"It was supposed to be two-on-two, but it's actually two-on-three. That summoned beast of theirs… it's abnormal."
"What if I pull it into Kamui space?"
"You like it?"
"A fire dragon, magnificent, really. If I subdue it, it'll help solidify my identity when facing Nagato and the others."
"But it'll vanish the moment it leaves Kamui space."
"Then I'll seal it with Edo Tensei and slowly bend it to my will."
"In that case… it's worth a try."
"Still, two shinobi and one dragon together, that's tricky. We need to split them apart. If it becomes one-on-one, not only can we seize the dragon, but we'll also achieve our main objective."
"Fine. I'll merge with Black Zetsu."
"With our combined strength, holding back Orochimaru won't be hard. We might even take him out…"
In the original timeline, Black Zetsu, even when only using an ordinary White Zetsu body, managed to fend off Mizukage Mei Terumī, her guards, and a squad of Konoha shinobi before escaping.
"Alright. But this is our last attempt. If it fails, we withdraw. The Uchiha still have plenty of Three-Tomoe Sharingan to collect."
"Understood."
With the decision made, White Zetsu slipped soundlessly into the ground from Obito's leg, tunneling toward Black Zetsu's location.
"Hmm?"
"What is it?" Orochimaru asked.
"A new soul… if you can even call it a soul. Something just appeared, and the one clinging to our enemy's body is moving toward it."
The aura hit Uchiha Gen like a ripple through water, strange, alien, far stranger than White Zetsu's formless presence.
If White Zetsu's soul resembled a faceless human, this one was like a formless, flowing mass.
Black Zetsu? It had to be. Nothing about it felt human.
Orochimaru's golden eyes narrowed. His student's words were precise, but unsettling. Another being hiding within the enemy… and "if you can call it a soul"?
"Elaborate."
"The soul on him is similar to that white creature that impersonated Anbu before but far stronger. As for the new one… it's unnatural. Definitely not one of ours," Gen explained.
"So reinforcements. And strong ones... I never sensed a thing."
"It's extremely well hidden. Without the Soul Perception ability from my Spirit Transformation Technique, I wouldn't have caught it either."
"Spirit Transformation Technique, hmm? When you file your report to Konoha, don't mention that part."
Orochimaru gave a faint smirk.
"Understood." Gen nodded. "The enemy wants to split us apart."
"A nuisance," Orochimaru admitted. "With stealth like that, the initiative isn't ours unless we stay airborne. But… if we can't avoid it, we'll adapt and fight on our terms. At the very least, if we make them bleed here, they'll think twice about targeting you again."
"Wise as always, sensei," Gen replied earnestly.
"The cloaked one will choose you. The newcomer… mine."
"Be cautious. That one has Wood Release and likely more."
"Hmph. I've walked through blood and fire, Gen. The man who can kill me hasn't been born."
"You should still be careful. His Space–Time ninjutsu is dangerous. Have your dragon guard you."
"Shuryu can aid you as well. I still have Shizukamaru, and I've crafted a batch of low-level puppets from reaped souls."
Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "Then I'll accept. A dutiful student, indeed."
On the opposite cliff, half-black and half-white merged into one; Black Zetsu had joined Obito.
"Hey!" Obito's voice rang out from below. "If you don't come down, I'll pay the Konoha camp a visit!"
Gen and Orochimaru exchanged glances, both curling their lips. Of course the enemy would threaten them this way… and unfortunately, they couldn't ignore it.
"Shuryu. Down."
"Yes, Master."
The flame dragon descended on crimson clouds, landing at the cliff's edge. Gen and Orochimaru leapt down to meet their foes, settling on a protruding rock face.
"One-on-one," Obito declared, pointing first at himself, then at Gen.
"Heh… then we'll amuse ourselves with Orochimaru of the Sannin," Black and White Zetsu intoned together, their twisted forms grinning grotesquely.
Gen's voice was calm. "I'll see this through."
"I like freaks like you…"
Orochimaru's neck elongated like a serpent, tongue flickering as he stared at the Zetsu with hungry curiosity.
Black and White Zetsu stiffened. Why does he feel even stranger than us?
The moment stretched unnaturally before Orochimaru and Zetsu leapt higher up the cliff, leaving Obito and Gen alone.
Obito glanced upward as Shuryu soared back into the sky. His expression twisted.
Again? Always contrary to my plans…
Frustration curdled into fury. How dare they underestimate me! Without that dragon, what strength does this boy have? A simple Three-Tomoe Sharingan, I'll snuff it out and pluck his eyes, then bury him in the sea of fire he raised himself.
Heat pulsed from the blazing inferno below the cliffs, licking upward. Obito's eyes narrowed as he resolved himself.
Shuriken hissed through the air.
Obito's momentary distraction had not gone unnoticed; Gen's wrist flicked, sending three steel stars screaming toward him.
Obito snapped his war fan, deflecting them with a single sweep, then sprinted along the vertical cliff as though it were flat ground.
Gen did not rush to meet him. He stood steady, Kusanagi Sword in hand, posture unmoving but just waiting.
Obito vaulted down, fan raised high, bringing it down in a crushing arc.
Steel met steel with a sharp crack—Kusanagi blocked.
Now.
Their eyes locked. Obito's Mangekyō Sharingan whirled, unleashing genjutsu.
Gen's gaze went blank. His sword arm slackened.
Obito's lips curled. It worked. What could sand-born eyes know of Mangekyō? If not for his master and that dragon, he would've been mine long ago.
Still, Minato's lesson remained carved into him. Never underestimate.
Landing lightly on a protruding ledge, Obito folded his fan away. His left hand reached forward, middle and index fingers bent like hooks, stretching toward Gen's eyes.
An inch away...
Gen's gaze cleared. His left hand clamped Obito's wrist like iron.
His right hand flipped the Kusanagi in reverse grip. Wind and fire chakra surged down the blade, golden-white flames bursting alive...then slashed straight for Obito's neck.