Hokage: I Confronted the Five Kage Before the System Arrived

Chapter 180: How Can You Lose With a Flying Dragon?

Although Black Zetsu had focused more on the reincarnations of Indra and Asura, Uchiha Madara, and Senju Hashirama during the Warring States Period, it still had some understanding of Hagoromo Gengetsu.

Hagoromo Gengetsu was known for his acts of punishing evil and promoting good. However, having lived for so many years, it was clear to Black Zetsu that, unlike Madara and Hashirama who were dedicated to achieving peace in the ninja world and were willing to sacrifice everything for it, Hagoromo Gengetsu lacked such a grand sense of mission and responsibility.

At his core, Hagoromo Gengetsu lived in his own world and did not wish to be disturbed by others.

This was evident now. After reading about the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan, Gengetsu's self-talk was more focused on the idea of everyone else dreaming while he alone remained awake, undisturbed, rather than being emotionally moved by the prospect of achieving peace in the ninja world like Madara.

If Hagoromo Gengetsu had expressed excitement about the long-awaited peace, Black Zetsu would have found it suspicious and would have become wary. However, since Gengetsu's reaction fit his character, Black Zetsu was not suspicious.

Whether it was peace under the Infinite Tsukuyomi or the idea of being the only one awake, Black Zetsu did not care. Ultimately, the success of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, or the Eye of the Moon Plan, would mean that all their ideals would be for naught and would only serve as a prelude to the resurrection of Black Zetsu's mother.

Seeing Hagoromo Gengetsu standing in front of the Uchiha Stone Tablet for a long time without moving, Black Zetsu smiled and slowly sank into the ground. The fish had already taken the bait. It was in no hurry to use this fish; after all, Uchiha Obito was still doing quite well. Perhaps, when the plan hit a standstill, it would give Hagoromo Gengetsu a hint. Or maybe Gengetsu would discover clues on his own and take action directly.

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This might cause conflict with the Akatsuki organization, but Black Zetsu didn't mind. It was like raising venomous insects; even though they would kill each other, resulting in some losses, the strongest one would emerge, and the ultimate beneficiary would be the one raising them.

With so many cards in hand, including the Akatsuki organization, Uchiha Obito, the shadow of Uchiha Madara, and now a new member, Hagoromo Gengetsu, Black Zetsu couldn't see how it could lose.

"Mother, please be patient for a while longer. I will rescue you soon," Black Zetsu said, filled with anticipation of reuniting with his mother. After one last glance at Hagoromo Gengetsu, he left completely.

Although Hagoromo Gengetsu didn't notice Black Zetsu's presence, he did sense a subtle change in the atmosphere of the underground chamber at a certain moment. He didn't make a fuss about it but continued to stand in front of the Uchiha Stone Tablet, playing his role while pondering:

'The whereabouts of the Jinchuriki are top secrets in every ninja village, making it very difficult for outsiders to find them. Even the Lockfront Village can't do it. In this regard, the Akatsuki organization is quite useful. Having specialized in investigating the Tailed Beasts for so many years, and with White Zetsu as an information-gathering tool, they can accurately capture each Jinchuriki as in the original story.'

The ninja world was vast. For Hagoromo Gengetsu, defeating a Jinchuriki was easy, but finding them was time-consuming and labor-intensive. In this regard, it would be more efficient to wait for the Akatsuki organization to capture the Tailed Beasts and then reap the benefits. However, the Rinnegan was still with them, and with so many Tailed Beasts collected, if pushed too hard, they might resort to creating an incomplete version of the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki.

Therefore, it would be more reassuring to have the Tailed Beasts and the Rinnegan in his own hands. Over time, Hagoromo Gengetsu considered many subsequent plans. He didn't know when Black Zetsu had left, but when he sensed the Uchiha ninja arriving above, he snapped back to reality. His main goal of coming to the Naka Shrine to view the Uchiha Stone Tablet and draw out Black Zetsu had been achieved. It was now time to accomplish his other objective.

Hagoromo Gengetsu left the underground chamber and returned to the main hall. All the Uchiha ninjas, including Sasuke, had arrived. When they saw him emerge from the underground chamber, they didn't ask any questions but merely bowed slightly.

Understanding the mood of Sasuke and the others, Hagoromo Gengetsu didn't say anything unnecessary. With a flash, he left the stage for the main participants.

At that moment, the dusty main hall fell silent. Sasuke and the others closed their eyes, silently waiting for that man—Uchiha Itachi!

The familiar sound of wind chimes rang out from the gates of Konoha. Uchiha Itachi had arrived as promised, accompanied by his teammate, Kisame Hoshigaki.

Initially, Kisame was assigned as Itachi's teammate to monitor him, and their relationship was merely cordial. However, after working together for so long, Kisame had come to respect Itachi deeply. Upon learning that Itachi was heading to his final battle with his brother, Kisame chose not to leave alone. Instead, he handed over the Four-Tails Jinchuriki to White Zetsu and accompanied Itachi, not out of duty, but as a friend.

Soon, the crisp sound of wind chimes reached inside. Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki were diligently guarding the gate. Itachi glanced at them, knowing it was an illusion, and ignored their questions, walking through the gate towards the Naka Shrine. Kisame followed closely behind. As the once-grand and now-ruined Uchiha clan compound came into view, Kisame looked at Itachi curiously, wondering what was on his mind.

However, Itachi remained expressionless throughout, showing no reaction. Passing through the ruins, they arrived at the collapsed red torii gate. Looking up at the long staircase and the still-majestic main hall of the Naka Shrine at the top, Itachi said to Kisame:

"You can stop here."

Kisame halted and looked at Itachi. "There are a lot of people up there. Are you sure you don't need me to clear out the irrelevant ones?"

"They are not irrelevant," Itachi replied, shaking his head slightly. With that, he began to climb the steps, one by one. Kisame didn't follow but watched as Itachi's figure gradually disappeared from view.

As a place where the Uchiha clan used to hold meetings, the main hall of the Naka Shrine was large. When Itachi reached the top of the long steps and pushed open the dusty, decayed doors, the instant they opened, the spacious hall was filled with the glaring red light of numerous Sharingan filled with hatred and killing intent, all directed at the newcomer.

"Uchiha Itachi!!!"