In the Akatsuki's base, Emiya Shirou finally met Kabuto.
From Black Zetsu's perspective, this was their second meeting. It was Black Zetsu who had introduced this talented, yet previously "lost," ninja to Emiya Shirou.
"Kabuto is also a medical ninja," Black Zetsu introduced, its voice a rasping laugh. "Actually, he's more than willing to follow you, Wei Yuan..."
"There isn't a medical ninja in the world who would refuse the chance to follow Lord Emiya," Kabuto said, adjusting his glasses with a polite smile. "Though," he added smoothly, "I suppose Konoha's new Fifth Hokage, Lady Tsunade, might be an exception..."
"Don't mention irrelevant people here." Black Zetsu shot Kabuto a look, sensing Emiya Shirou's displeasure.
Its tone turned sinister. "Wei Yuan's goal is to save the entire ninja world, not just a handful of patients!"
"Of course..." Kabuto chuckled softly, as if he didn't quite grasp the scale of Shirou's ideals. He quickly corrected himself, "But as Lord Emiya works to save the world, he never gives up on saving individuals. That's precisely why, after I acquired a Rinnegan and Uchiha Madara's corpse, I decided to come to you..."
"And, of course," Kabuto continued, "the most important factor… is still Lord Emiya's power."
He stood before Shirou and boldly waved a hand in front of the blind man's face. "If you're going to pick a side, it's only natural to stand with the strongest."
"Don't get ahead of yourself!" Black Zetsu hissed, growing annoyed.
"I'm just curious," Kabuto said, quickly lowering his hand. "Even without your sight, you were able to defeat all four of Konoha's Hokage single-handedly. It's truly praiseworthy."
He then shifted the topic. "Although, with such strength, I suppose Lord Emiya has no need for the Rinnegan I found?"
"You!" Black Zetsu's voice was laced with anger. It couldn't believe Kabuto's disrespect.
Did this man think that finding Madara's corpse and a single Rinnegan gave him the right to act so high and mighty?
Did he not understand that Emiya Shirou could kill him in an instant?
"In any case," Kabuto said, lifting his head to play his trump card, "that Rinnegan doesn't belong to Nagato. Nor does it belong to Lord Emiya."
"!!!"
Black Zetsu's core went cold.
This guy… He knows the truth about the Rinnegan!
He knows the real owner is Madara!
"It belonged to Uchiha Madara," Kabuto stated, giving them the answer they already knew. "I confirmed it myself when I acquired his corpse. The final evolution of the Uchiha's Sharingan bloodline is the Sage of Six Paths' Rinnegan..."
"Your research on human subjects isn't bad," Emiya Shirou said, his tone a mix of mockery and praise. "I'll let you keep that eye, but only with its true owner's permission. If he asks for it back, I can't help you."
Shirou sighed. "After all, my original plan was to use that Rinnegan to perform the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique and truly resurrect Madara..."
"Wei Yuan!" Black Zetsu cried out, its voice filled with anxiety.
It needed Madara resurrected, but not at the cost of losing Shirou. Emiya Shirou was a far more reliable asset than Madara.
Madara was just a backup plan, Shirou was the chosen one.
"Enough." Shirou waved a hand, silencing Black Zetsu.
He seemed unconcerned about the idea of self-sacrifice. He turned his attention back to Kabuto. "Since you wish to study the Rinnegan, you may keep it for a while, at least until our real plan begins."
"As payment for my generosity…" Here, Shirou's tone turned cold, revealing his demand. "There are two members of the Akatsuki whose loyalty is questionable. I'm concerned they will interfere with an important mission. Bring me Sasuke Uchiha, the last of his clan, and I will allow you to witness the birth of a new Rinnegan."
"That is truly… a great honor." Kabuto's eyes narrowed into a secretive smile.
Ignoring Shirou's blindness, he gave a slight bow. "And as it happens," he added mockingly, "I just heard through Orochimaru's network which two members you mean. They have indeed been colluding with Obito."
"But…" Kabuto then countered with a request of his own. "I'll need a suitable sacrifice to perform the Impure World Reincarnation for Madara. Someone with at least jonin-level chakra, as a guarantee. After all, I was only ever Orochimaru's follower, and now both he and Obito seem to have their eyes on Sasuke as well."
"Those two traitors…" Black Zetsu's voice turned dark.
"That's fine," Shirou said, cutting off Black Zetsu's curses. "I accept your request."
He extended a finger and calmly ordered, "White Zetsu. Spore Technique."
"Yes." The main body of White Zetsu quickly planted a spore on Shirou's finger. As chakra gathered at the tip, a white mass dropped off, transforming into a strong White Zetsu clone.
But that wasn't all. Shirou pressed his finger to the clone's forehead, flooding it with his yang chakra until a diamond-shaped marking appeared.
He glanced at Kabuto. "Before Madara is fully resurrected, I want him restored to his peak power as much as possible. Can your Edo Tensei do that?"
"Of course… it can," Kabuto replied, extremely satisfied.
After Kabuto left with his orders, Emiya Shirou suddenly turned to Black Zetsu.
"He's a very ambitious young man," Shirou sighed. "Just like I was when I was younger—thinking the Rinnegan lets you touch the power of the Sage of Six Paths, believing you can change the entire world…"
"I didn't expect this," Black Zetsu gritted out, still fuming over Kabuto's disrespect. "That guy is far too ambitious!"
"Don't worry," Shirou said as he slowly pushed his wheelchair, the wheels squeaking softly. "The greater the power, the greater the responsibility. One day, after he gains power beyond that of mortals, he'll realize how many wrong paths he took trying to change the world. Only then will he find the true, winding path..."
"…"
In the darkness, Black Zetsu could barely make out Shirou's silhouette. For a moment, it seemed to see two figures overlapping—the Emiya Shirou of the ancient era, coming back to life.
"…It's kind of strange…" White Zetsu muttered quietly. "I don't know why, but it feels like Lord Emiya has changed a lot. He rarely seems to care what others think anymore. It's like he believes there's no way any of his words could be wrong…"
"Of course he's changed… No…" Black Zetsu quickly shook its head, correcting itself. "This is the real Wei Yuan."
"The lone man who walked the world in the ancient era."
"In the past, he could hide within the world of medical ninjas, surrounded by admirers. But now, reality is harsh. When he wants to change the world, there isn't a single human walking beside him. He has to rely solely on his own strength and wisdom to fulfill his plan."
"Just like… that time in the past when he decided to destroy Ninshu."
"Resolute. Decisive. Ruthless."
A dark smile spread across Black Zetsu's form as it recalled Shirou's legendary feats. "But right now, this is exactly the Emiya Shirou we need."