Meanwhile.
In the Land of Waterfalls.
Kabuto Yakushi sat cross-legged inside a cave, his head lowered and his mouth shut.
Nearby, Zetsu crouched on the ground, looking impressed. "You learned the truth and can still stay calm. You really are a frightening kid."
Kabuto raised his eyes. Hikari flashed across his glasses.
"So... why are you telling me this?"
Zetsu turned and grinned, his black-and-white face looking sinister. "Join us. Together, we'll create a better world! What do you say?"
"Heh. The Akatsuki?"
Kabuto glanced at Zetsu's black cloak with its red clouds.
A trace of disdain crossed his eyes.
Now that Kabuto knew the whole truth, his feelings toward Orochimaru were complicated. He had even considered killing him.
But...
Why would he join an organization Orochimaru had looked down on so much that he'd left of his own accord?
Kabuto was hardly the type to quietly serve someone beneath him.
Black Zetsu noticed his disdain but didn't mind. "I wasn't talking about the Akatsuki."
"Hm?"
Kabuto froze and turned to Zetsu in confusion.
Zetsu chuckled and opened his mouth.
What came out was a horrifying plan.
Inside the cave.
As Zetsu spoke, Kabuto's eyes gradually lit up.
Earlier that same night.
The Valley of Clouds and Lightning.
When Shinji appeared atop the cliff, every Uchiha and Hyuga stood in unison and turned toward him.
The Uchiha were no surprise. Every one of them looked fervent.
As for the Hyuga...
For reasons Shinji didn't know, they treated him with just as much respect.
Shinji looked around.
Though it was night.
Everyone was alert and eager to fight.
He turned to Uchiha Fugaku and Hyuga Hiashi as they approached, frowning slightly.
"What are you two waiting for?"
"Hm?"
Fugaku and Hiashi froze. Why did Shinji Uchiha seem so ready for