However, what troubled Black Zetsu was how to drive a wedge between Ashura and Mandala. These two were not as easy to manipulate as Indra, and stirring up enough hatred between them would be difficult.
"I've got it. Since I can't start with them directly, then I'll incite a full-scale war between Indra and Ashura. I remember that old man Shōkai in Ashura's Ninja Sect is still alive. He's lived even longer than Hagoromo. Although his strength is less than a tenth of what it once was, if I kill him and frame Indra and his allies, Ashura will definitely launch an all-out war. Furthermore, Shōkai is Garuda's and Mandala's mentor, and can even be considered half a teacher to them. With that, all the conditions will be met!"
In the end, Black Zetsu chose Shōkai, the eldest disciple of Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, as his target.
Shōkai was someone Hagoromo had met during his journey to bring peace to the world. Not only was he Hagoromo's first disciple, but he was also the very first person to receive Chakra. His status within the Ninja Sect was second only to the Six Paths Sage himself.
"Ashura, have you truly thought this through? If you are prepared, then I can tell you the locations of the Nine Tailed Beasts at any time."
Inside a quiet room, the white-haired Shōkai sat with his eyes closed while Ashura stood respectfully before him.
Ashura had come because he sensed the threat posed by Isamu. Desperate to increase his strength, he had set his sights on the Nine Tailed Beasts. He hoped to follow in his father's footsteps and seal a Tailed Beast within himself to rapidly enhance his power.
Since Hagoromo had already passed away, Shōkai was the only person who still knew the exact locations of the beasts.
"Yes, I am ready. Brother Indra recently gained the support of a powerful ally, and I can already feel the pressure. I must become stronger as quickly as possible. Otherwise, I will lose. If that happens, the world will fall under Brother Indra's rule. Given his philosophy, I can't imagine what consequences that would bring."
Hearing Ashura's words, Shōkai slowly opened his eyes.
A sharp glint flashed within his aged gaze.
"Ashura, although your talent was never equal to Indra's when you were young, you are a late bloomer. Don't think I haven't noticed. If the two of you truly fought without restraint, you would actually be slightly stronger than him."
He paused before continuing.
"However, every battle ends in a draw because you continue to show mercy due to your brotherly affection. Have you ever considered whether that's truly the right choice?"
"One mountain cannot hold two tigers. As long as both of you exist, this war will never end. More and more innocent people will continue to die."
"I am not encouraging you to commit fratricide. But when faced with a matter that concerns the fate of the entire world, I hope you will make the correct decision."
"Just like Lord Hagoromo. He entrusted the Ninja Sect to you because he recognized your wisdom. Therefore, I hope you will carefully consider my words."
"Uncle Shōkai…"
Ashura frowned.
He understood exactly what Shōkai was implying.
The years he spent with Indra had been the happiest of his life. Asking him to abandon those feelings was not something he could do easily.
After a long silence, Ashura sighed.
"I understand. In future battles, I will no longer hold back. And if necessary… I will make defeating Indra my highest priority."
Yet even as he spoke, Ashura knew he could not truly bring himself to kill his brother.
In truth, Indra was no different.
No matter how fiercely they fought, they were still brothers.
Each battle ended with both sides subconsciously leaving an escape route for the other.
If Indra had truly become the ruthless warmonger everyone believed him to be, he would have awakened the Rinnegan long ago. It was precisely because he still loved his brother that he remained unable to cross that final threshold.
Shōkai merely shook his head.
He knew Ashura's nature too well.
Although Ashura had agreed verbally, he still lacked the resolve to kill Indra.
"Lord Hagoromo… allow me to do this one final favor for you. I cannot allow your Ninja Sect to be destroyed by your eldest son."
Shōkai silently made his decision.
His lifespan was nearly exhausted. Otherwise, he would never have revealed the locations of the Nine Tailed Beasts so readily.
With little time left, he wished to do one final thing for his late master.
After obtaining the locations, Ashura happily set off to gather the Nine Tailed Beasts, completely unaware that Shōkai had already begun planning behind the scenes—even if his intentions were ultimately for Ashura's sake.
However, just as Ashura completed his ten-day journey and successfully gathered all nine Tailed Beasts, devastating news reached him.
"Lord Ashura! This is terrible!"
A Ninja Sect member rushed into the training grounds in a panic.
"Lord Shōkai has been killed! Someone broke into his residence last night and murdered him!"
"I never expected that old man Shōkai would have the same idea as me. But that's fine—it saves me some effort."
Inside a dark cave, Black Zetsu was in an exceptionally good mood.
The previous night, he had secretly infiltrated the Ninja Sect mountain with the intention of assassinating Shōkai.
To his surprise, the old man had discovered him before he could strike.
Black Zetsu had nearly fled in panic.
Yet instead of attacking, the dying Shōkai had requested that Black Zetsu frame Indra for his death.
Naturally, Black Zetsu had no intention of following those wishes.
After Shōkai died, Black Zetsu altered the scene and deliberately left evidence pointing toward Isamu instead.
After all, in his eyes, Ashura could deal with Indra.
But Isamu was the greatest obstacle to his plans.
He had to be eliminated first.
"Hehehe… now all that's left is to enjoy the show."
Black Zetsu's eerie laughter echoed through the cave.
"I wonder what Ashura's reaction will be when he discovers that Isamu is supposedly responsible for Shōkai's death?"
His pitch-black body trembled with excitement.
The trap had been set.
Now he only had to wait for someone to step into it.
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