Land of Water, on an island deep in the ocean.
Obito poked his head out of a hollow tree. After escaping from the Fourth Hokage that day, he had been forced to drag his badly wounded body to an island to recover. Even then, he constantly feared another attack from the Flying Thunder God Technique.
The Fourth Hokage's Flying Thunder God Technique had completely countered his Dojutsu, Kamui, and that Rasengan had mangled and melted his body. Even with White Zetsu's powerful regenerative ability, it had taken him several months to return to his peak.
During that time, White Zetsu had brought him intelligence stating that the Fourth Hokage and his wife had died at the Nine-Tails' hands.
All he could say was that he felt relieved. Otherwise, the threat of Flying Thunder God would have made his next moves difficult, leaving him feeling shackled.
Yet the Fourth Hokage's death had also deepened his wariness of Zetsu. Formed from Madara's will, Zetsu could ambush the Fourth Hokage, which meant Zetsu could ambush him too. To this day, he still could not work out how that ability to move silently and evade detection worked. All he could do was remain on guard.
If possible, he wanted to engineer Zetsu's death. Only then would he truly be free.
He would carry out the plan Madara Uchiha had described, but he would never resurrect Madara Uchiha. He had already become Madara himself. He did not need another Madara standing over him.
Reining in his wandering thoughts, Obito noticed Zetsu beside him. The black-and-white appearance was easy to recognize.
Still looking as foolish as ever, Zetsu appeared at his side and said quietly, "Lord Madara, there aren't many powerful ninja in Kirigakure. But why are you going there? This isn't part of the plan."