"How many times have I told you, don't call me by my real name. What if it slips and gets out?"
Lying on the wooden cot, Obito, wearing the tiger-striped mask, lifted his gaze from the scroll in his hand, his tone displeased.
"Sorry. Next time for sure."
"It's always 'next time for sure.' If there's a next time, I'll beat you up." Obito sat up, snarling.
"Madara, the rift between the Uchiha and Konoha in the Land of Fire is already huge. Some Uchiha are talking coup," Black Zetsu shifted the topic.
"Oh? An unexpected gain," Obito said with interest.
"Looks like you want in," Black Zetsu grinned, wicked.
"Weaken Konoha's war potential, procure Sharingan for spare-use Izanagi, and kill off the chance of some bizarrely overpowered Mangekyo Sharingan ability emerging.
"Why not do a three-birds-with-one-stone thing?"
He had already acted against his teacher's family; going after the Uchiha clan was nothing in comparison.
Although the Uchiha had never wronged him and had even given money in the past to help him and his grandmother, that didn't stop him.
As long as the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan succeeded, they would all live again in a peaceful new world; he could make it up to them then.
"We've lain low long enough. Time to move."
Black Zetsu chuckled. "Heh heh… then let's act."
"But if we want to rile up Konoha and the Uchiha and profit from it, there's one person we can't get around."
"Who?"
"Kageyama Kogetsu."
"So it's him."
Obito pictured Kageyama Kogetsu from their Academy days; they'd rarely met since graduation.
"What you learned before is outdated. Here's fresh intel."
At that, White Zetsu pulled out a scroll and handed it over.
Obito took it, opened it, and skimmed quickly, finishing in no time.
"Heh. He keeps getting stronger.
"Who'd have thought the strongest of our year would be him, leaving that bastard Kakashi behind.
"Kage-level combat power, ANBU deputy commander, deeply trusted by Konoha's leadership. At minimum a future ANBU commander, then a village elder, with a not-small chance of becoming Hokage."
Though he praised, a surge of jealousy rose in Obito's heart…
If not for what had happened, the script Kageyama Kogetsu held was the one Obito had wanted most.
Catching up to Kakashi as Konoha's Twin Stars, then pulling ahead to surpass him in rank and strength.
Becoming a Konoha hero, idolized by many shinobi; at worst a high-level official, with strong prospects for the Hokage's seat.
Perfect.
But there are no ifs…
"This classmate of yours is trusted by both Konoha's top brass and the Uchiha, a lubricant and buffer between the two.
"If we don't remove him, our attempts to sow discord and fan the flames will definitely be blunted.
"We'd have to spend more time or much more effort to get the same result," Black Zetsu analyzed.
Obito said without hesitation, "Then eliminate him.
"That way we both exacerbate Konoha–Uchiha tensions and heavily weaken Konoha's strength.
"Konoha doesn't have many Kage-class fighters now. Kill him and the village will have a vacuum."
Black Zetsu nodded. "Akatsuki isn't up to it yet. The outer members would only die. You'll have to do this yourself."
"I planned to do it myself anyway. Just right to weigh how strong the former honor student is now," Obito smiled, expectant.
"Gaa gaa… the dead-last challenging the honor student—no, Konoha's top prodigy—how exciting," White Zetsu laughed.
Obito's face darkened. Annoyed, he couldn't be bothered to argue with a humanoid with zero tact.
"Is the target in Konoha now?"
Black Zetsu shook his head. "No. He's left the village, purpose unknown. Traveling, training maybe.
"Since the target can fly and comes and goes like a ghost, White Zetsu can't track him in real time."
Obito wasn't discouraged. "Since you brought it up, you must have a way to get his movements."
"Yes. He enjoys comfort, often appearing in the great bustling cities and famous scenic spots of the shinobi world.
"Plant White Zetsu watchers in those places and we'll find him sooner or later," Black Zetsu said confidently.
Obito nodded. "We'll use your approach first.
"If we can't find him for a long time, we'll use mine.
"That hateful guy actually has two girlfriends. No loyalty at all. A philanderer.
"Then we'll snatch his two girlfriends and lure him straight into a trap.
"Huh? I wonder which one he likes more.
"Heh heh… after subduing him, should we test it?"
Uchiha Obito, who fancied himself utterly devoted and deep in feeling, was profoundly displeased by Kageyama Kogetsu's philandering.
"Hee hee, Madara, you're rotten to the core," White Zetsu snickered.
Obito barked, "Shut up. If you say nothing, no one will think you're mute.
"Hurry up and set things as planned."
One of the two Zetsu didn't care, the other pouted, and their inhuman bodies sank back into the ground.
…
Kageyama Kogetsu spent more time in Shikkotsu Forest than anywhere but Ryuchi Cave. After learning its sage arts, he discussed them with the Slug Sage.
The Slug Sage had a good temper and patience, answering almost every question.
After leaving Shikkotsu Forest, he of course wouldn't rush back to Konoha. With a hard-won long leave, why waste it?
He planned to enjoy some time alone, then spend a while with Pakura, and only then return to Konoha.
In the Land of Hot Water, on Onsen Mountain, the Dream Hot Spring Pavilion—one of the top-ranked in the country, crowded year-round.
Kageyama Kogetsu ordered a deluxe package.
Steam coiled amid flowers around an elegant white-jade bath.
Wrapped in a white towel, he reclined against a soft, springy chest; delicate pale hands worked a professional head massage.
On either side nestled two slender women in gauzy robes of different colors, both above average in looks, one with a pure aura, the other alluring.
They took turns massaging his body; the free one fed him wine, fruit, nuts, and snacks.
Across the pool, three more women in gauze played melodious tunes on different instruments.
Half-lidded, Kageyama Kogetsu enjoyed the service, his hands sometimes proper and sometimes not, mind at ease.
To be fair, the music of this world had something to it, seemingly inheriting Japan's standards.
Music, manga, anime.
While he was enjoying himself, the White Zetsu watching at the entrance relayed the intel.
Upon receiving it, Obito rushed over with White Zetsu A Fei, slipping silently into a high vantage point with a view of Kageyama Kogetsu.
Seeing the decadent scene in the bath, Obito flushed, cursed inwardly, then wrenched his gaze away.
He couldn't betray Rin. How could these gaudy vulgar women compare to cute, kind, pure Rin?
"Stay here and keep watch. Tell me when he leaves." With that, Obito warped away with Kamui.
"Got it." White Zetsu A Fei peered at the pool with interest.
"Huh? A space–time ripple."
At the same time, Kageyama Kogetsu stirred, quietly opened the Tenseigan, and looked soundlessly behind him…
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