The Moon's Backup Plan

On the moon.

Inside a temple filled with striped stone blocks.

An enormous orange eye radiated a soft glow.

It was the Giant Tenseigan.

Because of the barrier between the moon and the Shinobi World, Black Zetsu could not obtain information about the moon whenever he wanted.

Though Black Zetsu had endured in the Shinobi World for many years, this was also his first time seeing it.

Obito could no longer be relied upon. Naturally, Black Zetsu would not hang himself from a single tree.

Several years ago, he had used the parasitic White Zetsu on the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path to infect the Second Elder, Ōtsutsuki Aoteng.

But to avoid being discovered, the infection had progressed very slowly. It required years of erosion before it could finally take over his body.

Fortunately, after the Great Elder's death, Second Elder Aoteng's health had deteriorated by the day, allowing him to successfully take over a few years ago.

There were only two people on the moon: Second Elder Aoteng and Toneri. Toneri was as innocent as a blank sheet of paper.

Whatever Black Zetsu said became the truth. Toneri had been fooled with ease, and the moon had now become Black Zetsu's rear base.

Standing nearby, Second Elder Ōtsutsuki Aoteng reported, "Lord Black Zetsu, the Giant Tenseigan can only provide vast amounts of energy. Certain special techniques simply cannot be performed."

After taking over Aoteng's body, the parasitic White Zetsu had gained some of the original owner's memories, though not all of them. It had only learned some things slowly through research.

However, Aoteng was old and forgetful, so Toneri would not grow suspicious.

"Only by allowing Toneri to awaken the Tenseigan can Lord Black Zetsu's plan proceed."

Though Black Zetsu was somewhat irritated, it was still acceptable for