"I will not join you."
Uchiha Itachi slowly walked down the steps of Nankai Shrine.
"That's okay."
Uchiha Obito wasn't concerned at all about Uchiha Itachi's rejection; he seemed sure the other would join him sooner or later: "Uchiha Itachi, there will eventually come a day when you realize that all your efforts cannot change the tragic fate that is destined for you!"
"In this distorted world, you can't protect anyone at all."
Uchiha Obito watched Uchiha Itachi's figure grow smaller, speaking firmly: "When that time comes, I will be here waiting for you."
"..."
Uchiha Itachi didn't pause his steps at all.
In the corner of Nankai Shrine.
White Zetsu's main body and White Zetsu Awe were chatting.
White Zetsu Awe had witnessed Uchiha Obito's attempt to recruit Uchiha Itachi and couldn't help but comment: "Is Obito always this naïve?"
"...Yes."
White Zetsu's main body reluctantly nodded.
The white half-face of the Venus Flytrap Monster was White Zetsu, and the black half-face called itself Black Zetsu, two peculiar beings sharing one body.
Black Zetsu recalled Uchiha Obito's past behavior, his voice tinged with resignation: "Obito's dojutsu is quite unique, very few can pose a threat to him."
"Awe."
Uchiha Obito suddenly started mentioning Awe's name, commanding loudly: "Go tell that brat Kagura to instigate a conflict between the Uchiha and Konoha, forcing Uchiha Itachi to a point of helplessness until he joins us!
When Uchiha Itachi realizes that everything he's doing now is futile, he'll understand just how tragic his fate truly is!"
"Yes."
White Zetsu Awe quickly dove into the ground.
"Obito."
"We can't stay here long."
White Zetsu's main body looked at Uchiha Obito, who intended to hide at Nankai Shrine, proactively reminding: "Shimura Danzo has been surveilling the Uchiha all along, although my perception ability hasn't detected Danzo's chakra, I feel this guy might have found us..."
"Uchiha Itachi is an excellent recruit."
Black Zetsu agreed with Uchiha Obito's idea, continuing: "Now that Uchiha Itachi has awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan, and he has a younger brother, Uchiha Sasuke. If in the future, Uchiha Sasuke can also awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan..."
"Yes, he has a brother."
Uchiha Obito squinted slightly, recalling Uchiha Madara having mentioned Uchiha Clan secrets to him: "That means there's hope for Uchiha Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan to become even stronger..."
"But we can't continue staying here."
White Zetsu's main body continued to remind: "Even if Shimura Danzo hasn't discovered us, if Uchiha Itachi goes to report to Konoha about Obito hiding at Nankai Shrine..."
"He won't report."
Uchiha Obito sneered, very confident in his judgment: "Because he knows, reporting to Konoha's higher-ups at this point would only arouse their suspicion, fearing an alliance between me and the Uchiha Clan against them..."
"What's more interesting is..."
"Shimura Danzo discovered me, yet Uchiha Itachi didn't report this to him, doesn't that better serve our aim of inciting tension between Konoha and the Uchiha?"
"Should we just remain here then?"
"Since recruiting manpower is necessary anyway..."
Uchiha Obito glanced at Zetsu, continuing: "Is there any recruit more suitable than Uchiha Itachi?"
"Your attitude towards Kagura today was somewhat lacking in friendliness."
Black Zetsu pointed out errors in Uchiha Obito's conduct today: "That kid's power is also formidable, a great recruit for us, and could even serve as a vessel for the Rinnegan if Nagato's body develops issues in the future."
"I don't like that brat..."
Uchiha Obito found himself somewhat irritated by Akihara Kagura, thinking of himself as the superior yet seemed perpetually suppressed by Akihara Kagura, his subordinate.