Nagato: Our World Is Doomed

"That's right, that guy is ultimately human. No matter how strong he is, even if he can envelop the entire planet, so what? When his time comes, he'll die of old age. We just need to hide inside your Kamui space and wait for him to kick the bucket—then we come out and execute our plan."

Black Zetsu looked at Uchiha Obito, speaking with a smug tone. This idea was simply exquisite. After all, humans die. Even the Sage of Six Paths had died of old age back then—why would Uchiha Yue be any different?

"This plan is good, but Zetsu, you overlooked one thing. I've seen that guy's face—he's clearly younger than me. At this rate, he won't die of old age before Nagato and I do."

This plan was indeed solid, Uchiha Obito thought. It was the best option when killing that monster was impossible. He happened to have Kamui, which would be perfect—if only he wouldn't die of old age before Uchiha Yue.

"No, not necessarily. By then, we can find other ways to extend our lifespan, or just go into hibernation. Lifespan extension, right—hibernation for longevity. I've got it."

Black Zetsu paused slightly, a new idea sprouting in his mind.

If they could gather the entire Ninja World's strength and develop a special hibernation ninjutsu, then pull all the ninjas into Obito's Kamui space for refuge, that would be when they were at their weakest. They could claim to put everyone into hibernation, waiting for Uchiha Yue to die, while they secretly woke up, struck at the Jinchuriki, and devoured them. At that point, it would be time to revive his mother.

And before that, they could let the empowered Uchiha Obito—oh no, Obito would have to die by then—have Madara kill Uchiha Yue on the outside, while he ambushed Uchiha Madara during their fight, ultimately reviving his mother.

Brilliant, brilliant!!!

The more Black Zetsu thought, the more excited he got, the more he felt this idea was perfect.

"Who would've thought, this monster's appearance isn't my nightmare, but my opportunity. But the problem now is—can that monster's domain really expand infinitely? Can it really push the entire Ninja World into a corner?"

Black Zetsu suddenly doubted Uchiha Yue's ability. Before, he'd hoped Uchiha Yue didn't have that power, but now that he'd figured things out, his thinking changed.

"No, whether that monster has this ability or not isn't important. What matters is whether he can make the entire Ninja World believe he does. As long as all the ninjas lose hope, entering Obito's Kamui space becomes their last resort."

"And even if that guy doesn't have this ability and gets defeated, I lose nothing. I can just go back to the original plan."

Thinking this, Black Zetsu's spirits lifted further. The gloom that had accumulated before faded away completely. His gaze toward Obito softened slightly, no longer looking at Uchiha Obito like he was an idiot.

Heaven knows how terrified and uneasy Black Zetsu had been during this time.

Of course, Black Zetsu knew he wasn't immortal. Taking attacks from those ninjas would hurt him, could kill him. But over the years, as long as no one found him, as long as he fled fast enough, no one could threaten him. But now? Uchiha Yue didn't even need to know something like Black Zetsu existed. As long as Black Zetsu entered the range of Uchiha Yue's power, no matter how he resisted, he'd end up dead.

Then, Black Zetsu told Uchiha Obito this new plan. Of course, he left out the parts about himself and Uchiha Madara, polishing it up.

After hearing it, the worry and gloom beneath Uchiha Obito's mask vanished. This plan was good—too good. Heaven never seals off all exits. If this plan succeeded, then the monster's existence wasn't a problem but a catalyst for their own plan.

Afterward, the two told Nagato about the new plan.

Of course, the version for Nagato was that when the world was destroyed, they could take in a large number of ninjas, wait for Uchiha Yue to die of old age, then re-emerge as the true Kami of the new world. And after waking up, Nagato could devour all the other tailed beasts, gaining ultimate military deterrence to bring permanent peace to this world.

At this point, Uchiha Obito no longer bothered hiding his Dojutsu. He directly took Nagato into the Kamui space. After entering Kamui space and thinking it over carefully, Nagato was deeply tempted. This was indeed a very good method. And just as Uchiha Obito and Black Zetsu said, whether it succeeded or failed, they lost nothing.

Success was the best outcome. Failure meant Uchiha Yue would be hunted by the entire Ninja World and die—then they could just continue their original plan, right?

"Good, this plan is excellent!"

Nagato clapped his hands, a hint of excitement showing on his face. The pain and gloom from being nearly beaten to death by Uchiha Yue earlier all dissipated.

To execute this plan, they first had to make every Ninja Village understand Uchiha Yue's threat and terror, then guide them to try attacking him. If they could kill Uchiha Yue, they'd continue the original plan. If not, they'd start this new one.

Then, Nagato called over all the core members of the Akatsuki Organization.

Kakuzu, Scorpion, Juzo Biwa, Orochimaru, Uchiha Obito, Zetsu, Konan, Pain, Nagato...

Uchiha Itachi had already been killed.

"Our world is going to be destroyed."

Nagato looked at everyone present and dropped a bombshell right off the bat.

"What? Leader, what did you say? Were you joking just now?"

Kakuzu froze, shook his head, and looked at Nagato as if he hadn't heard clearly, seemingly unable to believe his ears. After all, what Nagato said was too shocking and absurd—it felt like a joke. How could a perfectly fine world be destroyed? That kind of thing was impossible.

"Haha, it must be a joke, right, Leader? Haha, I didn't know you had it in you to joke around, haha!"

Kakuzu laughed. His words echoed what everyone else was thinking—it was too ridiculous.

But looking at Nagato's expression, Kakuzu's laughter died down. A heavy, oppressive feeling weighed on everyone's hearts.

"The world isn't really going to be destroyed, is it? That's completely unscientific. Maybe Nagato's talking about something else."

Orochimaru stared at Nagato's serious face, furrowed his brow, and felt a sense of unease creeping in.