The Tsuchikage frowned as he looked over. "Magze, what are you trying to say?"
Although he couldn't access all of the body's memories immediately, Black Zetsu at least knew this vessel's name. Noticing Onoki's gaze, Black Zetsu—posing as Magze—calmly replied, "Lord Tsuchikage, I believe we shouldn't give up on dealing with Konoha so quickly."
"What do you suggest we do then?"
"The key to the alliance between Konoha and Sunagakure lies in that person—Seiki Shimaseki. If we kill him, the difficulties Iwagakure currently faces will naturally be resolved!"
Hearing Magze's empty reply, Onoki became quite displeased. "Do you think Lord Tsuchikage doesn't understand this principle? If even an ambush during battle couldn't kill him, what else can I do?"
Magze continued, his tone manipulative. "Lord Tsuchikage, from his performance during both the Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist pursuit and the Rain Country battlefield incident, his weakness is actually quite obvious—he's too greedy!"
"Greedy?"
"Yes, greedy! He doesn't want to lose anything, stubbornly believing he alone can solve all problems. This was true during the Seven Swords encounter, and again on the Rain Country battlefield. This greed will become his fatal flaw!"
Now somewhat interested, Onoki asked, "Continue."
Smiling, 'Magze' said, "We can use the people he cares about to lure him into traps. With his greed and pride, even if he knows it's a trap, he'll step right into it! At that moment, we'll have our opportunity to eliminate him!"
"Targeting those around him?" Onoki felt intrigued for a moment, then hesitated. "But according to intelligence reports, that brat's important people are either medical ninja who never leave the camp, or members of his direct squad who rarely separate from him..."
This time, 'Magze' paused before replying. With Seiki Shimaseki's reputation, even without actively gathering information, he already knew much about him. But information on Seiki Shimaseki's inner circle wasn't easy to come by.
At the very least, within the short one or two days since he started paying attention to Seiki Shimaseki, there hadn't been enough time to fully uncover all his secrets.
However, Black Zetsu wasn't particularly concerned. His only goal had been to nudge Onoki down this line of thought. As for what followed, it no longer concerned him.
After all, from years of experience as a shadowy puppet master, he understood perfectly that such a role must absolutely avoid appearing too often in public view.
Being exposed to the light would rob him of the shadows—the very thing that protected him most.
Just as Black Zetsu was thinking of an excuse to let the 'Magze' identity leave the stage, Onoki turned his gaze toward him. "By the way, Magze, isn't it your responsibility to maintain contact with Mui? Bring him here. It's time for him to fulfill his purpose!"
"M-Mui?" Black Zetsu was taken aback, quickly searching through Magze's memories for this name.
Then, Black Zetsu felt himself depress.
He'd chosen this identity precisely because Magze was relatively active; such a person suddenly offering suggestions wouldn't attract undue attention.
Unexpectedly, though, this guy seemed to have been too active.
Seeing that 'Magze' didn't respond, Onoki's brow furrowed in question. "What's wrong?"
"Any problem?"
Black Zetsu barely managed a smile. "Of course not."
Fortunately, Magze's original appearance was quite… "rude," so an ugly grin wasn't particularly surprising.
Onoki slightly nodded. "Then I'll leave it to you."
"Yes!"
Internally sighing, Black Zetsu realized he'd have to keep up the act for a few more days. Otherwise, if Magze, a key figure, were to vanish or be killed, the plan could run into unforeseen problems.
...
At the Allied Forces' camp.
"Lord Seiki!"
"Supreme Commander!"
As Seiki made his way through the camp, ninja from both Konoha and Sunagakure greeted him with excitement, eyes filled with admiration.
If many still had doubts about Seiki's unexpected appointment before the war began, after two major battles, almost everyone now followed him wholeheartedly.
To the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, the only thing that truly mattered was leading them to victory. As for age or personality traits, those were merely trivial side issues.
Even if he were an asshole with a terrible temper, as long as he brought victory, he'd earn recognition. And Seiki, in every aspect, was practically the perfect leader.
Asuma and the others stood silently amazed. Although Seiki received similar reverence within the Eastern Front, that had taken two years to build. Here, though, within just a few days, he'd already amassed a reputation bordering on idolization.
Before long, the group reached a line of small wooden huts.
Inside the courtyard, Nonou played games with a group of children, their laughter drifting out—an atmosphere sharply contrasting with the grim tension just beyond the walls.
Looking at the hut, Asuma couldn't help but ask, "Seiki, do you know why Master Nonou called for you? Could it be that Old Man Danzo is causing her trouble again?"
"I don't think so," Seiki replied, glancing at him. "You shouldn't speak of Elder Danzo like that. Show respect to seniors."
Asuma gave him a sidelong stare. "I know you're trying to protect me from his retaliation, but hearing that from you just feels too ridiculous."
Seiki looked innocent. "How could that be? I truly respect Elder Danzo!"
Asuma burst into laughter. "Forgive me for having such a low sense of humor, but that line—hahahaha… I can't anymore…"
Helplessly turning aside, Seiki asked, "Was that really so funny?"
Mizuki shook his head firmly. "Of course you respect Elder Danzo, Seiki."
Asuma stared back, wide-eyed. "Mizuki, you're serious?"
Mizuki spoke solemnly, "Power inevitably corrupts. That's exactly why Seiki stepped in to take control, shouldering all the pain and pressure himself to prevent Elder Danzo from going astray. Is there anything wrong with that?"
Upon hearing Mizuki's explanation, the team members—all loyal followers of Seiki—voiced deep sentiments one after another.
"If only Elder Danzo had performed slightly better, Seiki wouldn't have needed to bear this pain!"
"Seiki must've feared that Danzo's poor leadership would lead everyone further down the wrong path, forcing him to reluctantly step up!"
"Truly admirable! Mizuki always thinks more deeply than we do!"
Listening to their discussion, Asuma fell silent, murmuring to himself, "So am I the only weird one here?"
At this moment, Nonou in the courtyard spotted the group, instructed the children to keep playing, and quickly stepped forward to greet them.
"Seiki, Kurenai, Asuma… welcome back."
"Senior Nonou."
Thanks to Seiki, they were already quite familiar with one another.
After a few quick greetings, the group followed Nonou indoors.
Seeing Seiki and the others, the children became excited.
"Quick, quick, look! That's Seiki, the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces!"
"Where? Where?"
"That's the most handsome big brother right there!"
"Oh, I see now."
"They say Seiki's the greatest ninja ever—he crushed a gorilla towering as high as a mountain with just one move!"
"Wow, was there really a gorilla that big?"
"There probably was... Wait, shouldn't the main point be how incredibly powerful Seiki is?"
"If I could be as strong as Seiki, I could protect everyone too!"
Amidst the excited children stood a quiet boy wearing glasses, clearly in awe as he watched them with admiration.
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