Cooperation
Zetsu felt Chi Yu was becoming increasingly troublesome.
It wasn't just ordinary trouble. It was as if Zetsu stood exposed before him, his secrets laid bare, unable to hide anything.
After calming his thoughts, Zetsu said, "You once promised Madara that if given proper compensation, you could lend your strength to Obito. I've come to ask if that promise still holds."
Chi Yu narrowed his eyes, then smirked. "Oh? So Obito wants me to help him unleash the Nine-Tails and invade Konoha, is that it?"
Zetsu froze, utterly stunned.
Chi Yu even knew Obito's plan. How?
Seeing the shock on Zetsu's face, Chi Yu sneered. "What's with that expression? Isn't it obvious? You come to me right when Konoha's Nine-Tails jinchūriki is about to give birth, asking whether my promise still stands. Only a fool wouldn't guess your intentions."
Zetsu regained his composure and asked gravely, "So, do you agree?"
Chi Yu shot back, "That depends. What can you offer me?"
Zetsu admitted, "I don't know what kind of reward you want. State your price."
Chi Yu waved dismissively. "Forget it. I won't betray Konoha to aid in its destruction. If that's all you came for, then we're done here."
Chi Yu had once made a vow to Uzumaki Mito never to turn his blade against Konoha unprovoked. He had no intention of breaking that promise.
Zetsu, however, didn't seem frustrated. His true goal wasn't to drag Chi Yu into Obito's scheme, but rather to confirm whether Chi Yu's agreement with Madara still had weight. Chi Yu's reaction told him it did—otherwise, he would have attacked Zetsu outright.
Zetsu tried again. "No assistance is needed. You just have to refrain from opposing Obito."
Chi Yu's eyes narrowed slightly. "Hmm… Not attacking him, perhaps. But if Obito invades Konoha and I remain idle, people will start asking questions."
Zetsu immediately responded, "I can arrange for someone to fight you as cover. But—one condition. You cannot kill them."
Chi Yu scoffed. "You're already setting rules before I've even agreed."
Zetsu stiffened. "…Then what reward do you want?"
Chi Yu raised two fingers. "Not much. Enough chakra black rods to experiment with—and ten White Zetsu."
Zetsu frowned. "What would you need White Zetsu for?"
Chi Yu's tone hardened. "That's none of your business."
After a pause, Zetsu nodded. "Fine. I can provide that. So, shall we settle the details?"
Chi Yu agreed. "Just as you said—arrange opponents strong enough to make the fight look real. Otherwise, it won't be convincing. And remember—the deal only covers me not attacking Obito. Everything else is off the table."
Zetsu said, "Then I'll prepare two shinobi of elite jōnin level to face you. They'll be enough to create a convincing battle, but you must not kill them. Afterward, Obito will meet you himself and deliver the reward. However—he moves under the name Uchiha Madara. You must not expose his true identity. Do you agree?"
Chi Yu thought briefly, then nodded. "I agree."
"Then the deal is settled." Zetsu turned, ready to leave.
But just as he began to sink into the ground with his Mayfly Jutsu, Chi Yu warned coldly, "One more thing—come near my home again, and I will kill you. No exceptions."
Zetsu gave him a long, searching look. "…Understood."
With that, he vanished underground.
Chi Yu returned home, dispelled his Shadow Clone, and calmly sat back down with Uzumaki Kushina, watching television as if nothing had happened.
---
Elsewhere, in the Land of Fire.
Zetsu emerged from the earth, leaning against a tree, gasping for breath.
Only now did the lingering fear wash over him.
If Chi Yu had chosen to trap him in that dreaded Tsukuyomi seal… it would have been over.
Zetsu couldn't shake the thought.
For the first time, Black Zetsu—who had manipulated countless shinobi for centuries—felt something slipping out of his control.
"This man… he's dangerous."
Black Zetsu considered his options. He decided that Chi Yu's staged opponents would be Kakuzu and Kisame Hoshigaki. Both had power and notoriety enough to make the act convincing.
But even then, he knew the truth. The two of them together were still no match for Chi Yu.
Zetsu had observed him closely in battle: blinding speed, mastery of nearly every chakra nature except Wind Release, expert genjutsu, Mangekyō Sharingan techniques, and even Susanoo.
Even Nagato, with the full Six Paths of Pain, might not prevail against him.
And yet, the Akatsuki still needed Kakuzu and Kisame alive. Losing them would cripple their plans.
That left only one true vulnerability—Uzumaki Kushina.
But that was a line Black Zetsu dared not cross. Touching Kushina now would provoke Chi Yu's full wrath, jeopardizing centuries of planning. If Chi Yu sealed him with Tsukuyomi, it would all end here.
"…Tch. For now, patience."
He sighed, resigning himself to bide his time.
With that, Zetsu left the Land of Fire, heading toward the Hidden Rain Village.
---
Five days later, in Amegakure.
Zetsu found Pain and explained Obito's intentions to attack Konoha and capture the Nine-Tails. He requested the use of Kakuzu.
Nagato considered the request, then agreed. Capturing the Nine-Tails and striking at Konoha aligned with his own ambitions. Besides, he had seen Chi Yu's power firsthand, and knew that careful preparation was necessary.
With Nagato's approval, Zetsu departed for the Hidden Mist Village, intent on recruiting Kisame as well.
Only two months remained before the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki would give birth. And Obito had to meet Chi Yu before then. Time was running short.
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