Since his birth, Black Zetsu did not know how many ages had passed.
Yet he had never felt as desperate as he did now.
Shouldering the mission of saving his mother, he himself was incredibly weak.
Relying on the passage of immense time, he used caution and careful planning to search for opportunities time and time again.
Finally, just when the timing was ripe.
Just one more push and the conditions for liberating his mother would be met.
But a figure resembling Senju Hashirama popped out of nowhere.
In his long existence, Black Zetsu did not know how many setbacks he had encountered.
Naturally, he would not lose confidence just because of this newly emerged Jokichi.
He told Obito that this guy would be a massive hindrance to their future plans.
He encouraged him and Nagato to eliminate him before he fully matured.
Unexpectedly, that guy far exceeded their imaginations.
Not only did he possess Wood Release rivaling the First Hokage, but he also possessed an Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan matching Uchiha Madara's.
The joint assassination by Obito and Nagato failed.
From that moment on, Black Zetsu realized even more the severity of Jokichi's existence.
He also realized what would happen in the future.
If Jokichi stood against them, they would have absolutely no chance of winning.
The plan had variables and could no longer proceed as originally intended.
There was no need to resurrect Uchiha Madara.
They would directly make Nagato or Obito the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki to counter Jokichi.
Then they would let them cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Although their bodies could not compare to Madara's, which was integrated with Hashirama's cells.
In this current situation, there were not many choices left.
However, the plan was beautiful, and he had even suggested it to guide Obito and Nagato.
But during the execution of the plan, he was caught by someone.
He was sealed inside a birdcage no less potent than the Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths.
If he could not break the cage, he could not provide further guidance to Obito and Nagato.
Nagato, perhaps after becoming the Three-Tails Jinchuriki, would no longer continue to seal Tailed Beasts within his own body.
Obito would also, out of apprehension, stop Nagato from absorbing more Tailed Beasts.
Although there would eventually be a battle between them in the end.
If Obito won, he would still become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki.
But the prerequisite for all of this was being able to defeat Jokichi.
If one could not become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, it was absolutely impossible to beat Jokichi.
Black Zetsu had witnessed the great battle between Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama with his own eyes.
He knew clearly what level of power Jokichi, who possessed both their powers simultaneously, would ultimately achieve.
Against a fully matured Jokichi, even if Madara and Hashirama were resurrected, they would not be able to secure victory.
"Damn it, why at a crucial moment like this!"
Zetsu pounded the wooden bars of the cage in frustration.
"Tch, what the hell are you doing!"
Jokichi kicked the cage violently in irritation.
This scared Black Zetsu into immediately shutting his mouth.
Normally, he would not be such a coward.
But he still had an unfulfilled mission.
He could not just die like this, and did not dare to provoke Jokichi's ire.
He had to find a way to escape.
Black Zetsu's mind worked madly, thoughts flashing through his brain one after another.
Seeing Black Zetsu's cowardly look, Jokichi spat disdainfully.
Originally, judging by the battle situation, Nagato and Isobu's fight should not have ended so quickly.
But because he caught Black Zetsu, Nagato noticed the commotion.
He overexerted his life force, taking down Isobu in one fell swoop.
Not only did the materials he was after get away, but Isobu, who had just helped him moments ago, was also taken.
Jokichi's mood was also terrible right now.
Seeing Black Zetsu raging incompetently in there, the fire in his heart flared even more.
He immediately cursed at him.
Although he wanted to continue beating and scolding him for a while.
Considering the commotion caused by Nagato and Isobu's battle, Kirigakure ninjas would probably arrive to scout the situation before long.
To avoid unnecessary trouble, Jokichi had to suppress his anger and prepare to find another place to teach Black Zetsu a lesson.
However, Black Zetsu was not an item forged by the system.
The Cage of Fate holding him could not be stored in the system space either.
Fortunately, the Cage of Fate could change its size independently.
Jokichi shrank the Cage of Fate to the size of a normal birdcage.
He covered it with a black cloth, and then carried it away by hand.
Sprinting along the way, the birdcage swung back and forth in his hand.
As for what the person inside the cage would feel.
He did not care that much, as long as he did not die, it was fine.
About two hours later.
Jokichi found a cave.
The surrounding area was all barren mountains and wild ridges.
It was shrouded in fog, making visibility poor.
Even hunters would not come to a place like this.
He lifted the black cloth off the Cage of Fate.
Black Zetsu was lying flat on the base, vomiting.
However, this thing did not seem to need to eat, so nothing came out.
No, this guy was not even human.
Without internal organs, he would not even feel the sensation of vomiting.
He was doing this on purpose.
However, since Black Zetsu wanted to play along, Jokichi also pretended not to know.
"Don't get my cage dirty."
Black Zetsu covered his mouth and looked back at him.
He suppressed the urge to vomit and asked a question.
"Are you going to escort me back to Konoha?"
"Konoha?"
Jokichi froze for a moment, then sneered.
"You want me to take you to Konoha so you'll have a chance to escape."
Black Zetsu remained silent.
That was indeed what he had planned.
However, Jokichi spelled out his inner thoughts, so obviously, this plan had fallen through.
Sure enough, the next second.
Jokichi's words made him despair once more.
"Don't think too much. I'll keep you locked in the cage, carry you with me at all times, and won't give you the slightest chance."
"Damn it, why are you doing this to me."
Black Zetsu said indignantly.
"We have no grudge, no enmity, and no conflict of interest. Why?"
Jokichi looked at Black Zetsu strangely and mocked.
"Are you stupid? People from your organization came to assassinate me, and you actually tell me we have no grudge or enmity?"
"That was an unauthorized action by an organization member."
Black Zetsu turned into an Oscar-winning actor at this moment, speaking with utmost sincerity.
"This organization is just a free mercenary group made up of missing-nin. There is absolutely no discipline or rules, and no one can order anyone else around. Nagato's actions have nothing to do with me."
"Like I care!"
Jokichi wanted to laugh inwardly, but maintained a cold and ruthless facade.
"Whether it has to do with you or you're just implicated, since I was assassinated by people from your organization, don't even think I'll let you off."
"You."
Black Zetsu reached out his hand and pointed at Jokichi.
He was just about to curse at him.
Suddenly, a blade flashed.
Black Zetsu's right arm flew into the air.
Jokichi caught the right arm and looked at the stunned Black Zetsu.
He let out a cold sneer.
"Acting with someone I find an eyesore is really disgusting, I can't keep it up anymore!"
After speaking, Jokichi pulled down the black cloth.
He then sat cross-legged holding Black Zetsu's arm.
[Ding! Discovered special material "The Filial Son's Arm", can forge special items "Eternal Filial Piety", "Diluted Divine Tree Crystal", "Faint Otsutsuki Crystal", "Look Back and Grab", "Underground Swimsuit". Do you wish to forge?]
Not complete Divine Tree and Otsutsuki crystals!
Jokichi clicked his tongue in displeasure, then chose to forge.
He had anticipated this situation long ago.
After all, although Black Zetsu separated from Kaguya, he had long since formed an independent ego.