During the Warring States Period, although Black Zetsu paid more attention to the reincarnations of Indra—Uchiha Madara—and Asura—Senju Hashirama, it had some understanding of Gensou, who was as famous as them.
Gensou had done quite a few things to punish evil and promote good.
But having lived for so many years, Black Zetsu could easily see that, compared to Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama, who were determined to achieve peace in the shinobi world and were willing to sacrifice everything for it, Gensou lacked such a strong sense of mission and responsibility.
Essentially, Gensou lived in his own world and didn't want to be disturbed by others.
Just like now.
After reading about the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan, Gensou's interest lay more in the idea of everyone in the world dreaming peacefully while he alone remained awake, free from interruptions.
He wasn't like Madara, who, upon seeing the plan, became excited about the possibility of realizing peace in the shinobi world and fulfilling his ideals.
If Gensou had also become excited at this point, expressing how his long-awaited peace was finally within reach, Black Zetsu would have found it strange and even become wary.
But Gensou's words aligned well with his personality, so Black Zetsu had no suspicions.
Whether it was peace under the Infinite Tsukuyomi or Gensou being the only one awake—it didn't matter to Black Zetsu.
After all, once Infinite Tsukuyomi succeeded, these people's ideals would all be for nothing, and in the end, everything would serve as a bridal gown for its mother.
Watching Gensou standing before the Uchiha stone tablet without moving for a long time, Black Zetsu smiled and slowly sank back into the ground.
The fish had already taken the bait.
When to use this fish, it wasn't in a hurry to decide. After all, Obito was doing quite well at the moment.
Perhaps, when the plan eventually stalled, Black Zetsu would then give Gensou a hint.
Or maybe, Gensou himself would discover the clues and take action.
This would most likely lead to conflict with the Akatsuki.
But Black Zetsu thought it over and still didn't care.
It was like raising venomous creatures—though some would perish in infighting, ultimately, a powerful king would emerge.
However, no matter how powerful the king was, the ultimate beneficiary would always be the one who raised it.
The Akatsuki, Obito, the shadowy Madara, and now the newly included Gensou.
With so many cards in hand.
Black Zetsu couldn't imagine how it could lose.
"Mother, please be patient a little longer, and soon I will be able to save you."
With the hope of reuniting with its mother, Black Zetsu took one last look at Gensou before leaving for good.
Although Gensou couldn't detect Black Zetsu's exact whereabouts.
Being aware of its existence, he still sensed a slight change in the atmosphere of the basement at one point, different from before.
He didn't say anything, continuing to stand in front of the Uchiha stone tablet, playing his role while thinking:
'The whereabouts of the Jinchuriki are top secrets in each major village, making it hard for outsiders to find them—even Jomae Village couldn't. Considering this, the Akatsuki is quite useful. After all, they specialize in such things and have been investigating the tailed beasts for years, plus they have White Zetsu—a powerful tool for gathering intelligence—which allowed them to capture the Jinchuriki so accurately in the original story.'
The shinobi world was vast.
For Gensou, defeating a Jinchuriki was easy, but finding one would be a time-consuming and labor-intensive task.
In this regard, he could wait until the Akatsuki captured the tailed beasts before swooping in to take advantage.
However, the Rinnegan was still in their possession.
Moreover, with so many tailed beasts collected by then.
If pushed, the other side could simply become a makeshift Ten-Tails Jinchuriki.
So, whether it was the tailed beasts or the Rinnegan, Gensou felt it was best to have them under his own control.
Over the next while, Gensou considered many subsequent matters.
He wasn't sure when exactly Black Zetsu had left, but when he sensed the Uchiha shinobi arriving above, he snapped back to reality. Coming to Naka Shrine to inspect the Uchiha stone tablet and draw out Black Zetsu had served its purpose; now it was time to fulfill the next objective.
Gensou exited the underground chamber and returned to the main hall.
Sasuke and the rest of the Uchiha shinobi had already arrived. Seeing Gensou emerge from the underground, they didn't ask anything, merely bowing slightly.
Understanding Sasuke and the others' current mood, Gensou said nothing more, disappearing in a flash, leaving the stage to those involved.
At this moment, the dusty main hall was silent.
Sasuke and the others closed their eyes.
They waited silently for that man.
Uchiha Itachi!
...
Ding ding ding~~~
The familiar sound of wind chimes rang outside Konoha's gates.
Itachi had arrived as promised.
Along with him was his partner, Hoshigaki Kisame.
When Kisame had initially become Itachi's partner, it was to keep an eye on him, and their relationship could only be described as average.
But after being partners for so long, Kisame had come to respect Itachi deeply.
Upon learning that Itachi would be having his final battle with his brother, Kisame didn't leave alone; instead, he handed the Four-Tails Jinchuriki over to White Zetsu and continued to accompany Itachi as usual.
This time, he wasn't monitoring; he was merely seeing his friend off.
Soon, the crisp sound of wind chimes reached inside the gate.
Izumo and Kotetsu were dutifully guarding the gate.
Itachi glanced at them.
Recognizing that they were under a genjutsu, he ignored their inquiries and passed through the gate, heading towards Naka Shrine.
Kisame walked beside Itachi.
Seeing the increasingly close, dilapidated buildings ahead, which were once the Uchiha clan grounds, he turned to look at Itachi, curious about what thoughts he had at the moment.
However, Itachi remained expressionless, showing no reaction whatsoever.
Passing through the ruins, the two arrived at the collapsed red torii gate.
Itachi looked up at the ascending stairs, and at the end of the stairs, the still dignified, though dilapidated, main hall of Naka Shrine, and said to Kisame:
"This is as far as you go."
Kisame stopped, looking at Itachi: "There are quite a few people up there. Are you sure you don't need me to clear out any unrelated individuals?"
"Those people aren't unrelated."
Itachi shook his head slightly. After speaking, he began climbing the steps, one step at a time.
Kisame did not follow but watched Itachi's figure gradually disappear from his view.
As a place where the Uchiha clan often held meetings, the main hall of Naka Shrine was spacious.
When Itachi climbed the long steps and reached the main hall, exerting his strength on the dusty, decayed door, the moment he pushed it open—
Inside the spacious hall, countless pairs of Sharingan that had been waiting for a long time opened simultaneously, and the blood-red glow filled with hatred and killing intent focused on the visitor.
"Itachi!!!"
(End of Chapter)
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