Chapter 77: A New Order (Patreon)

Drip… drip…

Condensed water droplets seeped from the cave walls, falling into shallow puddles.

The space within the cavern began to distort into a vortex, as if a calm water surface had been stirred by a hand. A black figure silently manifested. Long black hair, similar to Madara Uchiha's in life, flowed down his back, but the face was hidden behind a black-patterned, orange single-eyed mask, revealing only one cold, crimson Sharingan.

"..."

The moment he entered the cave, Obito Uchiha caught the strong scent of blood. His eyes immediately sharpened as he looked ahead, only to see Nagato's mobility apparatus—which he could never leave—standing empty. Fresh, undried blood stains marked its surface. The ground beneath his feet was soaked with a glaring dark red.

"What happened?"

Zetsu emerged from the ground, its upper body appearing. Seeing the scene, it was also taken aback. Without a doubt, Nagato had encountered trouble.

"Ara ara~! Is that 'Lord Madara' back?"

Just as Obito's heart filled with unease and rising anger, a voice, unnervingly cheerful and utterly out of place with the atmosphere, suddenly spoke up from behind him.

Hearing it, Obito whirled around. There, peeking out from the shadows of the cave tunnel, was the Spiral Zetsu, Tobi. It still had its index finger pressed to its lips in that innocent, harmless pose, but it gave Obito an inexplicable and intense sense of wrongness.

"Tobi!"

His voice, hoarse and low, filtered through the mask, icy enough to freeze blood. "Where is Nagato? What happened here?"

'Didn't Zetsu leave Tobi here to guard Nagato? Why is Nagato gone, but Tobi is still here?'

"Arare? Nagato?"

Tobi tilted its spiral-patterned head, as if pondering how to answer. Just as Obito took an impatient step forward, he suddenly heard Tobi's voice change.

"Isn't Nagato... standing right in front of you?"

The same cold words issued from "Tobi's" body. Then, under Obito's instantly constricting gaze, the spiral-shaped head unfurled like pale petals. Within, a pair of Rinnegan, deep as bottomless pools, met the single Mangekyō Sharingan with utter indifference.

Under the oppressive gaze of those Rinnegan, the expression behind Obito's mask froze rigid.

"Nagato... it's you..." His face twitched. "You're... standing?"

"Yes. Thanks to you, in fact."

Nagato slowly stepped fully out of the shadows. Only then could Obito and Black Zetsu see the black rods still embedded in his back.

Nagato looked down at this body that could now walk freely on the earth. A flicker of complex emotion passed through his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by cold detachment as he raised his head to look at the so-called "Madara" before him.

"What did you do to Tobi?" Obito demanded, his voice heavy as he regained his composure. "What exactly happened?"

"Nothing much," Nagato replied calmly. "I fought Hanzō and was injured. This White Zetsu named Tobi helped me. Now, it's... willingly staying with me."

Willingly...

The White Zetsu half of Zetsu twitched at the corner of its mouth, knowing full well Nagato was talking nonsense. With Tobi's restless, hyperactive personality, it was impossible for it to willingly become a mere tool, content to be worn by Nagato like this. Clearly, Nagato had used some method to control Tobi, preventing it from separating.

"You..."

Obito had obviously guessed as well. He frowned, opening his mouth to say something. But before he could speak, Nagato interrupted.

"This White Zetsu allows me to walk freely. It will make carrying out our plans much more convenient."

Nagato raised a hand, clenching and unclenching his fist, then looked at Obito with a slight smile. "As the true leader of the Akatsuki, I assume you won't mind me taking a mere White Zetsu, right?"

A mere White Zetsu?

Tobi was a special individual with crucial abilities! This damned Nagato just snatched it away!

Obito's face behind the mask darkened instantly, but he couldn't voice a refusal or objection. He could see the coldness in Nagato's eyes. He guessed Nagato was angry about him concealing the White Zetsu's capabilities, perhaps even on the verge of an open break.

Obito genuinely hadn't wanted Nagato to gain the ability to walk freely. In his view, Nagato, as a vessel for those eyes, only needed to function as a tool. That's why he hadn't told Nagato about the true value of the White Zetsus, nor had he used their bodies to replace Nagato's crippled legs. But now... it seemed that wish was dashed.

"Of course... I don't mind. It's just a White Zetsu, after all."

Obito forcibly suppressed the frustration in his heart, resuming his usual calm, detached demeanor. "I simply didn't expect it could allow you to stand. Congratulations."

Hearing this, Nagato gave him a deep, searching look, his mind involuntarily recalling the words of that 'Kage.'

If it were the old, deceived Nagato, he wouldn't have doubted for a second. Even in his past interactions with "Madara," Nagato had always been in a subordinate position. The true leader of the Akatsuki was actually "Madara." But now, after the verbal guidance from Hyūga Kumokawa and 'the figure on the bone mountain', Nagato couldn't help but see the "Madara" before him as highly suspicious.

No, not just suspicious... even somewhat... affected. As if desperately trying to mimic someone's bearing but utterly lacking that person's essence and imposing presence, only managing to copy the voice and appearance.

Could it really be as 'Kage' said? Is this guy... not Madara Uchiha at all? A shadow of doubt deepened in Nagato's eyes.

"By the way."

Obito felt unnerved under Nagato's scrutinizing gaze. Worried he might see through the façade, he forcibly changed the subject. "What about Hanzō and Amegakure?"

"Hanzō has agreed to cooperate. He has officially joined the Akatsuki," Nagato stated flatly.

"..." Obito fell silent once more, taking a moment before replying with a tone of bewilderment, "You're saying... cooperation? Joining forces?"

'Cooperating with the sworn enemy responsible for Yahiko's death? Making peace with the very Hanzō you've always despised?'

"Yes." Nagato nodded, stating frankly, "Konan has also been sent to assist Hanzō. Now that I've regained my mobility, I no longer need Konan by my side constantly. For future actions, Amegakure will operate in the open while the Akatsuki works in the shadows. This arrangement is more advantageous for us..."

Obito and Zetsu stood frozen in place, staring at the calmly speaking Nagato before them, both feeling as if they were under some kind of genjutsu.

What on earth had happened here while we were away?! This guy Nagato not only didn't kill Hanzō but actually allowed him to join the Akatsuki, and even sent Konan to Hanzō's side?

They had only been gone for a single day, yet it felt as if everything had changed, slipping completely out of their control.

"Wait a minute, Nagato!" Obito finally couldn't help but interrupt Nagato's words. "Are you sure Hanzō can be trusted? He collaborated with Danzō, you know!"

"You should understand, I wouldn't joke about our plans." Nagato's tone was devoid of fluctuation. "Rest assured, his life is currently in my hands."

Hearing this, Obito could say no more. An indescribable discomfort still churned within him, yet he understood that Nagato wouldn't jest about such matters. Though he still couldn't comprehend why Nagato had spared Hanzō, Nagato must have genuinely secured a hold over Hanzō's lifeline rather than simply gone mad. The situation... was still under control.

"Although the process had its twists, Amegakure is now in our hands. As per our previous agreement, it's time to help you fulfill your long-cherished wish."

Looking at Obito, who had let out a sigh of relief, Nagato's tone remained as calm as ever: "So, what do we do next?"

Seeing that Nagato still remembered their pact, Obito suppressed the turbulent emotions in his heart and forced himself to calm down.

Fine. After all, the ninja world's current situation is volatile. With Nagato having regained his mobility, it actually better ensures the smooth progress of their plan. Regardless, their immediate goal is aligned: to capture the nine Tailed Beasts. Just as Nagato turns a blind eye to my actions, as long as Nagato continues executing the plan to seize the Tailed Beasts, I can also take a step back and not truly break with him.

Though their ultimate aims differed and they were destined to clash, that time could not be now.

"First, we need to recruit members for the 'Akatsuki'."

Obito took the initiative, speaking according to the original plan: "Aside from me, we should find ten more people. Current Akatsuki members include you, Konan, Zetsu..."

"And Hanzō," Nagato added before asking, "Why aren't you counting yourself?"

"..."

A vein bulged on Obito's forehead beneath his mask. Suppressing the irritation and unease in his heart, he continued, "I'll join when the time is right. For now, the Akatsuki will be led by you."

This was clearly a declaration of ownership. Nagato didn't mind, his expression remaining calm.

"I currently have two candidates in mind."

Obito raised two fingers: "First, Kakuzu from Takigakure, who stole the village's forbidden techniques and transformed into an immortal ninja. And second, Sasori from Sunagakure, a puppet prodigy who betrayed his village."

"Those two?" Nagato also knew some information about Kakuzu and Sasori. He nodded and said, "Acceptable. They have the qualifications to join the Akatsuki. Let Hanzō and Konan handle their recruitment."

Hearing this, Obito frowned tightly and asked, "You're not going to intervene?"

"I also have a candidate in mind."

Nagato's tone was calm and indifferent as he looked at Zetsu beside Obito: "You mentioned before that a very powerful 'monster' emerged from the Land of Hot Water, correct?"

Hearing this, Black Zetsu, who had been maintaining his image of being tight-lipped, suddenly opened his eyes wide. Looking at the Nagato before him, he instantly felt a sense of foreboding.

"While I was curious before about what kind of person could be called a 'monster' by Zetsu, I had to put aside my curiosity due to my limited mobility at the time."

As Black Zetsu had feared, Nagato continued: "Now that I've regained my mobility, I should go see this so-called monster and determine if he has the qualifications to join the Akatsuki..."

"No!"

Before Nagato could finish, a hoarse voice interrupted him.