A dark, windy night. Black Zetsu, who had just merged back with White Zetsu to become White-Black Zetsu, had already heard about the events of the day from White Zetsu.
"What? He really saw through it? He actually realized that Nagato is just Obito's pawn and that Obito isn't the real Madara?"
White Zetsu nodded vigorously. "Yes, he even seemed to understand that Obito's path was motivated by Rin."
"This idiot!"
Black Zetsu cursed. He was genuinely frustrated with Obito. Why provoke him for no reason? Now you've been completely exposed with just one glance. Are you planning to kill him out of embarrassment next? Do you really think you're invincible now? How many times have I reminded you?
By the way, Black Zetsu had skipped the company gathering today mainly because he feared Angolmanue could see through human nature's evil to understand people's minds. It was now confirmed. He indeed could see through human nature's evil to read minds.
"Did he reveal this to Nagato?"
White Zetsu shook his head. "No, but he showed a great interest in the whole situation. He said he looks forward to the outcome, whether it involves Obito or Nagato. He even mentioned that if the roles change, he would personally end the Akatsuki."
Black Zetsu was furious, wishing he could personally go to Konoha and beat Obito to a pulp. Why did you have to provoke him? Is this the new member you found?
Hah—tui! He looks more like a master! And one you have to serve!
No way! The more I think about it, the angrier I get! I must find a way to deal with this increasingly reckless Obito. Otherwise, he'll try to assassinate the Evil of this World!
"Well, it's lucky he didn't reveal everything to Nagato. I didn't expect his personality to be like this. If he were different, our plan might have failed."
Unlike Black Zetsu, who was still reeling from the close call, White Zetsu didn't seem too concerned. "I think Angolmanue is quite interesting. If meeting him means exposure, why not reach out and talk to him? Maybe he could join us."
"Idiot! Didn't you see his behavior today? That guy doesn't follow common logic and won't stand on anyone's side! Right now, he just sees Obito as an interesting subject or actor! The same goes for Nagato and the Akatsuki. Whether we expose ourselves or not, he won't interfere or take sides!"
"Really? Why do you understand him so well?"
"Don't compare your experiences to mine!"
Black Zetsu scolded loudly. White Zetsu was just a simpleton, not thinking that he had a thousand years of experience and had seen all kinds of people.
With a thousand years of experience, even from hearsay and brief interactions, Black Zetsu could paint an accurate picture of someone!
Of course, the personality of this Evil of the World was truly unique in a thousand years! Unlike anyone he'd ever met!
"Alright, this matter ends here. Since he wants to watch the show, let him. As long as he doesn't interfere with our plan, leave him alone."
"But Obito said he's a nuisance and wants us to gather information on Angolmanue, to see if there's a chance to deal with him."
Black Zetsu burst out, "That idiot Obito wants to take on the Evil of this World? Doesn't he know that only Mother could be a match for such a demon?"
"But Obito says everyone has weaknesses, even the Evil of this World, so we should investigate."
"If only it were that easy! Konoha wouldn't issue a photo of him to every ninja going on a mission! Is his brain just filled with thoughts of Rin?"
Black Zetsu cursed vehemently. If not for Obito and Madara being somewhat useful, he would have discarded Obito by now.
Suppressing his anger, Black Zetsu calmed down, thought for a moment, then said, "Fine, forge a dossier on Angolmanue as I say. Make him seem invincible, impossible to deal with, to make Obito give up on revenge. We can't let Obito ruin our plans!"
"Yes!"
Meanwhile, Shinji, completely unaware of this, was at a teahouse with Minato, getting him drunk. If he knew Black Zetsu and White Zetsu were planning to embellish his image, he'd surely invite them for a drink to celebrate.
Isn't this how his invincible image gets built? Shinji thought that once his image was solidified, he could truly be free.
"Host, do you still think you're not showy enough?"
In a teahouse in a small town not far from the southern coast of the Land of Hot Water, the long-lost system came online.
Am I flashy? How am I flashy?
Shinji, who was being fed dishes and wine by two busty ladies, was puzzled. What did he do to be flashy?
Was it just strolling around the Akatsuki and showing off? Or keeping an S-rank ninja like Minato by his side? How is that flashy?
"If all the Akatsuki members attacked you today, if you relied only on real strength and not mental power, you'd likely fail. You must remember that the power level of this world is not low. It's only because your mental power far surpasses Nagato's that he..."
You think I don't know that?
Shinji rolled his eyes as he ate a grape offered by a lady. This world's power level wasn't low. They could create and destroy worlds (space-time). How low could their power level be?
The anime and manga didn't fully portray it, but the top-tier forces in the Naruto world weren't weak. The Rinnegan, in some hands, was truly powerful.
Madara was half; the Sage of Six Paths was one, and Kaguya barely made the cut. Kaguya had no fighting experience; if it were Shinji, Naruto and Sasuke would have been obliterated.
But Nagato didn't count. Shinji knew the abilities and weaknesses of Pain's Six Paths inside out, so there was little risk.
The hardest part would be the Chibaku Tensei. Getting sucked up would be troublesome, but it wasn't unbreakable. A prepared ultimate move or using the Flying Thunder God technique to escape could counter it.
However, Shinji's principle was to avoid fighting if possible. No matter how well you fight, it's not as impressive as creating an invincible aura from the start, making everyone think you're unbeatable. The cool factor is way higher.
Of course, caution was necessary. For instance, today, Shinji sent his spiritual body to the Akatsuki while his real body swapped places with it early on.
"Little Minato, don't just eat. Drink more."
After pushing two more pots of sake to the already intoxicated Minato, Shinji leaned back, enjoying being fed by two ladies.
At this rate, Minato would pass out drunk, and Shinji could ensure he experienced everything under his guidance. How could it be otherwise?
"Doesn't the young master want a special service? You've drunk a lot," a lady asked.
"Don't worry about him. By the way, I've heard your boss here is quite skilled, offering unique services not found elsewhere. Can you introduce me?"
Hearing this, the lady's eyebrows arched, and she leaned close to Shinji, her manicured fingers drawing circles on his chest.
"Sir, our boss hails from Iwagakure in the Land of Earth..."
The lady whispered in Shinji's ear, detailing the special features of the establishment.
"Storylines? Locations? Is that really special?"
Shinji frowned slightly. They seemed like clichéd things. But then he thought, for this world, these might indeed be special.
"Has the customer been to Iwagakure?" the lady asked, surprised.
All the proprietresses there were trained by me! Shinji thought, leaning back on the couch.
"Alright, let's go with that."
Shinji expected the ladies to be surprised and refuse, but instead...
They exchanged glances, and one lady stood up, drawing a sheer curtain around their booth to isolate them from the outside world.
"Don't worry, sir. This curtain is specially woven so you can see out, but no one can see in."
Hearing this, Shinji's interest was piqued, and his expression grew serious.
"Do you sell these curtains?"
Lady: ...
...
Land of Rivers, Akatsuki's secret base.
With a buzzing sound, phantoms appeared on the ten fingers of the Gedo Statue through the Illusionary Body Technique.
At the same time, the codes of each member lit up below.
"Such timing, I just went to bed..."
Juzo Biwa covered his face, looking helpless.
"Ninja missions have no set time." Orochimaru, standing on the "sky" finger, said.
"Alright, let's assign the next tasks. Kakuzu, you and Iaho go to the Land of Tea. Orochimaru and Sasori will..."
Pain didn't waste words, directly assigning tasks to the members until...
"Ao, what's wrong with you?"
"Nothing, just had a bit too much to drink." Minato wiped his mouth, looking slightly embarrassed.
"Is Angolmanue here?"
"Mr. Anri, he..."
Minato hesitated, struggling to find words.
Not to mention, he had been abruptly awakened in the early morning after being drunk. What he saw upon waking was even more shocking.
Mr. Anri, can't you at least get a room?
Seeing Minato's reluctance, Pain asked again, "What's wrong?"
"No, nothing. He's... busy."
In the end, Minato could only say Shinji was busy, as he couldn't bring himself to say more.
Juzo Biwa picked up on this, raising an eyebrow. "Busy? What could he be busy with in the middle of the night? Having fun?"
Could he say no?
Feeling the eyes of nine people on him, Minato was utterly exhausted. Who would have thought Shinji would have fun right in front of him? Did he not feel any embarrassment?
"Doesn't it make it more exciting?"
In reality, Shinji said this.
Minato: ...