When someone dislikes you...
No matter what you do, you're wrong.
Even the friends around you are wrong.
The masked man didn't consider Uchiha Itachi a friend, but right now, he couldn't shake the feeling that both his and Itachi's presence here was a mistake.
What the hell?
Was Black Zetsu trying to betray him?!
No...
This didn't count as betrayal.
Because Black Zetsu was the will left behind by Emiya Shigen.
That eerie, black creature was unfailingly loyal to its master. It was only natural that it would turn against him now that Shigen had returned.
Tch...
Did it think that just because Shigen was back, it could act all high and mighty?
Black Zetsu had never dared to challenge him like this before!
The masked man shot a cold glare at Black Zetsu's sinister expression and replied icily,
"Itachi is a necessary recruit for Akatsuki's plans."
"Itachi slaughtered his entire clan."
"Konoha has already listed him as a missing-nin. Unless Konoha has completely lost its mind, there's no way in hell he's their spy."
The masked man was deeply suspicious of Itachi's true motives for joining Akatsuki, but at this moment, he had to defend him—if only to protect his own standing.
"Isn't there still one survivor?"
Black Zetsu's grin grew even more insidious.
"!!!"
Itachi's fist clenched involuntarily.
"That's his brother,"
"And also his backup for obtaining the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan."
The masked man, growing more agitated, forced himself to continue defending Itachi.
"Itachi has already awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, but it comes at the cost of blindness."
"He intends for his brother to awaken the Mangekyō as well—so that when the time comes, he can take his brother's eyes and gain a pair of Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan that will never go blind."
"It was precisely for this goal that he chose to slaughter his entire clan—to immerse his brother in hatred and pain."
"..."
Black Zetsu was momentarily speechless.
Because the masked man's reasoning was entirely sound.
"What's wrong?"
A crimson glint flickered in the masked man's eye as he sneered.
"Do you think just because your master is back, you no longer need me to carry out the plan?"
His voice turned cold as he finally shed his pretense.
"I carry the will of Madara!"
Yes.
There was no longer any need to keep up the act.
Now that Shigen had returned from the afterlife, he surely knew the truth.
There was no more use in pretending to be Madara.
The only reason he had ever claimed that name was to intimidate Nagato and Konan into submission. But now, they had pledged their loyalty to Shigen.
They likely already knew his true identity.
"..."
Itachi glanced at the masked man in surprise.
So...
This guy was never Madara?
Then who exactly was this mysterious Uchiha?
"Let them through, Black Zetsu."
Shigen's voice was calm, a stark contrast to Black Zetsu's hostility.
"He represents Madara's will.
Madara and I were allies in this matter from the beginning.
We never intended for him to be excluded from the Eternal Peace Plan."
"..."
Zetsu hesitated, but eventually stepped aside.
"Show some respect to Lord Shigen..."
White Zetsu whispered anxiously to the masked man.
"Hmph..."
The masked man scoffed but stepped forward nonetheless.
Itachi, lost in thought, followed silently behind him.
Despite sensing an oddly serene aura from Shigen, Itachi's wariness remained at its peak.
After all...
They were about to meet someone who was practically a living legend.
A man older than the history of the shinobi world itself.
Yet...
Itachi couldn't hide his surprise.
When they finally entered the chamber, they saw an ordinary-looking man.
Not a god of war.
Not a terrifying mastermind.
Just a scholar, sitting at a desk, writing on a blank scroll.
"Get them some sugarcane juice."
Shigen, still focused on his work, casually gave the order.
Bathed in the dim glow of candlelight, his face was cast in soft shadows as he continued writing.
"Apologies. Have a seat.
Your arguing disrupted my train of thought."
"..."
A strange sense of peace washed over Itachi.
This man...
Was just as calm and gentle as the bedtime stories had described him.
It was almost difficult to imagine that he was part of the same dark, conspiratorial machinations as the masked man.
Or that he had wrested control of Akatsuki from him.
Or that he was the one responsible for this elaborate, shadowy plan.
It was an almost surreal contradiction.
The entire shinobi world would struggle to comprehend it.
A saint who had left behind the legacy of medical ninjutsu...
Yet he now sat in the heart of a vast and sinister organization.
"Hmph."
The masked man snorted in disdain and took a seat without hesitation.
He even casually removed his mask, revealing a scarred face—one half unscathed, the other marred with wounds.
One eye bore the Mangekyō Sharingan.
The other...
A transplanted Sharingan.
"Zetsu told me..."
Shigen continued writing as he spoke, his tone indifferent.
"You are Madara's successor.
Your name is... Uchiha Obito?"
"Hmph..."
Obito's expression soured.
He couldn't even be bothered to answer such a trivial question.
Show respect to Shigen?
Ridiculous.
His arrogance wouldn't allow it!
Not even if Madara himself had returned!
And certainly not for this relic of the past!
"Uchiha Obito..."
Itachi's eyes widened slightly.
That name...
He had heard it before.
Among Konoha's fallen heroes of the Third Shinobi War, the Uchiha had often spoken of him.
Obito had died in battle against Iwagakure...
And before his death, he had entrusted one of his Sharingan to his comrade—Hatake Kakashi.
It had been a major point of contention among the Uchiha.
But now, it turned out he had survived?!
"..."
Obito stared at Shigen with cold eyes.
His voice was laced with hostility.
"I only want to know one thing.
A dead man comes back to life and steals my organization from me—"
"Are you planning to cut me and Madara out of the plan?!"
His Mangekyō Sharingan gleamed ominously.
"Or are you after the power for yourself?"
Even though their goals aligned...
Obito did not trust Shigen.
Because the one who controlled the Moon's Eye Plan...
Would not only decide the world's fate...
They would also wield power surpassing all other shinobi.
Obito had to question Shigen's true motives.
"No need to worry."
"I'm not interested in that power."
Shigen finally lifted his gaze.
His eyes...
Twin Rinnegan glowed in the dim light.
"I already obtained a far greater power in the ancient era."
"You naive child..."
Black Zetsu sneered, openly mocking Obito.
"The Uchiha and their Mangekyō Sharingan have always been shortsighted."
"You think you can fathom the ambitions of a man like Lord Shigen?"
"Rinnegan!"
Obito's expression twisted in shock.
What the hell?!
Why did Shigen have the Rinnegan?!
This relic of the past...
He wasn't just a legendary healer.
He was a monster.
A Rinnegan bearer meant unparalleled power!
How had Madara never mentioned this?!
But Obito...
Was not afraid.
After all, he possessed an ability...
One that rendered him untouchable.
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Powerstones?
For 20 advance Chapters: /michaeltranslates