On the border of the Land of Water, a prosperous coastal town buzzed with activity. Obito had led Shiro to a bustling commercial street, where they sampled a wide array of snacks and local delicacies. Shiro, who had previously claimed he wasn't hungry, was now eating with unrestrained delight.
"This is so delicious!"
"Haha, eat as much as you like." Seeing Shiro so content, a warmth spread through Obito's heart.
"Obito, you bastard!"
A huge, leafy appendage erupted from the ground beside their table, and Zetsu's angry voice bellowed:
"The sun is about to set! Why are you still eating? Have you forgotten your duties?"
Zetsu's sudden appearance sent a wave of panic through the small snack bar. With its bizarre, monstrous form, it was clear it was not someone to be trifled with. In an instant, every customer except for the terrified owner had fled.
Obito put down the strawberry mochi in his hand and was about to explain when Shiro suddenly spoke up.
"Zetsu-san, this has nothing to do with Obito-san. I was the one who kept pestering him to take me out to eat."
"I've grown tired of the food the nannies make at home. Since I finally got to come to the outside world, it's not too much to ask to try something new, right? Hehe."
"Oh! So it was Shiro who wanted to eat!"
Zetsu's expression shifted faster than a leaf in the wind, its anger melting away into pure doting affection. "Shiro, have you had enough? I can ask the owner to make you some more."
With that, Zetsu turned its attention to the owner, who was now slumped on the floor in terror. It ordered in a cold voice:
"Hey, old man! Get up and serve us more food. And remember! It must be fresh! What are you just sitting there for? Get moving!"
Obito rolled his eyes at Zetsu's dramatic display. "Hmph, your appearance has scared him half to death. Forget it, allow me. This is a perfect teaching opportunity."
"Come, Shiro, follow me."
Obito took Shiro's hand and walked over to the trembling owner. His scarlet Sharingan bloomed, its tomoe spinning faintly. He lifted the man's chin, formed a single hand seal, and whispered, "Look into my eyes."
The next moment, a flicker of red flashed in the owner's fearful gaze, which then became vacant and lifeless. To make him forget afterwards as well.
"Make us something to eat," Obito commanded. "Use only your finest ingredients."
"I… I understand…" The owner stood up stiffly and walked toward the kitchen like a puppet on strings.
"Shiro, did you see that clearly? This is the genjutsu of the Sharingan."
Obito gently ruffled Shiro's hair and continued his explanation.
"An Uchiha's illusion can be activated with a simple glance. It can rob a target of their freedom by showing them a fleeting, terrifying vision, or it can interfere with their actions and even temporarily control their mind."
"You possess the blood of the Uchiha and have awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan in both eyes. Combined with your powerful comprehension, it should not be difficult for you to master this art."
"The owner is in the kitchen. You can go and practice on him now."
"Okay! I'll try it right away!"
Shiro was well aware of the power of genjutsu. If he could fully master it, it would be a massive asset to his growing strength.
After Shiro disappeared into the kitchen, Black Zetsu's voice emerged, low and hoarse.
"Obito! Are you spoiling Shiro too much? Do not forget the mission Madara entrusted to us!"
"Hmph!" Obito turned his head away dismissively. "Do I need you to remind me? You're no better. The moment Shiro said he wanted to eat, your temper vanished instantly. You were practically fawning over him!"
Hearing this, Black Zetsu and White Zetsu shouted in perfect unison: "Nonsense! Am I not his nanny?"
Obito retorted, "And am I not?"
"…"
"Hmph!!"
After a brief, intense glare, the two guardians of the boy both tilted their heads away proudly, neither willing to concede.
A full minute of tense silence passed between them.
Obito was the first to break the cold war. "As Shiro's guardian, we are both acting in the best interests of the child. There is no need for us to quarrel. Let us discuss business. What is Nagato's status?"
White Zetsu pouted, its attitude still reluctant. "Why don't you just ask him yourself!"
"Alright, White Zetsu, don't be so childish!" Black Zetsu admonished its other half before turning to Obito. "Kakuzu and Sasori have officially joined the Akatsuki."
"Hmm…" Obito nodded in satisfaction. "As expected of Nagato. His execution is reliable. But a few members are not enough. We must find more who are truly dependable."
Black Zetsu asked, "Do you have anyone in mind?"
Obito replied, "I do have a target I find promising. His personality and abilities are very suitable for the organization, but getting him to join will be difficult. It will require some… maneuvering."
White Zetsu was intrigued. "Who?"
"Itachi Uchiha of Konoha."
As he said the name, Obito's gaze drifted toward the northeast, as if he could see the village from afar.
"Although Itachi is young, he has a calm mind and outstanding abilities. He is a rare genius, even for Konoha."
Black Zetsu countered, "I am also familiar with Konoha. As far as I know, the strongest Uchiha genius is Shisui. The power of his Mangekyō Sharingan, Kotoamatsukami, is terrifying. Why not choose him?"
"I am aware of that, but he is not suitable for the Akatsuki," Obito shook his head. "Shisui is deeply loyal to Konoha. It would be nearly impossible to get him to work for us. And because his Mangekyō ability is so unique, I do not wish to risk it. If he were to use it to control us or other Akatsuki members, it would be a disaster."
Black Zetsu conceded, "Yes, that makes sense. Shisui is an unstable element. He could have a great impact on our future plans. We must find a way to eliminate him, or at least, obtain his eyes."
Obito's visible eye glinted. "I have a way that could allow us to obtain Shisui's eyes, and if we are lucky, recruit Itachi Uchiha into the Akatsuki as well."
"Oh?" White Zetsu's expression brightened. "What is the plan?"
Obito slowly began to explain. "According to my intelligence, there is a man in Konoha named Danzō who is not to be trusted. He harbors a deep-seated grudge against the Uchiha and suppresses them at every turn. Although the Fourth Hokage, Minato, opposed him, he ultimately had to defer to the Third, Hiruzen Sarutobi."
"Hiruzen turned a blind eye to the matter. He opposed it on the surface, but his inaction was a form of condoning it. The Uchiha have been ostracized, and their status in the village has diminished. Most of the clan members are now considering rebellion."
"The current stability is fragile. All it needs is a spark. We will provide that spark for them."
"White Zetsu, your infiltration skills are unparalleled. I want you to transform into a high-ranking member of the Uchiha clan and attempt to assassinate the Hokage."
"Success would be ideal, but failure is also acceptable. The fuse will be lit, and a war between the Uchiha and Konoha will become inevitable."
"I predict the Uchiha clan will fall, and its members will be branded as traitors. At that point, Itachi, as a rogue ninja, will be easily manipulated and recruited by the Akatsuki."
Hearing the plan, Black Zetsu couldn't help but praise, "A brilliant plan, Obito. Your mind is sharp."
Obito snorted coldly. "Hmph, if Madara had listened to my advice and allowed me to capture the Nine-Tails when the jinchūriki Kushina gave birth years ago, we wouldn't need to resort to such troublesome schemes."
"I would have controlled the Nine-Tails with my Sharingan. Even if the attack failed, it would have sewn seeds of suspicion between Konoha and the Uchiha. Perhaps Itachi would already be ours, and Shisui's eyes would be in my possession."
Black Zetsu said, "Yes, that makes sense. But what is done is done. There is no point in dwelling on it. Obito, when will you execute this plan to collapse the Uchiha clan?"
Obito replied, "The sooner, the better. The Akatsuki must be formed as quickly as possible."
White Zetsu responded with giddy anticipation, "Understood! Then I will take a business trip to Konoha tonight. I'll be sure to take a look around the Hokages' bedrooms, tsk tsk…"
At that moment, Shiro ran out from the kitchen, carefully carrying a large basin of steaming snacks.
"it's time to eat!"
"Why did you carry it out yourself? What if you got burned!" Zetsu rushed over, snatched the plate from Shiro's hands, and unceremoniously shoved it into Obito's.
"Shiro, are you okay? Did you burn yourself?" Zetsu asked lovingly, gently blowing cool air on Shiro's small hands.
Obito, holding the hot plate and looking utterly confused, asked, "Hey! Zetsu, what was that for? Aren't you afraid I'll get burned?"
"Tsk! You have such thick skin. What are you afraid of?"
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