Shisui Uchiha's frayed nerves had eased considerably after that silent exchange with Longjian.
At least he knew his friend had his own thoughts and plans, so he did not need to worry quite so much about his condition. Still, he had to keep earning Black Zetsu's trust.
With Black Zetsu's motives and intentions still uncertain, Shisui Uchiha could only comply with his demands while using his relatively unrestricted position to slowly gather information within the Jashin Cult.
And the times Black Zetsu suddenly sent him to visit were growing increasingly strange: before dawn, in the morning, at noon, in the afternoon, late at night...
Shisui Uchiha tried to work out a pattern. After pondering it for a long time, he suddenly realized these might be the times when Longjian "broke down."
At least, in Black Zetsu's eyes, they were the limits of Longjian's endurance-if no familiar face came to steady his mental state after that, he would break down.
Once Shisui Uchiha understood this, he grew even more worried. Every time he pushed open the door, Longjian seemed to be in worse shape.
He could never resist taking a risk to test him a little, yet Longjian, despite his poor condition, always managed to respond promptly. That was strange.
-So Longjian should have things under control?
With that thought, Shisui Uchiha did his best to suppress his anxiety.
Out of faith in his friend, he still chose to trust Longjian. Of course, beyond trusting him, he had no better option.
For now, Black Zetsu had shown no exploitable weaknesses, and Shisui Uchiha had no bargaining chips. Everything would have to be planned out slowly.
Shisui Uchiha walked slowly down a corridor in the Jashin Cult's base. It was already dinnertime, and he needed to bring back two portions of food