Black Zetsu stealthily moved underground, heading towards the agreed-upon meeting point with Obito.
In this operation, the main reason Black Zetsu was willing to deploy several hundred White Zetsu was to guide Obito and provide cover.
While Obito, with his Kamui, could indeed go anywhere, Konoha was vast, making it difficult to find a single person.
It was rare for Konoha to allow so many outsiders in this time, and to ensure Obito's success, Black Zetsu had invested heavily.
Such a large expenditure of White Zetsu couldn't be wasted, so Black Zetsu also had the White Zetsu impersonate Iwagakure shinobi to cause trouble; not to ignite a Ninja World War, but to at least heighten the tension in the Ninja World.
After all, it's easier to fish in troubled waters, and compared to the current era of Ninja Villages, Black Zetsu still missed the good old Sengoku period.
In the current environment, even if a Ninja World War broke out, the difficulty and cost of Black Zetsu causing trouble would be more than double.
Recalling the past, a fledgling Black Zetsu, by merely manipulating Indra, almost achieved his goal.
As Black Zetsu reminisced about those glorious years, he received intelligence from a few White Zetsu who had managed to escape.
The plan to instigate conflict between Konoha and the other Ninja Villages had failed.
After listening to the White Zetsu describe the situation, Tomoki, with just a few words, caused everyone else present to scramble to take action.
Even those who were wary of Konoha and Tomoki still chose to ignore their reservations without hesitation, simply because there was enough profit to outweigh the risks.
Black Zetsu remained silent after hearing this, pressing on with his journey.
Black Zetsu, with his deep understanding of human nature, knew this was not surprising, but while he understood, Black Zetsu could not truly empathize.
Only when humans transformed into White Zetsu could they be as pure as he was.
This incorrigible race could only be saved by the transformation of the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
In Black Zetsu's eyes, humans were creatures even lower than White Zetsu; transforming humans into White Zetsu was a gift from their great Mother.
Perhaps the smooth progress of the operation caused Black Zetsu's thoughts to wander, pondering many profound matters.
"Black Zetsu, you're too slow!"
Obito's voice interrupted Black Zetsu's musings; he had unknowingly arrived at the meeting point.
"Madara, where is he?"
Black Zetsu ignored Obito's complaint; as long as he could get things done, a little arrogance was fine.
"Follow me, the rest of the matter concerning Uchiha Tomoki needs to be handled by you!"
Obito said, then took the lead, guiding Black Zetsu towards the cave behind him.
Ever since Rin's death, after Obito massacred the Hidden Mist, for some unknown reason, Obito had developed a fondness for dark environments.
He either stayed in the dim Kamui Dimension or holed up in these low, dark caves where one couldn't see their hand in front of their face.
Along the way, Obito mentioned something that startled Black Zetsu.
"I don't know why, but I always feel a strange sensation from Uchiha Natsuri, whom I captured, but I can't pinpoint what's wrong."
Black Zetsu became instantly alert.
Several of his objectives, which he had kept hidden from Obito, whether it was to stir up conflict or to sow discord between Konoha and other Ninja Villages, had all failed, despite being relatively minor matters.
However, the main objective of this operation had been completed with unexpected ease, making it difficult for Black Zetsu not to have a bad premonition.
On the day Black Zetsu was discovered, 'Obito' was right beside him.
Would Uchiha Tomoki truly be unprepared?
Black Zetsu thought it impossible; silently, Black Zetsu slowed his steps considerably and discreetly positioned himself directly behind Obito.
It's always better to be cautious.
Less than ten seconds after Obito finished speaking, they had already reached the deepest part of the cave.
A girl lay there quietly, unconscious; according to White Zetsu's sensory abilities, both her appearance and Chakra signature were identical to Uchiha Natsuri.
But the information appearing in Black Zetsu's mind conflicted with White Zetsu's perception!
This feeling was enough to make Black Zetsu almost want to rip out his own heart.
It was a sensation Black Zetsu only experienced after someone had activated the Mangekyo Sharingan or had initially mastered Sage Body.
And Uchiha Natsuri, neither from her age nor from the known intelligence, could possibly have activated the Mangekyo Sharingan.
"Obito, you captured the wrong person! This is definitely not Uchiha Natsuri!"
After Black Zetsu said this, he immediately began to sink into the ground.
Obito was bewildered by Black Zetsu; if it wasn't her, then why was he running?
The next second, Obito got his answer.
Uchiha Natsuri, whom he had thought unconscious, now opened her eyes.
And in her blood-red pupils, the complex patterns clearly told Obito that these were Mangekyo Sharingan.
[Amaterasu!]
A ball of black flames appeared out of thin air in front of Obito's chest; Black Zetsu's unusual behavior had already put Obito on alert.
Obito perfectly dodged this attack using his intangibility.
"Tell me your name, what exactly are you—"
Obito's question was cut off before he could finish.
"Chh, chh!"
Why???
Intense pain rendered Obito speechless; he managed to lower his head with difficulty.
Obito saw a gaping hole, front to back, in his chest.
Heartache?
It didn't exist; Obito no longer had a heart at this point.
Filled with disbelief, Obito gazed at the familiar wound on his chest; the last time he had seen it was on Rin's body.
Obito understood everything now.
Kakashi!!!
Obito, with an empty space in his chest, slightly parted his lips, then collapsed powerlessly, the black flames in front of him now spreading to his body.
Moments later, where Obito had stood, only ashes remained.
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