Zetsu now found Chinya to be a particularly tricky opponent.
Because the trouble Chinya brought was beyond his imagination.
It was as if he were standing completely exposed before Chinya, leaving himself open to scrutiny.
After adjusting his mindset, Zetsu spoke to Chinya, "Earlier, you promised Madara that if we offered compensation, you would assist Obito. I came looking for you to ask—does that promise still hold?"
Chinya guessed, "Oh? Could it be that Uchiha Obito wants me to help him release the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki (a vessel containing the Nine-Tails beast), and then invade Konoha together with him?"
Zetsu's heart immediately filled with shock.
Chinya already knew of Uchiha Obito's plans. But how had he found out?
Seeing Zetsu's stunned expression, Chinya scoffed, "What's with that look on your face? Isn't it obvious? You came to me at this critical moment when the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki (host of the Nine-Tails beast) in Konoha is pregnant and about to give birth, asking whether my promise still counts. If someone couldn't figure that out, that'd be strange."
Regaining his composure, Zetsu solemnly asked, "So… does that mean you're in?"
Chinya countered, "And what kind of price are you willing to pay?"
Zetsu replied, "I don't know what kind of compensation you want. So name your price."
Chinya waved his hand dismissively, "Drop it. There's no way I'm helping you attack Konoha. If that's all you've come here for, there's nothing to discuss."
Chinya had once made a vow to Mito Uzumaki—he would never take the initiative to provoke hostilities against Konoha.
He had no intention of breaking that vow.
Zetsu wasn't surprised by Chinya's decisive refusal.
After all, that wasn't really why he had come—to ask Chinya to help Uchiha Obito invade Konoha.
Now, through Chinya's attitude, Zetsu had confirmed something: The agreement between Chinya and Uchiha Madara was still valid.
Otherwise, Chinya wouldn't have refused him—he would've attacked already.
Zetsu continued, "Actually, we don't need your help—we just need you to stay away from Obito."
Chinya narrowed his eyes slightly, "Oh? If it's just staying away from Uchiha Obito, maybe it's worth considering. However... if Obito invades Konoha and I do nothing, they'll definitely become suspicious."
Noticing Chinya's tone shift slightly, Zetsu quickly added, "I can arrange someone to fight against you, but under no circumstances can you kill them!"
Chinya gave a bitter laugh. "I haven't even said yes, and you're already dictating the rules."
Zetsu's expression stiffened slightly. He asked, "Then what kind of payment do you want?"
Chinya raised two fingers, "My request isn't high. I want an adequate supply of Chakra Black Receivers, and ten White Zetsus."
Zetsu narrowed his eyes, puzzled. "And what exactly do you plan to do with the White Zetsus?"
Chinya responded discontentedly, "That's none of your business!"
Zetsu paused, then agreed, "Fine. I can provide this payment. Then shall we proceed to negotiate the details?"
Chinya nodded. "Just like you said earlier, set up an opponent for me. At the very least, others must witness my fight, or otherwise it'll be hard for me to explain later. Our cooperation is limited solely to me not attacking Obito Uchiha. I make no guarantees about anything else. Now, proceed."
Zetsu spoke up. "Since we're setting up opponents specifically for you, they can't be obscure nobodies. I'll arrange two Elite Jonin-level ninja to fight you; their strength definitely suffices to cover things up, but you absolutely cannot kill them.
Obito himself will personally come later to talk with you and deliver the payment, though his current identity is that of Madara Uchiha—don't expose him.
Those are my only two conditions. Do you agree?"
After thinking for a moment, Chinya replied, "Fine."
"Then our deal's settled. I'll go report back to Obito now."
Zetsu was desperate to get out of there right away.
As Zetsu was about to sink into the ground, Chinya warned, "Let me tell you this: there won't be a second chance. If anyone approaches my house again, I swear I'll kill you all!"
Zetsu shot Chinya a long, icy glare. "Understood."
Zetsu sank underground and disappeared using the Kagero Technique.
Chinya returned home, dismissed his Shadow Clone, and then sat down to continue watching TV with Kushina Uzumaki as if nothing had ever happened.
...
Somewhere in the Land of Fire.
Zetsu emerged from underground, leaning against a tree trunk while catching his breath heavily.
Only now did he feel the lingering terror.
If Chinya had decided to seal him on the spot, he probably wouldn't have made it out alive...
He dared not go any further with that thought.
Zetsu kept replaying everything in his mind, trying to figure out how Chinya had come to know all this—but try as he might, he couldn't understand where Chinya had gotten such knowledge.
Black Zetsu, who always plotted skillfully and treated everyone else like pawns, felt for the first time that something was slipping beyond his control.
"That guy...is really terrifying..."
Thinking about ways to deal with Chinya, Black Zetsu was already considering sending two opponents after him. His chosen candidates were Kakuzu and Kisame Hoshigaki.
Yet he fully understood that even combined, Kakuzu and Kisame stood no chance against Chinya.
After observing several of Chinya's battles, Black Zetsu knew Chinya possessed incomparable speed, mastery of every Ninjutsu except Wind Release, expertise in Genjutsu, two Dojutsu from his Mangekyo Sharingan, plus Susanoo...
Even Nagato combined with the Six Paths of Pain might struggle to defeat Chinya.
The Akatsuki Organization was still developing, and both Kakuzu and Kisame were vital members who couldn't die yet.
Chinya's power was simply too overwhelming—seemingly no one capable of handling him existed at present.
Currently, Chinya only had one true weakness: Kushina Uzumaki.
But Black Zetsu dared not target Kushina Uzumaki.
If he were to act on her now, Chinya might retaliate recklessly, completely derailing his plans and possibly resulting in his own sealing—a total ruin of efforts spanning a thousand years.
Zetsu exhaled deeply.
Well, he'd just have to play it by ear and look for opportunities along the way.
Zetsu left the Land of Fire and headed toward Amegakure.
Five days later, Zetsu found Pain in Amegakure.
Zetsu informed Pain about the plan of Obito Uchiha and requested to borrow Kakuzu.
When Pain learned that Obito Uchiha intended to capture the Nine-Tails and destroy Konoha along the way, he didn't refuse and agreed to lend Kakuzu.
After all, capturing the Nine-Tails and destroying Konoha aligned with his interests, so there was no reason to say no.
Besides, he had faced Chinya before, and Chinya's strength was still vivid in his mind, so it made sense to prepare more thoroughly.
After seeing Nagato's agreement, Zetsu immediately left Amegakure and made his way toward Kiri.
With only two months left, he also needed to bring Obito Uchiha to Konoha to meet Chinya — time was running out.
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