The conversation with the Akatsuki was an undeniable success!
Even setting aside the emotional fallout of being played like puppets by Madara Uchiha and Black Zetsu, from a purely self-interested perspective, no one wanted to see Kaguya resurrected to rule the world. No one wanted the Divine Tree to suck the last drop of life energy from the planet, turning it into a total dead star.
To be precise, no sentient being born of this world would ever tolerate an invader turning their beautiful home into a wasteland. If the two children Kaguya herself birthed felt that way back then, the rest of humanity certainly felt it even more strongly.
Although Allen knew the members of the Akatsuki didn't fully trust him yet, and still harbored a significant degree of wariness, he had spoken the truth. Time would prove his words.
Furthermore, as the two sides shifted from enemies to collaborators, Black Zetsu was effectively dragged from his position as a shadow puppeteer and turned into a "clown" on center stage. The most amusing part was that Zetsu had no idea everyone around him had already figured out his true identity and motives; he would continue to perform his role with earnest dedication.
This clown-like performance would serve only to push the entire Akatsuki more firmly to Allen's side.
Except, of course, for that arrogant and conceited fool, Madara Uchiha.
After seeing off Nagato and most of the Akatsuki members, Allen quickly deactivated his Six Paths state by manipulating his genes and energy. He turned around and asked the young Sasuke with a smile, "So, now that you know the truth, do you still insist on killing your brother?"
"I... I don't know." Sasuke hung his head, a complex light flickering in his eyes.
For someone as young as he was, everything that had just transpired felt like a dream. Whether it was the conspiracies of Madara and Black Zetsu or the Progenitor of Chakra sealed on the moon by the Sage of the Six Paths, it made the teenage boy realize that Itachi's actions were often not of his own volition. Itachi had been forced to choose the "lesser of two evils" in an impossible dilemma.
However, the one thing Sasuke still could not accept was that Itachi had personally killed their parents. No matter the justification, it was a heavy, unforgivable sin that could never truly be washed clean.
"Don't rush; you have plenty of time to think. But before that, you'd better consider how to deal with Orochimaru's attempt to consume you. I won't give you any help with that. In my eyes, whether you consume Orochimaru or he consumes you, it makes no difference to my plan," Allen reminded him nonchalantly.
"I don't need your help! I'll find a way to deal with him soon enough," Sasuke responded with defiant confidence.
"Heh, I suggest you don't underestimate that man. The Ouroboros he created with Nen is highly likely linked to immortality and perfection. I guarantee that if you rely too much on the power of the Sharingan, you're going to suffer a major setback."
Having said his piece, Allen ignored Sasuke's reaction and continued toward their destination. Since he had already extracted the location of Takigakure from their "insider" Kakuzu, finding the right direction was easy this time.
…
Meanwhile, Black Zetsu was stealthily tailing the team led by Kakashi and Might Guy as they entered the Land of Waterfall.
Just as he was about to stir up trouble according to his original plan, Obito suddenly appeared out of thin air. Clutching his right eye, now nothing but a bloody socket, he put on a display of excruciating pain and gasped, "I failed!"
"What? Failed? How!" Black Zetsu's expression shifted violently.
Before the Eye of the Moon Plan officially launched, anyone could be replaced, but Obito was essential.
"It was that guy, Allen! His Sharingan ability is Guaranteed Hit, it perfectly counters my Kamui! My eye was destroyed," Obito explained through gritted teeth.
Even though his strongest urge at this moment was to drive a kunai straight into the chest of this pitch-black mass to see if it could actually die, his reason ultimately prevailed, and he refrained from acting.
"Damn it! What about Nagato?" Black Zetsu pressed anxiously.
"Nagato fought him, then recruited him into the Akatsuki. Now, Nagato definitely suspects my identity. We must do something to prevent the Akatsuki from slipping out of our control."
To win the other's trust, Obito pushed the acting skills he had honed over the years to their absolute limit. Combined with Zetsu's preconceived notions, Black Zetsu didn't harbor a shred of doubt. Instead, he looked urgent. "What do you want to do?"
"Two things. First, help me retrieve Kakashi's Sharingan. Second, make contact with that Allen fellow and see if we can bring him into the plan. Compared to Nagato, a man who possesses both Wood Release and a Mangekyo is definitely worth our primary focus," Obito laid out his fabricated plan calmly.
"Can he be trusted?" Black Zetsu was clearly hesitant.
"I don't know. But one thing is certain: he is quite dissatisfied with the current state of the shinobi world. Perhaps you can use that," Obito hinted meaningfully.
Black Zetsu thought for a moment and nodded slightly. "Understood. I'll find an opportunity to test him. But before that, let's discuss how to seize Kakashi's Sharingan."
"No need for complications. You just lead the others away; I'll deal with Kakashi myself. But first, I need to repair my body." Obito pointed to the half of his white body that had been utterly devastated, leaving only a few remains.
"I never would have thought that even with the power of your Mangekyo Sharingan, you could suffer such a severe injury. It seems this Allen is a troublesome opponent. How is his level with Wood Release?" Black Zetsu lamented while staring at the necrotic cells.
"Not sure. He didn't even use Wood Release; he defeated me with his Mangekyo alone. And before Nagato invited him to join, the two of them spoke privately for a long time. I'm not certain what they said to each other," Obito began scattering "smoke bombs" to cloud the truth.
His plan was simple: use one smoke screen after another to distract Black Zetsu, ensuring he remained perpetually confused about the situation. Only then would the creature refrain from acting rashly.
"Fine. I'll find a way to uncover the contents of their conversation. For now, it's best to restore your wounds."
With that, Black Zetsu split himself off from the White Zetsu body. Immediately, the White Zetsu expanded like a plant, enveloping the collapsed side of Obito's body and repairing the damaged cells, limbs, and internal organs at a rapid pace.
In about half a minute, the horrific injury, which would have been fatal to any ordinary person, was completely restored. The only price was the life of one White Zetsu. Of course, as biological weapons, the White Zetsu were expendable; losing one or two was of no great consequence.