Hearing that Danzo and Ryoma Aburame wanted him to assassinate Hanzo's envoy, Byakuya felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He staggered back two steps before he managed to regain his composure.
Byakuya couldn't believe it. The Konoha elder he trusted so much would actually use him.
Or rather, he was prepared to be used, but he didn't expect Danzo to be so impatient. Asking him to assassinate Hanzo's envoy was no different from sending him to his death in the Land of Rain.
Was there no trustworthy ninja in the ninja world?
With these thoughts in his mind, Byakuya's face showed a mix of disbelief, betrayal, and unforgivable anger, which eventually turned into a deep sigh as he began his performance.
"I don't believe this is true. This must be something you're doing on purpose to show me."
Black Zetsu glanced at Byakuya and mocked, "With your abilities, you should know this isn't a genjutsu. I don't have the power to manipulate Konoha ninjas to put on this play."
Hearing this, Byakuya's expression darkened, before he began, "I know it's true. I've fought with Ryoma Aburame and I know they've been using me.
It's just that I thought our cooperation would last a bit longer. I didn't expect them to want me dead. Don't they think they'll get more benefits by putting me in a leadership position?"
Black Zetsu said indifferently, "You're too naïve. Too naive to believe that Danzo would help you. Danzo doesn't trust anyone. For him, everyone is just a pawn to him."
Byakuya remained silent.
After hearing the conversation between Danzo and Ryoma, White Zetsu brought him back to the Akatsuki base. It all felt like a dream.
He dispelled the paper clone and absorbed its memories.
Compared to the clone, Byakuya's real self was much more resolute. He said coldly, "I know about Danzo's plans. He's using me and wants to send me to my death to provoke a conflict between Akatsuki and the Hidden Rain Village."
"And what about you? I still don't know your identity. You were so eager to reveal yourself to me, speaking ill of Danzo and exposing his schemes. What's your goal?"
Facing Byakuya's questioning, Black Zetsu replied expressionlessly.
"I'm here to cooperate with you. Unlike Danzo, at this stage, you don't have the qualifications to be used by me. When you become the leader of Akatsuki and have strength comparable to the Five Kage, I'll make you work for me."
"Strength comparable to the Five Kage, huh? Sounds like a high-end plan you've got there."
Pausing for a moment, Byakuya continued, "But I've just experienced a betrayal. If you don't clearly explain the content of our cooperation, our partnership ends here."
After saying this, Byakuya looked at Black Zetsu with anticipation, wondering if he would reveal the Eye of the Moon Plan.
Black Zetsu also pondered whether to disclose the Eye of the Moon Plan.
But after a moment of thought, Black Zetsu decided against it. After all, there weren't many ninjas in the world who could accept the Eye of the Moon Plan.
For a ninja like Byakuya, who still had memories for the ninja world and aspired to climb higher, another story would be more appealing.
"My goal is to rule the world. This world has been divided for too long. It needs to be unified."
Hearing Black Zetsu's words, Byakuya was stunned.
You're planning to collect chakra for the Eye of the Moon Plan and ultimately release Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, right? When did that suddenly turn into ruling the world?
Seeing Byakuya's stunned expression, Black Zetsu continued, "In the world I envision, there will be no war or conflict. Even Uzumaki ninjas will have a place..."
Before Black Zetsu could finish, Byakuya interrupted.
"I'm not like Yahiko and those people. I'm not interested in peace and mutual trust. I only want to rebuild the Land of Whirlpools and make the Uzumaki clan's name resound throughout the ninja world. And don't talk to me about peace. Those are just excuses to fool people."
Now it was Black Zetsu's turn to be bewildered.
Aren't all ninjas in the ninja world yearning for world peace? How could there be an anomaly like Byakuya who doesn't even agree with the noble idea of saving humanity?
But on further thought, Byakuya was willing to cooperate with Danzo, which meant his moral standards were questionable.
However, this also indicated that Byakuya indeed had the ambition to rebuild the Land of Whirlpools. As long as he had ambition, Black Zetsu could use it to make Byakuya one of the executors of the Eye of the Moon Plan.
With this in mind, Black Zetsu looked at Byakuya and slowly extended his hand, "I promise. As long as our cooperation continues, the name of the Uzumaki clan will definitely resound throughout the ninja world."
Byakuya hesitated for a long time before finally extending his hand before they shook hands.
After completing the rudimentary alliance ceremony, Byakuya immediately began asking questions, "What's your name, sir? Where is our plan? What should we do next? Are there other members besides me? What about our funding sources and member benefits?"
Faced with a barrage of questions, Black Zetsu's mind momentarily went blank.
In the past thousand years, he had recruited many reincarnations of Indra, but none had ever asked him such questions. As for funding and member benefits, he had nothing to offer.
Seeing Black Zetsu unable to answer his questions, Byakuya frowned, "Our organization only has the two of us, right? You think two people can rule the world? Is it your problem or mine?"
After a long silence, during which his mind raced, Black Zetsu finally responded:
"My name is Black Zetsu. Our organization has two other members besides us, but their identities are currently confidential."
"Four members? That's not much different from the two," Byakuya said.
Byakuya gave a skeptical look before calling Black Zetsu with respect, "Lord Black Zetsu, if there are only four members, I must decline to join this organization. Ruling the world is a difficult and lengthy plan."
He used 'Lord' so charm the black goo relic. After all, he would be going to be a better sponsor than Danzo.
"We need to establish a sufficiently large nation, with a population of hundreds of millions and an army of hundreds of thousands, to achieve the goal of world domination. And to accomplish this, we must proceed step by step, with at least decades of preparation.
First, we must take control of the Akatsuki, dominate the Land of Rain, and then gradually consume Konoha and the surrounding ninja villages. And finally use military strategy to conquer the Five Great Nations and rule the world."
Byakuya's confident statements left Black Zetsu stunned and deep in thought.
The plans and preparations Byakuya mentioned were things Black Zetsu had never considered. For a thousand years, his greatest effort to revive his mother was to manipulate Madara Uchiha.
He had Madara execute the Eye of the Moon Plan on his behalf, with the ultimate goal of resurrecting his mother.
If he had formulated a plan like Byakuya's and executed it step by step, his mother might have been freed from her seal long ago...
It was his own foolishness and incompetence that delayed his mother's resurrection.
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BONUS CHAPTER!
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