Recruiting an Ancestor
After Zetsu relayed Nagato's instructions, he successfully borrowed Kakuzu for their plans.
Without delay, Zetsu rushed back toward Kirigakure. His Mayfly technique was nearing its limits, the constant long-distance travel straining even his peculiar body.
More than ten days later, he finally arrived in the Hidden Mist and met Uchiha Obito.
Obito, wearing his mask, examined Zetsu's pale black-and-white features. "What's wrong? You look worn out."
Zetsu was speechless. How could he not be tired? For days he had been moving endlessly underground—either on the road or rushing to get back on it.
After a short rest, Zetsu explained, "He agreed. He won't interfere when you invade Konoha."
Obito's single eye widened slightly. "He really agreed?"
Zetsu nodded. "Originally, I wanted him to directly assist you in the invasion, but he refused. Still, this is already very good."
Obito considered this. "If Chi Yu doesn't move against me, that removes a great deal of pressure. What's the cost? I doubt it was cheap."
Zetsu answered, "He wants a number of chakra black rods and ten White Zetsu bodies."
Obito was surprised. "That's all? I still have black receivers left by Madara inside my Kamui dimension, and White Zetsu are easily produced. But… what does he want with them?"
Zetsu frowned. "I don't know. At first I thought it strange as well, but if that's his request, then he has some purpose for them. Right now, we need his cooperation more than we need answers. Besides, to keep Konoha from becoming suspicious, we'll arrange opponents for him. I borrowed Kakuzu from Nagato. For the second, let's use Kisame Hoshigaki."
Obito's eye narrowed. "I know of Kakuzu. He's formidable, but I doubt even he can defeat Chi Yu. And Kisame… he's my subordinate, and certainly not Chi Yu's equal. Even if they team up, the risk is high. I won't have Kisame sacrificed pointlessly."
Zetsu quickly clarified, "There's no need to worry. I already secured a guarantee from Chi Yu—he won't kill them."
Obito leaned back, thoughtful. "So you and Chi Yu have basically reached an understanding."
"Yes," Zetsu confirmed. "Now, you need to meet him yourself. Finalize the terms, hand over the reward, and settle the matter."
Obito paused, then asked, "Zetsu… do you think the Akatsuki could ever recruit Chi Yu?"
The question caught Zetsu off guard. "Absolutely not."
Obito tilted his head. "Why are you so certain? He isn't loyal to Konoha. It might be possible."
Zetsu grew serious. "Obito, abandon that thought. You can't control Chi Yu. He's unpredictable. He refused point-blank to attack Konoha, even though he owes it no allegiance. That alone proves he has his own agenda. Bringing him into the Akatsuki would be like strapping an explosive tag to yourself—you'd never know when it would detonate."
Zetsu remembered vividly how close he had come to death when he first approached Chi Yu. The man knew too many of their secrets already. If Obito truly tried to recruit him, Chi Yu might even accept—but that would only make him more dangerous.
Obito studied Zetsu. "You seem to hold a strong grudge against him."
"Of course I do," Zetsu muttered. "The first time I approached him, he nearly killed me. Listen, Chi Yu will never serve anyone. If you recruit him, you're not gaining a subordinate—you're inviting an ancestor to sit above you. And what then? What will you do if he doesn't follow your orders?"
Obito fell silent, realizing the truth in Zetsu's words. He had assumed Chi Yu's cooperation had been easily secured. But if Zetsu had nearly been killed, then this man was far more dangerous than expected.
"…Very well," Obito finally said. "Then we'll settle for cooperation. Let's meet him and finalize this. The invasion is little more than a month away."
Zetsu sighed inwardly. Once again, more travel awaited him—no rest in sight.
---
A few days later, Obito and Zetsu stood on the outskirts of Konoha.
Just as Obito prepared to enter directly, Zetsu stopped him. "Wait. You can't approach him so carelessly. The last time I tried that, he nearly killed me. He warned me that if I ever intruded near his home again, he wouldn't hesitate to strike."
Obito frowned. "If we can't approach him, then how will he know we've come?"
A voice cut through the forest before Zetsu could answer.
"No need to search for me. I'm already here."
Both of them stiffened as Chi Yu emerged from the trees, walking toward them with measured steps.
Zetsu clenched his teeth. Even hidden like this, they had been discovered.
Obito's mind raced. This man's perception was unnerving.
Chi Yu stopped in front of them, eyes settling on Obito. A faint smile tugged at his lips. "Uchiha Madara?"
Obito's voice dropped into the deep timbre of the man whose name he wore. "It is I."
Chi Yu's gaze sharpened, almost amused. "Incredible. The legendary Uchiha Madara—Hashirama's rival, a man who should have died decades ago—standing here, asking for my cooperation. To think you'd come to me, not for war, but for protection… it truly is astonishing."
Zetsu felt a pang of unease. If Chi Yu chose to expose Obito's true identity, the consequences would be disastrous.
Obito stayed calm. "And I did not expect you, hailed as Konoha's rising hero, to agree to my terms."
"I'm no hero," Chi Yu replied evenly. "Just a collaborator of convenience. You offered what I wanted, so I agreed. Enough talk. Did you bring the items?"
Obito activated Kamui, releasing a pile of chakra black rods and ten bound White Zetsu onto the ground. "Is this sufficient?"
Chi Yu studied them. "More or less."
Two massive snakes burst forth from smoke, swallowing the rods and the White Zetsu whole before vanishing back to Ryūchi Cave with a flicker of summoning energy.
"The reward has been delivered," Obito said. "So the deal stands."
"Of course," Chi Yu confirmed. "Our arrangement is in effect."
Obito prepared to warp away with Zetsu, but Chi Yu's lips curled in a faint grin. "One day, I'd like to fight you, Uchiha Madara. I hope I'll have that chance."
Obito gave him a long, piercing look. "That opportunity will come."
With that, he and Zetsu vanished into Kamui's vortex, leaving Chi Yu smiling quietly in the shadows.
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