Facing Obito's questioning, Black Zetsu's face remained expressionless. After a long pause, he finally said, "Even if I had told you before, it would have been pointless."
Obito's expression darkened at this.
Setting aside whether this wild plan could even succeed, the most crucial point was the inexplicably resurrected Uchiha Madara. Indeed, there was no point in mentioning it before.
But what made Obito dissatisfied, and even compelled him to ponder, was how many other things Black Zetsu had hidden before, deeming them 'pointless to say'?
"..." Noticing Obito's expression, Black Zetsu hunched his body and lowered his head slightly, trying his best to make his presence even weaker.
Formulating plans and directly influencing and interfering with Madara and Obito's thoughts was bound to cause this kind of wariness, which was expected. Honestly, taking this step was a bit risky.
But as things stood, Black Zetsu had no choice but to do so.
The pressure from Nagato was secondary; he was just another Senju Hashirama at best. The key issue was Orochimaru. In a thousand years, he had never seen anyone grow at such a speed.
The enemy was already plotting beyond the ninja world, in places he couldn't reach, in order to further their growth. If their own side continued to dawdle and waste time, there would be truly no chance in the future.
"Black Zetsu has a point."
Uchiha Madara didn't show much suspicion. After all, this was a creation of his own will. His gaze shifted to Obito, "This plan, it wasn't just your idea, was it?"
Sufficient funds, necessary equipment and medicine, and most importantly, the people to execute the plan…
"Of course."
A flash of red light flickered in Obito's eyes. "After all, there's no shortage of ambitious individuals in this world. Just give them a little hope…"
"..." Uchiha Madara smirked at that, saying nothing. Black Zetsu, half-buried in the ground, didn't show a single expression.
…
On the desert dunes, Orochimaru sat up from his meditation, his gaze falling on the viper that appeared on his legs.
Taking the scroll from its mouth, Orochimaru then released the Summoning Technique and unfurled the scroll on his legs.
After glancing over the recorded information, Orochimaru licked his lips. "Nagato, that guy really failed, didn't he… But it's fine, as long as the Outer Path Statue of the Samsara is still preserved."
He had already considered the possibility of Nagato failing to capture Uchiha Madara, so he wasn't too disappointed, just a little reflective.
Regardless of Madara's original intentions, with the help of chance and various factors, the Rinnegan had been a great gift. And now, it had helped Madara escape certain death. It truly felt like "everything in its time, and a time for everything."
Sensing Orochimaru's thoughts, Genie Lamp couldn't help but tease, "What? Orochimaru, who has always been obsessed with Ninjutsu and science, has now started believing in fate?"
"Not entirely. It's just that when I ponder nature, I think of these things, and strange feelings arise…"
Orochimaru rose from the sand dune and flew towards Mount Myōboku.
"The notion of destiny is too illusory; neither believing nor disbelieving is accurate. After all, I have no clue about this matter; it's a completely unfamiliar territory."
The unknown is the unknown, but the unknown can cause fear and discomfort, leading one to subconsciously try to explain it using pre-existing concepts in their mind, thus arriving at one or several seemingly correct conclusions.
Orochimaru would do this too, but he would discard it moments later because he knew how true knowledge should be acquired.
"The ninja world's development is still too primitive. Let alone special talents like the Great Toad Sage, even 'ordinary people' who break through bloodline limitations and grow are rare…"
Speeding across the sky, yellow sand rolled beneath Orochimaru, painting a desolate scene. If the ninja world's current level were measured by ninja development, it would be no different from this desert.
After all, the total number of ninjas in the ninja world might not even reach a hundred thousand. And among the organizations developed based on these ninjas, over ninety-eight percent are responsible for combat.
This is not good. By now, Orochimaru no longer needs them for these low-level battles. Instead, their energy should be directed towards research on Chakra and the essence of Ninjutsu.
"Even if you share your knowledge and expend immense effort to push for reform, it won't develop in the direction you envision for at least several years."
Genie Lamp, trailing its cloud-like tail, chuckled, "Security… Individuals, perhaps you can kill them all, but to make them do so willingly, it's actually less reliable than the 'Eternal Moonlight'."
"That's true too."
Orochimaru looked down at Daichi and smiled, "But if the 'Eternal Moonlight' is as miraculous as you say, a little manipulation could be useful."
Since it can cast genjutsu on everyone, if a vision of the future were implanted into everyone's minds, making them believe that such a world is the direction everyone should strive for… perhaps when the genjutsu is lifted and development progresses, there would be much less resistance.
At least, there wouldn't be much disagreement on consensus.
"Wow, that's quite a statement… Not that I'm looking down on you, but even though you've entered the Six Paths level, describing a perfect world that completely aligns with logical reality in their minds… is impossible."
Genie Lamp laughed. "Putting aside knowledge reserves, human desires and impulses are unfathomable amounts of information. Compared to that, popularizing television and making a few uplifting dramas about an ideal society would be more reliable."
"Honestly, your world is a cultural desert. Ordinary people, and even ninjas, are very naive and easy to fool."
"It's not entirely impossible…" Orochimaru licked his lips, "But in your words, the ninja world's productivity doesn't keep up."
The Land of Fire, the most prosperous in the ninja world, actually only has a few large human towns. Most of the territory is covered by forests and is sparsely populated.
This is undoubtedly related to the constant warfare in the ninja world, but the wild beasts in the forests also play a part.
Ninjas can live well anywhere, but for ordinary people… forget about building bridges and roads or growing crops; even normal survival is a problem.
And these things cannot be solved in a short period. Although Orochimaru has become Six Paths level, he is not omnipotent and cannot focus his energy on these matters.
"Well, don't worry about it." Genie Lamp tilted its head. "You just need to give them the direction, and then let the Third and that Nara fellow handle it, right?"
"Last time, I discussed the future of the ninja world and how to govern it with the old man, but whether there are any good solutions is uncertain. At best, it will be a step-by-step process, following the natural flow."
Orochimaru shook his head. "But… whatever. We don't really lack time now, so let's focus on the problems that need to be solved first."
Mount Myōboku… that Great Toad Sage. I wonder what information he will prophesy.
If the trouble with the Ootsuki clan in the galaxy isn't resolved, no matter how the ninja world develops, it will be easily shattered like Utakata.
Of course, based on the vague and unreliable information provided by Genie Lamp, the future prospects are quite optimistic.
After all, from Ootsuki Kaguya's arrival in the ninja world, to the Divine Tree being sealed on the moon, and now the ninja world's development… the time spans are in millennia.
Even if the Ootsuki come in the next decade or so, if they are dealt with, how long can they postpone it?
This information will all need to be clarified in the future.
…
Mount Myōboku. As Orochimaru descended from the sky, Jiraiya, who had been waiting for a long time, and many toads welcomed him.
After some perfunctory small talk, Jiraiya said, "A lot of time has passed. I need to go back to Konoha to report to the old man and the others. What are you planning to do?"
He knew that the prophecy the Great Toad Sage had promised Orochimaru had not yet been given, and he wasn't sure if Orochimaru would return first or stay to wait for the news.
"Then go back first. If anything unexpected happens in the village, you can notify me."
Orochimaru nodded slightly, then smiled. "I'm curious about Mount Myōboku, and I have some things to do that require the help of several sages."
The three great sage territories have their own characteristics, but Mount Myōboku is the most unique among them.
Unlike the other two great sage territories, it preserves a relatively complete ecosystem instead of being dominated by a single entity; it's worth a lot of reference.
Furthermore, Orochimaru wants to learn more about the unique aspects of Toad Sage Mode.
Sage Fukasaku said solemnly, "Whatever you wish to ask, please speak freely. We will do our best to answer you."
After witnessing the previous battle, he and the other toads had a deep understanding of the opponent's power.
Survival of the fittest… Some rules need not be spoken explicitly but are ingrained in one's bones. At this moment, their attitude naturally shifted without hesitation.
"Then I'll trouble you all…" As he spoke, Orochimaru suddenly raised an eyebrow and looked into the distance.
Everyone followed his gaze and saw a giant toad approaching rapidly, up and down. In a short while, it arrived beside them.
Gamabunta bowed slightly. "Lord Orochimaru, the Great Lord has awakened and wishes to see you."
"Tsk… So soon." A smile appeared on Orochimaru's face. "Then I'll go over now."
Saying that, he flew directly towards the toad's palace.
Jiraiya and Sage Shima exchanged glances. They didn't rush back to Konoha but followed in the direction Orochimaru had disappeared.
Shortly thereafter, the group entered the great hall where the Great Toad Sage resided.
As soon as he entered, Orochimaru keenly sensed that the other party was even older than before, and his vitality had weakened.
Orochimaru sized him up and confirmed that there was no life-threatening danger. Then, he smiled. "It seems your exploration of the future was quite difficult."
"Prophecy has never been easy."
The Great Toad Sage's eyelids drooped, as if chanting in his sleep. "Either wait for a fleeting spark of inspiration in long meditation, or pay the corresponding price…"
After saying this, the Great Toad Sage paused. "The price paid this time was relatively minor. Naturally, it told me that a certain member of the Ootsuki clan had a connection with a white-haired youth, and destiny will bring that white-haired youth before you."
Orochimaru pondered for a moment and then asked, "Then, how long will destiny take to do this?"
"..." The Great Toad Sage remained silent for a while, then vaguely replied, "That's not something I can predict."
Orochimaru shook his head. "Oh, I see. I roughly understand what this prophecy is about."
He didn't doubt the truthfulness of the information within, but the latter part about 'destiny' could be completely discarded.
These mysterious pronouncements, like what he used before to explain the entanglement between 'Madara and Nagato,' had no practical value.
If he stayed at Mount Myōboku for several years or decades, would that white-haired youth still come here? The difficulty would be too great!
What truly interested Orochimaru was whether the 'entanglement between the Ootsuki clan member and the white-haired youth' was in the future, the past, or happening very recently!
The former is self-explanatory. If it's the latter two, does that mean there are other Ootsuki alive in the ninja world besides the Sage of Six Paths?
"Regarding this, I have a guess."
As he was thinking, Genie Lamp's voice reached his ears. Orochimaru raised an eyebrow and transmitted his thoughts, "Tell me."
"It concerns some information about the Divine Tree and the Ten-Tails. I'm not entirely certain."
Genie Lamp first prepared him for the possibility of unreliability, positioning itself as a potentially inaccurate source, before beginning its narration.
The reason for this meticulous approach was that its understanding of the ninja world was limited to everything before the Fourth Great Ninja War.
"It is said that for the Ten-Tails to mature and fully become the Divine Tree, it needs to devour an Ootsuki clan member."
Genie Lamp looked at Orochimaru. "Not just their flesh and blood, but their mental energy as well, or in your terms, their very essence."
"Tsk… I didn't expect that." Orochimaru licked his lips. "Does that mean a life of an Ootsuki clan member is sacrificed for every Divine Tree planted? Based on past impressions, they don't seem like a species that reproduces easily."
"That's not the case. The Ootsuki clan leader possesses a secret art called a 'Kusabi' in their mental energy. It's a complete backup of their essence, compressed to the extreme."
Genie Lamp chose its words carefully. "With the 'Kusabi,' and by using a 'Vessel,' revival can be achieved. The latter is like a container for your 'Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu'."
"Essence backup, Kusabi and Vessel… that's a good idea." Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with interest, and he looked at Genie Lamp. "Does that mean the subordinate who came to the ninja world with Ootsuki Kaguya, the one who was used as a sacrifice, is now going to be revived?"
"Hmm, it's somewhat similar, but different from what you might imagine."
Genie Lamp rubbed its chin. "Although Ootsuki Kaguya is a princess of the clan, compared to her companions at the time, she was subordinate in both status and power."
"For some reason, Kaguya successfully ambushed her companion and fed them to the Divine Tree seed as a sacrifice."
"The latter barely survived, but because most of their essence was consumed, their power was severely diminished. They were unable to engrave a complete 'Kusabi.' However, a considerable amount of time has passed, so it's possible this individual has recovered their strength."