[Land of Rain, Hanzo's Residence]
Uchiha Madara sat back arrogantly in his seat, accepting Hanzo's banquet.
Hanzo glanced at Madara and asked, "Leader Madara, you're not wearing the mask anymore?"
Uchiha Madara replied indifferently, "I never planned on wearing that thing in the first place."
Hanzo was silent for a while, then suddenly said, "We've killed many people from Iwagakure and Kumogakure who treated the Land of Rain as a battlefield. From what I know of Onoki and A, they won't let this go."
"Though they seem to be fighting to the death most of the time, they're actually quite coordinated in maintaining the superior status of the Five Great Nations."
"If a small nation disobeys, they might even join forces to root it out completely."
Uchiha Madara folded his arms and snorted, "I know the virtues of the Five Great Nations even without you saying so. If they dare come, Akatsuki will step forward."
Hanzo let out a breath of relief, "With those words from Leader Madara, I can rest easy."
Uchiha Madara looked at the anxious Hanzo and couldn't help but compare him to the true God of Shinobi.
No matter how he looked at him, he was dissatisfied. He couldn't help but shake his head and say, "In this era, you're considered a decent ninja. Since you're so afraid, why not just join Akatsuki? That way, you'll have Akatsuki's protection in the future."
Hanzo hadn't expected Madara to say such a thing and hesitated for a moment.
It did seem like a good choice.
Though the Akatsuki organization was based in the Land of Rain, it didn't completely belong to the Land of Rain. Who knew what it might become in the future?
If it stopped protecting them, they'd be in trouble.
But joining Akatsuki would be different, it would establish a closer relationship.
Hanzo realized he didn't really have a reason to refuse.
Even if he wanted to refuse, what if he made Madara unhappy? Wouldn't that just bring trouble upon himself?
So he nodded and said, "Alright, I'm willing to join Akatsuki."
Madara stood up, "I'll have someone deliver the Akatsuki uniform. If the Five Great Nations attack, notify me. I'll also sell you another hundred machines. Let's get the Land of Rain thriving as soon as possible."
After speaking, he strode out.
———
When Madara returned to the Akatsuki base, he found that Obito had already arrived and was waiting for him.
He asked, "What's the matter this time?"
Obito replied slowly, "Over in the Land of Wind, I've already negotiated with the Kazekage. We can start doing business with chakra converters."
"After all, if we want to change the Land of Wind's environment, starting with Sunagakure is the fastest way."
Madara looked at Obito, "You're selling under Akatsuki's name?"
Obito nodded, "Yeah, only Akatsuki is suitable for this kind of thing."
Madara thought for a moment, "You want me to go?"
Obito smiled and said, "That's right. There's been some friction between Sara and Sunagakure, possibly even leading to war. I want you to take her along and warn a few people. That'll avoid a lot of trouble."
Madara said, "I understand. Sara is a member of Akatsuki too. I'll help her resolve this problem."
After finishing that topic, Madara suddenly spoke, "Lately, I've been thinking of going there myself."
Obito looked at Madara in surprise, "You mean… underground?"
Madara sounded dissatisfied, "Akatsuki's intelligence system really isn't advanced. Information is too closed off."
Obito understood what Madara wanted to do, he intended to go find White Zetsu.
But at its core, White Zetsu was a weapon created by Otsutsuki Kaguya using the God Tree. It was actually on the same side as Black Zetsu.
Would they still obey Madara's orders?
Obito wasn't confident about that either, so he asked, "Do you need my help?"
Madara replied indifferently, "No need."
"But… where do you think Black Zetsu is now? What is it doing? Could it interfere with your plans?"
Obito thought for a moment and said, "Actually, I've thought about this question."
"Black Zetsu is the most cautious being I've ever seen. Because of its long life, it can afford to wait."
"So, most likely, while we're still active, it'll hide and do nothing. Only after we're all dead will it start acting."
Madara frowned, "If that's the case, it's even more troublesome. With a being like that in the shinobi world, can you really rest easy?"
Obito replied calmly, "Of course not. Catching Black Zetsu isn't easy."
Madara looked at Obito, "I remember, you caught a White Zetsu last time. How did you do it?"
Obito said, "I just told White Zetsu I knew the secret of constipation, and it took the bait."
"You think Black Zetsu would be that dumb?"
Madara shook his head, "You're wrong. White Zetsu isn't dumb."
"You just found something White Zetsu cared about. Even knowing it was a trap, it still charged in."
"Black Zetsu can be dealt with the same way."
Obito looked at Madara and really wanted to say one thing, "Where is White Zetsu not dumb?"
However, after Madara's reminder, Obito actually got an idea.
"You know what, Black Zetsu does care about something, and that's its mother."
"In a sense, Black Zetsu is a very filial child. For over a thousand years, ever since it was born, its purpose has never changed."
"To activate Infinite Tsukuyomi, unseal the Moon's seal, and release its mother."
Madara couldn't help but sigh, "To do the same thing persistently for a thousand years, Black Zetsu is the one with the strongest will."
"It's just…", Madara's gaze turned sharp, "To deceive me, to betray me—THAT IS UNFORGIVABLE!"
"I will grant it a destined death!"
Obito thought for a while and said, "If we could gather the chakra of the Nine Tailed Beasts and create the Ten-Tails, Black Zetsu might not be able to sit still."
Madara asked, "Even if it can't sit still, can you predict its actions?"
Obito shook his head, "Normal actions are impossible to predict."
"But if I had to say, there's one action I can foresee."
Madara looked at Obito with interest.
Obito said calmly, "Assuming you become the Ten-Tails' jinchūriki and activate Infinite Tsukuyomi, it definitely wouldn't be able to resist, Black Zetsu will try to dig into your heart."
Madara's face darkened, eating melon and somehow getting involved himself.
He snorted, "Unrealistic idea."
But Obito narrowed his eyes, "No. Black Zetsu is too dangerous. If I really can't catch it, I won't rule out using this method one day."
Madara looked at Obito in surprise, "So you might even activate Infinite Tsukuyomi again?"
Obito said calmly, "As long as Otsutsuki Kaguya isn't released, Infinite Tsukuyomi can be undone. Besides, letting everyone dream a sweet dream for a while isn't necessarily a bad thing."
Madara asked, "Aren't you afraid it'll backfire and truly unseal Otsutsuki Kaguya?"
Obito laughed, "When it comes to scheming and survival, maybe I'm no match for Black Zetsu."
"But in the moment of a deadly clash, the ability to seize an opening, Black Zetsu definitely isn't better than me."
"If it wants to dig into my heart, it'd better be prepared to get counterattacked."
Madara looked at the determined look in Obito's eyes and couldn't help but think.
'The shinobi world is really strange. Everyone has something they care about. If they can't let go, everyone ends up becoming a chess piece.'
He said indifferently, "Since that's the case, once your plan is on track, start gathering the tailed beasts' chakra. I want to see some changes while I'm still alive."
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