After all the tasks were finished, there were still several hours until dawn. Naraku quietly slipped back into his room, lay on the bed, and prepared to sleep.
It was a bit regrettable that he couldn't meet Black Zetsu tonight, even though it had shown itself.
However, spending time with Obito and Shisui wasn't a loss either.
Hmm, maybe even a bit of a gain?
After all, given their talents, their future achievements wouldn't be low, and they would definitely appear frequently in the anime.
After a while, Naraku unknowingly closed his eyes and fell asleep... Since that night when Black Zetsu's appearance was interrupted, Naraku went to the river several times, but it only observed from the side, with no intention of approaching.
Its caution was infuriating.
If this continued, it Might cause more trouble. To avoid any further complications, Naraku decided to take the initiative and give it an opportunity...
"Are you really okay?"
Mikoto's gaze was fixed on Naraku, following him closely, watching him pack his Ninja tools, soldier pills (chakra replenishing pills), and various supplies with concern.
"Do you need to rest a bit longer? Don't worry about money, the Uchiha Clan will provide for Naraku..."
"Aunt Mikoto, I'm fine," Naraku explained softly, "Lady Tsunade said I can resume missions normally."
He tightened his waist pouch and moved it to his back, then began to hide throwing weapons on his body.
"Besides, this is a simple b-rank mission, and Senior Duy is with me. He's very reliable."
"Then, alright."
Mikoto was persuaded, but she still added a reminder: "Don't overexert yourself. Come back safely."
"Yes, I know."
Naraku promised, finally inserting his long sword into its scabbard and tying his forehead protector to his forehead, his eyes focused and determined.
At this moment, he transformed once again from the gentle, boy-next-door type into a calm and deadly Ninja.
Upright and sharp.
When Mikoto saw him fully prepared, she instinctively felt that this was the posture an Uchiha genius like Naraku should possess: unstoppable and vibrant.
He was born to be a great tree, standing firm and unmoving like a mountain, no matter how fierce the winds or heavy the rain.
Not a naive and fragile seedling in a greenhouse, unable to withstand any setbacks or hardships.
No matter how perilous the path ahead, Uchiha Naraku was destined to shine brightly in the Ninja World, becoming the most dazzling and unrivaled peak.
She could not shackle him; no one could stop a Ninja from rushing towards his destiny, whether that future held happiness or cruelty.
Since that was the case, let him live freely and passionately according to his own will.
And when he needed rest, the Clan would become a warm harbor, where he could temporarily rest and gather the courage to continue forward.
Mikoto's mood gradually calmed down. Although she was still a little worried, she was no longer as anxious as before... Naraku arrived near the Konoha gate, where Might Duy was already waiting. Seeing him approach, he waved enthusiastically.
"Oh! Naraku! Long time no see!"
Naraku nodded in greeting: "Senior Duy, good morning."
Since becoming a Chunin, Might Duy worked even harder and more diligently, spending most of each month on missions. Sometimes, he would just return to the Village to rest, train with Might Guy for a day or two, and then immediately head out to work again.
This also meant he wasn't very aware of what was happening in the Village, only accidentally hearing about Sakumo's accident from a comrade during a mission.
But by then, a long time had passed.
However, from the moment he learned the news, he had always firmly believed that his reliable comrades—Kakashi and Naraku—their father Sakumo, was injured and unconscious because he participated in a battle, not for some unyouthful or unpassionate reason as some people were spreading.
For this, Might Duy even specially prepared a matching training uniform, visited Sakumo in the Hospital, and placed it on the cabinet next to the bed.
From the perspective of a fellow father, he earnestly encouraged Sakumo, shouting about struggle and passion, regardless of whether Sakumo could hear him, and was politely asked to leave the ward by the nurse.
As he left, he was still walking on his hands, his expression strained as he "shouted" in an airy voice: Today, I will run 300 laps around Konoha!
The next morning, Naraku came as usual and saw the neatly folded training uniform. He smiled knowingly and put it away safely in the cabinet.
Returning to the present, Might Duy was doing handstand push-ups without pause while waiting for his teammates to gather.
His green training uniform made him look like a giant green onion.
By the way, what would Sakumo look like in this tight jumpsuit?
Never mind, never mind, can't think too much, Naraku shook his head. If a clear image really appeared in his mind, he would never be able to go back.
Shortly after, the other two Chunin and the leading Jonin also arrived at the meeting point. After counting everyone, they officially set off.
Although the leading Jonin had concealed himself very well since they met, Naraku still didn't miss the brief flash of hostility in his eyes.
It seemed that Black Zetsu wasn't idle while he was preparing to accept the mission.
Or, was it Danzo?
...Black Zetsu followed closely behind the team using the Mayfly technique, maintaining a distance that was neither too far nor too close, ensuring he wouldn't lose his target nor be detected by anyone in the team.
That night, he had intended to appear before Naraku to quickly lure PLAN B into his grasp, but Shisui's appearance caused his slightly lowered caution to rise again.
Indeed, he still couldn't easily show himself within Konoha. Who knew who Might suddenly appear?
Fortunately, that little brat Uchiha Naraku ended his sick leave a few days later and started taking on missions normally.
To make him disappear unexpectedly, he would have to tamper with the team members.
So, it once again sought out the useful Danzo Shimura, hiding beneath his clothes and bandages, controlling this body, and ordering a Jonin from the Shimura Clan to take on a certain mission, specifically naming Uchiha Naraku as a comrade.
"During the mission, find a way to eliminate Uchiha Naraku."
The body named "Danzo" said so, then paused and added the most crucial sentence: "This is all for Konoha."
The Jonin, kneeling outside the door, took his orders and left. Black Zetsu quietly detached himself from Danzo and merged into the soil.
When Uchiha Naraku falls into a life-or-death crisis, it will quietly rescue him, which will surely lead Uchiha Naraku to believe that it means him no harm, increasing the credibility of the Tsukuyomi Plan.
By the way, Black Zetsu looked at Danzo again. This guy's physical condition was much better than last time; he should be waking up soon.
Let him be for now. It won't deal with him yet, letting him continue to stir up trouble for Konoha and the Uchiha.
As long as Danzo Shimura causes internal strife, Konoha will never truly thrive, which is beneficial to the Infinite Tsukuyomi Plan...
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