When the lights went out, Madara's instincts took over. He rose from his chair in a fluid motion, his sword already in hand. His sharp eyes scanned the deck, noting how the crew silently dropped to the floor, their faces pale with fear. Madara hesitated for only a moment before following suit, his pride warring with his survival instincts. He would not die here, not to some unseen threat.
As he lay on the cold steel deck, Madara's mind raced. Out of habit, he began to form the hand seals for a ninjutsu, but he stopped himself just in time. Drawing attention now could be fatal. Yet, in that brief moment, he felt it—his chakra reserves had grown significantly, now rivaling those of a jonin. A cruel smile tugged at his lips. Even in this wretched world, he was regaining his strength.
He activated the Concealment Jutsu, his form blending seamlessly with the shadows of the deck. Invisible, he turned his attention to the chaos outside. Peering over the railing, he saw the source of the ship's sudden halt: two colossal sea monsters locked in a brutal battle.
A monstrous shark, its body twisting like a living tornado, tore through the water, its jaws snapping at a giant octopus. The octopus fought back with terrifying precision, its tentacles tipped with razor-sharp blades slicing through the water. The shark's massive jaws finally clamped down, severing the octopus in two. The victor began to devour its prey, but Madara's attention was ripped away as the ship lurched violently, waves crashing over the deck.
When the chaos subsided, the sea was eerily calm. The monsters were gone, leaving no trace of their battle. Madara's lips curled in disdain. Such creatures were nothing more than beasts, unworthy of his fear. Still, their existence intrigued him. What kind of world had he been thrust into, where such horrors roamed freely?
The lights flickered back on, and the crew scrambled to their feet, their movements hurried and tense. Madara remained in the shadows, watching with cold detachment. He returned to his chair, his mind already dissecting what he had seen. These sea terrors were unlike anything from the ninja world, and their sudden disappearance only deepened the mystery. Who—or what—had created them? And why?
Madara's thoughts turned to his newfound abilities. He reached into the depths of his soul, summoning the shadow memory. But instead of manifesting as a separate entity, the shadow merged with his own, amplifying his strength and sharpening his senses. He rose, testing his enhanced reflexes with a series of precise strikes. The boost was significant, but it was a pale shadow of his former power. Still, it was a start.
As the ship sailed on, the weather began to deteriorate. Dark clouds gathered overhead, and the sea grew restless. Madara ignored the growing storm, his focus locked on his attributes. He summoned the description of his **Rebel** attribute, his crimson eyes scanning the runes:
**Attribute Description [Rebel]:** *"Power is never absolute. Repeatedly rising from death, you have always sought change. But at what cost? The path of rebellion is paved with blood and betrayal."*
Madara's lips twisted into a smirk. The description was fitting. He had clawed his way back from death time and time again, each resurrection fueling his ambition. Yet, each victory had come at a price—his humanity, his allies, his very soul. He had no regrets. Power was worth any cost.
The ship rocked violently as the storm intensified. A sailor approached, his face pale and nervous, and led Madara to the hold. There, in a dimly lit corner, Madara sat and turned his attention to his second attribute: the **Serpent Tattoo**.
**Attribute [Serpent Tattoo] Description:** *"A gift from one of the Unknown, born of an endless dream. But beware—gifts from the Unknown are never as simple as they seem."*
As he finished reading, a searing pain shot through his right arm. Madara's expression remained impassive as the tattoo began to form, the serpent's scales creeping up his skin until it reached his shoulder. The snake's painted eyes stared at him, cold and calculating.
Madara examined the tattoo, his fingers brushing over the intricate design. The serpent shifted slightly, its tongue flicking out to taste the air. Madara's voice was calm, but laced with menace:
- Are you sane?
The serpent nodded, its gaze unwavering. Madara's smirk returned. A sentient tattoo—how intriguing. It could be a powerful ally or a deadly foe. Trusting it completely would be foolish, but Madara was no stranger to manipulating dangerous forces.
- What can you do? - he demanded.
The serpent coiled around his chest, its mouth opening to reveal a void of absolute darkness. Madara's eyes narrowed. He picked up a nearby bolt and dropped it into the serpent's maw. The bolt vanished. Reaching inside, Madara found a vast, empty space. A living storage scroll, he realized. Useful, but he doubted that was the extent of its abilities.
The serpent retreated, its eyes glinting with an intelligence that sent a thrill of anticipation through Madara. He would uncover its secrets in time. For now, he turned his attention to his **Aspect**.
From Yohan, Madara had learned that Aspects were ranked in seven tiers:
* Dormant
* Awakened
* Ascended
* Transcendent
* Supreme
* Sacred
* Divine
His own Aspect, **Seeker of the Unknown**, was ranked Supreme—a rarity in this world. Madara's pride swelled. Even here, he was exceptional. Yet, the description offered no clues to its true power. Testing it would require ink or blood, resources he lacked for now. He would bide his time.
As the storm raged outside, Madara allowed himself a moment of rest. His mind, however, never stopped working. This world was cruel and unforgiving, but it was also ripe with opportunity. He would rise again, as he always had. And this time, nothing would stand in his way.