White Zetsu was the first to ask.
"I lost."
Obito removed his gloves, his tone flat.
"Completely."
Black Zetsu fell silent for a moment.
"Are you planning to abandon him?"
"It's not abandonment."
Obito looked toward the tower in Amegakure.
"It's acknowledging that he can no longer carry out his original task."
Black Zetsu's voice was low.
"Nagato is a pawn Madara personally selected. The Rinnegan, the physique of the Uzumaki clan, and the forces he has gathered over the years are all indispensable parts of the plan."
"All those things still exist."
"But they no longer belong to Nagato."
Obito raised a hand and pointed to his right eye.
"Lie Yang seized the Akatsuki Organization's mental network. The Ring, the Black Rods, Demonic Illusion: Hiding in the Light-all of them now bear the imprint of his will."
"From now on, Nagato can no longer monitor Amegakure remotely as he once did, nor can he ensure that the other members continue to obey his orders."
"Can a leader like that still count as a pawn?"
White Zetsu tilted his head.
"He can't?"
"At least, he's no longer the pawn he once was."
Black Zetsu did not respond immediately.
His gaze pierced the layers of trees, as though he were watching everything unfolding deep inside the tower.
"Lie Yang only defeated Nagato. He hasn't taken the Rinnegan yet."
"He has already left a mental imprint on the Rinnegan."
Obito's voice grew cold.
"Nagato's body cannot withstand another invasion like that. Next time, Lie Yang won't even need to enter the mental space. He'll be able to take whatever he wants directly through the Black Rods and the Rinnegan."
Black Zetsu pondered for a moment.
"Are you afraid of what he might become?"
"It's not fear."
Obito clenched his fist.
"It's accepting