Aboveground.
After Kakashi Squad entered the Underground Space, Pitcher Plant Black Zetsu emerged from a tree trunk and asked Obito beside him, "Obito, you're just going to stand by and watch them break into our base?"
Obito replied dismissively:
"The valuable things in the base were moved out long ago. What does it matter if they take a look?"
"But Kakashi's still as sharp as he was back then. He actually figured out from the Battle of Kannabi Bridge that our old base was hidden in Grass Country."
"You're so clever. Why didn't you die in Rin's place?"
Kakashi had deduced from the Battle of Kannabi Bridge that Madara's Base was Near Kannabi Bridge.
Youhu had told Obito this.
After receiving the news, Obito immediately left Konohagakure and used the Floating Technique to reach the vicinity of Grass Country a day early. On the one hand, he wanted to seize an opportunity to reclaim his Sharingan.
On the other hand, he also wanted to meet with Itachi and see if he could plant the seed of Infinite Tsukuyomi in Itachi's heart.
Black Zetsu silently listened to Obito's rambling without offering any comment.
Still, he felt that Obito cared more about the still-living Kakashi than the dead Rin. Otherwise, he wouldn't bring up Kakashi every day and keep putting off retrieving his Sharingan, dragging it out until now.
After venting his frustration, Obito calmed down and said coolly, "Come on. Let's see what Kakashi and the others have found in our base."
With that, Obito used his Phasing Ability and sank into the ground.
Black Zetsu nodded and hurriedly followed with the Floating Technique.
Seeing Kakashi enter the library, Obito frowned. "Kakashi went to the library. Is he trying to get better at using the Mangekyō Sharingan so he can fight me?"
"But without Uchiha Bloodline, how many times can you even use Kamui?"
Seeing Uchiha Itachi enter the Equipment Room, Obito chuckled.
"You want to take the Divine Weapons Madara left behind and stop your clan's coup? Too bad the Gunbai, a symbol of the Clan Head's authority, has already fallen into my hands."
"Forget your unrealistic fantasies. Only Infinite Tsukuyomi can save the Uchiha and this world."
But when Obito entered the room where Youhu was and saw him studying the stone wall, he could no longer maintain his Cold Persona. Confused, he turned to Black Zetsu and asked:
"Black Zetsu, can someone really gain insight from these murals of the Uchiha Deity?"
Hearing that, Black Zetsu noticed Youhu studying the wall too. He shook his head. "This is just a decoration Madara left behind. It doesn't do anything special."
"Youhu might simply be admiring the mural."
"You're sure?" Obito stared at Black Zetsu, his eyes full of suspicion.
Black Zetsu gave a slight nod and explained earnestly, "It really is just an ordinary stone wall. You've been here for years. Wouldn't you know if it had any special effect?"
"Besides, Lord Madara already passed all his teachings on to you."
Hearing that, Obito finally let go of his suspicions. He might doubt Black Zetsu, the one keeping tabs on him, but he couldn't doubt his own talent.
After all, he was the most talented and powerful Uchiha since Madara.
If the Uchiha Deity on this wall really had some wondrous effect, he would have realized it long ago.
Youhu was surely just admiring the mural—or perhaps putting on an air of mystery in front of Kakashi and Itachi, pretending to be profound.
Kakashi had done the same sort of foolish thing before.
When Kakashi and Itachi entered the room where Youhu was, Obito hurriedly slipped into the rock. He didn't want to expose himself yet; he wanted to keep eavesdropping on Kakashi Squad's conversation.
At that moment, Black Zetsu asked in confusion:
"Obito, why not ambush Kakashi while you have the chance?"
"As long as you get your Mangekyō Sharingan back, no one in the Ninja World will be able to stop you. We'll also be able to carry out the Moon Eye Plan more easily."
"My business is none of yours..."
Obito shot Black Zetsu a glare, then seemed to think of something and added:
"And who says I haven't made preparations? I sent two powerful rogue ninja to lie in wait nearby."
"Heh. When you face a formidable enemy this time, will you sacrifice yourself to cover their escape, or will you rely on someone else's protection and cling to life in the Ninja World like before?"
After half an hour of "enlightenment," Youhu came back to his senses.
Only then did he notice Kakashi and Itachi beside him. Surprised, he asked, "Captain Kakashi, Senior Itachi, did you finish searching the other rooms so quickly?"
We've been here for almost half an hour, but to Youhu it felt like an instant.
Looks like Youhu really did gain a lot from this.
Kakashi thought to himself. But instead of explaining right away, he asked curiously, "Youhu, you've been staring at this wall. Did you gain anything special?"
"Gain anything?"
Youhu pondered for a moment, then glanced down at himself and said:
"I feel like my Chakra has increased quite a bit. My Sharingan should be a little stronger than an ordinary Three-Tomoe Sharingan now. Other than that, nothing seems different."
"This mural can strengthen the Sharingan?"
Kakashi was slightly taken aback, then turned to Itachi. "Itachi, you should give it a try too. I remember you have a Three-Tomoe Sharingan as well."
"This wall has no effect on me."
Itachi shook his head. While Youhu had been lost in thought, he had already studied the wall.
The Uchiha Deity depicted on it had no effect on him. It couldn't even affect his mind.
Just then, Youhu suddenly clutched his head and swayed unsteadily. His face twisted in pain. "Kakashi, Captain Kakashi, a vague memory just appeared in my mind..."
Kakashi used the Body Flicker Technique to reach Youhu and caught him before he could fall, keeping watch for danger. "What kind of memory appeared? Is someone hiding nearby and attacking you?"
Youhu struggled for a moment, and his expression finally returned to normal. He murmured:
"Captain Kakashi, I'm all right."
"I think I just saw the ancestors of the Senju Clan and the Uchiha Clan kneeling at the feet of a mysterious old man. They were talking about Tailed Beasts, the God Tree, and things like that."
"At the end of the memory, they both looked toward where I was..."
"..."
Why are the ancestors of the Senju and Uchiha involved? And why were they both kneeling before the same old man?
Kakashi felt as if the world had suddenly become unfamiliar. It was full of riddles and people who spoke in riddles. He still hadn't figured out why Obito had turned into the Masked Man, and now Youhu was acting mysterious too.
Itachi looked at the wall, then at Youhu's pale face, and began to understand.
There must be a ninjutsu on the wall similar to a Transcription Seal. Youhu had accidentally triggered the seal, which was why he had fallen into a trance and gained so much from it.
He just didn't know who had left the technique here.
Was it Uchiha Madara, who had taught Obito, or another powerful ninja from the clan's history?
If he had arrived a moment earlier, perhaps he could have learned the answer.
Before you continue