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Kagaya left with Karin and Haku.
***
On the other side, after Obito used Kamui to quickly return to the Akatsuki base with Nagato...
"Is it over just like that?"
Nagato looked at "Madara" beside him. "Madara" making peace with Kagaya was understandable. But witnessing the entire process, Nagato vaguely felt "Madara" might still have some follow-up actions.
Obito, however, spoke as if it were natural. "Of course it's over. Currently, we cannot deal with him; we can only do this. Alright, let's quickly accelerate preparations for our plan now. Time waits for no one."
With that, not waiting for Nagato's response, a whirlpool swirled around Obito, and he disappeared from the spot.
Nagato was stunned for a moment. After thinking, he ultimately put the matter aside. The massive apparatus beneath him began to operate, carrying Nagato away. Behind Nagato was the Deva Path, its face twisted from the earlier blow. With no Naraka Path to restore it now, Nagato would have to recreate it.
***
In a dark space.
"What do you plan to do, Obito?"
A person directly called Obito by his real name. No need to guess; currently in the shinobi world, besides Obito himself, only Kagaya, Black Zetsu, and White Zetsu knew Obito's true identity.
The one appearing here was Black Zetsu.
"You wouldn't simply end things with Uchiha Kagaya like this, would you? After all, do you even know the Rinnegan's evolution method?"
Obito shook his head. "No, I don't."
Yes. From Kagaya's perspective, Obito was taught by the elderly Madara and knew many secrets. So, knowing how the Rinnegan evolved wouldn't be strange.
But the truth was, Obito couldn't be certain of the Rinnegan's evolution method at all!
Actually, if Obito had the will, careful research might have revealed the method. But the problem was, after turning to darkness, Obito cared about nothing. His sole focus was creating the world of Infinite Tsukuyomi. Apart from that, Obito had no interest in anything else—including increasing his own power.
Remember, Obito was completely convinced this world was false. Therefore, he could even move against Minato and Kushina. So, if Obito truly cared about increasing his power, he would have long ago killed Kakashi and retrieved his other eye.
Precisely because he didn't care, Obito hadn't acted against Kakashi.
And not caring about power increase meant Obito naturally wouldn't research something like the Rinnegan.
"I want to find a way to bring him to our side."
Black Zetsu tentatively asked, "Infinite Tsukuyomi?"
"Yes."
"Heh, Obito, you want to do it again, don't you."
Indeed, "birds of a feather flock together." The moment Obito's words fell, Black Zetsu instantly understood Obito's intention. Obito wanted to target the two people close to Uchiha Kagaya, similar to what was done with Nagato in the past. Although Obito didn't directly cause Nagato's tragedy, he did artificially guide Nagato's turn to darkness at the tragedy's conclusion. This time, Obito clearly wanted to create a similar tragedy around Kagaya and actively guide him into complete darkness.
Obito sighed softly. "It's just... I don't know how to proceed. His strength is too great. I can't act against those two around him now."
"By the way, are you confident? Uchiha Kagaya experienced that kind of childhood, didn't he? After that, he still remained unmoved by the world of Infinite Tsukuyomi you described. Are you confident you can guide him to our side?"
Obito sneered disdainfully, looking at Black Zetsu. "You should understand this better than me. What kind of clan is the Uchiha? The fact that Uchiha Kagaya could move against Konoha shows he still harbors hatred within. As long as he experiences darkness once more, and I then step forward to guide him, I believe he can be made to understand this world is a false one."
From Obito's perspective, Black Zetsu was the manifestation of Uchiha Madara's will. So, regarding Uchiha matters, Black Zetsu should know more than him.
Although Black Zetsu wasn't actually Madara's will, concerning Asura and Indra matters, Black Zetsu was indeed proficient.
"You have a point. It's worth a try. After all, the Eternal Mangekyo is significant assistance. By the way, you needn't fear him so much. The Eternal Mangekyo isn't invincible. If Lord Madara were to revive, with the Eternal Mangekyo, he would be unrivaled in this era without Hashirama Senju. But that kid is different. He only just awakened the Eternal Mangekyo. Although his ocular power is steadily rising, reaching Lord Madara's level requires a long journey. You still have opportunities to act."
Black Zetsu explained thus.
This was fact. Even with the Eternal Mangekyo, vast differences existed. Just like when Kagaya first awakened the Mangekyo, his strength couldn't compare to Shisui, who also had the Mangekyo. Shisui could have fought Kagaya like a child.
The same situation existed between the current Kagaya and Madara. If Madara revived to fight Kagaya, Kagaya would have absolutely no chance of winning—not the slightest bit.
To truly unleash the Eternal Mangekyo's power, Kagaya needed time to mature.
"Is that so..."
The red light flickered within Obito's mask. Previously, constantly thinking of Madara made him subconsciously fear Kagaya. Now hearing Black Zetsu's words, perhaps he feared too much. If Kagaya's strength truly paled compared to Madara's, then there was still opportunity!
"By the way, Black Zetsu, do you know the Rinnegan's evolution method?"
"What do you intend? You plan to recruit that kid, don't you? In that case, there's no need to tell him the Rinnegan evolution method, right?"
"Just in case. If I fail, I'll need to fulfill my promise. Although Uchiha Kagaya's strength may be far inferior to Madara's, in a direct confrontation, I'm still far inferior, right? Before gathering all Tailed Beasts, I don't want him as an enemy. So if all else fails, I'll have no choice but to fulfill the promise."
This was truth. Kagaya losing to Madara was one thing, but fighting Uchiha Obito? No problem.
Black Zetsu fell silent.
The Rinnegan was too significant a variable. Before Madara awakened the Rinnegan, Black Zetsu longed for it, wishing he could give everything for some Uchiha to awaken it. Because only with the Rinnegan could the Infinite Tsukuyomi be activated.
But now, one pair of Rinnegan already existed. The Infinite Tsukuyomi plan was set. If another pair appeared now, it could cause unforeseen variables!
Any action potentially hindering the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan was something Black Zetsu couldn't possibly undertake. Therefore...
Opening his mouth, Black Zetsu was about to refuse when he heard Obito speak.
"You said, how long did it take Madara to awaken the Rinnegan?"
A single sentence jolted Black Zetsu awake!
Black Zetsu suddenly realized—yes, how long did it take Madara? Although Black Zetsu hadn't calculated, likely twenty to thirty years, at least!
Madara bit off a piece of Hashirama's flesh during his prime. After reviving, he eagerly fused with Hashirama's flesh. In his prime, the chakra of Asura and Indra was gathered. Yet, only when Madara was elderly, white-haired, with one foot in the grave, did he finally awaken the Rinnegan!
Obito continued, "But you probably don't know either. After all, you were created just before Madara's death. It's normal you don't know how long it took him to awaken the Rinnegan. But I estimate the time wasn't short—at least a decade."