Chapter 104: Two Plans
Not long after the Third Hokage issued the mission orders, the two teams left Konoha together.
They had already received the information in advance and started preparing, so there was no delay waiting to gather any necessary items after the mission was announced.
The departure of the two teams was quiet and unannounced. After all, their mission was important, and both teams were highly renowned.
There was no need to elaborate on Uchiha Kei's team. They were practically a legend in the "cannon fodder" circles.
As for Minato Namikaze's team, they were even more terrifying. Especially after Minato captured the Jinchuriki of the Five-Tails, the entire ninja world was shocked.
On the other hand, Fukuhiko Kōhei, who was supposed to be the leader of Uchiha Kei's team, appeared somewhat ordinary in comparison.
He hadn't participated in their previous missions with Uchiha Kei's team.
Luckily, Minato's presence prevented him from feeling too out of place, and Hyuga Ayaka, the girl from the Hyuga clan, seemed to listen to his commands quite obediently.
However, Fukuhiko Kōhei wasn't foolish. He knew that he probably couldn't lead his team effectively, so he fully handed over command to Minato Namikaze.
The seven-person group spent three days traveling and finally arrived once again in the Land of Grass. Upon seeing the lush green landscape, the group couldn't help but feel a bit nostalgic.
Each of the seven had left deep memories here, including many comrades, friends, and teammates who would forever remain in this land.
For Uchiha Kei, this place held especially strong sentimental value. It was here that he had undergone a major transformation, here that he awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan!
However, their time for reminiscing was short. They would have plenty of time for memories later. For now, their priority was finding the main forces.
They were here to carry out a mission, and with the talks at a critical stage, there was no room for failure.
Uchiha Kei moved quietly alongside Minato and the others, his thoughts already far away. He was contemplating his next steps and how to proceed with the plan he had set in motion long ago.
Indeed, Uchiha Kei didn't technically need to return to the Land of Grass, but for his own plans, it was essential.
Uchiha Kei had two plans. One plan was to determine whether he would remain in Konoha, a long-term plan that had already been set into motion.
The other was a plan concerning his eyes!
This second plan was of immense importance—its significance rivaled, even surpassed, that of the Uchiha clan's future and his decision to stay in Konoha!
"I've already captured Uchiha Yuu, but there's no time to deal with him yet. I'll have to focus on completing the other plan first." As Uchiha Kei swiftly moved between the trees, his mind silently pondered.
Uchiha Yuu and Uchiha Shuu, the two brothers, were crucial experimental subjects for Uchiha Kei. The degree to which their eyes had evolved was a key factor in his hypothesis!
Uchiha Kei's hypothesis was that the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan required two different "tendencies" of power to come together.
Only when the two opposing forces were interwoven could the eyes no longer succumb to blindness, while retaining all the abilities of the original Sharingan.
Uchiha Kei believed his hypothesis was correct. However, triggering a Mangekyō Sharingan wasn't simple, and Uchiha Kei couldn't afford to wait much longer.
If the Mangekyō Sharingan of Uchiha Yuu and Uchiha Shuu hasn't been activated by the time the Nine Tails Attack arrives, then Uchiha Kei's other plan will likely face significant setbacks.
Before that happens, Uchiha Kei must find another "key factor"—something that Uchiha Madara left behind!
That something is White Zetsu!
The cells of White Zetsu originate from Senju Hashirama and are even using the products left by Otsutsuki Kaguya. These beings likely have the highest compatibility with the entire world of Hokage!
Just think—when Uchiha Madara was resurrected, he was at a disadvantage because he didn't have his eyes. He even had to sacrifice his arm after it was blown off.
In a rather crude fashion, he simply chopped off White Zetsu's arm and attached it to his own so that he could use it.
However, Uchiha Kei wouldn't think the situation was that simple. It was likely because Madara already had Senju Hashirama's cells in his body that things worked out this way.
Nevertheless, this doesn't stop Uchiha Kei from seeking out White Zetsu and utilizing them for his own plans.
Obito Uchiha relied on White Zetsu's cells to use the Mangekyō Sharingan for over a decade, yet never suffered any vision loss.
With this, if someone suitable could assist with an implantation, Uchiha Kei believed he could achieve the same condition as Obito Uchiha.
If no one is available to help with the transplant, Uchiha Kei could always grit his teeth and endure it. He truly didn't believe there was anything Obito could do that he couldn't!
"But it's better to find someone to help," Uchiha Kei thought to himself. "Orochimaru should have completed the transplant for Danzo by now, right? And Orochimaru only has about a year left in Konoha. I wonder if I'll have a chance to get my hands on something from him."
Uchiha Kei's thoughts drifted for a moment, but he quickly snapped back to reality and cursed himself for being so unrealistic.
Even if he wanted to get something from Orochimaru, he would have to be cautious of the Third Hokage. Moreover, he wasn't even certain he could get his hands on White Zetsu.
Uchiha Kei didn't know where Uchiha Madara's hideout was, and even if he had thoughts of tracking Obito, dealing with White Zetsu and Black Zetsu—those beings with their enhanced sensory abilities—wouldn't be easy.
"But the main thing is to follow Kakashi." Uchiha Kei thought silently. "Obito and White Zetsu found Kakashi in just a few minutes, so the location isn't that far. Even though Kakashi was ambushed, once I find his position, I can try to track down Madara's hideout."
With this thought in mind, Uchiha Kei's gaze became a bit dangerous.
After all this, Uchiha Madara chose death, deluding himself into thinking that Black Zetsu was his own creation, his "spiritual offspring."
In reality, Black Zetsu likely wasn't much of a threat. This meant that if Uchiha Kei found Uchiha Madara's hideout, his only opponent would be Obito Uchiha!
Though Obito was tough, and his Kamui ability allowed him to shift parts of his body—or even his entire self—into another dimension at will, Uchiha Kei wasn't worried.
He had his own Mangekyō Sharingan, and at the moment he struck, he would use one of his eye techniques to disorient Obito.
The only issue with this strategy was the heavy toll it took on his eyes, and Obito had White Zetsu's cells, which had drastically boosted his chakra reserves. Uchiha Kei was aware that this could make the fight more exhausting than expected.
"The worst part is that this guy is like a cockroach!" Uchiha Kei sighed inwardly. "Stabbed in the heart by Raikiri and still going strong, then taking a full hit from Kamui and still talking? If he hadn't gone down the wrong path, this guy would've been a true protagonist!"