When a person is looked upon unfavorably, no matter what they do, it's wrong. Even their friends are wrong by association.
The mysterious masked man didn't consider Itachi a friend, but he had the sinking feeling that his and Itachi's presence here was a colossal mistake.
What the hell? Is this blob trying to betray me?
No, that didn't seem right.
Black Zetsu was the will of Emiya Shirou. It was only natural for the pitch-black monster to be loyal to its master. It was also, therefore, completely natural for it to want to betray and abandon him.
Really... does it think just because Shirou's back, it has someone to back it up?
This thing never dared to treat me like this before!
The masked man shot a sideways glance at Black Zetsu's half-sinister profile and responded coldly, "Itachi is necessary to carry out the Akatsuki's plan. He killed his entire clan. Konoha has a warrant out for him. Unless Konoha has collectively lost its mind, there's no way he's their spy."
He was deeply suspicious of Itachi's motives, but at this moment, he had to defend him, if only to save face.
"Didn't the Uchiha still have a survivor?" Black Zetsu's smile became even more sinister.
Itachi's palm subconsciously clenched into a fist.
"That's his younger brother," the masked man said, growing more and more irritated as he was forced to defend Itachi. "And also a spare part for his Mangekyo Sharingan."
"Itachi has already awakened the Mangekyo and is suffering from the blindness it causes. He wants his brother to awaken the same eyes so he can seize them and elevate his own visual prowess to the eternal level. It's precisely for that power that he killed his clan—to stimulate the hatred and pain in his brother's heart."
"How convenient," Black Zetsu was suddenly at a loss for words. The logic was, unfortunately, quite sound.
A scarlet killing intent flared in the masked man's eye. "Do you think just because your master is back, you no longer need me to carry out the plan?"
As the thought solidified, his voice turned sinister, and he dropped the charade. "I represent the will of Madara!"
Yes. There was no need to hide it anymore. Shirou, having returned from the underworld, must already know his details. The "Madara" persona was only ever to subdue Nagato and Konan. Now that they'd sided with Shirou, the jig was up.
Itachi glanced at the masked man in surprise.
So, this guy was never Madara Uchiha? Then who is this clansman who has never revealed his identity?
"Black Zetsu, let them come over," Shirou's voice, exceptionally gentle compared to Zetsu's interrogation, cut through the tension. "He represents Madara's will. Madara and I are allies in this matter. We never intended to exclude him from the plan for eternal peace."
Zetsu's form could only slowly move aside.
"Be more respectful to Lord Emiya," White Zetsu's main body reminded him again.
The masked man stepped forward unhappily, with Itachi following close behind, his mind racing. He could feel a peaceful aura, but his vigilance was at its peak. They were about to meet a figure whose history was longer than that of ninjas themselves.
But when they finally saw him, Itachi was surprised. He was just a scholar, holding a pen, writing on a blank scroll by the dim candlelight.
"Give them two cups of sugarcane juice," Shirou ordered without looking up. "Sorry, please sit for a moment. Your argument just now... somewhat disrupted my train of thought."
An uncontrollable calm rose in Itachi's heart. The man seemed as gentle as a character from a bedtime story, making one involuntarily feel a sense of goodwill.
But then you remember he's deeply involved in the masked man's conspiracy, that he seized control of this dark organization upon his resurrection, and a sense of disconnect sets in. It was hard to imagine this was the legendary sage.
The mysterious masked man snorted and sat down, carelessly taking off his mask to reveal a ruined face—one side intact, the other scarred, with a Mangekyo Sharingan in one socket and a transplanted normal one in the other.
"Zetsu mentioned to me," Shirou said, still writing, "you are Madara's successor. Your name is... Uchiha Obito?"
Obito's face soured. He seemed too lazy to answer such a low-level question. Respect a man who had usurped his control? Impossible. His arrogance wouldn't allow it.
"Uchiha Obito," Itachi's heart shook. He'd heard the name. A hero of the Third Great Ninja War, who died in battle after giving his Sharingan to Kakashi. To think he had survived!
Obito stared coldly at Shirou. "I just want to know what you really mean. A resurrected dead man, taking away my control of the Akatsuki. Are you trying to kick me and Madara out of the plan? Or do you want to control that power for yourself?"
"Don't worry," Shirou's head lifted slightly. His eyes, now visible, held the swirling pattern of the Rinnegan. "I am not interested in that power. The power you crave, I have already obtained a more powerful version of it in the ancient era."
"Naive child," Black Zetsu's voice mocked. "The Uchiha clan's Mangekyo is as short-sighted as ever. Lord Wei Yuan has never coveted that power. What he wants is eternal peace. With your shallow perspective, do you think you can fathom his magnanimity?"
"Rinnegan!" Obito's face changed drastically, the mockery forgotten.
What the hell is this! Why does he have a pair of Rinnegan!
This old antique not only had god-tier medical ninjutsu but terrifying strength as well. But Obito wasn't afraid. His own Mangekyo ability made him practically invincible.
His mind raced, and he glared fiercely at Zetsu, only to be met with White Zetsu's worry and Black Zetsu's scorn.
Itachi, however, was not so calm. The moment he saw the Rinnegan, his body tensed. Those eyes were more terrifying than any Mangekyo. One look felt like it could pull his very soul in.
"Hmph. So that's how it is," Obito's mood completely calmed. He crossed his legs, as if he had regained the upper hand. "Since you don't care about that power, then it's simple. You continue being your medical sage, and I will continue to be responsible for carrying out the plan. You don't need to interfere with the Akatsuki."
"Hehehehe... Obito," Black Zetsu couldn't resist. "You're in charge, but it seems you're not doing a very good job."
Its face turned sinister. "If you want the plan to succeed, you just need to be responsible for carrying out Lord Wei Yuan's will!"
"Black Zetsu!" A wave of anger rose in Obito's chest. He thought he'd made enough concessions!
This bastard was throwing its weight around just because it had Shirou's backing!
"You are nothing but his will! Do you really think this old antique, just because he has a pair of Rinnegan, can take away control?"
Itachi's expression was faintly strange. He hadn't even officially joined, and he was already witnessing an internal power struggle among the top brass.
"Be quiet," Shirou's soft voice cut in. "Don't make a joke of yourselves in front of the newcomer."
He turned to Obito. "I came to see you only to inquire about some information regarding Konoha. After I finish writing this scroll, we'll discuss these troublesome matters."
Black Zetsu immediately shut up.
"Hmph!" Obito barely suppressed his anger. "What's the use of studying useless medical ninjutsu now!"
As long as the Infinite Tsukuyomi succeeded, all ninjas would fall into an eternal slumber. Shirou's arts were meaningless.
A fool looking at the sky from the bottom of a well, Black Zetsu cursed inwardly.
Only I know of Shirou's greatness. This bunch of arrogant Uchiha fools, how could they possibly understand his innocent kindness?
Only in this way... could he forever be the pawn it trusted most.
Shirou's eyes lowered, his writing speed quickening, deaf to Obito's mockery. "I don't care about control," his voice was calm. "I just feel there's a problem. Your efficiency is not high. I even suspect you're trying to stall for time."
"Now you value control so much, I suspect you just want to use the plan to obtain that power."
"Don't worry! I don't care about that power either!" Obito shot back. "I hope for the plan's success more than anyone!"
"Then what step is the plan at now?" Shirou's question left Obito speechless. They hadn't even taken the first step.
"Now is not the time for the plan to begin," he deflected. "I am recruiting helpers. I have just recruited Itachi. He possesses the Mangekyo Sharingan and can suppress all the Tailed Beasts."
The pen in Shirou's hand stopped. He tapped it rhythmically on the scroll.
Tap...
Tap... tap...
The sound was unsettling. Just as Obito's anger was about to rise again, Shirou's gaze suddenly turned to Itachi.
"Your idea is not bad. At least he is a suitable candidate. But if you are to use him, are you sure you can control him?"
"A person who killed his own clan for power, even his own parents... there is nothing left in this world for him to fear. How can you be sure this newcomer doesn't have an ulterior motive?"
"His younger brother, Uchiha Sasuke," Obito stated, revealing his leverage. "If he refuses to comply, we can kill his brother at any time."
Itachi's fingers dug into his palm, killing intent for Obito reaching its peak.
Shirou nodded, as if he didn't know Itachi's thoughts. "In other words, if his brother is killed, then this power-worshipping newcomer will never reach the Uchiha clan's peak. But I'm more optimistic about his younger brother."
"After all, with such a cruel older brother, his heart should be shrouded in a deeper darkness. It's not impossible that he will grow up to be more outstanding."
"For us, this newcomer is just a temporary helper. He is far less important than the legacy of the Uchiha clan." He frowned at Itachi, seeming extremely dissatisfied. "I am even somewhat unhappy that he exterminated the Uchiha clan."
Itachi's mood slowly relaxed. The other party valued the Uchiha legacy. This meant he wouldn't harm his brother. Moreover, he was optimistic about Sasuke's potential. If it came down to a conflict between Shirou and Obito, Itachi would prefer Shirou to be the victor.
But while Itachi's mood relaxed, Obito's was completely ignited.
"Relics of the ancient era should stay in their graves, not be picky about my people," he said, his anger finally boiling over. "Emiya Shirou, your era has long passed. I don't need you to point fingers at my decisions. Now I am the controller of the plan!"
"Do you want to challenge Lord Wei Yuan?" Black Zetsu's sinister voice echoed.
"Obito, you will regret this!" White Zetsu anxiously reminded him. "Quickly apologize! How could you possibly be his opponent!"
"Hmph. That's hard to say," Obito's right eye slowly morphed into the Mangekyo. He decided to take back what he had lost with his own power. "If you want to take control of the plan, just a greeting is not enough. At least let me see what kind of power you, a ninja from the ancient era, possess."