Besides, we need to ensure the safety on Madara's side.
Although the opponents haven't figured out their situation yet, if they keep probing endlessly, one day, their secrets will be revealed.
At that time... it will truly be dangerous.
"Stick to the original plan."
"Huh?"
"But use more smoke bombs."
"Use more?"
"Send White Zetsu to other Ninja Villages, pretending to gather intelligence and conspiring, to divert their attention."
"Can this work?"
"It has to, whether it works or not. I need some time to cultivate new White Zetsus. Also, unless there's a major issue, don't linger around here. Your actions could expose my whereabouts. Go to a different location, set up a base with a lot of explosive tags. If the enemy comes, detonate them directly."
Madara issued the orders coldly.
As for whether the exploding base would endanger the White Zetsus' lives, Madara didn't care at all.
These guys were just disposable tools.
White Zetsu naturally had no objections, for them, a fallen White Zetsu was just replaced by countless others; life and death were irrelevant.
"What about your safety, Lord Madara?"
"I will hide inside the Divine Tree later. If necessary, I will use its power to fight."
Though humiliating, this was the only plan Madara could think of for now.
"But doing so, your life force..."
"Hashirama's flesh holds a powerful life force that can still be utilized."
There's no other choice.
No matter what, he doesn't want to sit idly by here.
Although the situation is unfavorable, it's not hopeless yet.
As long as Nagato's side has no issues, there's nothing to worry about.
Next, it depends on how the opponent reacts.
Only then can he consider a strategy to counter them based on their response.
Seeing Madara's determination, White Zetsu knew that no matter what they said, they couldn't persuade Madara to change his mind.
"Afei, act with them as well. I don't need your protection here. Your protection is an exposure for me."
Afei nodded.
With Hashirama's cells and the Divine Tree's power, although Madara's strength couldn't reach its peak and his life force would decline, short-term combat wouldn't be an issue.
Even a weakened Madara is not someone who can be casually provoked.
Madara had a point, having White Zetsus around him only exposed his location and nothing else.
The opponent's stealth and concealment abilities were clearly superior to White Zetsu's.
"What move will you make next, mysterious newcomer..."
Madara's Sharingan looked into the darkness, murmuring while seated in a wooden chair.
◎
Returning to the Land of Demons happened a week later.
It took Hakushi quite some time to master the Sage Art: Life Regeneration, this Secret Technique Level Medical Ninjutsu.
Time and again, letting the Shadow Dancer's Shadow Blade severely injure himself, constantly testing the healing ability of this Medical Ninjutsu.
Although it's not possible without a Seal yet, Hakushi believes with more practice, casting this Medical Ninjutsu without a Seal is only a matter of time.
The only issue is that casting this technique requires consuming a large amount of Sage Art Chakra.
Over the years, Natural Energy has not been a concern, as it can be continuously absorbed from the natural world without running out.
However, the Chakra Amount has always been Hakushi's shortcoming.
It's just barely at the average level of a Jonin's Chakra Amount, possibly even slightly below.
His Ninja Techniques are mostly used in critical moments, generally low-consumption, highly practical, supportive Ninja Techniques.
In addition to constantly creating clones, he doesn't need to enhance his own strength, just needs to enhance the clone's abilities and feed back to himself.
Even fusing with the Shadow Dancer, borrowing Chakra from the Shadow Dancer, he cannot cast the Sage Art: Life Regeneration more than a few times.
Taking a mortally wounded person as an example, using it roughly three to four times is the limit.
Thus, how to increase Chakra and merge with Natural Energy to create more Sage Art Chakra is what Hakushi needs to solve next.
"Katsuyu, do you know how to significantly enhance a ninja's Chakra Amount?"
As a witness to history, Katsuyu surely knows many secrets in the Ninja Realm unknown to Hakushi.
Such as treasures and methods for enhancing Chakra.
Accompanying Hakushi to the Land of Demons was a small clone of Katsuyu, about the size of a regular house cat, softly resting on Hakushi's shoulder.
Hearing Hakushi's question, Katsuyu replied, "The refining of Chakra is related to the individual's physical constitution and innate aptitude. Kekkeigenkai Ninjas usually have exceptional bloodlines, thus are generally far superior in Chakra Amount than ordinary ninjas. Since Lord Hakushi isn't a Kekkeigenkai Ninja, you must rely on external means."
"External means?"
"For instance, becoming a Jinchuriki of a Tailed Beast. As I know, if a Tailed Beast and its human host are in mutual understanding, they become a Perfect Jinchuriki, allowing the human to freely control Tailed Beast Level Chakra."
"Tailed Beasts are a crucial power held by the Five Great Nations to deter other nations, and meddling with them would be very troublesome."