By the time Black Zetsu dragged his exhausted body back to the dark Cave in the Northern Region of the Land of Fire, he had searched everywhere. Obito Uchiha was not in his room, and Kabuto Yakushi was nowhere to be seen. The Cave was empty.
The only sound was the wind whistling through the vents.
Black Zetsu panicked.
More than he ever had before.
But reason made him suppress the dread and helplessness in his heart. He ventured deeper into the cave on trembling legs, and only when he saw the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path standing in the hollowed-out chamber did he quietly breathe a sigh of relief.
At least...
They had not abandoned the place. With the Uchiha trusting him less and less, that counted as good news.
His gaze shifted toward the area outside the Laboratory.
In the dim light, figures stood packed together...
Black Zetsu knew.
They were not people.
Ever since Obito had fallen out with Madara Uchiha, only a few White Zetsu remained at this base, kept under control for Kabuto Yakushi's research.
Most of the White Zetsu had followed Madara Uchiha and still served as his eyes and ears.
After all, White Zetsu might be foolish.
But they were not stupid.
So the figures standing in the dark were not White Zetsu. They gave off no human presence. Tall, imposing and utterly motionless, they made for an intimidating sight.
They were Puppets...
Puppets made by Kabuto Yakushi.
They were said to be powerful, but Black Zetsu—the one who had personally brought Kabuto Yakushi over to their side—had no idea how powerful.
After steeling himself, he began feeling his way cautiously toward the chamber that housed the Laboratory.
He had taken only a few steps when a cold voice came from the