"What do you call a paralyzed person?
Living real estate."
***
In the heart of the city, among countless houses, stood one. From the outside, it was no different from the others—just as plain, with a small garden around it. However, inside, something was happening that could shatter the mind of an ordinary person.
A tall eighteen-year-old boy with long golden hair and exquisite earrings stood in the middle of the room, shirtless. His body was adorned with tattoos: a snake coiled on his back, and a two-tailed fox graced his thigh. But the most remarkable thing was that he stood before a giant canvas of paper with his eyes closed, drenched in sweat. It seemed as if he was completely immersed in something beyond the understanding of ordinary people.
This man was Madara. Five months ago, he had passed through the gates right under the nose of a powerful abomination, a creature even the gods feared to name. He had escaped from an uncharted region, but upon returning to the real world, he lied, claiming he had exited through the gates of the Bastion. The lie was so masterful that even the most suspicious of the clans believed him.
Having become Awakened, Madara gained many new abilities, but the most important was his new aspect—**Black Drawing**. It was a power that allowed him to bring his thoughts to life through drawings. But not all of them were harmless. Some could kill.
Madara abruptly opened his eyes. Glancing at the clock, he realized it was time to finish. He quickly washed under the shower and headed to the kitchen for a snack. On the way, he summoned runes to check his status:
- **Name:** Madara Uchiha
- **True Name:** Warrior of Dreams
- **Rank:** Awakened
- **Soul Cores:** [2/3]
- **Soul Fragments:** [521/2000]
- **Memories:** [Gray Robe], [Throwing Knife], [Slasher], [Green Crystal], [Killer's Earring]
- **Echo:** [Ghost Skull]
- **Attributes:** [Snake Tattoo], [Two-Tailed Fox Tattoo], [Rebel], [Chakra]
- **Aspect:** [Black Drawing]
- **Aspect Description:** [Drawings are the embodiment of your imagination! However, not all of them are harmless. Some can kill.]
After awakening, Madara honed his skills in battles on the Chain Islands. He chose this place because it was difficult to track him there, and he could calmly carry out his plans. There, he obtained a second soul core, several new memories, and a new echo.
As he entered the kitchen, a man in an Anbu mask and ninja attire suddenly appeared before him, as if emerging from the wall. The man immediately bowed and began to report:
— Lord Madara, as you ordered, I have investigated the island with the ruins. It is not very dangerous, mostly inhabited by Awakened monsters. The most dangerous is a fallen demon in the center of the island.
— Excellent, — Madara replied coldly. — Rest. By evening, gather the others. We will cleanse the island.
The man bowed and disappeared into the shadows.
Madara had created his own Anbu unit. He remembered from his past life that even with great power, he would lose alone. So this time, he decided to build his own army. For now, he had only five people, but he had no intention of stopping. He played on their greed and ambitions, gradually increasing their loyalty. The first one he had saved on the Chain Islands. He was an ordinary Sleeper who had found himself in a dangerous zone but survived thanks to his ability to blend into the environment. Madara offered him training, and he agreed. After awakening, his ability became even stronger, and when Madara "stole" his shadow, he became almost invisible to other Awakened.
Entering the kitchen, Madara opened the refrigerator and took out some milk. He poured cereal into a bowl and began to eat. No one would have thought that such a terrifying and brilliant man as Madara loved to eat cereal with milk for breakfast. But that was the case.
After eating, Madara dressed and left the house. He walked through several districts of the city and arrived at a tall building in a fenced-off area. It was the headquarters of the Valor Clan. He showed his pass to the guard, and he let him through. Madara had taken a job as an ordinary security guard to avoid suspicion. This job also allowed him to replace himself with a clone and attend to his own affairs.
A couple of hours later, a servant approached him and asked him to go to the boss's office. Madara sent his fox tattoo to cancel the gathering on the island and continued on his way. In the office, he was met with an unexpected sight. Sitting in the boss's chair was a girl in a perfectly tailored business suit and black metal gloves. Her bright red eyes were fixed on Madara. It was Morgan, the heir of the Valor Clan.
Madara realized he had slipped up somewhere. But, gathering his courage, he sat down opposite her. A difficult conversation awaited him.