As a humanoid being, Zetsu naturally has a desire for communication.
However, in front of past Indras, it could only disguise itself, unable to speak its true mind.
But with Uchiha Obito...
Zetsu was surprised to find that even without pretending to be Uchiha Rin, Uchiha Obito would still look at it with a smile, as if he were a loyal pet dog, listening to its master complain about his troubles and fatigue.
This was an experience Zetsu had never had, a feeling as if it had become a real, living person...
Just as Zetsu was rambling on and on, there was a gentle knock on Uchiha Obito's door.
"Is it that old man Uchiha Setsuna again..." Zetsu muttered under its breath, signaling Uchiha Obito to answer the door.
Uchiha Obito shook his head helplessly but exclaimed in surprise as he opened the door: "Aomi, what are you doing here!"
Aomi stood at the door carrying exquisitely packaged food and gifts, with a gentle smile:
"Obito, it's been a while since we last met, and I've missed you..."
"What, am I not welcome to come in?"
Aomi stuffed the gifts into Uchiha Obito's hand, teasingly saying: "If you're busy, I won't disturb you then."
"What are you saying, Aomi, I'm happy you're here!"
Uchiha Obito grabbed Aomi's arm, cheerfully saying: "Look at you coming over and bringing so many things!"
Aomi took off his shoes and socks, slowly walked into Uchiha Obito's house, and couldn't help but be impressed.
Clean, tidy, elegant, with a particularly tasteful aesthetic, there was an ancient charm to it.
"This is mine, it's mine..."
Uchiha Obito introduced Zetsu to Aomi, scratching his head with a slightly flushed face.
"I know it's yours, Obito..."
Aomi chuckled, joked with Uchiha Obito, which made his face turn completely red, but he also grinned widely.
"Hello, Rin, how has your health been lately?"
Aomi greeted Zetsu, their eyes meeting, both having a gentle or warm smile.
"Thank you for your concern, Aomi..."
Zetsu's gaze swept over Aomi's expression, and its heart sank.
It prided itself on understanding the Uchiha Clan intricately, yet in Aomi's expression, it could only see genuine warmth and concern, with no trace of anything unusual.
Oh no, have I met my match?
Setting aside Aomi's secrets, just his ability to mask his emotions had already made Zetsu take him seriously.
Zetsu didn't believe that there could really be an Uchiha with a smile like Aomi's, because in a thousand years it had never seen an Uchiha like this!
Aomi also nodded slightly, quite approving of Zetsu's performance.
At this moment, Zetsu looked just like a charming girl next door, and even with Aomi's keen eyesight, he couldn't detect anything amiss.
"Obito, your home's decoration is quite nice, huh? It has a retro design with great depth..."
Aomi smiled as he looked around the interior, sincerely admiring: "You must have hired a famous craftsman, right?"
Uchiha Obito chuckled and sat with Aomi on the sofa, proudly saying:
"This was all Rin's design, isn't it great! I heard it's a popular style right now in the Land of Fire..."
Aomi nodded, giving a thumbs up:
"It's really impressive, the layering of this mural feels like it's walked out of that era, you could call it a work of art..."
Zetsu's heart skipped a beat, but Aomi didn't continue speaking and carried on chatting casually with Uchiha Obito.
Is there something wrong with this mural?
No, it's just a style of decoration.
In all the unknown years of the past, Zetsu had no fixed abode and didn't need a home, using the Mayfly Jutsu to make the world its shelter.
But ever since being with Uchiha Obito, Zetsu gradually got used to having a safe house feeling, able to express its true self comfortably, so it whimsically decorated its first "home," with a touch of antiquity.
Zetsu mused in its heart, like it's walked out from that era?
This sounds like a true compliment, but when paired with Aomi's seemingly chakra that includes Senju, Uzumaki, and Uchiha traits, Zetsu couldn't help but feel something was off, like he was hinting at something...
Is it a coincidence?
Uchiha Obito and Aomi chatted happily, talking about a wide array of topics, like candid friends sharing everything.
Occasionally joining in from the side, Zetsu felt increasingly heavy in heart.
Zetsu had already seen through it, just as it manipulated Uchiha Obito...
Aomi and Uchiha Obito's conversation, the seemingly effusive Kenji talked more, but was completely led by Aomi.
Uchiha Obito even exaggeratedly told Aomi about Uchiha Setsuna speaking ill of him.
How much time has passed?
Not long ago, Zetsu clearly remembered, Uchiha Obito was still shouting slogans about taking back everything and defeating Aomi, so how has he now completely turned around?
After chatting for a while, Uchiha Obito grabbed Aomi's arm:
"Don't leave, Aomi, have dinner here, I'll cook myself!"
"Don't worry, my cooking is very good, all taught by Rin, you guys chat a bit more, I'll go make dinner!"
Uchiha Obito rushed into the kitchen, while Aomi turned and smiled at Uchiha Rin: