Jūzō soon led Black and White Zetsu to a room. He knocked, and upon hearing an answer from within, opened the door and ushered them inside.
"Boss, the guests are here," Jūzō reported immediately upon entering.
"Mm, good work," Diarmuid said with a smile.
Black and White Zetsu finally got a clear look at the man inside. He didn't look much different from their records; this man, Rodriguez Diarmuid, seemed to have a particular fondness for his haori embroidered with the "Tiger Descending the Mountain" motif, as he was wearing it now.
He was currently seated at a tea table. Curiously, alongside the tea set, a long blade was enshrined upon a sword rack on the table.
Black Zetsu had previously attempted to investigate the blade to uncover Diarmuid's true identity. He had only learned that Diarmuid called it "Kokorowatari," but nothing else. Much like Diarmuid himself, the blade seemed to have suddenly leapt into existence at a specific point in time.
"It was nothing. Just a short walk. Boss, I'll take my leave then. Call me if you need anything," Jūzō said tactfully.
Diarmuid chuckled. "Go on. Spend some time looking over those scrolls; they'll be good for you."
"Understood!" Jūzō nodded.
He exited the room swiftly, closing the door behind him. The atmosphere in the room fell into a heavy silence. Black and White Zetsu stared at Diarmuid, contemplating how best to open the conversation.
However, before Black Zetsu could even formulate a greeting or an introduction, Diarmuid spoke first, and his very first sentence left Zetsu paralyzed with shock.
"How is my old neighbor's health these days?" Diarmuid asked casually.
Surprise flickered in Black Zetsu's eyes, while White Zetsu looked confused, his mind clearly not as sharp as his darker half's. If anyone else had asked, Black Zetsu might not have thought much of it, but Diarmuid was too mysterious. This opening move made him realize instantly: Diarmuid likely knew of Madara's existence.
As for "old neighbor"... indeed, they had lived very close to each other previously.
"Does Diarmuid-sama know our master?" Black Zetsu asked after a moment of hesitation, testing to see if his suspicion was correct.
"No, we haven't met. But I suppose we've shared a certain spiritual connection, haven't we? I find it hard to believe old man Madara didn't notice my presence," Diarmuid said with a chuckle.
He naturally poured himself a cup of tea, but notably, he only poured one. He clearly had no intention of inviting the duo to sit and join him.
With those words, Black Zetsu no longer had to doubt. This man truly knew about Uchiha Madara! Did he know about the Eye of the Moon Plan as well? The sense of unease in Zetsu's heart intensified.
"I see... In that case, our master has indeed shared that spiritual connection with you for a long time. Madara-sama took note of you the moment you killed the Third Raikage," Black Zetsu said after a moment's thought.
There was no point in hiding Madara's existence now.
"Is that so?" Diarmuid nodded, took a sip of tea, and asked, "I haven't checked in on my old neighbor in a while. How is he doing? Is he still in good health?"
It seems he doesn't know Madara is dead, Black Zetsu thought.
It made sense. Diarmuid likely discovered Madara's presence while living in the Land of Birds. However, not wanting to provoke someone of Madara's caliber, he had probably just looked the other way. He couldn't have actually infiltrated the hideout; if he had, it would mean he and White Zetsu were incompetent, and even if they were, Madara would have sensed it, even in his waning years.
Black Zetsu was about to offer a polite "His health is manageable" to keep up appearances. But the words caught in his throat. He shifted his tone to one of helplessness and slight mourning.
"Madara-sama has already passed away."
Diarmuid raised an eyebrow. Well, well. I didn't expect Black Zetsu to tell the truth.
Black Zetsu had originally intended to lie, perhaps using Obito to pose as Madara later to intimidate others. But on second thought, that was a suicidal gamble. The priority was to earn Diarmuid's trust and potentially become his partner. It was better to avoid pointless lies and share information that wasn't strictly critical.
Madara's death was not a secret that absolutely had to be kept from Diarmuid. In fact, it was likely impossible to hide it from him.
Diarmuid quickly masked his surprise. Black Zetsu didn't think much of it, assuming the shock was merely at the news of the legend's passing.
"That is a shame. I was thinking of paying the legendary man a visit once my affairs here were settled. I didn't expect... time waits for no man. Truly a pity," Diarmuid shook his head with a sigh.
"Madara-sama also regretted not being able to meet you," Black Zetsu added smoothly.
Diarmuid nodded, then waved his hand as if he had lost interest. "What is your purpose in coming to see me? If there's nothing else, you may go."
His sudden lack of interest upon learning "Madara is dead" convinced Black Zetsu that Diarmuid didn't know much else. Black Zetsu mentally patted himself on the back.
I really am a genius! What a masterful adaptation!
Despite his internal glee, Black Zetsu maintained a look of slight urgency. "My Lord, we do have a reason for coming. It concerns Madara-sama's final instructions. He hoped to establish a cooperation with you..."
"Are you joking? Madara is dead, and he wants to cooperate? On what? Sharing a drink in the Pure Land? Toasting with the King of Hell?" Diarmuid sneered.
"No. Though Madara-sama has passed, his will remains. The cooperation he wished to discuss concerns how to obtain a greater, higher level of power..." Black Zetsu explained quickly.
Diarmuid, who had been impatient, frowned at the word "power." His interest seemed piqued as he asked, "Oh? A greater, higher level of power? What are you talking about?"
As expected, this man is obsessed with strength, Black Zetsu thought, finally feeling he had regained control of the rhythm.
"Indeed. A greater, higher level of power," Black Zetsu affirmed. Before Diarmuid could get impatient again, he rushed on, "In legend, the power of the Sage of the Six Paths... a power that transcends mortality and reaches the realm of the Gods. I wonder, Diarmuid-sama, would you be interested?"
"If you came here just to tell me fairy tales, I have no interest at all..." Diarmuid said, his brow furrowed.
"It is neither a myth nor a story! And you already hold the key to that power in your hands!" Black Zetsu said urgently, fearing Diarmuid would kick him out.
"A key?" Diarmuid thought to himself, I know where this is going, but he continued the act.
"Yes. Perhaps you haven't realized the truth yet, but you have obtained the Eyes of the Sage... one of the proofs of the Sage of the Six Paths' power," Black Zetsu said rapidly.
"What are these 'Eyes of the Sage'?" Diarmuid asked, his expression shifting as if he were putting the pieces together.
"It is exactly what you are thinking. Those unique eyes you obtained during the Rain Civil War. They are the Rinnegan, also known as the 'Eyes of the Sage'..." Black Zetsu said solemnly.
"Those are the Eyes of the Sage?" Diarmuid paused, then acted dismissive. "If the so-called power of a Sage is only at the level Nagato displayed, it's laughable. I have even less interest now."
"No, of course not! In fact, those eyes never belonged to Nagato in the first place," Black Zetsu explained.
"Oh? Whose are they?" Diarmuid's tone shifted to curiosity.
"They belonged to my master, Madara-sama. When Nagato was ten years old, Madara-sama secretly transplanted his own Rinnegan into the boy," Black Zetsu revealed.
"Hahahaha... I see your game now. You've spun quite a yarn just to get me to return the Rinnegan, haven't you? 'Returning it to its rightful owner'? You've certainly come up with a fine script to trick me..." Diarmuid laughed loudly.
Suddenly, a powerful, crushing pressure descended upon Black and White Zetsu.
This aura... Black Zetsu immediately gauged the threat. Damn, his presence is just as overwhelming as Madara or Hashirama in their prime! Where did this monster come from?!
He had no Sharingan, no Sage Body, how could he be this strong?
"It's a misunderstanding! Diarmuid-sama, you misunderstand! Everything I've said is the truth!" Black Zetsu cried out, fearing Diarmuid would execute him then and there.
He felt utterly helpless. I'm actually telling the truth! Those eyes really were Madara's, they really are the Rinnegan, and it really is the power of the Sage of the Six Paths!
Before Diarmuid could speak, Black Zetsu spoke at breakneck speed, "It happened like this, Madara-sama discovered the secret kept by the Uchiha Clan for a thousand years, the secret to reaching a higher level of power..."
Then, Black Zetsu began weaving his web of lies.
According to his story, Madara had also been a seeker of power. Through the visual prowess of the Mangekyō Sharingan, he had learned the truth inscribed on the Uchiha stone tablet: the secret of the Six Paths Power.
The combination of the Sharingan and the Sage Body would awaken the Rinnegan, which served as the key to the Six Paths Power. Madara had followed the tablet's instructions, but he only managed to awaken the Rinnegan in his old age, leaving him with no time to pursue the greater power that followed.
Thus, he devised a plan to return from the dead, reclaim his peak, and then pursue the ultimate power. He then detailed the "setup" with Nagato, explaining that without Diarmuid's interference, Nagato would have eventually used the Rinnegan's power to resurrect Madara.
It was mostly lies, but with "power" as the bait and a logical framework, Black Zetsu believed that even if he couldn't fully fool a man like Diarmuid, he could at least hook his interest.
As long as Diarmuid was interested, Zetsu could slowly guide him, letting him "discover" that it was all true. Eventually, he could use Diarmuid's hands to push the Eye of the Moon Plan forward from the shadows!
Perfect!