"Kid, don't blame me for not warning you. Keep this up, and Sasuke's gonna get torn to pieces, haha!" Black Zetsu taunted.
Hearing Black Zetsu's words and seeing the cracks forming on Sasuke's body, Kazama had no choice but to temporarily halt his Kamui.
But at that moment, Sasuke, who had been trapped in Izanami, suddenly opened his eyes.
"Sasuke! Did you break free from Izanami?" Kazama asked, overjoyed. He knew this wasn't Black Zetsu's doing—it was Sasuke acting on his own. If Sasuke could escape Izanami, it meant he'd overcome the darkness, recognized his true self, and wouldn't be manipulated anymore.
But Sasuke's next words turned Kazama's joy into shock.
"It wasn't me. Black Zetsu helped me break free from Izanami!"
"Crap!" Kazama's heart sank.
If Sasuke was pulled out of Izanami's infinite loop prematurely, the darkness in his heart would only grow stronger than ever. Izanami was a technique that decided fate: those who could control their destiny became gods, but those who couldn't became demons. That's why Izanami was deemed a forbidden jutsu.
"Kazama, in the Tsukuyomi and Izanami you cast on me, I saw no trace of light—just Konoha's atrocities against my Uchiha clan. So, Itachi, who slaughtered the Uchiha, Konoha, the root of it all, and you, the bastard who's been toying with my fate—I'm going to kill you all!" Sasuke declared.
"Well said, Sasuke! Don't worry, with our Akatsuki's help, your wish will definitely come true, haha!" Black Zetsu laughed, then vanished with Sasuke and Obito in tow.
Watching the three disappear, Kazama, who should've been furious, instead let out a cold smirk. Black Zetsu taking Sasuke was exactly what he wanted.
Kazama had long anticipated the darkness in Sasuke's heart. After all, he'd used both Tsukuyomi and Izanami on Sasuke, and neither could turn him away from the dark path. So now, the only option was to play along and let Black Zetsu use Sasuke.
Kazama knew the Akatsuki was desperate for manpower to start the Fourth Great Ninja War, so they wouldn't harm Sasuke. In fact, they'd likely make him stronger, faster. And once Kazama gathered all nine Tailed Beasts and gained the power of the Sage of the Six Paths, he could free Sasuke from Black Zetsu's control.
Since Sasuke's life wasn't in danger and he'd only grow stronger, Kazama saw no downside. He immediately used a secret technique to contact Itachi. After all, Itachi was Sasuke's brother, and even though Kazama knew Sasuke was safe, he had to inform him.
"What?! Sasuke's been taken by Black Zetsu?" Itachi exclaimed.
"Exactly," Kazama confirmed.
Itachi froze. "I can't believe Black Zetsu's that powerful, snatching Sasuke right from under you!"
"Black Zetsu's strength isn't anything special, but killing it isn't something I can do on the spot. Don't worry, though, Itachi. Black Zetsu's just using Sasuke to bolster Akatsuki's forces. They won't hurt him—they'll make him stronger. So, we can turn this to our advantage."
"Turn it to our advantage?" Itachi asked, puzzled.
"Yep. We let Black Zetsu's plan play out, let Sasuke get stronger. Then, at the right moment, I'll seal Black Zetsu and free Sasuke from its control. It's a win-win!" Kazama explained.
"Hm, you're right," Itachi nodded, impressed by the strategy.
"Itachi!"
"Deidara! Sasori!"
At that moment, Deidara and Sasori showed up out of nowhere. None of the three knew each other's true affiliations and, fearing their connection to Kazama would be exposed, immediately moved to attack one another.
"Hold it, you three! We're all on the same side!" Kazama called out.
"The same side?!"
At Kazama's words, Itachi, Deidara, and Sasori exchanged glances, each sizing the others up, completely dumbfounded.