Chapter 329: Pick the Soft Persimmon
White Zetsu scratched his head in partial understanding.
"You mean Lord Yasushi might also redirect anger toward us?"
"But if Lord Yasushi hated us, couldn't he just expose our plans directly?"
"Why bother cooperating with us?"
"That's exactly what I can't figure out." Black Zetsu sighed heavily.
"Mangekyou Uchiha are all maniacs. Nothing they do would be surprising."
"Yasushi is a maniac among maniacs. His thought processes differ severely from normal people. I fundamentally can't predict his thinking."
"Look at those methods he uses for revenge. Which could any normal person accomplish?"
"Moreover, even if he hasn't redirected anger at us yet, that doesn't mean he'll maintain this state forever."
"Hatred is a demon that devours hearts. Once contaminated, you'll never have peaceful days again."
"Perhaps initially Yasushi truly didn't blame Madara. But as his revenge targets disappear one by one, the emptiness deep in his heart will grow larger—eventually causing him to seek new hatred targets."
"When that time comes, even the slightest reason can become Yasushi's excuse for redirecting anger toward others."
"You're right!" White Zetsu finally understood. "So what should we do now?"
"Are you planning on turning against Lord Yasushi?"
Black Zetsu remained silent for a long while before finally slowly shaking his head.
"No. We've already lost Obito and Madara—severely lacking high-end combat power."
"To deal with Otsutsuki Hagoromo, we can only rely on Yasushi's strength."
"However, when working for Yasushi from now on, we must secretly leave more backdoors. If necessary, we'll need causing Yasushi some trouble—preventing him from targeting us."
"Moreover, we can't continue this passive situation. We must find ways changing the current circumstances, reclaiming the initiative."
"For instance, seizing Obito back from Yasushi's control."
"Huh?" White Zetsu exclaimed in surprise. "Obito is currently 'living happily' with his little lover. Plus, he has that Caged Bird curse mark Yasushi carved on his head. How could you possibly snatch him back?"
Black Zetsu smiled faintly with satisfaction.
"Yasushi obtained the Caged Bird curse mark's control method from me. If he can use it, naturally I can too."
"However, for someone like Obito, simple curse mark control has already lost meaning."
"Still must target that little lover of his."
"Obito has been immersed in illusory dreams too long. Time he awakened to face the cruel real world."
"Hiss..." White Zetsu gasped. "What are you planning?"
"Surely that doll who can only lie in bed being manipulated can no longer satisfy Obito's spiritual comfort."
"I need making Obito realize—only within the world created by Infinite Tsukuyomi can he possess a lively, genuinely loving Rin."
"Hmm, perhaps we can add Kakashi too. Let the three of them live happily together as a family."
"And the price is simple—merely his worthless life."
"Presumably he wouldn't object."
"Uh..." White Zetsu wiped nonexistent sweat from his forehead. "You learned this from Yasushi, right?!"
"But it works well, doesn't it?"
"Well, that's true."
Zetsu's form sank again, merging into the ground before disappearing from the location.
After entering Fire Country territory, Yasushi paid special attention. As expected, current Fire Country had descended into complete chaos—burning, killing, and looting everywhere.
But since he intended rebuilding Konoha Village, Fire Country absolutely couldn't continue this chaos!
"Everyone, begin clearing all bandits along the route."
"Also spread word that Konoha Village is being rebuilt. Anyone wanting to return can come back."
"However, this time belongs to our Uchiha clan's Konoha Village. Anyone who dislikes the Uchiha clan—better not return."
"Yes!" Everyone responded thunderously before scattering to conduct grid-pattern clearing operations.
These Uchiha Edo Tensei bodies all possessed jonin-level capabilities. Clearing some rogue ninja and bandit trash proved quite easy.
Moments later, everyone returned to report.
"Lord Clan Leader, already cleared."
"Excellent. We continue onward!"
Yasushi led the group, killing as they traveled. News rapidly spread, reaching all shinobi nations' ears.
BOOM!
The Fourth Raikage smashed the desk before him with one punch.
"What?"
"Konoha Village is being rebuilt?"
"Are you joking?"
"We just occupied most of Fire Country. Now he wants driving us out again, reclaiming the territory?"
"I absolutely cannot accept this!"
Mabui quickly and efficiently cleaned up the destroyed desk, placing another in the original position while calmly advising:
"Lord Raikage, we've all witnessed that Uchiha Yasushi's martial prowess. Truly not something Cloud Village can resist. Please consider carefully."
"Those are separate matters!" Ay shouted loudly. "I was willing trading tailed beast tails for Killer B's return because I feared Uchiha Yasushi rampaging in Cloud Village."
"Previously he was a rogue ninja without foundations. Could do whatever he wanted—barefoot not fearing the shod."
"We couldn't afford offending him, only avoiding conflict."
"But now he's rebuilt a ninja village! He must consider Konoha Village's villagers and ninja. Can't act as recklessly as before."
"We can't defeat him personally, but can't we defeat those ordinary ninja?"
"If he dares rampaging in Cloud Village, naturally we can also retaliate at Konoha Village."
"Konoha Village needs surviving, which means eating—requiring mission completion. If he angers me, I'll specifically dispatch people sabotaging Konoha Village missions."
"Uchiha Yasushi is just one person. Impossible providing protection for every single mission."
"Once Konoha Village accumulates enough failed missions, those merchants naturally won't commission Konoha Village anymore."
"What will Konoha Village's ninja do then? Wait to starve?"
A grew increasingly excited, pacing around the office.
"I've worried these past days about countering Uchiha Yasushi's threat."
"Now excellent! He's no longer a rogue ninja. Naturally he has more bonds and burdens—finally providing vulnerabilities we can target."
"Immediately dispatch an envoy to Konoha Village. Cloud Village acknowledges New Konoha Village's legitimate status. But correspondingly, New Konoha Village must recognize treaties old Konoha Village signed with us. Preferably ceding additional territory."
"Ah, also—send word to the frontlines. Temporarily abandon long-term governance planning. Have them quickly plunder all occupied territory resources and ship them back."
"Also have the front contract defenses. If Uchiha Yasushi truly attacks, I authorize frontline forces to collectively retreat—won't be treated as deserters."