[Prepare for appraisal...]
As darkness enveloped everything, Madara heard those words. The next moment, he found himself in the vast expanse of eternal night, surrounded by billions of stars, each shining in its own unique way. They were all connected by an endless network of silvery threads that stretched from one star to the next.
Madara noticed that it resembled an incredibly complex technique, one that not even Kaguya Ootsutsuki could master. He marveled at the diversity and intricacy of the universe's structure.
[You have received a memory: "Shadow"]
Madara was surprised. He still couldn't understand the purpose of these memories. Just as he considered summoning it, a voice echoed from nowhere.
[Aspirant! Your trial is over.]
[The great warrior who lost his strength has not fallen! You traveled through many kilometers, fought hundreds of monsters, and successfully completed the ritual! You have confirmed your right to victory!]
[You defeated twenty-seven sleeping people, names unknown.]
[You have defeated an awakened man: Name unknown.]
[You have defeated twenty dormant beasts: Wolves.]
[You have passed a bloody ritual with a great reward, the blessing of one of the Unknowns.]
[You have accomplished much: Your combat skills know no enemy!]
[Final grade: Excellent]
Madara didn't fully grasp what was happening, but he realized that he had performed well. However, one question nagged at him: who were the Unknowns?
The voice spoke again.
[Dreamer Madara, accept your blessing!]
Madara listened intently.
[You have been given the True Name: Dream Warrior.]
Madara understood that the True Name was significant, though its full importance eluded him.
The voice continued:
[Your aspect is ready to be developed. Develop aspect?]
Madara wasn't sure what it meant, but he didn't refuse.
- Yes, - Madara said briefly.
[The dormant Aspect of the Cultist Warrior is evolving...]
[New Aspect Acquired.]
[Aspect Rank: Supreme]
Madara couldn't determine if this was good or bad.
[Aspect Name: Seeker of the Unknown.]
***
Madara pondered the significance of the aspect, its ranks, and the honors he had received. He wasn't sure how beneficial it was, but he realized that overall, the situation wasn't too bad. He was alive, albeit in another world, and he had a real, living body! He was gradually regaining strength, and that was the most important thing right now.
But the voice sounded again.
[The first seal is broken.]
[Awakening of dormant powers...]
Suddenly, Madara felt a surge of energy flow into his body. He felt himself grow stronger, as if his chakra had increased dramatically. He experienced a wave of euphoria but resisted it, fearing it might make him complacent.
After a while, everything stopped. Madara saw a huge glowing orb in front of him, shining brightly like a star. All the other stars had disappeared.
When Madara examined it more closely, he saw two spinning spheres. Once again, he didn't understand what it was, and his ignorance was slightly frustrating, though he tried to keep his emotions under control.
And then, once more, the voice rang out.
[Awakening Aspect Ability...]
At that moment, Madara began to feel irritated by the constant stream of rewards.
[Aspect Ability Acquired.]
[Aspect Ability Name: Black Drawing.]
Madara was finally intrigued! He had encountered ranks, aspects, and true names before, but now he had a real ability!
Madara wanted to know what it was, so he summoned the spell aloud.
**Name:** Madara Uchiha
**True Name:** Dream Warrior.
**Rank:** Dreamer.
**Soul Core:** In a state of dormancy.
**Soul Fragments:** [40/1000].
**Memories:** [Gray Clothing], [Shadow].
**Echoes:** -
**Attributes:** [Rebel], [Serpent Tattoo].
**Aspect:** [Seeker of the Unknown].
**Aspect Rank:** Supreme
**Aspect Abilities:** [Black Drawing].
**Aspect Ability Description:** [Drawings are the fulfillment of your imagination! However, not all of them are harmless, some can Kill.]
Madara, after reading the description, sank into thought. If this ability was truly capable of manifesting his imagination, its power could be limitless!
At that moment, Madara recalled several Ninjutsu and Jutsu with similar capabilities.
[All power has a price.]
[You have a flaw.]
[Your Flaw is that...]
**Flaw:** [On the periphery of perception.]
**Flaw Description:** [You will always find yourself in the proximity of events that can change the world.]
Madara, looking at this flaw, couldn't determine if it was good or bad. After all, participating in such events could either help or harm... He knew this from his own experience.
[Wake up, Dream Warrior!]
Everything spun around and disappeared.
***
Madara opened his eyes abruptly.
He expected to see the familiar altar, but instead, he saw a white ceiling with lamps attached to it. He struggled to raise his head and realized that he was chained by leather straps to an iron bunk.
Turning his head, he noticed a man sitting on a plastic chair next to him.
- Wow! You're awake! I wasn't expecting that, - the man said with some surprise. - However, as they say, appearances can be deceiving.
Madara nodded slowly, not quite sure what was going on.
- Well, if you've survived your first nightmare, you can call yourself Sleeper! But first, you should tell me who you are and where you're from. It's embarrassing, coming to the police station and collapsing. It's a good thing I was there.
Madara realized at once that this man was very talkative and could provide a lot of useful information.
Before he could start talking, however, a man in a black uniform entered the room. He sat down across from him and started asking questions.
- What's your name?
- Madara.
- Where are you from?
Madara didn't know what to answer, but then the man intervened.
- Probably from the suburbs. Write it that way.
He nodded and made a note in his notebook.
- Parents? - He asked, but Madara only shook his head.
Afterward, he left.
- Now it's my turn to introduce myself, - the man said. - My name is Johan, I am the Awakened One. I was sent here to monitor your condition, but fortunately, you survived.
Madara nodded.
- Good, now go wash up, and then we'll continue talking. - The man wanted to turn away, but then he remembered. - Oh yes, the bathroom is over there, - he pointed a finger at it.
Madara looked grimly at Johan, who slapped his forehead and began unbuckling his straps.
- And yes, there's a change of clothes in there too...
Madara stood up, stretched his arms, and headed for the bathroom after locking the door. There he found many unusual devices, but quickly learned how to use them. This was his world now, and he probably had a lot to learn.
Rubbing himself well under the jets of water, he finally looked at himself in the mirror.
He was now a green-eyed blond with soft facial features. His wet hair reached his waist, and he had earrings in his ears. After scrutinizing himself in the mirror, he proceeded to dry his hair, dry and dress himself, selecting clothes from the bathroom.
After brief deliberation, he braided his hair and finally left the room. It was time to realize where he was....