Tendo Pain stared gloomily at the figure before him.
"Kakuzu and Hidan have lost contact too? What in the world is going on!"
Black Zetsu appeared calm on the surface, though inwardly he cursed.
"You're asking me? Don't you know what those two are like? Sending them to Konoha to gather intel is no different from sending them to their deaths!"
If it weren't for Nagato's unique Uzumaki Clan physique, Black Zetsu would have long considered finding a different wielder for those Rinnegan eyes. Orıginal content can be found at 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⚫𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⚫𝔫𝔢𝔱
At moments , he missed Madara dearly. Though he had only ever used Madara as a means to an end, Madara had at least been dependable.
Nagato, by contrast, relied on a pair of half-developed Rinnegan and acted like a god day in and day out. Black Zetsu could barely tolerate him.
Of course, that was just his thought. With Obito's whereabouts unknown, getting close to Nagato's real body alone was difficult — and Nagato had always kept him at arm's length, making any chance of a clean strike slim.
For now, it was safer to keep Nagato calm, prevent rash decisions, and wait until Obito returned before making any move.
"The Two-Tails is already captured. Those two are of little further value. I believe finding Madara is our top priority," Black Zetsu said.
"You mean for me to go to Konoha myself? That doesn't fit the plan. The Nine-Tails must be saved for last!"
Black Zetsu was momentarily speechless. He had been trying to keep Nagato away from Konoha, but the man had misread his meaning. Still, that worked too. The less Nagato tangled with that Uchiha Chiga, the better. There was something unsettling about him.
Still, Obito needed to be found. Black Zetsu turned toward Konan.
"You want me to go to Konoha?" Konan asked.
"No!" Pain cut in sharply before Zetsu could speak. Konan was the only one he could truly rely on. If something happened to her, it was unthinkable.
Before the stalemate could drag on, the air rippled beside them. A distortion opened in space, and Obito stepped out.
Seeing him, Black Zetsu nearly blurted, "Obi—Madara! You're back!" The slip didn't register with Pain, but Konan's sharp gaze caught it. She cast a brief glance at Obito, then looked away in silence.
Obito gave Zetsu a glance before turning his head. If he looked too long, he might strike.
Chiga had warned him: Black Zetsu's body was unique, nearly impossible to destroy. Only Six Paths–level power or sealing techniques could truly deal with him.
Suppressing his loathing, Obito addressed Pain evenly.
"I've collected the Nine-Tails' chakra. There's no need to head to Konoha for now."
The three before him reacted instantly.
Without another word, Obito released a mass of the Nine-Tails' chakra from Kamui space.
The moment it appeared, a wild, oppressive aura swept through the chamber. Pain's eyes narrowed.
"So this is the Nine-Tails' chakra… its ferocity is incomparable to any other Tailed Beast."
"Is this all there is?" Konan asked.
Before Obito could reply, Black Zetsu cut in.
"That's enough. The Nine-Tails is special. This amount will be sufficient to revive the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path."
He gave Obito a look of approval. At least this time he had delivered. But questions gnawed at him — how had Obito acquired it? And what about the Jinchuriki?
Pain voiced the thought aloud.
"How did you get the Nine-Tails' chakra?"
"From the Jinchuriki, naturally. But I was discovered by Uchiha Chiga during the attempt. His strength is formidable, so I settled for tearing off this portion instead."
"Uchiha Chiga again? How strong is he, that even you find him troublesome?" Pain's tone held a faint mockery.
"Hmph. Don't underestimate him," Obito warned coldly. "I've confirmed his eyes are the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan."
"So what? Can they compare to my Rinnegan?"
"Heh… not necessarily," Obito said with a hidden smile beneath the mask. Inwardly, he scoffed — Chiga possessed a pair of Rinnegan far beyond Nagato's second-hand ones, complete with twelve tomoe. He didn't know what those tomoe meant, but they weren't mere decoration.
Obito almost looked forward to the day Nagato saw them. And Black Zetsu too.
He had already been convinced by Chiga's strength, but more than that, he had witnessed Chiga's Netherworld Rebirth — a jutsu capable of reviving the dead. If Chiga could bring Rin back, Obito would trade his life in an instant.
Nagato misunderstood the remark, assuming Obito meant the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan was equal to the Rinnegan. He laughed dismissively. To him, that was nonsense. The Rinnegan were the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths.
Obito didn't bother arguing. Knowing the truth, he could only pity Nagato.
Black Zetsu broke the tension.
"Enough. Madara's back safely and brought the Nine-Tails' chakra. That's worth celebrating."
Pain nodded, but Konan frowned.
"Our manpower is dangerously low. Only Deidara remains…"
That was a problem. Pain turned to Obito.
"Any news of Itachi and the others?"
"Itachi is now Konoha's Anbu Captain, Kisame is his subordinate, Hidan was dealt with by Uchiha Chiga, and Kakuzu…"
"What about Kakuzu?" Konan pressed. She relied on him for finances — without him, the funds for her explosive tags would dry up.
Obito's tone turned odd.
"Kakuzu has joined Konoha's finance department… and is in charge of the money."
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