Drip!
A crystal-clear drop of water fell from the cave wall and struck the ground with a crisp sound.
Inside the dim cave, Kabuto Yakushi sat cross-legged on the ground, his fingers raised as he stared at several pieces on the board before him.
Judging by his appearance, he had clearly immersed himself completely in them.
Otherwise, he should have long since noticed Black Zetsu, who had appeared in the cave at some point.
"What are you... looking at?"
Black Zetsu's sinister voice suddenly rang out, instantly snapping Kabuto Yakushi out of his thoughts.
Kabuto Yakushi's heart jolted. This time, he really had been careless. He had actually failed to notice Black Zetsu's arrival immediately!
Far too careless!
To Kabuto Yakushi, this was an absolutely unforgivable mistake!
Especially since he knew very well that Obito Uchiha and Black Zetsu had never truly considered him a companion. They were merely tools using one another.
That was why he had always remained wary of both of them.
But this lapse had happened because he had focused all his attention on the First Hokage and Nagato.
Everything those two recounted concerned secrets of the shinobi world that he had never heard before, and this had sparked his keen interest.
Whether it was the chaotic Warring States Period, Konoha in its infancy, or the founding and rise of the Akatsuki.
These stories contained countless pieces of information. Kabuto Yakushi did not know what Sasuke Uchiha thought after hearing them, but he himself had certainly gained a great deal.
It was no exaggeration to say that he now had a rough idea of what he truly wanted to do.
That idea was growing clearer and firmer!
Under these circumstances, Kabuto Yakushi had naturally become so absorbed in his own thoughts that he had not noticed