Zetsu's Scheme, Sunagakure's Environmental Improvement

Amegakure!

At this time, with its leader Pain and the angel Konan gone, nearly all of Amegakure's already sparse population had moved away.

The streets were now desolate, with scarcely a person in sight.

But this situation suited Zetsu perfectly. He had now made Amegakure his base.

Inside an abandoned building of concrete and steel at the center of the village—once Pain's headquarters—a new tenant had moved in.

"The Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki were both defeated by Kakashi, and Kumogakure's shinobi forces have stopped where they are. Hehe!"

"That's not good news."

A snicker came from Zetsu's mouth. From the sound alone, it was clear that White Zetsu was the one speaking.

In contrast to White Zetsu's laughter, the expression on the other half of his face—Black Zetsu's face—had turned incomparably grim.

If Kumogakure's forces stopped now, they would be unable to reinforce Iwagakure afterward. If Obito and the others were held up, Iwagakure alone would have a hard time holding back Konoha.

For a moment, countless thoughts flashed through Black Zetsu's mind, only for him to reject them one by one.

All the remaining members of Akatsuki had been sent by Obito to reinforce Iwagakure. The only one left at his side was Rasa, whose combat strength was not particularly formidable. Even if he sent Rasa to support Kumogakure, it would still be difficult to deal with Kakashi.

Uzumaki Naraku wasn't enough, and now Kakashi has shown up too. You really deserve to die!

Black Zetsu cursed inwardly.

If Madara were here, this wouldn't have happened with his strength, he thought.

Suddenly, Black Zetsu froze slightly. A thought surfaced in his mind as he recalled Danzo, who had once been revived through the Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu.

"Orochimaru, it seems our cooperation is going to become more and