"Since we last parted, I traveled the shinobi world for quite some time. Only then did I learn that Uchiha Ichiro had actually awakened his Mangekyo during the Five Kage Summit."
"Interestingly, I learned that the turmoil at that summit was caused by an enemy known as Black Zetsu."
"Even more interestingly, I recently received some intelligence that Kinkaku and Ginkaku knew you by another name: 'Black Zetsu Splinter'..."
"I originally thought you hadn't told me about Uchiha Ichiro's Mangekyo last time because you didn't know either. But now it seems... that wasn't the case?"
"Great guardian of the Uchiha? Black Zetsu Splinter?"
The space in his hand shrank another notch, compressing the puddle of Black Zetsu into a cube.
"Can you give me a reasonable explanation?"
"Uh... well..."
Black Zetsu panicked a little. Although this spatial technique formula couldn't kill him, being held captive indefinitely was hardly an option.
Let me make up an excuse... no, let me think!
"This was a test!"
After a moment's thought, he declared it with absolute conviction.
"Oh?"
"Uchiha Kagami" raised an eyebrow. The space within [Netherworld] stopped contracting, leaving Black Zetsu room to move and think.
"Do you really think being the Uchiha Clan Head is that easy? That as long as you're strong enough to intimidate the entire clan, you can lead the Uchiha to glory?"
"Isn't that how it works? Madara Uchiha..."
"No! You're wrong! Strength was only one insignificant aspect of Madara Uchiha! His charisma, his commitment to appointing people on merit, his aspirations for the greater good of the shinobi world! Those were all reasons he could become clan head!"
"Likewise, that's why I don't approve of Uchiha Ichiro! He has strength, but no tolerance for others. A clan head like that would only plunge the Uchiha into