Ninja World.
Land of Fire.
Konoha.
On the bustling streets, Jiraiya looked noticeably downcast.
He wasn't truly angry with Bai Ye.
This whole situation had nothing to do with him.
Bai Ye hadn't ordered the rabbit to do anything either.
The only reason he'd gone to complain to Bai Ye was because the elder sage, Fukasaku—his long-time mentor—had been the one who taught him Senjutsu.
Jiraiya had always been distantly respectful toward the Great Toad Sage, who had given him cryptic prophecies from time to time.
The prophecy of the "Child of Destiny"—the one destined to bring either salvation or destruction to the ninja world—was what initially drove him to mentor promising youths.
Nagato, Yahiko, and Konan were once such hopes.
Minato had sacrificed himself for the village.
The three students from Amegakure—he hadn't contacted in years.
Recently, he had begun teaching Naruto, sensing potential in the boy.
But something strange had happened.
During his last visit to Mount Myōboku, the Great Toad Sage gave him a dire warning:
A calamity is brewing... Konoha harbors a hidden darkness... The fate of the world hinges on guiding the Child of Destiny properly.
He even suggested bringing Naruto to Mount Myōboku for long-term training.
Jiraiya had considered it—until tragedy struck.
The Great Toad Sage had been annihilated.
Not just killed—completely obliterated by that rabbit creature at Bai Ye's side.
Even the ashes had been scattered.
What kind of resentment could fuel such an attack?
Jiraiya sighed. His emotions were conflicted.
He was close with Fukasaku, not so much the Great Toad Sage.
But now he stood between two powers—Mount Myōboku and Bai Ye.
He knew that Bai Ye had no intention of hiding the rabbit.
In fact, Bai Ye often let her wander freely, even in public.
Mount Myōboku's remaining elders had likely taken offense and retaliated.
Perhaps they underestimated her strength—and paid the price.
"I just hope Fukasaku doesn't try anything rash..." Jiraiya muttered, rubbing his temples.
Feeling stressed, he made a detour into one of his favorite "establishments" to relieve tension.
Even if it was to honor the Great Toad Sage's death in his own way, he deserved a little distraction.
He knew, however, that this would never damage his bond with Bai Ye.
Summoning beasts were still beasts, after all.
And among beasts, power was everything.
The strong ruled, and the weak perished.
The Great Toad Sage was powerful, yes—but not invincible.
If Mount Myōboku wanted revenge, they needed to be strong enough to earn it.
Jiraiya snorted as he entered the red-light district.
"Good luck with that," he muttered.
---
Land of Rain.
A village abandoned by the gods.
In a damp alleyway of Amegakure, cloaked in shadow and rain, Black Zetsu grabbed Obito's wrist just as he was about to phase out.
"I really don't recommend going to Konoha right now."
For once, Black Zetsu was being honest.
He had spent centuries manipulating people, but even he knew when danger was real.
Because just yesterday…
She had returned.
His mother—Ōtsutsuki Kaguya—had awakened and taken direct action.
She had revealed herself atop Mount Myōboku and slaughtered the Great Toad Sage with her own hands.
Joy surged through Black Zetsu.
Toad Maru, the ancient enemy who helped seal his mother millennia ago—now gone.
Killed by her divine wrath.
If only she hadn't been unfamiliar with Earth's Sage arts back then, she never would've lost to Hagoromo and Hamura.
Now she was nearly restored.
He even considered sending celebratory fireworks to Mount Myōboku.
Just for fun.
But while Black Zetsu celebrated, Obito had other plans.
"Relax," Obito grumbled, adjusting his mask to sound more like Madara.
"I'm not going into Konoha proper. I'll meet Danzo on the outskirts."
Obito wasn't feeling cheerful.
He still remembered his grudge.
Danzo had asked him once—Why do you hate Konoha so much?
The answer was simple.
Because Konoha let Rin die.
Because Minato was a step too late.
Because Kakashi had to do the unthinkable.
He didn't care that Minato had saved him many times before.
All he remembered was the pain of loss.
And Bai Ye?
He hated him even more.
The Uchiha clan had become too strong under Bai Ye's leadership.
Too protected.
Too untouchable.
Even his younger brother's family had fallen under Bai Ye's umbrella.
So Obito had a plan—destroy the Uchiha clan's morale.
Strike where it hurt.
Mikoto, Kushina, Tsunade…
All protected by Bai Ye.
But if he could manipulate Itachi into betraying them—even once—it would wound Bai Ye deeply.
That thought made him smile.
He recalled the time he tried to spy on the clan compound.
What he saw shocked him.
Mikoto watering her garden with Mangekyō Sharingan.
Tsunade using Wood Style to plant trees.
Kushina jumping rope with Naruto and Sasuke using chakra chains.
Even Yugito Nii was there—walking the Two-Tails like a pet.
What kind of cheat-code village was this?!
Everything was upside down.
But now, thanks to Danzo's plan, he had a shot.
Danzo had arranged for a secret reconnection with Itachi tonight.
Obito would pose as his shadow assistant.
He'd gather information—Bai Ye's habits, his patrol routes, and when he stayed away from the compound.
That's when he'd strike.
"I'll make you feel pain, Uchiha Bai Ye," he whispered.
Black Zetsu, meanwhile, was still hesitating.
"Seriously, just don't go," he tried again.
"You don't understand—Bai Ye's not the only one. Kaguya is back. She could kill you without blinking!"
He still remembered the way she ignored him.
She barely acknowledged her "son."
Just gave him orders and walked off.
If Obito died, the Moon's Eye Plan might still continue.
Maybe he'd use Impure World Reincarnation to revive Madara instead.
Orochimaru had used it well—why not him?
Huh. Not a bad idea.
"Alright. Go ahead, then," Black Zetsu said, suddenly letting go.
Obito blinked. "You're…not stopping me?"
"Do whatever," Black Zetsu said, already thinking about coffins and jutsu.
Obito scowled. But whatever.
He disappeared in a Kamui swirl.
He would meet Danzo.
He would manipulate Itachi.
He would learn Bai Ye's schedule.
And when Bai Ye wasn't around—he would hit the Uchiha where it hurt.
He was sure of one thing:
Uchiha Bai Ye would not be smiling after tonight.
---
Meanwhile, in the Hokage's office…
"Phew!"
Bai Ye finally pulled himself away from Tsunade's embrace, just as the knock echoed at the door…
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