"This world is just too filthy, too dirty!" Black Zetsu was still cursing underground. Ever since appearing in the world as Madara's will, its luck had been terrible.
First, it failed to manipulate Nagato from the shadows. Then, it was forced to consume its body's origin. It kindly gave information to that monster, only to have part of its body eaten by it. Truly awful.
"That stupid monster, even if it obtains the Zero-Tails, it definitely won't be a match for Chiaki Setsuna. I need to plan ahead sooner." Black Zetsu aimlessly wandered through the earth's strata when it suddenly heard voices from above.
"Goddess on the moon, if possible, please exchange my life for Itachi's life!"
"He worships Mother, not that traitor Hagoromo. Quite insightful." Black Zetsu nodded in satisfaction, quietly emerging from the ground.
Cold moonlight spilled over the cliff. Fugaku stood alone at the cliff's edge, gazing up at the sky.
In the shadows beneath the cliff, a mass of dark substance silently writhed.
"So it's him." Black Zetsu looked at the lonely figure above, suddenly feeling a trace of shared bitterness.
"He wants to revive his son, while I want to revive my mother..." Black Zetsu sighed ruefully. "This world truly is a prison filled with attachments."
Suddenly, an inspiration flashed through Black Zetsu's mind.
"Wait, the reason Uchiha Madara lacks confidence in controlling Chiaki Setsuna is precisely because he's currently disguised with ordinary Sharingan, right? And right before me, isn't there a pair of Mangekyo Sharingan?"
Black Zetsu's eyes grew fervent: "I previously thought he had an expressionless face towards everyone, assuming the love in his heart wasn't abundant enough to awaken the Mangekyo. It seems I misjudged him."
Black Zetsu climbed up the cliff, coalescing into human form under the moonlight: "Clan Head Fugaku, I heard your wish to revive your son."
"Who's there?" Fugaku turned abruptly, kunai pointed at the source of the sound.
When he clearly saw the eerie humanoid shadow, the three tomoes in his Sharingan spun wildly: "What are you?"
"A being that can fulfill your wish."
Black Zetsu's words struck Fugaku's heart like a thunderbolt. Although he found the creature before him very bizarre, like a drowning man, he couldn't let go of any lifeline.
Fugaku lowered his kunai: "You said you can revive Itachi?"
Black Zetsu chuckled lightly: "I can't, but my original self can."
"Your original self?" Fugaku frowned. "Who is it?"
"Uchiha Madara." Black Zetsu calmly uttered the name, satisfied as he watched Fugaku's expression instantly freeze. "He is still alive. I am the incarnation of his will."
"Are you mocking me?" Fugaku's face darkened. "Everyone knows Uchiha Madara died at the Valley of the End long ago."
Black Zetsu emitted a low laugh: "Then where do you think Nagato's Rinnegan came from?"
Fugaku's pupils contracted sharply, his eyes filled with disbelief: "You're saying Nagato's Rinnegan belongs to Uchiha Madara?"
Black Zetsu slowly approached: "On the stone tablet in your Uchiha's Naka Shrine, it is recorded: 'To seek stability, the gods separated Yin and Yang into two opposing poles. The two mutually generate and overcome each other, ultimately transforming into all phenomena.' It means the combined power of the Senju and Uchiha can give birth to the power of all phenomena… the Rinnegan."
Fugaku was stunned: "Could it be that Nagato is the son of Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama?"
Black Zetsu nearly choked on this bizarre train of thought: "It's that Madara's Mangekyo Sharingan evolved into the Rinnegan because of this."
"So, you mean what Nagato cannot do, Uchiha Madara can?"
"Of course." Black Zetsu's voice was like a demon's whisper. "After all, he is the true master of the Rinnegan, far stronger than that half-baked kid."
Fugaku's breathing grew rapid. Reason told him this was likely a trap, but the pain of losing his son had shattered all his judgment.
"Then should I go seize the Rinnegan now?"
"Don't be foolish!" Black Zetsu sharply interrupted. "With your newly awakened Mangekyo Sharingan? Forget Chiaki Setsuna, even Nagato could easily defeat you."
Fugaku's fists clenched with a cracking sound: "Then what should I do?"
Black Zetsu softened its tone: "First, come with me to see Madara-sama. You are, after all, a descendant of the Uchiha. Perhaps Madara-sama will entrust his will to you."
"Eh? Entrust you to me?" Fugaku looked troubled, 'Did this monster want to be my son?'
"Not me! I mean inherit his beliefs!" Black Zetsu roared in embarrassed fury, 'Those who could awaken the Mangekyo really weren't mentally normal. Why did everything have to lead back to sons?'
Fugaku inwardly sighed in relief but still hesitated. Should he really go with it?
No matter how he thought about it, this monster claiming to be Madara's will seemed too suspicious.
Seeing Fugaku struggling, Black Zetsu mocked: "Weren't you just saying you'd willingly exchange your own life for your son? Why hesitate now?"
Fugaku's voice was hoarse: "If you dare deceive me, even if you are Uchiha Madara's will, I will absolutely not let you go."
Black Zetsu chuckled sinisterly: "Don't worry. Uchiha don't deceive Uchiha."
…
In the camp where morning dew still clung, Mikoto rushed towards the central command tent, her face filled with anxiety.
"Commander-sama, do you know where Fugaku went?" Her eyes were bloodshot, clearly having not slept all night.
Setsuna was examining a map, planning the marching route to the eastern front. Hearing Mikoto's question, he looked up: "Fugaku-san didn't return last night?"
"No." Mikoto shook her head helplessly.
"Could he be inspecting the defensive line?" Setsuna suggested.
"If he were going for work, he would definitely tell me." Mikoto's voice suddenly choked. "I'm afraid he went to seek revenge on that monster."
Setsuna reassured her: "Don't worry yet. I'll arrange for people to search immediately."
But soon, six hours passed.
Rasa lifted the tent flap and entered: "We've searched inside and outside the camp. Still no trace. Should we send a scouting unit to expand the search range?"
Mikoto's face was sorrowful: "He must have gone after that monster."
Setsuna rubbed his temples, 'A normal person naturally wouldn't immediately challenge an enemy who just defeated them after a crushing defeat. But which Mangekyo awakener was normal?'
"First, send a..."
"Urgent report!" An Anbu suddenly appeared, kneeling on one knee. "The eastern front position has been attacked by a monster! Orochimaru-sama and Jiraiya-sama joined forces but still cannot repel it. They request support!"
"That monster?" Setsuna was somewhat surprised. That monster's raw strength wasn't actually that great, but its mechanic was too troublesome, essentially equivalent to possessing the future-sight Haki. "Is the information accurate? The Tsuchikage clearly said he severely injured it with Dust Release."
"It's absolutely true." The Anbu's voice was tense.
"Have Minato prepare the Flying Thunder God Technique. Rasa, discuss with the Kazekage and Tsuchikage about moving the main force towards the eastern front." As Setsuna instructed Rasa, he also reassured Mikoto: "That monster went to the eastern front. At least we don't have to worry about Fugaku-san running straight into it."
Mikoto nodded slowly, but the worry on her face still didn't fade.