The process of dealing with Zetsu was divided into three phases. The first phase involved setting up a cursed binding seal within Obito's Kamui to restrict Zetsu's movements. The second phase was to absorb Zetsu into the realm and incinerate him with Amaterasu. If Zetsu could be killed, the third phase could be skipped. If not, while Zetsu was immobilized, Kita and Obito would jointly cast the Four Symbols Seal. Then, the mission would be complete.
"Alright, that completes the first phase," Obito said, panting as he sat on the cold Stone Tablets within the Kamui. On the bluestone floor lay the freshly placed sealing array. A true master could reproduce a seal at any moment, even mid-battle, but amateurs like them had to meticulously prepare.
—Are you sure this is the right position after pulling him in? Kita asked.
"Of course. I set the coordinates for the Kamui."
—There's only one chance. If we fail, the next opportunity won't be so easy. Are you ready?
"Ready," Obito said, leaning back on the Stone Tablet, though he had no intention of starting the work yet. Kita frowned. Obito glanced at her, then closed his eyes and sat cross-legged.
"Um, yesterday's… incident… it's bothering you, isn't it?"
Unexpected. With Obito's personality, he rarely brought up the past. Kita didn't understand what he wanted to express.
—What do you mean?
"Nothing. Just saying, I won't apologize for the trouble it caused you."
Predictable. Kita hadn't expected an apology. Obito was the type who, once convinced he was right, would pursue it relentlessly, never looking back. That had been true years ago, when he was Uchiha Obito, and when he disguised himself as Madara. And it was still true now. Kita's evaluation: too pure. A life like that is difficult, exhausting.
—I know. I don't need one anyway.
Apologies were never necessary for Kita.
"You're not wrong in this, I'm not wrong, the fault lies with them. I've decided—even without Nagato's Rinnegan and the Geto Statues—I will cast Infinite Tsukuyomi."
Ah, there it was. That was the crux of the matter.
Kita sighed and rose from the floor, addressing Obito.
—My mission is only to protect Akatsuki. What you do is none of my concern. I just want to ask—Infinite Tsukuyomi isn't just a dream, right?
"If you can never wake up, it's no longer a dream," Obito said, rising as well. "I won't use Akatsuki anymore. Our initial goals were the same: gather the Tailed Beasts, summon the Ten-Tails. Once that's done, Nagato and I will duel properly. Only then can I decide whether to use the Ten-Tails to cast Infinite Tsukuyomi or as a forceful deterrent. Nagato agrees. Until then, I'll continue collecting the Tailed Beasts as a member of Akatsuki. Don't worry. This time, I'll unleash Infinite Tsukuyomi in my own way."
His fists clenched, justice burning in his eyes, the crimson Sharingan flaring with unwavering resolve.
Kita scratched her head, reluctantly trusting Nagato's judgment of Obito.
—Do as you like. Let's start by dealing with Madara first.
"Mm. And Amaterasu, the crows?"
With the summoning seal forming in his hand, a black crow materialized on Kita's shoulder. Obito nodded and began to disappear.
"Stay here. I'll bring him back soon."
Once masked, Obito vanished. In his view, Zetsu was merely a tool—loyal only when needed. If Zetsu discovered tracking him, they'd immediately part ways, but when Obito required him, Zetsu must comply. Not an ally, just a tool.
The dark underground chamber had long bored Zetsu, months spent waiting for the Eye of the Moon Plan. The time dragged endlessly, torture in monotony.
"Zetsu." Obito appeared out of nowhere, the bright orange mask striking. He didn't allow a word before activating Kamui, "Follow me. There are things to discuss."
True enough, Zetsu arrived in less than fifteen seconds, Kita observed. She immediately activated the cursed binding seal. White Zetsu didn't understand; Black Zetsu realized seconds too late that he was immobilized.
"Damn it! What's going on? How is he here?"
"Madara, die!" Obito shouted, stepping back, palms clasped together, BOOM, "Now!"
The crows launched, black flames enveloping Zetsu. Kita clasped her hands, ready to seal Black Zetsu if Amaterasu failed.
White Zetsu's screams were pitiful. Black Zetsu, still conscious, shouted, "Obito, you've betrayed Madara!"
"Hmph, just noticed?"
"Why?!"
"Curious? I won't tell. Just die in ignorance!"
The Izanagi incident had evidently taught Obito not to waste time explaining to enemies. Kita increased chakra output, ensuring the cursed seal prevented Zetsu from evading Amaterasu. Soon, White Zetsu was burnt away; Black Zetsu remained as a liquid, voice still echoing.
"Amaterasu, boring."
Unexpectedly, pain was still detectable when attached to White Zetsu, but in liquid form, there was no reaction. Obito frowned—Amaterasu alone could not kill this one.
"Now, Kita!"
She quickly formed seals, releasing black substances over Amaterasu-enshrouded Black Zetsu. Black Zetsu remained unafraid, "Four Symbols Seal—but too late!" The liquid Black Zetsu surged onto Kita. She staggered back, unable to shake him off, inadvertently pulling him out of Amaterasu.
"I claim your body."
She felt control slipping—unable to move, consciousness slowly being consumed. Maintaining seals was near impossible. The Four Symbols Seal collapsed; the ink vanished. Her struggle to reclaim control nearly failed.
"Kita!!!"
"If you move, this body becomes mine." Black Zetsu gloated. Half of Kita's body was already covered. Obito's black rods retracted. Kita's mind raced—here, inside the Kamui, without his eyes, Black Zetsu could do nothing. If he killed her now, the body would be entirely his. Trapped.
"Is that so? Then why did you choose me?"
"You wanted to know. I won't say anymore. Obito, you betrayed me."
Body, chakra, everything existed—but she could do nothing. Watching her own actions as a bystander, Kita hated the feeling. Zetsu, only a seal would suffice. Luckily, her consciousness remained strong enough to resist.
Upper teeth met lower, tongue in pain, and Black Zetsu whimpered. Distracted, she joined hands, reactivating the broken ink seals. Obito mirrored her actions instantly.
"Damn it! Still moving?!"
Fool. I am Kita. Trying to control me? What a joke!
Her hands moved steadily, black seals spreading over Black Zetsu's half-body. Panic crept into Zetsu's voice.
"Let go of me!!"
Impossible. Kita's ink covered half her body. Obito, frozen, witnessed her calm nod.
—No choice. If this seal enters you…
Trembling, tense.
But this was the final method.
The plan: seal Zetsu within the technique. When the seal ends, erase the technique completely. Zetsu—or rather, Madara's consciousness—would vanish utterly, unrecoverable. The safest, yet riskiest plan. Who would survive—Zetsu or Kita—remained unknown.
Kita amplified chakra, decisively. Obito supplied chakra for sealing. Once all external black matter vanished, Kita stopped, revealing her clear blue eyes like a sunny sky.
—Slightly over expectations, but it's done. Let's go see Orochimaru.
━━━━ ❖ ━━━
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