When Obito was taking a short rest, he suddenly sensed Black Zetsu emerging from the ground.
He possessed White Zetsu cells in his body, so their presence was easy for him to detect.
Didn't he just leave to gather intelligence?
Why is he back so quickly? And he even went to that place?
What in the world happened?
With doubts rising in his heart, Obito stood up and headed toward the sealed chamber.
Black Zetsu was already inside a concealed room.
Before him stood an enormous coffin — one he had personally crafted.
Inside that coffin rested the corpse of Uchiha Madara.
He lifted the lid with a push.
A shriveled, mummified old man lay within.
It was Madara — the true Madara.
If not for the Hashirama cells coursing through him, he would have long since dried into nothing but bones.
After all… he was dead.
Black Zetsu let out a subtle sigh of relief.
Since Madara's body was still here, it meant he had not faked his death.
Then who was the one using the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan?
Very few Uchiha could manifest Susanoo.
And even fewer could achieve a Complete Body Susanoo.
In his memory, aside from Madara himself, perhaps only Indra — the Sage of Six Paths' eldest son — possessed such power.
This unknown individual was a threat.
Someone with an Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan would definitely interfere with the Infinite Tsukiyomi Plan.
And judging from recent events, that person had already stolen several tailed beasts essential to reviving "mother."
They needed to uncover this impostor's true identity.
Just then, Obito phased into the room using Kamui.
He looked at Black Zetsu and the open coffin, baffled.
Although he never fully trusted the real Madara, the man was already dead — there was no need to disturb his corpse.
Unable to resist, he asked:
"Black Zetsu… what are you doing?"
Black Zetsu saw no reason to hide the matter from Obito — after all, Obito was the executor of the Infinite Tsukiyomi Plan.
"I discovered something major."
"Uchiha Madara attacked the Eight-Tails' jinchūriki, Killer Bee… and successfully abducted him."
"I believe someone is impersonating Madara. But this person used a powerful Fire Release… and a Complete Body Susanoo."
"So I came back to confirm whether Madara was still dead."
Obito's eyes widened in disbelief.
If Madara had truly revived, it would be disastrous.
The real Madara had his own agenda — one that differed from Obito's.
Obito only wanted to create a world where Rin lived again.
He cared nothing for world peace.
He rushed to the coffin.
Inside lay the shriveled corpse of the elderly Madara.
No mistake — this was the real Madara.
Which meant an impostor was gathering tailed beasts.
But how?
Releasing such devastating Fire Release… and possessing an Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan?
Obito remembered Madara's writings.
An Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan could only be awakened when two siblings both possessed the Mangekyō, and one's eyes were transplanted into the other.
The requirements were extreme.
Throughout all of Uchiha history, only Madara had ever achieved it.
He didn't believe anyone else from the clan could have awakened one — even the Mangekyō Sharingan was already incredibly rare.
Among the ones who did awaken it, none were siblings.
It should've been impossible.
Black Zetsu spoke:
"Madara… what should we do next?"
Obito forced Black Zetsu to call him "Madara," and Black Zetsu was unwilling to cause conflict over something so trivial.
His role was to assist Obito — nothing more.
Obito pondered.
This person possessing an Eternal Mangekyō was already dangerous enough — but the fact that he was collecting tailed beasts…
That would sabotage the Infinite Tsukiyomi Plan.
It would prevent Obito from creating a world where Rin lived.
Such a person deserved death.
And what was his goal?
Was he collecting tailed beasts as weapons?
Or did he have another purpose entirely?
Everything was unclear.
Obito finally said:
"Notify Nagato. We must begin collecting the tailed beasts immediately. We can't let this impostor gather them first."
"Otherwise, our plan becomes impossible."
"Understood."
Black Zetsu agreed.
Beginning the collection meant Kaguya's revival plan was officially underway — the thought thrilled him.
"But what about the Eight-Tails, which he already took?"
Obito replied:
"Leave it with him for now. Let him gather a few more. Then we'll just steal them all at once."
"A good plan. It saves us the effort."
Black Zetsu approved wholeheartedly.
With the power of the Akatsuki —
Nagato with the Rinnegan,
the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path,
and Madara's corpse as a last resort —
the impostor pretending to be Madara could never stand against the real thing.
Otherwise, he wouldn't bother hiding his face.
Black Zetsu sank back into the ground, heading toward Amegakure to inform Nagato.
After he left, Obito began cultivating new White Zetsu clones — one of his key trump cards.
Tedious work, but for the sake of creating a world where Rin lived, it was worth it.
Darui of the Hidden Cloud, accompanied by several ninja, was rushing toward Konoha.
The Fourth Raikage had ordered him to deliver urgent news — information about Uchiha Madara.
Since Madara had defected from Konoha, they had the right to be informed.
And they needed reinforcements.
A being like that was beyond the Cloud's ability to handle alone.
Facing him alone would only end in tragedy.
Madara's name alone shook the entire shinobi world.
After traveling at full speed, they arrived at Konoha's gates several days later.
They reported to the gate guards and were escorted into the village, heading straight for the Hokage Tower.
As they entered Konoha, Darui looked around.
A peaceful, thriving village.
Villagers smiling.
Buildings undamaged.
A sense of normalcy Cloud no longer possessed.
He couldn't help feeling envious.
Compared to the Cloud — still scarred by past wars — Konoha was flourishing.
If only he had stopped the previous conflict…
But it was too late for regrets.
Cloud could no longer afford to antagonize Konoha.
That would be suicide.
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