Meanwhile, Uchiha Itachi...
Not long after leaving with the Body Flicker Technique, he stopped beneath a large tree.
He stood on the tree as though he intended to rest, but he had hardly expended any energy. It was rather puzzling.
At that moment, White Zetsu Tobi, who had been attached to his body, sensed that no one else was nearby and immediately emerged in human form.
"Uchiha Itachi, why didn't you attack Jiraiya, Tsunade, and the other one? If we'd killed those three now, Konoha's fighting strength would have taken a huge hit. We could have moved up our plans to capture the Nine-Tails, with a much better chance of success."
"Why didn't you act? You owe me a reason."
Unlike his earlier playful manner, his tone this time was utterly serious and solemn.
It was enough to prove that he had begun to suspect Uchiha Itachi.
Combined with their earlier failure to capture the Eight-Tails, that suspicion seemed even more justified.
"If you're pursuing some agenda of your own, don't blame me for what happens!"
"..."
Uchiha Itachi's expression did not change. He simply stared straight at White Zetsu Tobi with his Mangekyō Sharingan, choosing his words.
In truth, he wanted to use genjutsu to alter Tobi's thoughts and judgment. But White Zetsu Tobi had been sent by Obito Uchiha, who might have put safeguards in place that would alert him to any change in Tobi's condition.
Better to just lie.
Uchiha Itachi believed they would still have to rely on him to capture the tailed beasts, because they had no one else they trusted.
Even if they eventually fell out, they would at least need to capture all the tailed beasts first.
"Well, I didn't think fighting on their territory was a safe choice. Besides, I kept getting