After all the tasks were finished, there were still several hours until dawn.
Naraku quietly slipped back into his room, lay on his bed, and prepared to sleep.
It was a bit regrettable that he couldn't meet Black Zetsu tonight, even though it had shown itself.
However, spending time with Obito and Shisui wasn't a total loss.
In fact, it might even be considered a gain.
Given their talents, their future achievements would be significant, and they would surely appear frequently in the anime.
After a while, Naraku unknowingly closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Since the night Black Zetsu's appearance had been interrupted, Naraku had gone to the river several times.
However, the creature only observed from the sidelines, showing no intention of approaching him.
Its caution was infuriating.
If this continued, it might lead to further complications.
To avoid any more delays, Naraku decided to take the initiative and provide it with an opportunity.
"Are you really okay?"
Mikoto's gaze was fixed on Naraku, following his movements closely as he packed his ninja tools.
She watched with concern as he organized his chakra pills and various supplies.
"Do you need to rest a bit longer? Don't worry about money; the Uchiha Clan will provide for you, Naraku."
"Aunt Mikoto, I'm fine," Naraku explained softly.
"Lady Tsunade said I can resume missions normally."
He tightened his waist pouch and shifted it to his back, then began concealing throwing weapons on his person.
"Besides, this is just a simple B-rank mission, and Senior Dai is with me. He's very reliable."
"Well, alright then."
Mikoto was persuaded, but she still added a final reminder.
"Don't overexert yourself. Come back safely."
"Yes, I know."
Naraku promised, finally sliding his long sword into its scabbard and tying his forehead protector.
His eyes were focused and determined.
At this moment, he transformed once again from the gentle boy-next-door into a calm and deadly shinobi.
Upright and sharp.
When Mikoto saw him fully prepared, she instinctively felt that this was the presence an Uchiha genius should possess: unstoppable and vibrant.
He was born to be a great tree, standing firm like a mountain regardless of fierce winds or heavy rain.
He was not a fragile seedling in a greenhouse, unable to withstand setbacks or hardships.
No matter how perilous the path ahead, Uchiha Naraku was destined to shine brightly in the shinobi world, becoming an unrivaled peak.
She could not shackle him; no one could stop a ninja from rushing toward his destiny, whether that future held happiness or cruelty.
Since that was the case, she would let him live freely according to his own will.
When he needed rest, the clan would become a warm harbor where he could gather the courage to continue.
Mikoto's mood gradually settled; though still worried, she was no longer as anxious as before.
Naraku arrived near the Konoha gate, where Might Duy was already waiting.
Seeing him approach, Duy waved enthusiastically.
"Oh! Naraku! Long time no see!"
Naraku nodded in greeting.
"Senior Dai, good morning."
Since becoming a Chunin, Might Duy had worked even harder, spending most of each month on missions.
Sometimes he would only return to the village to rest and train with Might Guy for a day or two before heading out again.
This meant he wasn't fully aware of the recent events in the village.
He had only accidentally heard about Sakumo's accident from a comrade during a mission.
By then, much time had already passed.
However, Duy firmly believed that his reliable comrade, Sakumo, had been injured while fighting with passion, not for the unyouthful reasons people were whispering about.
Because of this, Duy had specially prepared a matching green training uniform.
He had visited Sakumo in the hospital and placed it on the cabinet next to the bed.
From the perspective of a fellow father, he had earnestly encouraged Sakumo, shouting about struggle and passion regardless of whether the man could hear him.
Eventually, he was politely asked to leave the ward by a nurse.
As he left, he was still walking on his hands, his expression strained as he whispered hoarsely.
"Today, I will run three hundred laps around Konoha!"
The next morning, Naraku had arrived as usual and seen the neatly folded training uniform.
He had smiled knowingly and put it away safely in the cabinet.
Returning to the present, Might Duy was doing handstand push-ups without pause while waiting for the team to gather.
His green training suit made him look like a giant green onion.
Naraku shook his head, trying not to imagine what Sakumo would look like in that tight jumpsuit.
If a clear image appeared in his mind, he would never be able to unsee it.
Shortly after, the other two Chunin and the leading Jonin arrived at the meeting point.
After counting everyone, they officially set off.
Although the leading Jonin had concealed it well, Naraku did not miss the brief flash of hostility in the man's eyes.
It seemed Black Zetsu hadn't been idle while he was preparing for the mission.
Or perhaps it was Danzo?
Black Zetsu followed closely behind the team using his Mayfly technique.
He maintained a precise distance—neither too far nor too close.
He ensured he wouldn't lose his target or be detected by anyone in the squad.
That night, he had intended to appear before Naraku to lure his "Plan B" into his grasp, but Shisui's arrival had made him cautious.
He still couldn't easily show himself within the walls of Konoha.
Fortunately, the brat had ended his sick leave and started taking missions again.
To make him disappear unexpectedly, Zetsu would have to tamper with the team members.
He once again sought out the useful Danzo Shimura, hiding beneath the man's clothes and bandages.
Controlling the body, he ordered a Jonin from the Shimura Clan to take a specific mission.
He specifically named Uchiha Naraku as a teammate for the assignment.
"During the mission, find a way to eliminate Uchiha Naraku."
The body named "Danzo" spoke the words, then paused before adding the final touch.
"This is all for the sake of Konoha."
The Jonin, kneeling outside the door, took his orders and left.
Black Zetsu quietly detached himself from Danzo and merged into the soil.
When Uchiha Naraku falls into a life-or-death crisis, Zetsu will "rescue" him.
This would surely lead Naraku to believe that the creature meant him no harm, increasing the credibility of the Tsukuyomi Plan.
Black Zetsu looked at Danzo one last time.
The man's physical condition was much better than before; he should be waking up soon.
Zetsu would let him be for now, allowing him to continue stirring up trouble for Konoha and the Uchiha.
As long as Danzo Shimura caused internal strife, Konoha would never truly thrive.
This was beneficial to the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
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