Zetsu now felt deeply troubled by Sora.
Her capabilities were simply beyond his imagination.
It was as if he stood naked before her, completely exposed to her scrutiny.
After regaining his composure, Zetsu said to Sora: "You promised Madara before that as long as we paid you, you would help Obito. I came to ask if you still honor this promise."
Sora guessed: "Oh? Could it be that Uchiha Obito wants me to help him extract the Nine-Tails and then invade Konoha with him?"
Zetsu was shocked to his core.
Sora even knew about Uchiha Obito's plan. How was this possible?
Seeing Zetsu's shocked expression, Sora sneered: "Why do you look so surprised? Isn't it obvious? You came to me now, when Konoha's Nine-Tails Jinchūriki is pregnant and about to give birth, asking about my promise. It would be strange if I couldn't figure it out."
After recovering from his shock, Zetsu asked solemnly: "So, do you agree?"
Sora responded: "What price can you offer?"
Zetsu replied: "I don't know what reward you want, so just name it."
Sora waved her hand dismissively. "Forget it. It's impossible for me to help you invade Konoha. If that's all you came for, there's nothing to discuss."
Sora had promised Uzumaki Mito that she would never initiate hostility against Konoha.
She had no intention of breaking this promise.
Zetsu heard Sora's firm refusal but wasn't concerned.
After all, his purpose wasn't actually to get Sora to help Uchiha Obito invade Konoha.
Now Zetsu had confirmed from Sora's attitude that the promise between her and Uchiha Madara still stood.
Otherwise, Sora wouldn't have simply rejected him—she would have attacked immediately.
Zetsu said: "No assistance is needed. You just need to avoid interfering with Obito."
Sora narrowed her eyes slightly. "Oh? I might consider not taking action against Uchiha Obito, but... if he invades Konoha and I do nothing, people will become suspicious."
Hearing Sora relent, Zetsu quickly said: "I can arrange for people to fight with you, but on one condition—you can't kill them!"
Sora sneered: "I haven't agreed to anything yet, but go ahead and explain the details first."
Zetsu's expression froze. "Then what reward do you want?"
Sora held up two fingers. "I don't want much. I want a sufficient amount of chakra receiver rods and ten White Zetsu clones."
Zetsu frowned. "What do you want White Zetsu for?"
"Why should I explain my reasons to you?" Sora replied with irritation.
Zetsu pondered for a moment before agreeing. "Alright, I can provide this reward. Shall we discuss the details now?"
Sora nodded. "As you said, arrange opponents for me—at least enough to make others believe I'm genuinely fighting. Otherwise, it will be difficult for me to explain my inaction. The extent of our cooperation is limited to me not interfering with Uchiha Obito. I can't guarantee anything beyond that. Now, continue."
Zetsu said: "Since we need to provide you with opponents, they can't be unknown ninjas. I'll arrange for two Elite Jōnin-level shinobi to fight you. Their combined strength will definitely help maintain your cover, but you cannot kill them.
Afterward, Obito will come to speak with you personally and bring your reward. However, his current identity is 'Uchiha Madara,' so you should not reveal his true identity.
These are my two conditions. Do you agree?"
Sora thought for a while before nodding. "Okay."
"When our cooperation is concluded, I'll report to Obito."
Zetsu didn't want to remain there a second longer and prepared to leave immediately.
As Zetsu was about to sink into the ground, Sora warned: "Let me be clear—there won't be a next time. If you come near my house again, I will definitely kill you!"
Zetsu glanced at Sora and replied, "Understood!"
He then dove underground and used the Mayfly Technique to escape.
Sora returned home, dismissed her Shadow Clone, and continued watching TV with Uzumaki Kushina as if nothing had happened.
...
Somewhere in the Land of Fire.
Zetsu emerged from the ground, leaned against a tree trunk, and breathed heavily.
A wave of fear washed over him.
If Sora had wanted to seal him right then and there, she could have already...
He didn't dare imagine the consequences.
Zetsu kept wondering how Sora knew all these things, but he couldn't figure out how she could possibly have this information.
Black Zetsu, who had always been the mastermind treating everyone as pawns, felt for the first time that things were spiraling out of his control.
"This woman... is truly frightening..."
Black Zetsu considered how he might deal with Sora.
He needed to arrange two people as Sora's opponents. His candidates were Kakuzu and Hoshigaki Kisame.
But Black Zetsu knew that even together, Kakuzu and Hoshigaki Kisame were no match for Sora.
He had observed Sora's battles several times since becoming aware of her.
Unparalleled speed, mastery of ninjutsu beyond Wind Style, genjutsu proficiency, the Mangekyō Sharingan's dual abilities, and Susanoo...
Even the current Nagato and all six Paths of Pain together might not be able to defeat Sora.
The Akatsuki organization was still developing, and Kakuzu and Hoshigaki Kisame were important members who couldn't be sacrificed yet.
Sora's strength was overwhelming—it seemed no one could challenge her directly.
Her only weakness right now was Uzumaki Kushina.
But Black Zetsu didn't dare touch Kushina at all.
If he harmed Uzumaki Kushina and provoked Sora into a desperate attack, his plan would completely collapse. He himself might be sealed by Sora, and then all his efforts over the past thousand years would be for nothing.
Zetsu exhaled deeply.
For now, he could only proceed one step at a time and look for opportunities later.
Zetsu left the Land of Fire and headed toward the Village Hidden in the Rain.
Five days later, Zetsu located Pain in the Hidden Rain Village.
He explained Uchiha Obito's plan to Pain and requested to borrow Kakuzu.
When Pain heard that Uchiha Obito intended to capture the Nine-Tails and destroy Konoha in the process, he raised no objections and agreed to lend Kakuzu.
After all, capturing the Nine-Tails and destroying Konoha served his interests as well, so he had no reason to refuse.
Moreover, he had faced Sora himself, and the memory of her power remained vivid in his mind. Being well-prepared was indeed necessary.
After securing Nagato's agreement, Zetsu immediately departed from the Hidden Rain Village and rushed toward Kirigakure.
Only two months remained before Uchiha Obito needed to go to Konoha to meet Yahiko, so he had to hurry.
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