Pest Control

"Right now, I'm only here to take back something that doesn't belong to you."

Nagato: ...

Black Zetsu's explanation was difficult for Nagato to accept. Had all his years of effort and Yahiko's sacrifice been fake? Had they died for nothing?

He could not accept that outcome.

A tremendous noise suddenly came from the other side of the mountain, followed by the sight of a blue Complete Body Susanoo.

Uchiha Madara and Hashirama Senju had ultimately started fighting. But both of them were Reanimations, so neither could kill the other. Who knew what they were even fighting so hard for?

Maybe it was just two old friends who had not met in ages, having a fight to liven things up.

"Orochimaru, come out and explain yourself."

Uchiha Qingfeng suddenly shouted outside. He did not believe Orochimaru had left. With Orochimaru's cautious nature, there was no way he would let those three Reanimations escape his control.

It made no sense. In the original story, Orochimaru had been able to control the First Hokage and Second Hokage even when he invaded Konoha. There was no reason he should fail here.

Sure enough, Orochimaru emerged from the shadows, and everyone made way for him.

The first thing Orochimaru saw was Nagato's condition. One side of his face was still pale as usual, while the other had been covered in black.

"Explain what?"

"Those two fighting outside. Why aren't they under the Reanimation Jutsu's control?"

"The prepared sacrifices were replaced beforehand. If I'm not mistaken, that was your doing too, wasn't it?"

Orochimaru's eyes remained fixed on the black substance on Nagato's body. He knew that this was "Zetsu."

Black Zetsu in his current state had piqued Orochimaru's interest. He truly wanted to study what exactly was going on with that body. Without even