Not long ago, in a dark corner not far from the valley where Shimura Danzō and Hanzo of the Salamander were fighting.
A masked Uchiha Obito and Black Zetsu hid within the shadows, silently observing the situation unfold.
"Tsk tsk… Hanzo actually kidnapped Konan to threaten Nagato and Yahiko."
Black Zetsu glanced at the scene below, then looked at the silent Obito beside him, speaking with faintly suggestive undertones.
"I have to say… that guy is truly a pure ninja."
Obito did not notice the subtle mockery in Black Zetsu's tone. His voice was low and calm.
"That's even better. It will allow Nagato to experience the darkness of this world more deeply."
Black Zetsu almost couldn't suppress his laughter.
In his mind, perhaps only when this brat Uchiha Obito eventually learned the final truth would he understand what real darkness meant.
For now, in Black Zetsu's eyes, Obito was nothing more than an inexperienced youth forcing melancholy upon himself.
"They're here!"
Obito suddenly tensed as he looked toward the entrance of the valley.
Nagato and Yahiko had appeared.
A cold smile curled beneath Obito's mask, while Black Zetsu also focused his attention.
They had been waiting eagerly for the events that were about to unfold.
But soon—
both of their expressions froze.
The development of events had completely exceeded their expectations.
"Why?"
"Why would Hanzo attack the people supporting Danzō?!"
Obito could not understand Hanzo's decision at all.
"Could it be that Hanzo wants to protect Nagato and the others?"
"That's impossible. Someone like Hanzo—a ruler—would never do something like that."
Obito frowned deeply, racking his brain, yet finding no answer.
Black Zetsu, however, had lived for thousands of years.
After thinking for a moment, he seemed to grasp a faint clue.
"Perhaps," Black Zetsu said slowly, "Hanzo's vision is far more far-sighted than we imagined."
Obito paused.
"What do you mean?"
Black Zetsu explained based on his own reasoning.
"Looking at the current situation in the Land of Rain, cooperating with Shimura Danzō could indeed bring Hanzo certain benefits."
"But benefits always come with risks."
"Working with Danzō—the infamous Darkness of the Shinobi World—is no different from seeking profit while standing beside a tiger."
"You should know that many of Konoha's policies restricting the development of the Land of Rain were proposed by Danzō himself."
"So if Hanzo cooperates with Danzō, he might gain some advantages in the short term."
"But once Konoha frees up its hands, the Land of Rain will inevitably pay a much heavier price."
"And more importantly…"
"The situation inside Konohagakure itself."
As Black Zetsu spoke, his tone became increasingly confident.
"The situation in Konoha?" Obito asked in confusion. "What does that have to do with this?"
"Of course it does."
Black Zetsu shook his head slightly.
"If the will of Konoha's current leadership could be compared to a fierce tiger, then Shimura Danzō is that tiger's claws and fangs."
"As for Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others—their personalities are far too soft."
"If Danzō were gone, the leadership of Konoha would become like a toothless tiger—impressive on the outside, but hollow within."
"And under their rule, Konoha itself would inevitably grow weaker."
"Its foreign policy would lean more toward compromise."
"From a long-term perspective, such a Konoha would actually be more beneficial for the future development of the Land of Rain."
"Hanzo must have realized this—"
"Which is why he made such a choice."
Obito nodded slowly.
His doubts lessened somewhat, but he still frowned.
"But hasn't it been rumored in Konoha that the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, is about to step down?"
"The candidates for Fourth Hokage are supposedly Orochimaru and… Minato Namikaze."
"Once the new Hokage takes office, won't the will of Konoha's leadership change as well?"
"How can Hanzo be certain that Konoha's foreign policy won't become even more aggressive under the new Hokage?"
The news of Hiruzen stepping down was not exactly a secret in Konoha.
And in order to compete for the Fourth Hokage position, the supporters of Orochimaru and Minato Namikaze had been actively promoting their candidates.
Naturally, intelligence about this had already spread to the other villages.
Black Zetsu thought for a moment before speaking.
"In truth, there is no real competition."
"Orochimaru has already lost the possibility of becoming Hokage."
"The Fourth Hokage will most likely be Minato Namikaze."
Obito frowned.
"Why?"
"The reason lies in the change in Hiruzen Sarutobi's attitude," Black Zetsu replied.
"Logically speaking, Minato shouldn't even have the qualifications to compete with Orochimaru."
"His political foundation simply isn't strong enough."
"The reason Minato can now compete—and even hold the advantage—is entirely because of Hiruzen's support."
"Compared to Hiruzen… Orochimaru is still far too inexperienced."
Obito grew even more confused.
"But Orochimaru is Hiruzen's direct disciple. Shouldn't Hiruzen support him?"
Black Zetsu snorted coldly.
"So what if he's a disciple?"
"In the face of power, even a biological son might be forced to step aside."
"Compared to Orochimaru, who already has deep roots and influence, Minato—whose political foundation is weak—is far easier to control."
"Even if Minato becomes Hokage, he won't have enough loyal followers to control the entire village."
"And that gives Hiruzen the perfect excuse to keep his own people in their positions."
Obito's expression darkened.
"So Hiruzen is supporting Minato just to create a puppet Hokage?"
"More or less," Black Zetsu nodded.
"So when that time comes, the will of Konoha's leadership will still be Hiruzen's will."
"I must admit…"
"We underestimated Hanzo before."
"If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I might never have realized this."
Even Black Zetsu felt somewhat impressed.
Today, he had learned something new.
"The power struggles between these people are disgusting."
Obito gritted his teeth, his voice filled with resentment.
Black Zetsu was about to say something to comfort him—
when he suddenly noticed something.
"Wait!"
"That Nagato… is a Shadow Clone!"
"A Shadow Clone?"
Obito looked again just in time to see Nagato disperse into smoke.
"When did that happen?"
"I don't know…" Black Zetsu shook his head.
"He hasn't formed any hand seals recently, which means the Shadow Clone must have been created earlier."
"Perhaps after learning of Danzō's plan, they deliberately kept Nagato's real body away just in case."
"In other words…"
"Nagato's real body should still be at the Akatsuki base camp."
Obito watched Yahiko and Konan fleeing into the distance.
Soon, he made a decision.
"Let's go."
"We'll follow them and take a look."
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