Obito questioned Black Zetsu once again.
That place was their enemy's stronghold, and Black Zetsu did not dare approach it recklessly.
If he were captured, he would die, and the plan to revive his mother would never succeed.
Thus, Black Zetsu could only send pawns to scout. It was a method he had used since the days of the Five Great Nations, when he frequently planted agents within their villages.
But this time, he shook his head with a weary sigh.
The growths on his shoulders drooped, lacking their usual vigor.
"I've sent at least five or six men, but none have returned. It's as if they vanished without a trace. Most likely, they were discovered and eliminated the moment they entered."
He spoke with helplessness.
Yet Black Zetsu was wrong. None of his agents had been killed.
Each one, upon entering the village, had quickly turned loyal to Kaede, abandoning all schemes against him.
The Divine Tree's presence there made such betrayal impossible. Its power compelled all who entered to devote themselves to Kaede.
Because of this, Tsunade and the others had no need for counterintelligence. Spies turned into allies within days.
"There's no way through their defenses? Then how can we collect the Tailed Beasts? What of the Eye of the Moon Plan?"
Obito's Sharingan flared scarlet, his anger barely contained.
"Patience," Black Zetsu urged. "Kaede's power is overwhelming. If we clash directly, we'll be crushed. We must wait for cracks to form within his ranks."
He dreaded the thought of Obito charging headlong into Kaede. That would only mean death, and with it, the end of his dream to free Kaguya.
"Cracks?"
"Yes. Even Konoha once seemed unshakable. Yet its clans birthed ambition, and the Uchiha's discontent grew. Now Kaede rules two-thirds of the world. So many families under one banner—conflict is inevitable. All we need do is wait."
Itachi spoke then, his voice calm yet cold.
This Itachi was no longer the man he once was.
His broken body had been patched with White Zetsu's cells, strengthening him beyond his former limits.
But the price was servitude. Those cells bound him to Obito's will. Refusal meant death.
Itachi didn't care. His goal was unchanged: defeat Kaede, rebuild Konoha, and restore honor to the Uchiha.
If that meant enduring Obito's leash, so be it.
And Obito himself had cast aside his mask. None believed he was Madara anymore, so he acted under his true name.
"Very well. Then we'll wait. But tell me, Itachi—what of your brother?" Obito's gaze sharpened.
Sasuke was still an Uchiha. If he awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, Akatsuki would gain another weapon.
At the name, Itachi's heart clenched. Yet he answered honestly.
"Sasuke is still with Konoha's remnants, fleeing. Their location is unclear. But I believe he is safe. If he were captured, there would have been signs."
His voice wavered slightly. He feared for his brother every day.
Kaede had branded their family traitors. Itachi knew well what fate awaited traitors of the clan.
If Sasuke died, everything he had endured would be meaningless.
"That boy must be brought to us, if possible. As for Danzō—he is still in hiding, yes? If you can seize him, make sure to retrieve what he carries. Those things are of great importance."
Obito's eyes gleamed.
"Understood," Black Zetsu replied.
Far above, Kaede and Kaguya stood in the void, gazing at the shattered remains of the moon.
"As you wished, I destroyed it. Soon I will return with you. But first, I must forge a new moon. It is necessary."
Kaede's tone was calm.
"Very well."
Kaguya's eyes softened. Watching her prison crumble had finally brought her peace.
Hamura was dead. Only Hagoromo remained. Once she and Kaede dealt with him, her vengeance would be complete.
At last, she could be with Kaede, and that was enough.
She stood quietly as Kaede summoned the power of the Six Paths: Chibaku Tensei.
Fragments of rock and debris rushed together, forming a massive sphere.
His power had long since surpassed that of the Sage of Six Paths, and in mere minutes, a new moon took shape.
On earth, however, unease lingered.
Though Tsunade, Mei, and Orochimaru had told the clans to rest, they themselves remained awake.
They could not shake their doubts.
If the moon's destruction was not Kaede's doing, then they faced an enemy who could shatter worlds.
And if such an enemy existed, war was inevitable.
(End of Chapter)
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