Chapter 342: Madara Is Doing Well
White-Shiki cast a strange glance at Black Zetsu No. 2.
If this guy hadn't blurted out so much information, he wouldn't have figured all this out, let alone kept up with Nagato and the others' train of thought.
This guy isn't very smart...
Without thinking too much, White-Shiki carefully chose his words, trying not to make any mistakes:
"You want to break Kaguya's seal?"
"Of course not. We don't have the ability to break the Sage of Six Paths' seal. What we want is the method you used to obtain Kaguya's power," Nagato said in a low voice, leaning forward.
Feeling the oppressive aura from across the room, Bayakushi smirked disdainfully.
"And if I refuse? Are you going to take it by force? Even if you are the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki, you can't stop me from leaving!"
With the divine technique given by Isshiki, as long as he had time to react, no one could stop him.
Nagato remained calm. "The Ten-Tails is equivalent to half of Kaguya's power, and I already possess it. Only by obtaining Kaguya's full power can I stand against Hyuga Fuji. Keeping that power to yourself is useless!"
Their eyes locked, neither backing down.
The next moment, Nagato extended his hand, surging chakra filling the space.
Bayakushi, slightly slower, created a kama mark on the ground, ready to escape at any moment.
If we fight, at worst, I'll be crippled, but my life won't be in danger.
If we fight, I'll have to flee. As expected of the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki.
Both made the same assessment almost simultaneously, then froze in place, unsure whether to advance or retreat.
Finally, Black Zetsu No. 2 stepped in to break the silence.
"We've explained our purpose. Since you came to us first, you must have your own agenda. Why don't we talk?"
"…"
Hearing this, Bayakushi withdrew his gaze, and Nagato retracted his hand, sitting back down.
Bayakushi didn't want to reveal his true plan—especially after hearing about Kaguya, he had already abandoned it. Instead, he simply said:
"If you want my help, it's possible, but I need you to find me a suitable host body."
A traitor to the Ōtsutsuki Clan was, without a doubt, an enemy to Bayakushi, who considered himself a spiritual Ōtsutsuki.
So, when he heard Nagato's plan to steal Kaguya's power, even though he had no means to do so himself, he didn't reject the idea outright.
More importantly, he did have a way.
The divine technique of the Ōtsutsuki god, Shibai Ōtsutsuki—All-Knowing—could manifest anything into reality, turning thoughts into existence.
If they could extract this technique from Shibai's corpse, taking Kaguya's power wouldn't be impossible!
However, not just anyone could withstand the power of a divine technique.
Since he was a modified being created from Isshiki's genes, he could wield the kama Marks technique due to his Ōtsutsuki lineage.
But for an ordinary person to bear the All-Knowing technique? Nearly impossible.
At least, with Kara's current technology, it was out of reach.
Nagato raised an eyebrow. "A host?"
"Yes. My requirements aren't too high—strength and intelligence don't matter since I can control them. But the best candidates would be descendants of the Sage of Six Paths and Hamura."
"With your power, capturing a few people should be easy. Why leave such a simple task to us?"
"Heh, simple? Jigen-sama has already tested over 100,000 subjects, including clones of the Uchiha and Hyuga, yet none were compatible."
Bayakushi stood up. "If you can find a suitable host for me, I'll help you obtain Kaguya's power immediately."
Nagato narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.
---
After Akatsuki and Kara's meeting, Black Zetsu No. 2 secretly contacted Hyuga Fuji.
"When are we wrapping this up? I've already found Kara's base."
"What is Kara trying to do?"
"Bayakushi wants a host body, but his ultimate goal is unclear. However, he promised to help us obtain Kaguya's power."
"Keep digging. Let's wait until we have more details before making a move."
Black Zetsu No. 2: "…"
Wait, don't tell me you want Kaguya's power too? Aren't you already strong enough?
"Aren't you worried about an accident? What if Kaguya gets unsealed?"
"Keeping her sealed is always a risk. If we can solve the problem once and for all, why not?"
At this moment, Hyuga Fuji stood high in the sky, looking down at a war camp.
"Seals are meant to be broken. They're nothing more than temporary solutions."
"…Alright." Black Zetsu No. 2 sighed. "Can I at least see Lord Madara? I need to make sure he's safe!"
"He's doing well."
Hyuga Fuji casually sent over an image—Uchiha Madara working at a construction site.
The only issue? The bricks were massive, as big as mountains, requiring Madara to use Susanoo just to lift them.
Black Zetsu No. 2 fell silent for a moment, then protested, "You promised not to humiliate Lord Madara!"
"I haven't disrespected him."
Hyuga Fuji replied nonchalantly, "And because of you, Madara now only works eight-hour shifts, like a regular worker."
"Edo Tensei reanimated enemies-turned-allies usually work 24/7 under my contract. Madara has a great deal."
A hundred-meter-tall laborer with infinite stamina? It would be a waste not to use him.
Besides, if Madara had too much free time, he'd start plotting again. It was better to keep him busy.
Black Zetsu No. 2 hesitated but then noticed a familiar figure in the image—Senju Tobirama.
Seeing him supervising the site, Black Zetsu No. 2 reluctantly believed it.
At least Madara wasn't locked in a lab somewhere.
But looking closer, he saw another unexpected figure: Hikari.
Madara's "foreman" seemed to be Senju Tobirama and… Hikari?
Black Zetsu No. 2's expression twitched.
He remembered that Senju Hashirama had said something to his brother, and Tobirama had reluctantly agreed to take care of Hikari.
Now, in the image, the spiky-haired Hikari stood beside Tobirama, watching Madara work.
For some reason, the scene resembled a daughter and wife waiting for their husband to finish work.
Wait… technically, he was Madara's son, right?
So why did she and Madara give off a father-daughter vibe? Hikari looked more like Madara's child than he did!
And why was Tobirama—
Stop! That last thought must be a mistake. He's a man!
Black Zetsu No. 2 shuddered, shaking off the strange thoughts.
"Nagato plans to send people to search for a host near the borders. If you want to swap in a substitute, keep an eye out."
"…Hmm."
Hyuga Fuji glanced at a tent where a certain figure was sneaking out—Hyuga Shizuka, or rather, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
Maybe there was no need for a substitute.
---
At the Fire Nation border's war prisoner camp, the place remained lively.
Since the nations were still negotiating with the Land of Snow over the prisoners, none had been claimed or ransomed yet.
Snow Country didn't seem eager to release them either.
Taking advantage of the situation, Kaguya had finally mapped out the camp and was ready to execute her escape plan.
Then—
She ran straight into a trafficker—Konan.
(End of Chapter)