In another secret stronghold built by Orochimaru, located over two hundred kilometers away from the Hidden Sound Village.
Kabuto, Black Zetsu, and Kisame were gathered together, making the final preparations for the Reanimation of Madara Uchiha.
Kisame, relying on his years of rich experience as an undercover agent, had quickly earned the "trust" of the other two.
Well... "trust" might be a strong word.
To be precise, both Kabuto and Black Zetsu viewed him merely as a useful tool. The latter even intended for him to play the role of a double agent, secretly monitoring Kabuto's every move. None of them suspected that he was actually a plant sent by Nagato, the leader of the Akatsuki, to keep an eye on both Kabuto and Black Zetsu.
It was an undeniably ironic situation.
On one hand, Kisame despised being a spy more than anything, yet he could never seem to escape the role. On the other hand, Black Zetsu believed he was playing everyone like a fiddle, unaware that under Allen's exposure, he had become a laughingstock. Everyone around him was simply enjoying his dedicated performance.
Totally oblivious, Black Zetsu continued to pull strings from the shadows, attempting to complete his millennium-old plan.
"Whew… finally ready. Should we begin now?" Kabuto looked up, his eyes meeting Black Zetsu's in a probing gaze.
"Of course! Start! I've been dying to see him resurrected," Black Zetsu replied without hesitation.
Tiger — Snake — Dog — Dragon
"Reanimation Jutsu!"
As Kabuto's clear voice echoed through the sunless basement, a massive coffin slowly rose from the ground. Just as the lid was about to open, Black Zetsu suddenly commanded, "You two, step outside for a moment. I need some time alone with this lord."
"No problem."
"As you wish."
Kisame and Kabuto exchanged a glance before turning to leave without a second thought.
Once they were well out of earshot, the coffin lid slid open, and a man clad in red armor stepped out. He was none other than the legendary Ghost of the Uchiha, the sole friend and rival of the First Hokage Hashirama Senju, and the true believer in the Eye of the Moon Plan: Madara Uchiha.
The man who had once dominated the ninja world tested his physical condition for a moment, then immediately knit his brows in a stern questioning look. "What is this? Why haven't I been resurrected? Has something gone wrong with the plan?"
"Madara-sama! My deepest apologies, but I had to summon you back from the Pure Land in this manner first. The plan has indeed suffered a major flaw, specifically, the appearance of one person who has knocked the entire plan off its original orbit."
Shameless as ever, Black Zetsu put on a display of unwavering loyalty, recounting the changes across the Shinobi world since Allen's arrival. He didn't forget to carefully observe Madara's expression. He was terrified that Madara, like Nagato, might develop an interest in overthrowing the old order to build a new era, thereby abandoning the collection of the Tailed Beasts.
"Oh? You're saying... someone wants to end the era of the Ninja? Even one of the Five Great Nations has been wiped out, and the other four are on the brink of collapse?" Madara stroked his chin, a playful smile appearing on his face.
Black Zetsu nodded vigorously. "Exactly! Right now, the ninja world is teeming with organizations called the Resistance. They are ruthlessly killing Daimyos and nobles, shrinking the living space of the Hidden Villages. Furthermore, that fellow named Allen has joined Akatsuki and is relentlessly collecting Tailed Beasts. He seems very interested in the power of the legendary Ten-Tails."
"An interesting little fellow. It seems quite a few new faces have emerged while I was dead. Also, where is Obito? What has he been up to lately?"
Madara suddenly thought of the young Uchiha he had dragged into the darkness.
"Obito is currently tracking the Three-Tails. As soon as it is revived, the plan to resurrect the Ten-Tails will begin immediately. By then, those weakened Great Nations won't have time to react," Black Zetsu explained with a tone of disdain.
Hearing this, Madara couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Hahahaha! Hashirama! Do you see? This is the result of not listening to my advice back then! Human greed is infinite! There must be an absolutely powerful force to dominate everything! Otherwise, war and chaos will never disappear."
"Precisely! And that person is you!" Black Zetsu complimented him subtly.
"Let's go. Let us leave this hellhole and meet the threat you mentioned. I want to see for myself what kind of youth can change the ninja world single-handedly."
With that, Madara Uchiha started toward the tunnel leading outside. He had only taken a few steps when Black Zetsu stopped him, speaking rapidly. "Madara-sama, you are currently in a Reanimated state; it's best if too many people don't know you're back. Besides, Obito is currently using your name. It will be troublesome if the truth is exposed too early."
"Hmph! It doesn't matter. I'm only going to see this young man named Allen. Besides, after all these years, I doubt many people would still recognize me."
As the words left his mouth, Madara vanished instantly.
Because he moved so fast, Kabuto and Kisame didn't even have time to react. They only felt a blurred figure brush past them, leaving them break into a cold sweat. It meant that if the person who just passed had wanted to kill them, it would have been no harder than taking a breath.
Crushing! Absolute, overwhelming strength!
This chasm-like gap in power caused Kabuto, who had been feeling rather conceited lately, to show a look of lingering fear. Kisame, who already knew the reanimation target was Madara Uchiha, felt his heart hammering in his chest, unable to believe the Ghost of the Uchiha was truly this terrifying.
However, none of that mattered now. What mattered was how to get this information to Nagato without being detected.
While the two at the entrance harbored their own hidden agendas, Black Zetsu finally emerged from the underground, threatening them in an unquestionable tone. "Remember! You saw nothing just now. Understood? Otherwise, that lord will be displeased. And if he is displeased, no one knows what horrors will follow."
"Understood. My lips are sealed," Kisame was the first to state his stance.
"Me as well!" Kabuto followed closely.
Seeing how sensible they were, Black Zetsu nodded with satisfaction. "Very good! If the opportunity arises, I will put in a good word for you before that lord."
The moment the words fell, he dived into the ground to chase after Madara Uchiha right in front of them...