Setsuna Uchiha had now become the proxy of Madara Uchiha.
Seeing Madara reduced to a corpse, Black Zetsu felt a malicious sense of satisfaction.
Firstly, naturally because their plan was finally about to begin.
Secondly... there would be no more mocking comments directed at him anymore.
As the beloved child of Kaguya Otsutsuki herself, how could he tolerate being mocked and disrespected by that little brat?
Black Zetsu approached Setsuna and said, "From now on I'll call you Madara. Now let's implant a White Zetsu arm containing Hashirama cells into your left arm."
Since Black Zetsu embodied Madara's will, and Madara had instructed him to treat Black Zetsu as himself, Setsuna also began internally revering Black Zetsu.
It was as if his idol was always watching over him.
Setsuna nodded eagerly, "Alright, I'm all in your hands, Black Zetsu."
"There's no need to be so polite with me—we're both working toward fulfilling his great mission."
While saying this aloud, Black Zetsu actually found the respect quite satisfying.
Especially that look in Setsuna's eyes—the admiration—it gave him a little thrill.
Black Zetsu ripped off a White Zetsu arm and directly attached it to Setsuna's severed left arm, connecting them together.
Setsuna quickly gained sensation in his newly attached arm and was already able to control it.
He marveled at the versatility of the White Zetsu body—it was not only regenerative but also edible. Truly remarkable.
Black Zetsu told Setsuna, "Next you must go to Amegakure, make contact with a man named Nagato, and guide him to embrace your ideology, then collect the Tailed Beasts."
Setsuna agreed, "You mean the one who inherited Madara's Rinnegan? Then let's go!"
As Setsuna Uchiha and Black Zetsu prepared to leave the Mountain Tomb, they passed through a stone chamber and discovered several outfits once worn by Madara Uchiha, along with various weapons.
Setsuna slowly walked up to one particular piece of clothing, picked it up, and stared at it in his hands for a long while.
Just as Black Zetsu became curious about what Setsuna was looking at and wanted to ask, Setsuna suddenly brought the garment to his face and inhaled deeply.
"Ahh~ Smells just like Madara!"
Black Zetsu shuddered involuntarily and gave Setsuna an increasingly bewildered look.
This piece of clothing had been sitting here for how many years? How could it possibly still carry Madara's scent? All he got was a face full of dust!
Suddenly, Black Zetsu felt a chill run down his spine.
If Setsuna really saw him as Madara incarnate, would he end up sniffing him the same way next?
No freaking way!
Setsuna Uchiha looked devout and determined. He stripped down to nothing, then donned Madara Uchiha's robes and wore a mask adorned with spiral patterns.
Afterward, Setsuna selected a ninja sword and strapped it onto his body.
His gaze was firm and resolute: "Let's go, Black Zetsu. For Madara Uchiha-sama's sake! I must fulfill Madara Uchiha-sama's will!"
Black Zetsu smirked slightly and replied with a teasing lilt in his voice, "Mm, I believe in you~"
That guy's seriously messed up! I definitely need to watch him like a hawk from now on!
...
Konoha.
Shindai had been cooped up at home for days without going out.
He thought of numerous plans—like building an automated mechanical bird to send a message to Pakura in Sunagakure.
But he rejected all of them.
Too many unknowns. He might end up causing trouble rather than helping Pakura.
Frustrated, Shindai scratched the back of his head and muttered, "Crap!"
As he was lost in thought, the front door suddenly burst open.
Obito stood at the doorway shouting, "Shindai, hurry up and go to the Hokage Building! The Hokage wants to see you—it's a life-changing chance!"
Shindai asked suspiciously, "Life-changing chance? Did the Hokage remarry?"
Kakashi nearly burst into laughter. "Remarry? What exactly goes through your head? The Hokage's spouse is still alive, and they're deeply in love. Plus, Lady Biwa is a strict person—there's no way she'd allow the Hokage to have two wives. So what Obito meant by that life-changing chance is about you, not the Hokage!"
Shindai looked even more confused, "A life-changing chance for me? What, are you saying the Hokage wants to resign and make me the new Hokage? That wouldn't be appropriate, right? I've only been in Konoha for such a short time, and I'm so young. If I became Hokage, nobody would take me seriously."
Rin Nohara shook her head, bewildered, "Shindai, what are you talking crazy again? First you said the Hokage wants to remarry, then you think you'll become Hokage yourself. It's because Orochimaru is also there. The Hokage wants you to go—that clearly means he's planning to introduce you as Orochimaru's apprentice!"
"Eh..."
Shindai really wanted to curse.
What kind of life-changing chance was this?! This was obviously the worst possible news ever!
"My... My stomach really hurts. I need to go to the bathroom. Help me ask for leave—I probably won't be able to go today!"
Holding his stomach, Shindai rushed toward his bedroom.
Obito and Kakashi immediately used the Body Flicker Technique, flanking Shindai on both sides. Even Rin grabbed his clothes, preventing him from escaping.
They'd already planned ahead—the only one who could handle Shindai's insufferable attitude was Orochimaru.
So no matter what, even if they had to drag him there, today they were determined to bring Shindai to the Hokage Building!
"Shindai, this is one of the legendary Three Sages (Sannin)! Do you realize how many people would kill for the chance to become Orochimaru-sama's apprentice? How could you even think about running away? What were you thinking!"
"And this opportunity was personally arranged by the Hokage himself for you and Orochimaru-sama! Are you really going to disappoint them? Do you even plan to remain in Konoha at all?!"
"If you're going to collapse from nerves, you'd better do it right here in the Hokage Building!"
Obito, Kakashi, and Rin Nohara forcibly dragged Shindai toward the Hokage Building.
Tears welled from the corners of Shindai's eyes and traced their way down his cheeks as he was dragged along.
If he had a drop of Uchiha clan blood in him, his eyes would've awakened by now!
Shindai was forcefully brought into the Hokage's office inside the Hokage Building.
Obito looked so excited, as if *he* were the one about to become Orochimaru's apprentice right now. He enthusiastically said to Hiruzen Sarutobi, "Hokage-sama, Shindai has arrived! I heard he's going to become Orochimaru-sama's apprentice. Look how moved he is—already shedding tears of joy!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru both turned their gaze toward Shindai.
Sure, those were definitely tears of joy—but somehow they didn't look like tears of happiness?
Kakashi bowed respectfully to both Hiruzen Sarutobi and Orochimaru. "Then Hokage-sama, Orochimaru-sama, we'll take our leave first."
Rin Nohara gave Shindai an encouraging thumbs-up gesture: "Come on, Shindai! You can do it!"
Obito, Kakashi, and Rin Nohara left the Hokage's office.
Now alone in the room under the gaze of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Orochimaru, Shindai felt his heart sink.
He really wanted to run away… but he couldn't.
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