Not long before the clash between Danzō Shimura and Hanzō, in a shadowed corner overlooking the valley—
Two figures stood concealed within the darkness.
One wore a spiral-patterned mask.
The other was a strange being split down the middle—half black, half white.
They watched the battlefield in silence.
"Hmm… Hanzō actually kidnapped Konan to threaten Nagato and Yahiko," Black Zetsu said, his tone laced with faint amusement as he glanced at the masked man. "You have to admit… that's a very 'pure' kind of shinobi."
The mockery beneath his words was subtle.
The masked man didn't react.
"All the better," he said coldly. "The deeper Nagato experiences this world's darkness… the closer he'll come to understanding the truth."
Black Zetsu's lips twitched slightly.
Truth?
If this boy ever learned what true despair looked like, he wouldn't be speaking so lightly.
For now, in Zetsu's eyes—
He was nothing more than a child, dressing tragedy in grand ideals.
"They're here."
The masked man's posture shifted slightly.
At the entrance to the valley, two figures appeared.
Orange hair.
Red hair.
Yahiko and Nagato.
Behind the mask, Obito's lips curled faintly.
Black Zetsu straightened as well.
They had been waiting for this moment.
But—
In the next instant—
Both of them froze.
"What…?"
Obito's voice sharpened.
"Why is Hanzō attacking Danzō?!"
This wasn't right.
This wasn't how things were supposed to unfold.
Hanzō was meant to cooperate with Danzō—not turn on him.
"Is he trying to protect them?" Obito muttered, his brows tightening beneath the mask. "Impossible. A man like Hanzō wouldn't risk everything for a group of idealistic children."
He couldn't make sense of it.
But Black Zetsu—
After a brief moment of silence—
Saw a different angle.
"…Perhaps," he said slowly, "Hanzō is thinking further ahead than we gave him credit for."
Obito turned toward him.
"What do you mean?"
"In the short term, cooperating with Danzō benefits Amegakure," Zetsu began. "But every gain comes with a cost."
"Danzō represents Konoha's darkness. To work with him is to invite future trouble."
"Many of the policies that have restricted the Land of Rain's development came from him."
"If Hanzō aligns with Danzō now, Rain may gain temporary leverage… but once Konoha stabilizes, the price will be far greater."
Obito listened in silence.
Zetsu continued.
"And more importantly… Konoha's internal politics."
Obito frowned. "What does that have to do with this?"
"Everything."
"If Konoha is a beast," Zetsu said calmly, "then Danzō is its claws."
"Remove him… and what remains is far less threatening."
"A leadership under Hiruzen Sarutobi alone would prioritize stability over aggression."
"In the long run, that benefits Amegakure."
Obito's gaze darkened slightly.
It made sense.
But—
"There are rumors," he said slowly, "that the Third Hokage will step down. The next Hokage will be either Orochimaru or Minato Namikaze."
"What if the new Hokage takes a harder stance?"
Black Zetsu gave a faint, dismissive snort.
"There is no real contest."
"Orochimaru has already lost."
"The Fourth Hokage will almost certainly be Minato."
"Why?" Obito asked.
"Because Hiruzen changed his mind."
"Minato lacks foundation. Compared to Orochimaru, he is easier to influence."
"He has fewer allies. Less political weight."
"A Hokage in title…"
"…while the old guard retains real control."
Obito's expression darkened further.
"So they want a puppet."
"More or less."
"Even if Minato becomes Hokage, Konoha's direction will still be shaped by Hiruzen and the elders."
Zetsu paused briefly before continuing.
"Hanzō likely understands this."
"If Danzō dies, Konoha weakens strategically."
"If Danzō lives, Amegakure remains constrained."
"This… is a calculated choice."
Obito clenched his fists.
"Disgusting," he muttered. "All of it."
Zetsu was about to respond—
When something suddenly caught his attention.
"Wait."
Obito followed his gaze.
Nagato—
Burst into smoke.
"…A shadow clone?" Obito said sharply.
Zetsu's eyes narrowed.
"He didn't form hand seals during the fight. That means the clone was prepared beforehand."
"Then the real Nagato…" Obito murmured.
"…is still at their base," Zetsu finished.
Obito's gaze shifted toward the retreating figures of Yahiko and Konan.
A decision formed instantly.
"Let's follow them."
If the real body remained behind—
Then that was where the true opportunity lay.
And in the Land of Rain—
Opportunities like this did not come twice.
Read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon -> patreon.com/warewolvesTL