Chapter 68: Abandoning Uchiha Obito
How could this happen?
When had Hyuga Ritsu hidden underground?
Had those useless White Zetsu discovered nothing at all?
"Matsu, what exactly is going on?"
In the tree canopy, though Black Zetsu's half-face had been black as the bottom of a pot from start to finish, White Zetsu—who'd followed Black Zetsu for a long time—could still perceive subtle changes. For instance, Black Zetsu's emotions at this moment could be described as furious to the extreme.
But what could White Zetsu say?
He could say nothing.
White Zetsu actually didn't possess any sensory techniques. Their intelligence gathering relied on the shinobi world's number one concealment jutsu that even the Byakugan's strongest perception couldn't penetrate—Mayfly Technique—getting close to targets to eavesdrop.
Simply put, their vision and hearing range didn't differ much from ordinary people. Moreover, they couldn't have imagined that deep underground where even plant root systems couldn't reach, Ritsu was hiding like such a camper, catching them completely off guard.
Not only had Nohara Rin been rescued by Ritsu, but the White Zetsu they'd planted among the Mist ninja—the Mist ninja Kamaha—had also been captured by Ritsu.
This time, it was Kamaha who, following Black Zetsu's arrangements, had manipulated and exploited Kirishima Shinya and numerous Mist ninja, personally completing the Three-Tails jinchuriki transfer and sealing.
The result? Now Kamaha had been captured alive by Ritsu, killed using some terrifying method, and apparently absorbed and utilized by Ritsu.
Honestly, this bizarre technique exceeded even Black Zetsu's—who'd lived a thousand years—range of knowledge. He'd never seen such a strange jutsu before.
In any case, because of Ritsu's actions, this originally excellent situation had collapsed completely, declining precipitously.
"How did the Hyuga clan produce such an evil brat?"
Black Zetsu couldn't help cursing.
For a thousand years, ever since the Hyuga clan established the Main Family-Branch Family system, despite possessing the Byakugan—pure Otsutsuki bloodline—this clan had lived mediocrely. So many years had passed with barely any formidable figures emerging. They belonged to the background scenery that occupied more screen time.
Therefore, the Hyuga clan had never been taken seriously by Black Zetsu—they weren't even qualified to be pieces in his hand.
Yet today, this evil brat Ritsu had emerged from nowhere, causing him to take such a massive fall.
"My lord, what do we do next? Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Obito are rushing here. The latter still needs time, but the former will arrive very soon."
White Zetsu informed Black Zetsu of this awkward, urgent reality and inquired what to do next.
Other parts of the plan were proceeding methodically, but only this Nohara Rin segment that Black Zetsu personally oversaw had experienced major changes. The script had thus become difficult to continue.
"...Matsu, do you think you can defeat Hyuga Ritsu?"
After two seconds of silence, Black Zetsu suddenly asked.
"I don't know."
White Zetsu answered.
"What do you mean 'don't know'?"
Black Zetsu was quite irritated.
"I don't know how many cards Ritsu holds, don't know whether the strength he's currently displayed is his full power. Moreover, just the strength he's currently shown—if I wanted to kill him, it couldn't be accomplished in a short time!"
After hearing this explanation, Black Zetsu's heart sank to the bottom.
He stared at Ritsu, who was manipulating the bone forest and had captured that White Zetsu alive. He couldn't help feeling somewhat fortunate—good thing the captured White Zetsu was just an ordinary one without an independent codename. Even if captured alive, it would be difficult to extract any useful intelligence from its limited brain through interrogation.
At this moment, he'd already realized in his heart that the plan had, in fact, failed.
Nohara Rin had been rescued prematurely. The Mist ninja had been slaughtered in crushing defeat. There were no longer figures with sufficient weight to serve as villain roles in the script. Even having Matsu personally take the stage might not necessarily force Rin's death.
In other words, Uchiha Obito couldn't witness the highly impactful scene of his dearest beloved's death.
Then, changing perspectives—could the plan be postponed, seeking another time and opportunity to again create a mortal crisis for Nohara Rin, prompting Uchiha Obito to awaken his eyes and develop despair toward this world?
"Very difficult!"
After much thought, feeling extremely troubled, Black Zetsu sighed.
Though Uchiha Obito was naive and easy to deceive, he wasn't a fool who believed whatever others said. Nohara Rin twice falling into mortal crises, twice requiring his rescue... it would be strange if he didn't suspect their manipulation behind the scenes!
Even if future matters could be slowly plotted later, how should they now prevent Uchiha Obito from meeting Nohara Rin and the others? Without reasonable cause, it would be difficult to prevent their meeting. Forcibly preventing it would only make Obito suspicious.
But not preventing it wouldn't work either. Once they met, nine times out of ten Obito couldn't possibly return to the underground base. He'd definitely return to Konoha, possibly even exposing all the base's intelligence—something Black Zetsu and Uchiha Madara absolutely couldn't allow to happen.
With the situation developed to this point, it was actually caught in a dilemma, difficult from all sides.
"Contact Madara. Tell him the situation here and ask what to do next." Black Zetsu issued the order.
If he couldn't quite make up his mind, that was fine—leave it to Uchiha Madara. After all, nominally he was also a creation Madara had unintentionally made after awakening the Rinnegan.
White Zetsu quickly executed upon hearing this.
The message was soon transmitted to the base deep underground.
The white-haired, elderly man sitting in the stone chair, after hearing White Zetsu's report, didn't immediately issue orders. Instead, he asked, "What's the status of the other backup candidates?"
"One backup candidate's condition has stabilized after fusing with White Zetsu's body. He's currently actively rehabilitating."
"What's his name?"
"Uchiha Ryu."
The white-haired elderly man pondered for a moment upon hearing this. His crimson eyes opened and closed several times, then infinite coldness and cruelty burst forth from them. Using that hoarse, rough voice, he said, "Tell Black Zetsu to abandon Uchiha Obito, then withdraw. This matter ends here."
"Yes."
White Zetsu didn't dare delay.
Before long, Black Zetsu in the forest received the message.
"Abandon Uchiha Obito?"
Black Zetsu murmured, feeling deep regret in his heart. Not regret for Uchiha Obito, but regret that Uchiha Madara had awakened the Rinnegan far too late—already in his twilight years approaching death, powerless to personally execute the Moon's Eye Plan. He could only rely on the God Tree's husk to sustain his fading life while seeking suitable proxy pieces.
If Uchiha Madara were twenty years younger, where would such trouble be needed? He could directly sweep across the shinobi world, gather the nine Tailed Beasts, and begin the Moon's Eye Plan.
Unfortunately, this world had no "ifs."
Only this difficult, harsh reality.
"Tell Tobi to directly dispose of Uchiha Obito, then bring the body back." Black Zetsu transmitted Madara's order.
After speaking, Black Zetsu stared at Ritsu for a few more seconds before manipulating his pitcher plant-like body to slowly sink into the tree.
This time, that Hyuga brat had ruined things. He'd remember this grudge. Afterward, given the opportunity, he'd definitely retaliate harshly. Of course, what was urgent now was cultivating a new pawn candidate to replace Uchiha Obito.
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