Chapter 320: Lord Yasushi, You Have to Help Me!
The entertainment arrived faster than Yasushi anticipated.
He was reviewing Orochimaru's latest experimental records when Zetsu erupted from the ground like a panicked mole.
The creature looked absolutely wretched. Ash and dirt caked his entire body. Wounds covered him from head to toe. His distinctive black-and-white coloring had been beaten into a uniform muddy grey.
If Zetsu had once resembled a pampered house cat, he now looked like a starving stray dog.
"Lord Yasushi, you have to help me!" The words burst from Zetsu the moment he surfaced, desperation naked in his voice.
"Hmm?" Yasushi arranged his expression into perfect innocence. "What happened to you? Run into some trouble?"
"Ugh!" Zetsu groaned miserably. "It's that Six Paths business!"
"We finally tracked down Jigen, but when Madara went after him..." Zetsu's voice cracked with frustration. "Something went wrong. Uchiha Madara betrayed us!"
"The moment he came back, he started attacking me on sight! Screaming about how I deceived him, calling me 'Otsutsuki Hazetsu' of all things. It makes no sense!"
"Pffft!" Yasushi couldn't contain himself. Laughter exploded from his chest.
"Hahahaha..."
He gave up all pretense of sympathy, doubling over with malicious glee while pointing at Zetsu's miserable face.
"You deserved it!"
"This is entirely your fault!"
"You knew Jigen served the Sage of Six Paths, but you sent Madara after him anyway? That's like throwing meat buns at a dog—total waste!"
Zetsu's expression twisted into something between embarrassment and despair. He endured Yasushi's mocking laughter for several long moments before finally sighing.
"I admit my calculations proved... insufficient this time."
"But I never expected Madara—that stubborn, simple-minded brute—to be so easily swayed by enemy propaganda."
"Based on my understanding of him, he should have absolute faith in the Moon's Eye Plan. How could he possibly believe the enemy's words so readily?"
The Moon's Eye Plan represented Madara's last hope—his only remaining chance to bring peace to the shinobi world. He shouldn't abandon it so easily.
"Unless..." Yasushi interjected smoothly, "he learned the Moon's Eye Plan's true purpose."
"Outsiders might not understand what Infinite Tsukuyomi actually accomplishes, but Otsutsuki Hagoromo definitely knows."
"And if Hagoromo knows, his subordinate Jigen probably knows too."
"You sent Madara to confront Jigen. Madara likely let something slip about his intentions, and Jigen immediately exposed the whole truth."
Zetsu's face darkened. He said nothing, but his silence confirmed Yasushi's theory.
Yasushi savored Zetsu's misery for another moment before spreading his hands in mock helplessness.
"So why come to me?"
"If Madara knows the truth, I can't exactly change his mind or force him to obey you."
"Besides, even if he knows—so what? You've still got Nagato as backup!"
"Just help Nagato resurrect the Ten-Tails quickly, then manipulate him into casting Infinite Tsukuyomi. Problem solved!"
Zetsu sighed heavily.
"I'm worried Madara will spread the truth everywhere, creating complications for my plans."
"Even if he stays quiet, what if he approaches Nagato and reveals everything? I won't be able to remain in the Akatsuki if that happens."
"Even if Nagato doesn't expel me outright, he'll definitely grow suspicious. Undermining him later will become much more difficult."
"After all, Madara understands this plan's full scope better than anyone. If he wants to sabotage everything, he's perfectly positioned to do maximum damage."
"No problem." Yasushi waved dismissively. "You've still got Obito!"
"Current Obito follows my commands like a trained dog. He'll do whatever I tell him. Even if he learns the truth, he'll obey anyway."
Mentioning Obito improved Zetsu's expression considerably. His face twisted into an ingratiating smile, flattery dripping from every word.
"As expected of Lord Yasushi—always thinking three steps ahead. You domesticated Obito so thoroughly from the start."
"Enough with the ass-kissing." Yasushi's smile turned predatory. "Obito's such a useful dog—I'm not letting you waste him. So what's your real angle here?"
Zetsu laughed nervously, his posture turning obsequious.
"Lord Yasushi, I need your help sending Madara's Edo Tensei body back to the Pure Land."
"If I remember correctly, your modified version of the Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation prevents Madara from releasing the technique himself."
"Madara's just a corpse in the end. Once you release the jutsu, he'll have no choice but to return to the afterlife no matter how much he resists."
"Then he can't interfere anymore."
"Tch!" Yasushi snorted coldly. "Madara's too valuable a tool. Why would I waste him by sending him back?"
"Besides, Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation isn't some unique technique only I can use. Even if I return him to the Pure Land, what stops someone else from summoning him again? What's your plan then?"
"Uh..." Zetsu's momentum died immediately.
After a hesitant pause, he plastered on another simpering smile.
"Lord Yasushi, we're partners! You can't just watch me die!"
"These past years I've followed your orders without any hesitation whatsoever. I've been nothing but loyal and hardworking. Even without great achievements, I've certainly earned credit for all my suffering!"
"Please, for the sake of all the times I've served you faithfully—think of something better!"
"..." Yasushi maintained his act of reluctant consideration, letting the silence stretch before finally sighing.
"Fine. You have been reasonably obedient in the past. Losing such a useful assistant would create genuine inconvenience."
"Here's what we'll do. Lure Madara here. Once he enters my visual range, I can use the technique to seize control."
"After that, he won't be able to do anything without my permission. Whatever I forbid, he'll find physically impossible no matter how hard he struggles."
"If I keep him leashed at my side like the dog he is, he'll be forced to stay in my presence constantly. Obviously can't sabotage your plans that way."
"That's it!" Zetsu's face lit up with sudden understanding. Joy flooded his features as he bowed repeatedly. "Thank you so much, Lord Yasushi! I'll bring Madara here right away to serve as your dog!"
Zetsu vanished from Otogakure in frantic haste. That very evening, he returned with Madara in furious pursuit.
Madara was no pushover. Whatever price Zetsu paid to escape the legendary shinobi's wrath must have been substantial—Black Zetsu's form looked noticeably unstable, his essence clearly depleted.
"Lord Yasushi, Madara's almost here! You should prepare!"
Before Zetsu finished his warning, a voice like rolling thunder shook the air.
"OTSUTSUKI HAZETSU! GET OUT HERE!"
"Perfect timing!" Yasushi's face split into a delighted grin.
He launched himself from Otogakure, landing in clear view just as the enraged Madara charged forward like an oncoming avalanche.
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