet nurses were responsible for feeding him when he tired of playing, Madara was responsible for co-sleeping when he was full and sleepy, and Obito was fully in charge of all his… biological needs.
Days turned into months, and soon, Shiro was two years old. The time had come for his next system sign-in.
[Ding! Sign-in successful. Congratulations, Host, you have obtained the "Extraordinary Comprehension" talent.]
Talent [Extraordinary Comprehension]: You possess a mind of unparalleled genius and an eidetic memory. No matter the subject—be it ninjutsu, taijutsu, genjutsu, or any other form of knowledge—with the slightest guidance, you can instantly master it and never forget it.
Shiro was ecstatic. With the blessing of this new talent, he was able to stand and walk freely that very same day.
Watching little Shiro toddle around the base, Uchiha Madara was filled with pride. "As expected of my son! A true prodigy!"
White Zetsu puffed out its chest. "Hehe, that is because of my excellent training!"
The wet nurses chimed in, "No, no, it is because we have fed him so well!"
Obito cleared his throat and tilted his head back. "As Shiro's dedicated diaper-changer, I believe my contribution is also significant…"
Over the past two years, everyone around Shiro had undergone remarkable changes. Madara grew visibly younger each day, looking at least a decade younger than when he first held the child. His wrinkles had softened, and his walk was now steady and strong. As for Obito, the scars on his face had faded considerably, and most incredibly, a rudimentary eyeball had begun to form in his empty left socket. Though he couldn't yet see with it, regaining his sight seemed like an inevitability. The wet nurses, too, had become much younger, their faces and figures seemingly reverting to their early twenties.
Only White Zetsu and Black Zetsu remained unchanged by the life-giving aura.
"My son, run slower, be careful not to fall," Madara called out, his benevolent gaze fixed on Shiro, following his every move.
White Zetsu chuckled. "Do not worry, Lord Madara. I am here. I would never let any harm come to little Shiro."
Obito looked around. "Strange, where has Black Zetsu gone? He usually follows Shiro like a shadow. Why isn't he here today?"
Madara shook his head, a hint of anger in his expression. "I have no idea where he went. That one has grown bold lately, daring to leave without my permission instead of staying here to care for the child. Hmph, when he returns, I will certainly have words for him!"
Just then, Black Zetsu emerged from a nearby wall. Before it could even speak, Madara's voice boomed.
"Where have you been? This is not the first time you have gone out without my approval!"
Black Zetsu quickly explained, "Lord Madara, I have just returned from Konoha. My surveillance indicates that the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki is due to give birth in half a month. It presents a perfect opportunity to capture the beast…"
"Is the Nine-Tails more important than my son?!" Madara roared, his voice shaking the cavern. "The Jinchuriki's childbirth means nothing to me! Once I have returned to my peak, I can handle that little fox in minutes! What if something had happened here while you were gone?"
"Relying on the weakness of a Jinchuriki during childbirth to snatch a Tailed Beast? Hmph! Is that truly necessary? I am Uchiha Madara! I do not need to resort to such dishonorable tactics!"
"Uh…" Black Zetsu was stunned into silence by the force of Madara's conviction.
Madara's expression was resolute, his arrogance fully restored. He commanded the others with renewed authority.
"Do not make me repeat myself. Our only mission—our most important mission—is to raise this child! No harm must ever come to little Shiro!"
"By the time I have fully recovered, my son will also have grown. Just you wait. As for those nine beasts… in my youth, I could have dealt with all of them in a single day!"
While Madara was delivering his grand speech, the restless toddler ran and gleefully leaped onto a wet nurse who had just emerged from her room, immediately beginning to feed.
Madara's furious expression melted away, replaced by a look of doting pride.
"Look, see how clever my son has become. When he is hungry, he knows to actively seek out his own food!"