Outside Konoha, beside the edge of a freshly opened crack in the earth, a black covering rose from underground first, followed by Nagato's body.
As he climbed out of the soil, his knees buckled and he nearly fell. He braced himself against the ground with both hands and coughed up mouthfuls of blood. Blood from his lips and nose dripped onto the dirt, spreading into a dark red stain.
Blood seeped from both eyes as well, running down his cheekbones and laying fresh streaks over the ones that had not yet dried.
The black covering withdrew from his body, contracting to one side like a receding tide until it formed a human silhouette.
Black Zetsu stood beside him, the narrow slit across the center of his face turned silently toward him.
Nagato finally managed to stop coughing up blood. He raised his head and glared at Black Zetsu, his voice hoarse with fury. "You left a contingency in that White Zetsu after all!"
Long ago, Black Zetsu had suggested that he merge with White Zetsu. Nagato had always refused.
He knew their methods too well. He knew they would never offer him a gift for nothing. But to defeat Uchiha Yongye, he had eventually chosen a desperate remedy and merged with the Special White Zetsu, Tobi.
His fears had proved justified. Just now, while he lay gravely wounded and near death, Black Zetsu had seized control of his body.
The slit on Black Zetsu's face shifted slightly, as though he were smiling without a sound.
"Without me, you'd be dead. You'd be Uchiha Yongye's prize, just like Konan."
Konan's name pierced Nagato where it hurt most. His fingers clenched in the dirt, knuckles jutting out as his nails dug into the damp soil. It took him two heavy breaths to