Black Zetsu was mentally weighing what information Jiraiya might have revealed to Nagato and Konan, as well as the possibility of them turning against him.
White Zetsu, on the other hand, began speaking with a cheerful grin.
"Tsunade isn't an ordinary woman. She's unlocked the Wood Release. With her current strength, she defeated the Third Hokage and seized the Hokage seat by force, framing him for crimes he didn't commit."
At the mention of Wood Release, everyone's attitude shifted from dismissiveness.
Kakuzu in particular couldn't stop himself from recalling his old battle against Hashirama Senju. Back then, just one Wooden Clone from Hashirama had been enough to defeat him. Reflecting on how hard it was for smaller ninja villages to cultivate elite warriors, Hashirama chose not to kill Kakuzu, instead releasing him.
But tragically, the ones who never recognized his worth were from Takigakure...
As Kakuzu was lost in these memories, Konan's cold voice cut in abruptly. "Wood Release? This important intelligence—why are we only hearing about this now?"
"Tsunade has been wandering across the nations, constantly moving. I don't know exactly when she awakened her Wood Release ability. I only recently uncovered her background." White Zetsu's tone remained flippant.
"Oh?" Konan feigned surprise. "What specific accusations did Tsunade make against the Third Hokage? Could it be those rumors that he was an impostor for decades? Such an absurd claim—who would actually believe that? Why use this as an excuse?"
"You mean brute force?" Sasori of the Red Sands asked.
Itachi listened attentively. He wanted to know exactly what had happened.
"I've already thoroughly investigated this," Black Zetsu said steadily. "Actually, it has some connection with me."
In the tall tower of Rain Country, Nagato and Konan exchanged glances.
"Let's hear what he has to say," Nagato said.
"Why not confront him directly?" Konan asked.
"Our agents in Hot Springs Country haven't found anything significant."
Konan lightly furrowed her brow. "If things are as Master Jiraiya described, and White Zetsu has taken over that country, with their sensing abilities, our people entering the area would be detected immediately. It's normal if they didn't find anything…"
Nagato remained silent, deep in contemplation.
From the darkness where the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path stood, Pain's Deva Path spoke coldly: "What's your take?"
Black Zetsu had already prepared his explanation. He calmly stated, "Ever since the Uchiha Massacre, the Hyuga have become the most influential house in Konoha."
"The Third Hokage had been looking for an opportunity to suppress the Hyuga. My White Zetsu infiltrated Konoha disguised as a villager to gather intelligence. Unfortunately, he was captured by Konoha ninjas."
"The Third made up a random excuse, claiming White Zetsu belonged to the Hyuga, thus provoking conflict."
"Therefore, the Hyuga contacted Tsunade, who was abroad at the time, supporting her as retaliation. Now, most of Tsunade's closest allies are basically from the Hyuga…"
After Black Zetsu finished speaking, the atmosphere grew unusually quiet.
Sasori of the Red Sands and others turned their gazes toward Pain's Deva Path.
What was the leader's intention in having Zetsu reveal all this?
Although intriguing, these events in Konoha seemed unrelated to the organization.
Itachi Uchiha quickly pondered internally about finding a reasonable excuse to return to Konoha.
"Leader, it'll likely take some time before we can gather more intelligence from Konoha—they'll be on high alert for now," Black Zetsu spoke up again.
He just said that to make his story sound complete. However, Nagato, in his Deva Path form, spoke at just the right moment: "Which of you is willing to go to Konoha and observe their internal situation?"
Despite Black Zetsu's flawless explanation, Nagato, who already suspected him, wouldn't simply believe his words.
"This kind of mission suits Itachi best. After all, he used to serve in Anbu—their barrier system is basically nonexistent to him," Kisame Hoshigaki remarked mockingly.
The Deva Path leader nodded in agreement.
"Suzaku, Nandou, this mission is yours."
Itachi felt somewhat startled. Everything had gone too smoothly.
A flicker of unusual expression passed through Black Zetsu's eyes—he began to understand Nagato's intentions.
Both Itachi and Kisame were, after all, considered Tobi's men. Regardless of what they discovered, Tobi would inevitably ask about it.
After the meeting, Pain's Deva Path personally approached Hoshigaki Kisame and Itachi Uchiha, asking them to go to the Country of Hot Springs while returning.
He didn't explain anything specific—just told them to go to the Country of Hot Springs—before turning around and leaving.
Looking at his departing figure, both Itachi and Kisame exchanged glances, confused.
At that same moment, Zetsu appeared before Tobi.
"It seems like Nagato suspects me."
"Suspects what?" Tobi frowned slightly.
"I'm not entirely sure myself," Black Zetsu replied with slight frustration.
After thinking briefly, he still chose not to mention Jiraiya.
Once Jiraiya came up, the Country of Hot Springs would naturally be brought into discussion.
That assassination incident in the Country of Hot Springs was currently the biggest mess Jiraiya had caused, and inevitably would draw Tobi's attention there.
Troublesome—it feels like I'm close to being exposed, Black Zetsu thought anxiously.
Even more troubling was Kaguya's demand that he reclaim the Rinnegan and Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.
With Nagato's current strength, very few could defeat him.
Even Tobi might not necessarily win against Nagato.
Should he seek help from his mother or someone close to her? But wouldn't that make him seem weak?
In the Snow Country,
After leaving Izumi Uchiha's training grounds, Yugao spoke up, "Hiroki, can't you spare her life?"
Hiroki looked puzzled. "What do you think I am? It wasn't me who wanted her dead—it was her own choice to die."
Thinking about this, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
No wonder Izumi and Itachi Uchiha fell for each other—they're both the kind who can't wait to die.
Yugao didn't answer right away.
"What else am I supposed to do? Even I can't change her mind," Hiroki shrugged and said.
Izumi Uchiha was currently in a state of shattered worldview, having lost her purpose. She wandered lifelessly, like a soulless shell of her former self.
To her, life held nothing—no joy, no purpose. She felt better off dead.
Hiroki began to understand why the Ninja Academy emphasized so strongly the need for students to establish their Ninja Way. Without ideals and aspirations, most people would end up just like Izumi at this moment.
"Let's take her back to Konoha first. The one who can save her isn't me."
Yugao spun around, strode into the Training Ground, and retrieved a long blade still in its sheath.
Izumi thought she had come for a fight and raised her weapon to point at Yugao.
The blade spun swiftly half a turn in Yugao's grip, then landed a precise blow at the base of Izumi's neck, sending her into unconsciousness.
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