There was no fear in his voice, only an almost crazed divinity and obsession. Toru Kujyo's appearance had not made him feel threatened; instead, it had strengthened his resolve to follow his chosen path. This was merely another hurdle he had to cross on the road to godhood, a trial called "fate."
Meanwhile, in a dark, damp underground cavern, the atmosphere was far less "divine."
"Damn it! Wood Release! How the hell can he use Wood Release?!"
Obito Uchiha's voice twisted with anger, the scarlet three tomoe in his single eye spinning rapidly. The crystal before him projected an image of Toru Kujyo above Konoha's ruins, worshipped by countless villagers. That world-destroying power, that effortless ability to fly-each was a needle stabbing viciously into his nerves.
"This is so annoying! So annoying! Why do people outside the plan keep popping up?!" White Zetsu writhed beside him, his voice agitated. "Tobi, do you think... he could be that mysterious guy with the other pair of Rinnegan? Look, he can fly too!"
"Idiot!" Obito snapped mercilessly. "Once the Rinnegan awakens, it can't turn back into ordinary eyes! Toru Kujyo's eyes haven't changed at all!"
On the other side of the cavern, Black Zetsu slowly emerged from the shadows, his cold voice cutting through their argument.
"He isn't that mysterious man. I can sense it. His power is strong, but its source is clear." Black Zetsu's analysis was always calm and devastating.
"He's a throwback to Hashirama Senju's bloodline, and he's also inherited Tobirama Senju's terrifying talent for developing ninjutsu. A monster with both a sage body and a first-rate mind... that's far more troublesome than a mere Senju descendant."
A barely perceptible trace of displeasure and disgust crept into Black Zetsu's voice, as though he were complaining about fate's unfairness.
"Hmph, descendants