Ye Zi's palm pressed firmly against the Gedo Statue's head. The hidden mouth in his hand sucked as if slurping jelly, and within about three seconds, the massive body of the Gedo Statue was completely swallowed into the space of the Shokui's ability.
With the Gedo Statue gone, Ye Zi and White Zetsu who had been standing on its head, lost their footing and dropped from the air landing steadily on the ground.
White Zetsu, his half-face curled in its eerie grin, looked shocked. Black Zetsu, usually silent as stone, narrowed his eyes wide open for the first time.
If Ye Zi had merely stored Nagato's corpse, Black Zetsu might have tolerated it, but even the Gedo Statue…
What on earth was that ability?
Seeing this, Black Zetsu grew wary. With such a power, Ye Zi was clearly not a pawn under his full control. More importantly, he had to learn how Ye Zi intended to resurrect Madara Uchiha... Nagato was dead, and using the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique required the user's death…
And Black Zetsu did not believe Ye Zi would ever sacrifice his own life to revive Madara.
After storing the Gedo Statue away, Ye Zi glanced coldly at the stunned Kushina and Minato below, said nothing, and sank into the ground with Mayfly Technique, preparing to leave.
Seeing Ye Zi go without a word, White Zetsu shrugged helplessly, then followed him with the same jutsu.
Kushina and Minato simply watched the two disappear. For many reasons, they did not pursue, the greatest being that the enemy was Ye Zi.
Confirming through Sage Mode that Ye Zi and White Zetsu had truly departed, Kushina and Minato immediately set to handling the aftermath.
"Sensei…" Kushina hurried to Tsunade first, sensing her chakra so faint it was like a candle about to burn out.
Minato, meanwhile, rushed to gather a medical team as fast as possible and led them outside the village.
The squad led by the Third Hokage had been caught completely off guard by Nagato's assault and had lost nearly half their men. The rest were wounded, some gravely, and needed urgent treatment.
And then… the ruined village itself. Reconstruction aside from financial cost would take time, but the bigger problem was Ye Zi.
Though rebuilding was urgent, the threat of Ye Zi was far worse.
After leaving Konoha, Ye Zi and White Zetsu traveled at top speed back to their hideout.
Five days later, they returned.
Ye Zi's first task was not to deal with Nagato's corpse, but to construct an underground chamber to house the Gedo Statue.
Even with an army of Edo Tensei and cloned soldiers, he felt the number of clones was still insufficient. So, once the Gedo Statue was placed down, he immediately ordered Orochimaru and Nanako to use it to breed more clones. The more, the better.
At the same time, they had to produce more of the strengthening serum for the clones, keeping pace with the army's growth.
It was an immense workload, but Orochimaru and Nanako made no objections and threw themselves into the task.
....
On another front
Ye Zi ordered White Zetsu to continue gathering intelligence outside. No detail could be overlooked.
But then Black Zetsu, usually so reticent, suddenly asked:
"The most crucial step of the plan is reviving Madara. Nagato is dead now, and the Samsara of Heavenly Life requires the caster's life. How exactly do you intend to revive him?"
The abruptness of the question surprised Ye Zi slightly.
Before his death, Madara had made clear that Black Zetsu was his will incarnate and could be consulted on all matters. But Ye Zi had never relied on him, far more often, he depended on White Zetsu's intelligence network.
In truth, Black Zetsu's presence had once been significant when he first appeared. But as time passed, Ye Zi had nearly forgotten that he was supposedly Madara's will.
Hearing his question now, Ye Zi did not answer immediately. Ever since mastering Edo Tensei, he no longer intended to truly revive Madara.
"This indeed is the crucial step, we must revive him."
Ye Zi's gaze was cold as he looked at Black Zetsu, though he kept one thought to himself...
It may be crucial for you. For me, it isn't anymore.
He had already learned from Shokui how to use the Gedo Statue to return. Why would he ever resurrect Madara?
At most, he would summon Madara with Edo Tensei as a powerful pawn, and perhaps ask how Madara had planned to return, gaining an extra option. Why not?
"But the command of this plan lies with me. How Madara is revived, and when, are my decisions. You only need to obey orders and do your part."
His tone was icy, unquestionable, with a trace of domineering authority.
For once, White Zetsu fell quiet, refraining from his usual lighthearted chatter.
Black Zetsu narrowed his eyes at Ye Zi's cold face but said nothing.
"Go," Ye Zi said coldly.
"Understood," White Zetsu replied promptly. With the silent Black Zetsu, he departed to follow orders and gather intelligence.
Far from the hideout, in a secluded spot, White and Black Zetsu halted.
Ye Zi's reaction made one thing clear: he was already showing signs of veering off script.
No matter how the plan shifted, the final goal remained the same, gathering all the Tailed Beasts to achieve the resurrection of "Mother." Whether the vessel was Madara or another was irrelevant.
Still, if Madara were the vessel, Black Zetsu's chances of success would be higher.
What vexed him was that Ye Zi now clearly treated them as mere subordinates to command, not co-executors of the plan.
His eyes went cold as he growled: "That guy Ye Zi… most likely won't obediently cooperate."
White Zetsu grinned. "Nagato's dead. If Ye Zi plans to implant the Rinnegan himself, he definitely won't use his life to bring Madara back."
"I know." Black Zetsu's tone was frigid. "But when the time comes, whether he revives Madara or not won't be his choice."
White Zetsu knew full well where Black Zetsu's confidence came from.
"Heh, if Ye Zi takes the Rinnegan, that's acceptable too. It might even be safer. But since he refuses to reveal much, we can only wait and watch," Black Zetsu said coldly. His irritation lingered despite his secret trump cards.
He had written the script himself, intending to manipulate the entire shinobi world in the palm of his hand. The plot should have followed his design.
But one very important supporting role seemed to be slipping beyond control. That was what truly irked him.
"No matter. As long as Mother is revived, that's all that matters."
Black Zetsu thought silently. He was Kaguya's will. The shinobi world itself was his creation.
That was how he saw it, incomparable arrogance, hidden for now, but ready to unfurl like a peacock's tail at the right time.
"Nagato was doomed to fail. Madara was doomed to fail. And Ye Zi… he too will absolutely fail."
Black Zetsu's cold, sharp eyes curved into crescent moons.
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Currently on Chapter 603 - Disrupted Plans