(Subhead: Black Zetsu: "Same Uchiha blood—how are their brains so different?")
While Yorin's bright, crazy laugh echoed, the trees around him quietly passed key intel back to Obito.
As expected—Yorin had said that sentence for Black Zetsu.
"Our plan's been completely read," Black Zetsu sighed to Obito. "I warned you—the situation's shifted against us. Hijacking the Nine-Tails during the 'second jinchūriki production window' is now unlikely.
"My advice—withdraw."
Obito: "Shut up—want to die?!"
Black Zetsu: "…"
Silence again.
Yes—just like that.
Exactly as he knew: Obito's brain simply didn't have the 'retreat' concept. Tell him it's a pit ahead—he'll jump without hesitation.
Then, after he jumps, he'll insist everything was "in his calculations."
What could Black Zetsu do? He was desperate. He was so close to reviving Mother—and he only had Obito as a playable piece. If not Obito, should he wait another thousand years?
No. In no universe was that acceptable.
So—press on.
"Everything is within my expectations! I have a flawless plan!"
While Black Zetsu internally grumbled, Obito declared with full confidence:
"Four of the Seven Swordsmen, plus Yagura Karatachi, plus my power—enough!
"With such a dazzling lineup, we'll crush Konoha's rabble!
"And you—since you're Madara-sama's will, you will fight as well, won't you?"
(This isn't your flawless plan—it's mine!)
Black Zetsu swore silently and downgraded Obito yet another notch.
To him, Obito was the worst kind of boss.
Compare schemers: Yorin can swagger in front of Minato, say he has 'upper, middle, and lower' plans—and then persuade Minato to carry them out.
Black Zetsu has no such luxury. He must hint and guide Obito madly—make Obito believe Zetsu's plan is his own idea. Only then will Obito execute.
If he presents it directly, Obito will reject it without a thought—like just now: "Shut up—do you want to die?!"
Even then, during execution, Obito will get bright ideas, have brain farts, forget steps, or scramble the order—turning the plan into a mess.
If Black Zetsu swallows his rage and corrects him, he gets: "Shut up—want to die?!"
It made Black Zetsu want to blow him up on the spot.
I'm a noble Ōtsutsuki—this Uchiha is a mere bastard from a side branch! How can I stomach this?!
Answer: he can.
For Mother's revival—he can stomach anything.
Black Zetsu, endure.
And while enduring, he made a fresh note in his black ledger.
"When Mother returns—I'll kill you."
He scowled inwardly and thought: "Should I recruit another Uchiha? That Yorin would be perfect… just too clever to steer."
…
Brooding thus, he followed Obito out of the copse, took his place by baby-faced Yagura, and played the part of bodyguard—leaned in and "whispered" the script.
Yagura nodded knowingly—then announced, "Intel is clear. We face a small elite team including the Fourth Hokage:
"Tsunade-sama of the Sannin; Sand's Scorch Release, Pakura; and our Mist traitor, Mei Terumi.
"Most importantly—Konoha's Flame Claw, Uchiha Yorin.
"His strength exceeds ordinary shinobi—he's Kage-class. Do not underestimate him. Understood?!"
…
Normally, when a village Kage asks that, shinobi bark "Understood!"—or risk the Kage snarling "Can't hear you!"
This time was different.
After Yagura asked, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen traded looks—puzzled.
Only when he frowned did they answer, listless: "Understood."
It was obvious—their loyalty to the Fourth Mizukage was rock-bottom; their resentment sky-high.
Small wonder. In the original line, these guys were bound to defect or play both sides.
In this timeline, with Mei's defection, Kiri was plotting a big one already—to kill Yagura.
…
If not for this Nine-Tails job, Kiri's Night of the Long Swords would've begun. They'd be breaking Yagura's five limbs and selling him to the vatican—who'd be posturing here now?
"This is the last time."
The Seven Swordsmen looked at each other—understood without words.
Serving the village is duty—if this strike cripples the Nine-Tails and ruins Konoha's jinchūriki, it'll hugely aid Kiri's continental plan.
Right now, Kiri's ambition is continental invasion—taking land on the mainland—not, as later, a battered balance-of-power policy.
From that angle, Konoha must be crushed.
"If we can take Yagura and Konoha's elites down together—so much the better."
They all thought the same—and so did Obito: "If these trash and that bastard Yorin take each other out—perfect."
Black Zetsu watched and despaired.
He wasn't Kiri—but since he'd seized the strings, he'd hoped to build it up as Mother's launchpad.
Seeing both sides plotting against each other made him want to snarl:
"Damn it—how do you build a proper Kiri with these vermin?!"
He bit his tongue.
He swallowed again.
He wanted to remind them: you haven't won yet. If you must sabotage each other, at least wait until after you secure the Nine-Tails.
But even if he told Obito that, Obito would snap, "Noisy. Want to die?!"
Thinking thus, Black Zetsu slid into a funk.
Right then, new intel arrived—confirming again that Uchiha Yorin shouldn't be taken lightly.
Moments ago, the Kushina guard gained two more powerhouses.
Shisui, just back from long-haul duty—and Jiraiya, back to back up his student—had both returned to loyal Konoha.
Naturally, Yorin's hand.
Black Zetsu: "…Right. Time to start shopping for a replacement."