Excited, Nagato quickly assigned the mission, and the members waiting in Amegakure soon received their orders.
Itachi, Sasori, and the others didn't really understand why they were suddenly ordered to capture Orochimaru. They simply assumed that Pain held a grudge over Orochimaru's betrayal and wanted payback.
But was this overkill?
Itachi glanced at Kisame beside him, then at Sasori, Deidara, and Hidan, confusion flickering in his eyes.
"Orochimaru is currently in Konoha. You'll need to strike when he leaves the village. Kamizuki Hikari is dangerous—you probably don't want to experience that again, right~?"
Tobi issued the warning before vanishing into thin air with Kamui, taking Black Zetsu along with him.
---
Inside the Kamui Dimension
Obito glared coldly at Black Zetsu. "You're Uchiha Madara's will, but it seems you've started developing your own ideas, haven't you?"
Faced with Obito's anger, Black Zetsu remained completely unfazed.
He, after all, had lived for a thousand years—an ancient schemer who could fool even Madara Uchiha himself. Manipulating Obito was hardly a challenge.
"Madara-sama, you're not actually afraid of Nagato, who's on the verge of death, are you?"
Obito frowned. "Don't change the subject. Nagato still has years left to live. Unless he fights Kamizuki Hikari and burns through his life force, he will stubbornly cling to life."
Black Zetsu chuckled. "Kamizuki Hikari is in Konoha right now. Normally, he wouldn't cross paths with Nagato... but what if we gave fate a little push?"
Obito blinked. "Huh? Heh, Black Zetsu—you really are sinister."
A faint, almost bashful smile spread across Black Zetsu's face. "Thank you, Madara-sama, for the compliment. I'm only doing what must be done."
Obito nodded in approval. "As expected of Uchiha Madara's will—exceptionally underhanded. I like it. But Nagato isn't a fool, and the distance between Konoha and the island where the Three-Tails is sealed isn't short. How do you plan to make them meet?"
Black Zetsu's smile widened. "Normally, it wouldn't work. But, Madara-sama—you have genjutsu, don't you?"
"Genjutsu?" Obito frowned. "Kamizuki Hikari can resist even Itachi's Tsukuyomi. Ordinary illusions won't affect him. Even if we target others, he'd notice the traces immediately."
"Exactly why we shouldn't target him directly," said Black Zetsu. "We can control certain people—have them issue orders—and then send messengers who aren't under genjutsu to Konoha requesting aid. The mission will be genuine, and the intelligence about Nagato's arrival will be authentic. Under those circumstances, do you think Kamizuki Hikari would refuse to act?"
Black Zetsu's excitement was obvious.
Obito stared blankly for a moment, and Black Zetsu sneered inwardly.
'If not for your Mangekyō, if not for Mother's revival... with your level of intelligence, I could have crushed you long ago.'
Suppressing his contempt, Black Zetsu continued, "Once Kamizuki Hikari leaves Konoha, Itachi and the others will be free to infiltrate the village and seize Orochimaru. They might even get their hands on the Nine-Tails while they're at it."
Obito forced down his excitement and calmly analyzed the plan.
He had to admit—it was brilliant.
Kamizuki Hikari had shown great concern about the Three-Tails last time. If Kirigakure requested help, he would almost certainly go. And when Nagato and Hikari met, an earth-shattering battle was inevitable.
When two tigers clash, one is bound to fall.
Whether Kamizuki Hikari or Nagato died, it didn't matter—either outcome favored Obito.
If Hikari died, Obito could freely hunt down the remaining Tailed Beasts and revive the Ten-Tails.
If Nagato died, Obito would inherit his Rinnegan.
With the Rinnegan in his left eye and the Mangekyō Sharingan in his right, he'd command Akatsuki, resurrect the Ten-Tails, cast Infinite Tsukuyomi, and create a world where Rin still lived—effortlessly.
"Fine," he said at last. "We'll go with your plan."
"But genjutsu alone might not be reliable. Kirigakure's Ao possesses a Byakugan from the Hyūga clan—if he senses anything strange, he could ruin the plan. We should have White Zetsu impersonate the village's upper ranks. They can issue the necessary orders, and with a few subtle suggestions, everything will fall perfectly into place."
Noticing the flaw in Black Zetsu's scheme, Obito patched it up neatly.
"Brilliant as always, Madara-sama! Once this plan succeeds, we can finally initiate Infinite Tsukuyomi! You'll become the one true ruler of this world!" Black Zetsu said, shamelessly flattering him, with no regard for the divine lineage he came from.
Listening to the flattery, Obito felt utterly satisfied.
But he didn't forget who Black Zetsu really was.
"Enough. We'll split up—you go gather intel on Orochimaru, and I'll head to Kirigakure to set the plan in motion."
"Yes, Madara-sama."
Black Zetsu didn't argue. With a simple nod, he allowed Obito to teleport him out of the Kamui dimension.
Once he was gone, Obito's expression turned grim.
"This Black Zetsu... he's Madara Uchiha's creation, following his will to ensure I eventually resurrect Madara. But now he's scheming against Nagato... and Kamizuki Hikari... Could he also be plotting against me?"
Obito had never fully trusted Black Zetsu.
"But this plan is solid. That Kamizuki Hikari really is a problem. Between him and Nagato, one of them must die. Once that happens, I'll take the Rinnegan—and then I will become the god of this world."
---
Somewhere in the Shinobi World
Black Zetsu emerged from the trunk of a massive tree. As sunlight streamed down, a sly smile crept across his face.
"A mere pawn of Uchiha Madara—how could someone like you see through my scheme? As long as you don't know who I truly am, you'll never understand what I really want."
"Whether it's Nagato... or you... or even Uchiha Madara himself... as long as the Infinite Tsukuyomi is cast, you are all my perfect partners—tools."
He chuckled darkly.
"That Kamizuki Hikari is truly odd. No Senju or Uchiha bloodline, yet he possesses such power at that age. If Madara hadn't been alive at the time, I would truly suspect he was Indra's reincarnation."
"But it doesn't matter. Indra, Asura—every last one of you is just a pawn for my mother's resurrection."
His expression twisted with hatred.
"Damn you, Hagoromo... You ignored the mother who gave you life. You and Hamura sealed her away together. When Mother returns, you two will pay for it."
"Just wait. Mother will be revived soon."
"She'll kill you both with her own hands. Only I—only I, Black Zetsu—am her true child."
"This pitiful world will become the nourishment for Mother's ascension."
"Consider it an honor... to die for her sake."
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