Uchiha Madara…
He really isn't a good person...
Black Zetsu's mind was in turmoil, overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information it had received. It realized that it had likely been deceived, tricked by that man, Uchiha Madara.
That man knew Black Zetsu's true identity, yet pretended to trust it, using it to achieve his own unspeakable goals...
Black Zetsu recalled how it had once eagerly revealed itself to Madara, proclaiming itself to be his will, and now felt a shiver down its spine, as if it were nothing more than a clown.
It was supposed to be the one manipulating Uchiha Madara!
Yet, Madara had concealed so much crucial information and even intended to deceive and use it to achieve his own objectives!
Black Zetsu couldn't help but recall whether Madara had been planning to extract some secrets from it before his death…
If it weren't for this generation's reincarnation of Indra's chakra, Uchiha Sasuke, exposing the secret, Black Zetsu felt that it might have been played to death by Uchiha Madara…
The descendants of the Sage of Six Paths…
They really are no good…
That bastard…
No wonder he's the strongest reincarnation of Indra's chakra!
Of course...
It had also deceived Uchiha Madara.
It used the lie of the Infinite Tsukuyomi to deceive him.
However, Madara, knowing that Black Zetsu was a monster that had lived for a thousand years, surely wouldn't believe such nonsense as the Infinite Tsukuyomi. He was clearly borrowing Black Zetsu's lie to use it...
So close...
So close to being completely fooled.
If it hadn't known the secrets among the reincarnations of Indra's chakra, and had strictly followed Uchiha Madara's plan, reviving him and even making him the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki...
That man...
Would probably have sealed Black Zetsu away immediately!
Then he would start ruling the ninja world as the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki!
Just a few more years...
And Black Zetsu's plan would have failed...
Anger swelled in Black Zetsu's heart; anger at Uchiha Madara for deceiving and using it. But there was also a sense of relief that after Madara's death, this generation's reincarnation of Indra's chakra had been born and exposed these secrets…
"Did I say something wrong?"
Uchiha Sasuke noticed the anger on Black Zetsu's face and smirked. "I thought I might lure out some Akatsuki members with Hoshigaki Kisame, but I didn't expect to see you… Aren't you the subordinate Indra assigned to us Uchiha?"
"Yes…"
Black Zetsu quickly nodded, its voice eerie, and it immediately began praising Sasuke. "I just didn't expect you to be even more outstanding than the previous reincarnation…"
"There's no need to say such things."
Uchiha Sasuke spread his hand, his face still as arrogant as ever, but his tone was somewhat modest. "I'm merely benefiting from his achievements…"
After speaking, Sasuke glanced at Black Zetsu and White Zetsu, taking on the demeanor of a superior. "Now, tell me everything. Hand over all the information on the previous reincarnation. After all, he's dead, and you should have a new master…"
"…"
Black Zetsu felt a bit strange.
No…
Did this kid really think of it as a dog?
Both Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Sasuke treated it, the reincarnation of Indra's chakra, as their dog?
Damn it!
Do they think I'm just something to be used?
Black Zetsu couldn't help but curse internally, pondering just how much information Uchiha Sasuke had gathered, as a sinister smile appeared on its face, and it quietly asked, "Is there anything you need me to do?"
"Bring me the body of the previous reincarnation."
Uchiha Sasuke snapped his fingers, calmly making his demand. "One of my subordinates has mastered the Edo Tensei technique, which can resurrect the dead to fight. I need more powerful subordinates to help me dominate the ninja world…"
"And…"
Sasuke looked at Black Zetsu, making another unreasonable demand. "The sacrifice must have strong life force. The stronger the life force of the Edo Tensei's sacrifice, the closer the resurrected one's power will be to their strength in life…"
"…"
Black Zetsu secretly gritted its teeth.
Fine, fine…
If that's how you want to play it…
If this kid revives Uchiha Madara, that bastard will definitely reveal the truth about the Infinite Tsukuyomi. How could I hand Madara over to him?
No…
Something isn't right…
The secret of the Infinite Tsukuyomi can't be hidden from Uchiha Sasuke!
Now that Sasuke has already made contact with the members of Akatsuki, it's only a matter of time before he learns the truth from Uchiha Obito. The truth about the Infinite Tsukuyomi can't be hidden from him…
No…
Still not right…
Did the reincarnation of Indra's chakra really only awaken a fragment of Indra's will? Uchiha Madara, who collected part of Asura's chakra as well, did his will or memories really not awaken with him?
"…"
Black Zetsu suddenly felt uneasy.
Because everything was slipping out of its control. The plan it had to use Uchiha Madara had already collapsed, and it was uncertain whether it could manipulate this Uchiha Sasuke either. It was also doubtful whether future reincarnations of Indra's chakra could be manipulated...
No…
This can't happen!
Black Zetsu quickly rallied its confidence. It had to cooperate with Uchiha Sasuke, even if it meant becoming his dog, to get more information from him, to figure out just how much this kid knew!
If Uchiha Sasuke only awakened a few of Indra's memories, then Black Zetsu would treat him as the new Uchiha Madara!
"I'll find them right away."
Black Zetsu regained its composure, speaking in a raspy voice. "I'll find some suitable ninja as sacrifices…"
"You look suitable…"
Uchiha Sasuke glanced at White Zetsu, speaking with interest. "Isn't this your other half? Can it be separated and used as a sacrifice?"
"I can use my Spore Technique to cultivate some clones…"
White Zetsu hurriedly spoke up, fearing being killed by Sasuke. "Those clones will have the same abilities as me…"
"That's even better."
Uchiha Sasuke nodded in satisfaction, chuckling. "Then start cultivating your clones. My subordinate should be arriving soon with the cells of the previous reincarnation of Asura's chakra, which can enhance life force…"
"…"
White Zetsu and Black Zetsu fell silent.
This kid knew a lot more than expected, even the information about Hashirama being the reincarnation of Asura's chakra!
"How did you know…"
Black Zetsu couldn't help but probe.
"Because I also possess some of his chakra…"
Uchiha Sasuke raised a finger, pointing to his eyes, and smirked contemptuously. "Only by obtaining some of Asura's chakra, and merging it with Indra's chakra, can one awaken the eyes of the Sage of Six Paths…"
"But…"
"I heard from Itachi…"
"The leader of Akatsuki also possesses the Rinnegan…"
Uchiha Sasuke narrowed his eyes, his face showing no mercy as his killing intent surged. "This ninja world doesn't need more than one Rinnegan…"
"Yes."
Black Zetsu immediately nodded, seizing the opportunity to criticize Uchiha Madara. "That was the eye left by the previous reincarnation of Indra's chakra, Uchiha Madara. He hoped to use it to revive himself at the right time…"
After saying this, Black Zetsu slyly mentioned its plan. "Then, by gathering the chakra of the Nine Tailed Beasts, he would revive the Ten-Tails using the Sage of Six Paths' body, and use its power to obtain all the chakra in the ninja world, becoming the new Sage of Six Paths…"
"That plan sounds good."
Uchiha Sasuke nodded in satisfaction, then suddenly smiled contemptuously. "Now that plan is mine…"
"Of course."
Black Zetsu quickly forced a sinister smile and lowered its head slightly.
In the Grass Village.
Orochimaru and Yakushi Kabuto arrived.
"Your subordinate… is Orochimaru?"
A look of surprise flashed in Black Zetsu's eyes.
No…
There's no need to be surprised…
After all, this isn't strange…
Uchiha Sasuke is the reincarnation of Indra's chakra, even the most powerful one in history. It's not surprising that Orochimaru would align with him.
White Zetsu used the Spore Technique to produce a batch of White Zetsu clones. This number was far from sufficient, forcing Black Zetsu to extract more White Zetsu from the Gedo Statue of the Outer Path to meet the required number of sacrifices.
There was no choice.
Uchiha Sasuke's demands were too many.
He wanted to resurrect those from the Uchiha clan who died during the night of the massacre, intending to use the power of the Uchiha clan to rule the ninja world.
This approach…
Is truly evil!
To desecrate the souls of the dead…
Black Zetsu grumbled internally but said nothing, only pretending that Uchiha Madara's body was hidden far away and refusing to hand it over.
Of course.
During this time, Black Zetsu kept quietly observing Orochimaru and Yakushi Kabuto, planning to secretly contact them later.
If the opportunity arose…
Black Zetsu hoped to keep Uchiha Sasuke in the dark and use Orochimaru or Yakushi Kabuto to revive Uchiha Madara, directly confronting him to extract more information about the reincarnation of Indra's chakra!
As long as it obtained complete and accurate information from Madara, it could then choose a suitable method to deceive Uchiha Sasuke!
Yes…
Black Zetsu's eyes quietly fell on Yakushi Kabuto.
Because Kabuto seemed relatively ordinary, unlike the dangerous Orochimaru, perhaps it could secretly approach and entice him to revive Uchiha Madara, leading him to uncover the secrets of the Uchiha clan…
"Such strong life energy…"
Orochimaru had no idea what he was missing; he was simply sensing the life energy within White Zetsu, and it was as if he had discovered a new world. He was somewhat shocked, frowning as he pondered why these White Zetsu had come into being: "It's as if they were enveloped in a dense life force from a young age. I can't fathom what kind of environment could produce such bizarre creatures..."
Back then, when Orochimaru defected from the Akatsuki, Zetsu had not yet officially joined, so this was the first time he had encountered such a mysterious being.
However...
These creatures stirred a sense of greed within Orochimaru. The White Zetsu contained only chakra, devoid of any soul, making them the perfect vessels for his future use of the Living Corpse Reincarnation technique, as there would be no concerns about soul compatibility issues.
"Using them as sacrifices..."
"That would be somewhat wasteful..."
Orochimaru looked at the unmoving White Zetsu and showed a trace of regret on his face; he was eager to experiment on these beings.
"It would be better if there were more..."
Kabuto, observing the docile White Zetsu awaiting death, couldn't help but remark, "Besides using them for experiments, we could also resurrect more powerful individuals..."
"Don't worry."
"We have plenty more..."
Black Zetsu grinned sinisterly.
"You may leave now..."
Uchiha Sasuke waved his hand at Black Zetsu, then instructed, "Let my Preta Path, Kisame, leave with you. Do not leave Kisame's sight, at least until I determine whether you are loyal to me or to the previous reincarnation of Indra's chakra..."
"..."
Black Zetsu's eyes darkened.
This kid...
Doesn't trust me?
How could I ever be loyal to Uchiha Madara?
That bastard Madara deceived me and even learned the plan to revive the Ten-Tails from me, causing significant setbacks to my plan. I wish I could go back and desecrate his corpse out of spite!
Yet...
Black Zetsu had no choice but to comply.
Because this kid, Uchiha Sasuke, knew too much.
If I don't follow his orders obediently, if I reveal even the slightest ulterior motive, this kid might uncover my secrets before I can gather intelligence on him...
Black Zetsu reluctantly departed.
Hoshigaki Kisame also followed them.
Although Kisame had been transformed into the Preta Path and couldn't return to the Akatsuki for the time being, as long as Black Zetsu was present, he could cover for Kisame, avoiding suspicion from the Akatsuki.
"Alright."
"Let's begin."
Uchiha Sasuke glanced at Kabuto.
"Yes."
Kabuto pulled out a scroll from his pocket, placing his hand lightly on it, revealing a large number of coffins sealed within.
These coffins...
Contained the corpses of the Uchiha clan.
On the night of the clan's massacre, the Uchiha were slaughtered by Uchiha Itachi, and most of the bodies were destroyed by the higher-ups of Konoha, leaving virtually no information to be retrieved.
These bodies were never buried at the memorial site but were instead stored in Konoha's Anbu morgue, preventing any theft.
This time...
Kabuto and Orochimaru wouldn't have had much chance of finding them.
However, Uchiha Sasuke seemed to know the location where the Uchiha clan's bodies were kept, allowing Kabuto and Orochimaru to retrieve them all.
"Can the timing of their resurrection be controlled?"
Uchiha Sasuke asked softly as he stood beside Kabuto, "It would be best if they could be resurrected on the night of the clan's massacre..."
"The number is too large..."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses and raised a concern: "If we want them to return to their pre-death state, it would take a considerable amount of time..."
"There are also other issues..."
"Would you like to see the bodies we've recovered, Sasuke-kun? There are some elderly and young ones among them. Reviving them and controlling the timing of their resurrection is rather tricky; it would take quite a few years with so many people..."
"Even the elderly and children?"
Orochimaru keenly noticed something, his eyes flashing: "Sasuke-kun, it seems you're interested in more than just utilizing your clan's power..."
"But..."
"I must remind you..."
Orochimaru suddenly smiled, his grin somewhat sinister: "Sasuke-kun, those resurrected by the Edo Tensei aren't truly alive; their souls are merely imprisoned within the reanimated bodies..."
"Indeed!"
Kabuto, somewhat shocked himself, couldn't help but caution Uchiha Sasuke: "Resurrecting them using the Edo Tensei might be seen as a desecration by the deceased..."
If possible, Kabuto had considered using the Edo Tensei to resurrect his Dean, Yakushi Nono, but he believed that living as a reanimated corpse would bring her no joy, only pain as a puppet...
Kabuto understood Uchiha Sasuke's desire to resurrect his deceased clan, but he hoped Sasuke would consider the feelings of the dead, so as not to make things even more painful in the end...
"No matter..."
Uchiha Sasuke placed his hand on a coffin and slowly pushed open its lid, revealing a pale woman's body lying inside.
It seemed...
The Konoha Kage had done a decent job.
At least the bodies had been treated with chemicals, preserving them reasonably well on the surface.
However...
In this coffin...
There was something even more horrifying.
The woman was tightly holding the body of a three- or four-year-old child, with a decaying wound on the child's chest. It appeared that this mother and child were killed by Uchiha Itachi on the night of the massacre, possibly at the same time...
Uchiha Sasuke recognized this mother and child. He knew this woman was an ordinary Uchiha clan member who hadn't even awakened the Sharingan. She often took walks with her child in the clan grounds and would greet Sasuke warmly when they crossed paths...
She was an innocent woman.
She had no opportunity to attend the clan meetings and had never thought of rebellion. She lived a peaceful life on her husband's meager salary...
As for her child...
He was just a little boy, not yet old enough to start school...
Occasionally, when he saw Sasuke, he would boast about wanting to be as great as him, as many kids knew Sasuke was a top student at school...
"..."
Uchiha Sasuke took a deep breath.
The black-haired boy walked among the coffins, opening each one and recalling the deceased who once shared moments with him.
Sasuke moved faster and faster, flipping open each coffin as if flipping through a book, glancing at the bodies within as memories flooded his mind.
Until...
Sasuke stopped before two coffins.
These coffins appeared to belong to a married couple.
Sasuke reached out and opened one of the coffins, revealing the body of a middle-aged man with closed eyes. The man's face, even in death, bore a look of relief, with deep tear stains resembling wrinkles.
This was...
His father.
Uchiha Fugaku.
"..."
Uchiha Sasuke's eyes narrowed, and he gritted his teeth, refusing to let his emotions betray him—he was no longer a child!
"..."
Sasuke forced a calm expression on his face, recalling Akihara Kagura's demeanor—always composed and rational, no matter the situation!
"It's Sasuke-kun's father, isn't it?"
Orochimaru approached, with a hint of regret on his face, his gaze falling on the other coffin: "Then, this must be Mikoto's body?"
"Probably."
Uchiha Sasuke, his face feigning indifference, casually pushed open the other coffin, revealing a gentle-looking woman lying inside.
Uchiha Mikoto.
She was the mother of both Sasuke and Uchiha Itachi.
Sasuke had seen memories of the night of the massacre, vividly recalling how his father and mother were decapitated by Itachi, his demon-like brother...
"She and Nawaki were both very talented back then..."
Orochimaru's face showed a hint of nostalgia, as he remembered the past: "Had she not married Fugaku, she would have been an exceptional ninja and served under my command for a time..."
Orochimaru sighed as he recalled another subordinate: "Of course, she might have ended up like Nawaki, dying in the war, but who would have expected her to die at the hands of her own son..."
"Indeed..."
"Who could have imagined..."
A flash of pain crossed Uchiha Sasuke's eyes as he quickly closed the coffin, deliberately avoiding looking at the gentle woman inside, so as not to appear too weak in that moment.
"..."
Orochimaru frowned slightly.
Even he, a former superior of Uchiha Mikoto, felt a pang of emotion upon seeing her, yet this kid, Uchiha Sasuke, seemed so cold? This wasn't what Orochimaru expected...
At the very least...
When Orochimaru heard that Sasuke planned to use the Edo Tensei to resurrect the Uchiha clan, he immediately thought that Sasuke might be someone emotionally tied to the past, yearning to bring back his loved ones and restore lost affection...
But now...
It seemed...
Things were not as they appeared...
How could this kid be so indifferent?
Or was it that...
He truly was Uchiha Itachi's brother?
Both brothers were equally cold-hearted, devoid of familial love!
Uchiha Sasuke took a deep breath, suppressing the emotions surging within his chest. He forced a tone of arrogance and indifference as he said, "Alright, it looks like all the bodies are here..."
Sasuke glanced at the coffins and slowly closed the lid of the one in front of him. He looked at the densely packed coffins around him and gave a deep, commanding order: "Kabuto-senpai, Orochimaru-san, no matter how much time it takes, resurrect them all..."
"I want to rebuild the Uchiha in the Ninja world..."
"But before that..."
"Select those who were once part of the Konoha Police Force..."
"I've already taken control of the Konoha Root division, and I need a group of people I can completely trust to be placed there..."
As Sasuke spoke, his eyes fell on a coffin beside him, his expression void of emotion as he mentioned his own father: "Then, let's start by resurrecting the former captain of the Konoha Police Force using the Edo Tensei. Have him assist you in selecting a group of suitable individuals to join the Root division…"