"Is this really Kabuto's doing?"
"Very likely!"
"Wow, he can be this strong? We underestimated him!"
"It can't be confirmed yet, but Kabuto is indeed the prime suspect! Whoever the culprit is, they are now our greatest threat!"
Black Zetsu was so angry he could barely breathe—though he didn't actually need to breathe.
But more than anger, what worried him more was the immense threat from the enemy!
Rinnegan + Edo Tensei Akatsuki team, this combination almost equaled Akatsuki's golden age, it was far too dangerous!
"Wait... If the enemy is that strong, could it be that Kisame has already betrayed us?"
The cunning rolling White Zetsu suddenly interjected, suspecting Kisame.
His suspicion made sense.
Black Zetsu was shocked, only now realizing that possibility, and then cautiously looked at Kisame.
If Kisame had truly betrayed them, they would be in even greater danger!
"Kisame, prove your loyalty! Don't blame us for being suspicious..."
Kisame seemed to have anticipated this, immediately replying calmly:
"Black Zetsu, you are Madara's artificial consciousness, right?"
"Hiss—! How do you know?"
"Obito told me before he died. His last words were for me to bring this information back and realize the Eye of the Moon Plan!"
Kisame replied with steely determination, as if ready to die for the mission.
"So that's how it is!"
Obito even revealed this secret to Kisame?
Black Zetsu no longer doubted, because the secret that he was Madara's "creation" was only known to Obito and Zetsu. The enemy definitely wouldn't know.
If Zetsu hadn't leaked the secret, then only Obito could have told Kisame.
That proved Obito truly trusted Kisame, even entrusting him with his plans and secrets.
Unfortunately, Black Zetsu didn't know: This secret he considered so well-hidden had already been revealed by a Sage to Nagato.
"Hehehe! Kisame is this loyal, how could he possibly betray us?"
The main White Zetsu approached while laughing, patting Kisame's shoulder.
Kisame was slightly surprised, then shook his head.
"I'm just tired of this false world..."
"Your arm was destroyed in the battle, right?"
"Yes."
"Want me to transplant a new arm? My arms contain a lot of Hashirama cells, even Obito said they tasted good!"
Kisame initially wanted to refuse, but thought having a new arm would be useful. Without an arm, he had to rely on clones to form seals, which was very troublesome in battle.
"Alright, please help me."
"No problem. But Hashirama's cells can erode you, you need several Sharingan to suppress them. No problem, right?"
"Ah... No need, do you have a normal arm?"
Kisame quickly refused. It wasn't because he didn't want a Sharingan transplant, but he had to consider Itachi's feelings!
Imagine Itachi seeing his arm covered in Sharingan—how embarrassing and annoying!
"Well, what a pity." White Zetsu sighed, not forcing the issue.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"There's one more question." Kisame looked at Black Zetsu.
"Say it."
"After the Infinite Tsukuyomi is realized, how long can I enjoy the illusion world?"
"Of course, forever!"
Black Zetsu restrained his impatience. He still needed Kisame as a loyal pawn, so he had to convince him.
"But can my body last forever?"
"That... it should be possible. Only Madara-sama knows the details. Just wait for his revival."
Black Zetsu didn't exaggerate. If he said Kisame could live forever, it would sound too fake.
It was enough to keep him appeased with promises for now. Once Madara was revived, Kisame would no longer be needed.
"I understand, thank you."
Kisame nodded, but his heart was churning.
His question just now was clearly to test Black Zetsu.
If Black Zetsu was truly Madara's memory inheritance, he should have known the answer. So it was highly likely that the Infinite Tsukuyomi did have problems!
Now Kisame had his answer.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
After that, the main White Zetsu took Kisame for the arm transplant, leaving Black Zetsu and the rolling White Zetsu in the cave.
Black Zetsu's face darkened further—though it was already black to begin with.
"Now what? My beloved Obito is dead, the Rinnegan has been taken, how can the plan continue?"
The rolling White Zetsu complained. He missed the sensation of being "filled" by Obito.
Black Zetsu growled: "We must reclaim the Rinnegan!"
For him, the thousand-year plan was just waiting for the birth of the Rinnegan.
As long as the Rinnegan existed, there was still hope!
"How do we reclaim it? The enemy has a complete Edo Tensei Akatsuki team! Besides, who will use Rinne Tensei to revive Madara-sama?"
The rolling White Zetsu's question hit the nail on the head.
"Who will transplant the Rinnegan? Of course—"
"Not good!"
Black Zetsu remembered something, he panicked.
Now, Nagato and Obito were dead. Who could take the Rinnegan? Who could revive Madara?
What about Kisame?
Could he withstand the power of the Rinnegan?
In this world, only descendants of Indra or Asura—the Uchiha, Senju, or Uzumaki clans—could withstand the Rinnegan. The chances for other ninjas were very small.
So, the only one who qualified now was Uchiha Sasuke.
'Sasuke must not die! If he dies, even with the Rinnegan, no one can revive Madara!'
Obito's death had once again disrupted Black Zetsu's plan.
Now the only hope rested on Sasuke.
"Quick! Tell the pitcher plant White Zetsu, tell him to persuade Sasuke to cancel the attack and bring him back!"
Black Zetsu hurriedly ordered.
Previously, he didn't care about Sasuke's life or death, even hoping this successor of Indra would die quickly. But now Sasuke had become his treasure, who absolutely must not be harmed!
"Contact him—"
"Huh?"
"Damn it! It seems they've already started fighting!"
The rolling White Zetsu received information from his clone, instantly shocked.