As a being created from Princess Kaguya's will, Black Zetsu was especially sensitive to gifted members of the Uchiha Clan.
Uchiha Makoto's appearance had piqued his interest as well.
"The most gifted Uchiha... apart from Lord Madara?"
Black Zetsu pondered this. Interesting. Perhaps he's worth watching for a while. "White Zetsu, send a few clones to keep an eye on Uchiha Makoto and the people with him."
"Got it~"
White Zetsu's distinctive voice drifted through the air, carrying a hint of eerie cheerfulness.
Several almost imperceptible spores quietly scattered, drifting toward Amegakure.
Meanwhile, Uchiha Makoto himself seemed rather relaxed, despite being at the center of the storm.
He had Nako and the other two continue gathering intelligence on Amegakure's outskirts, while he occasionally showed his face near the inn. Most of the time, he operated remotely through a Shadow Clone, keeping his real body hidden in the shadows. Like a patient hunter, he waited for his prey to take the bait while observing the other "fish" in the murky waters of the Land of Rain.
He had no idea he had already drawn Madara and Black Zetsu's attention, but he could feel the "interest" in him within Amegakure intensifying.
Amegakure lookouts disguised as civilians or vendors appeared around the inn.
"Hanzō's men... pretty efficient."
Uchiha Makoto's real body hid in the shadow of a tall tower, overlooking the streets below. He sneered inwardly. Looks like Danzo's letter has arrived.
Just as he was considering whether to keep waiting or stir up some trouble to speed things along, someone unexpected, yet perfectly understandable, appeared before him.
Yahiko.
The young leader of the Akatsuki seemed to have deliberately arranged a "chance encounter" with Uchiha Makoto at the mouth of the alley outside the inn, just as Makoto was about to head out.