"Moreover..."
"If there's no unexpected circumstances, I modified the Uchiha Clan's stone tablet long after that bastard Hagoromo Otsutsuki died. The history left on the Senju Clan's tree bark should be largely similar to the original content on the stone tablet..."
"However..."
"There must be some subtle differences."
"After all, Hagoromo Otsutsuki knew that his younger son, Asura, was a fool. Hagoromo would definitely leave behind something special for Asura's descendants..."
"The most troublesome among them is no doubt Kaguya's secret."
"This is not a big problem. I can find a way to persuade Madara to be cautious of Kaguya or not to worry about Kaguya. Uchiha Madara already believes in me..."
"The Uchiha Clan's stone tablet was created by Hagoromo to pass on history and warn Indra's descendants. I merely altered the stone tablet slightly to entice Uchiha Madara to integrate Senju Hashirama's power, thereby collecting the Tailed Beasts and initiating the Moon Eye Plan of the Infinite Tsukuyomi..."
"In terms of timing, the original content left by that bastard Hagoromo Otsutsuki on the stone tablet does not mention my name at all..."
"If nothing unexpected happens, and the two pieces are largely similar, there's no way that the Senju Clan's piece of tree bark would mention my name either..."
As long as it doesn't mention its name...
There's still room for salvaging everything!
Black Zetsu's mood suddenly relaxed as it slowly found a way to expose the real history on the tree bark and how to convince Uchiha Madara.
"Firstly, I can't hide this from Madara because Akihara Kagura, the descendant of the Senju Clan, must have already seen the tree bark. He must have already known about the history of the Ninja World from the tree bark. Even if I hide it from Madara, it won't stop that Senju Clan descendant from leaking the secret..."
"Secondly, if Madara really doubts the truth of the history, use the rhetoric he likes to lure him. The Uchiha and Senju Clans are inherently opposing entities. All of this still needs to be considered in detail once the content of the Senju Clan's tree bark is seen..."
"As long as my identity remains secret..."
"To me, everything is still within controllable limits."
Black Zetsu hid underground, the corners of its mouth curving into a sinister smile: "To Madara, I am the will he brought forth, and I will not deceive him..."
"Now..."
"First, find a way to get the tree bark..."
"Only by getting the Senju Clan's tree bark can I learn the secrets on it and find a way to understand Akihara Kagura's thoughts..."
Black Zetsu immediately formulated its plan, assessing Konoha's situation. Akihara Kagura was controlling the Second and Fourth Hokages, who were reanimated, to fight over that piece of Senju Clan's tree bark, while Konoha ninjas wanted to protect it from being taken!
So then...
Who would care about Nagato!
Black Zetsu's thoughts shifted quietly toward Nagato. It intended to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the vacant Konoha Hospital to manipulate Nagato to resurrect Uchiha Madara!
On the other side.
The battle over the piece of Senju Clan's tree bark continued.
Because this piece of bark might very well record the great secrets of the Ninja World, and perhaps even point out a way to solve this crisis.
Otherwise...
Akihara Kagura would never allow two Hokages to compete over this piece of bark!
"Do you need my help?"
Kabuto looked at Tsunade, raised his finger, and looking at Senju Tobirama and Namikaze Minato, who were forced into the competition over the tree bark, offered: "I should be able to hold them off a bit..."
"Alright."
Tsunade nodded slowly.
Akihara Kagura's actions to destroy the Ninja World and recreate it would certainly stir dissatisfaction among many people in the Ninja World. It wasn't surprising if Kabuto betrayed him...
"..."
Kabuto raised his brow slightly.
Although he didn't know the whole truth, he knew at least one thing — Kagura would never harm him and Dean Yakushi Nonou.
And besides...
Kagura surely wasn't really intending to take that piece of tree bark.
Because that so-called Senju Clan's tree bark was personally handed over to him by Akihara Kagura so he could hand it over to Fifth Hokage Tsunade.
So...
This was a strategy.
Kagura wanted everyone to realize the value of the tree bark.
"Can we use the Reanimation Summoning to bring Katou Dan Jonin?"
Kabuto very politely asked Tsunade.
"There's no need!"
Jiraiya interrupted Kabuto, still entangled with his disciple Namikaze Minato: "I can take care of Minato!"
"Teacher..."
Namikaze Minato felt slightly helpless.
If he hadn't been holding back, his teacher would've been taken down long ago! This was not the time for niceties!
"Never mind."
Tsunade shook her head slightly and said softly, "If possible, let Dan return to the Netherworld, don't disturb the soul of the deceased..."
"Alright."
Kabuto complied effortlessly.
Atop the building in Konoha.
Nagato raised his finger, planning to perform a Summoning for the Pain Six Paths.
However, concerned about Nagato's health, Konan offered to help: "Nagato, this is a crucial moment, the future still needs you to fight against Akihara Kagura. Now is not the time to recklessly use the Pain Six Paths, I'll go down first to help eliminate the enemy..."
"Okay."
Nagato finally nodded reassuringly.
Konan's paper flew as she leapt down from the building, sending countless sheets of paper toward Second Hokage Senju Tobirama and Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato!
The two Hokages were forced back instantly by her paper!
Because the paper could serve not only as Paper Shurikens but also as binding forces, once the countless sheets adhered to them, they would restrict their movements!
The battle on the field swiftly turned with the addition of Konan and Kabuto, and Konoha promptly blocked the attacks of the Second and Fourth Hokages!
In the next moment.
A transformation atop the Konoha building startled everyone!
A shadow as black as ink fell from the ceiling, sticking directly onto Nagato. Half of Nagato's body was his, while the other half was already enveloped in a layer of dark, bizarre substance; Black Zetsu had taken the opportunity to attach itself to Nagato!
"What is this thing!"
"Lord Nagato, are you alright!"
"What happened!"
Tsunade felt a chill in her heart, fearing an accident might befall Nagato!
If this piece of tree bark could potentially unearth the secrets held by Akihara Kagura, then Nagato, with his Rinnegan, was undoubtedly their hope to defeat Akihara Kagura!
The Second and Fourth Hokages seemed to have noticed the developments atop the Konoha Hospital, instantly leaving the battlefield to check the situation upstairs!
Other ninjas also jumped onto the roof, worried about potential mishaps with Nagato and his Rinnegan, especially Konan, who had just descended to assist, swiftly unfolded her paper wings and returned almost instantly!
"Don't panic..."
Nagato calmed everyone down, feeling anxious himself, yet strived to reassure the startled ninjas protecting him: "This guy is a member of the Akatsuki Organization, lacking combat strength, no need to worry..."
"Do not act rashly..."
Black Zetsu chuckled hoarsely, surveying everyone present, warning them not to act hastily: "If you kill me, Nagato will also die instantly..."
"Zetsu..."
Konan questioned Black Zetsu in a cold voice: "What are you trying to do! Help Akihara Kagura take Nagato's Rinnegan?"
"Certainly not..."
"These Rinnegan are not Nagato's property..."
Black Zetsu smirked with half of its face, opening its mouth slowly: "Nagato, did you think the heavens favored you, allowing you to awaken these Sage Eyes?"
"You all should know that the origin of the Rinnegan comes from the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan. As a mere descendant of the Uzumaki Clan, how could you possibly have obtained these eyes?"
"Nagato..."
"These eyes belong to Madara..."
"You are merely a tool to nurture the Rinnegan and execute the plan for Madara..."