"Heh… heh…"
"There are indeed some jutsu in the shinobi world tied to the soul," Black Zetsu's voice oozed from the shadows.
"The Human Path and Animal Path of the Rinnegan. The Impure World Reincarnation. The Spirit Transformation Technique. But this..." his tone sharpened, "this ability that extracts a soul through fear… I've never seen it before. At least not in Madara's memories."
He paused, as though rifling through the ancient fragments of Indra's line. "There were techniques… but that was a very, very long time ago."
Obito's single eye narrowed. "Black Zetsu. Why are you here?"
"Nagato's side is under control for now," the half-black, half-white body answered, its two halves grotesquely out of sync, one mouth moving while the other hung slack.
Obito's voice chilled. "Your efficiency here seems… lacking."
"Our efficiency is fine," Black Zetsu countered flatly. "It was the Mizukage himself who sealed the Three-Tails. Controlling him without drawing suspicion is no simple matter. Everything is arranged. A few more days, and the goal will be achieved."
White Zetsu's side of the face grinned stupidly. Black Zetsu ignored it. "But Obito, this soul technique is dangerous. Take Tobi with you when you face Uchiha Gen. If he dies, the plan becomes far messier."
Obito grunted. "Understood." Then his eye flickered, thoughtful. "Could it be a Mangekyō Sharingan ability?"
The thought stirred unease in him. His own Mangekyō ability was proof enough of how strange and unpredictable they could be.
Black Zetsu's tone grew low. "If he has truly awakened the Mangekyō, then yes, it's possible. I once saw Indra's seventh reincarnation wield a Mangekyō that could touch the soul."
White Zetsu snorted. "That's impossible. The intel says after his parents and teammates died, he awakened one-tomoe, then two-tomoe. But he hasn't faced any tragedy since. Without the loss of a deep bond, the Mangekyō doesn't awaken."
"Then how did he gain his three-tomoe?" Obito pressed.
"No idea," White Zetsu shrugged. "He disappeared for half a year on a journey. Probably got it then. He's well-liked in the clan and respected in Konoha, but he doesn't seem to have any true bonds left. No bonds, no loss then no Mangekyō."
"Enough," Black Zetsu cut in. "Speculation without value. His ability may be odd, but it only works if the enemy feels fear."
He turned his gaze. "Obito. Are you afraid?"
Obito's voice hardened into ice. "There is nothing in this world that can frighten me. All I hold toward this world is hatred."
"And you, Tobi?"
"I don't know what fear is!" Tobi declared cheerfully.
Black Zetsu's silence stretched. Even White Zetsu thought the act a little much. Of course, there were traces of fear in him, it was instinct, but still.
"…Fine," Black Zetsu muttered. "If there's no fear, his ability is meaningless. The real priority is seizing the Mizukage. Tell me the plan. Perhaps I can see the gaps."
"Tobi, you explain," Obito ordered. "If there are changes, inform me later. I'm hungry."
With that, a spiraling vortex swallowed him whole, leaving the room empty but for the twisted figure of Zetsu, muttering to itself in two voices. Anyone else who stumbled upon the sight would've fainted dead away.
The next morning, Orochimaru's battle report reached Konoha.
Even before it arrived, intelligence from Root and the Interrogation Department had already been placed on the Hokage's desk; reports funneled in through informants planted at every level.
Every village relied on multiple channels to cross-check their commanders.
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat with pipe in hand, reading slowly. His brow creased.
After a long pause, he exhaled smoke, picked up his brush, and prepared to sign his approval of Orochimaru's recommendation.
Knock...knock.
"Enter."
The door creaked open. Danzo, cane tapping against the wood, slipped inside and shut it firmly. He walked forward with his usual stiffness. [T/L: Very surprised as to how Danzo didnt barge in like usual...]
"What is it now?" Hiruzen asked flatly.
"I hear Orochimaru wants to recommend his disciple...that arrogant brat who doesn't know his place, as Vice Commander," Danzo said.
"Hmph. Your sources are impressive as ever," Hiruzen murmured, pipe clamped between his teeth.
Danzo's face remained stone. "Don't misunderstand. I didn't intercept the report. My informant at the front lines passed it to me. He's embedded in the transmission chain."
"Then state your case quickly. If this is just because Uchiha Gen once offended you, you can leave."
Danzo forced a thin smile. "Hiruzen, I am not so petty."
Hiruzen said nothing, only puffed calmly. The silence pressed until Danzo, realizing he needed weight, leaned on his cane.
"According to intel, this boy hides himself too deeply. He is ambitious and dangerous."
"You mean the dragon summon and the soul-stealing technique?" Hiruzen asked.
During the pursuit of Kirigakure shinobi, Gen had openly used it, snuffing out the lives of five jōnin, several chūnin, and a dozen genin. Root and the Interrogation Department had both reported it.
"Exactly," Danzo said sharply. "He never showed it before. Not even during the Nine-Tails' attack. Now, perhaps, he believes he's strong enough to reveal his true hand. Killing five Mist jōnin, even among them the Seven Ninja Swordsmen; such power is already brushing the edge of Kage-level."
If Gen could hear this, he would probably laugh, You guessed right.
"Or perhaps he simply didn't have it before?" Hiruzen countered.
"Possible. But dangerous nonetheless. A fifteen-year-old Vice Commander? Rising too fast. That position is too important for such a gamble. Do you truly want the lives of Konoha's shinobi and the outcome of this war on the shoulders of a boy?"
"You've read the same report," Hiruzen replied evenly. "Orochimaru is training him personally. He praises his natural command of management and leadership. And while Orochimaru has strayed in some ways, he won't misjudge this."
"A master praising his disciple? That could be exaggeration." Danzo sneered. "In the Police Force Ninth Squad, he barely lifted a finger. Let his subordinates run wild."
"I know that situation. Did the Ninth Squad fail in their duties?"
Danzo faltered. "…No."
"Then his leadership succeeded. Perhaps it was his vice-captain's ability. Or perhaps Gen simply knows how to use talent well, and doesn't let pride get in the way."
Danzo's silence was sour.
"Then what of the death row massacre in the Land of Fire?" he pushed. "Those prisoners died without wounds, their faces frozen in terror. Our conclusion was mental collapse. But perhaps their souls were taken. And Hiruzen... playing with souls is evil."
The Second Hokage's name hung silently in the air.
Hiruzen shook his head. "I hesitated for those very reasons. But speculation is still speculation. When the inmates died, Gen was near Konoha on patrol at most. He could not have killed every convict across the entire Land of Fire. That area is vast, Danzo. Too vast for one boy."
Danzo's jaw tightened.
"And as for souls," Hiruzen continued, "he used it only against enemies. Isn't it you who says shinobi must be ruthless to their foes?"
Danzo opened his mouth. "But—"
"Because he's an Uchiha?" Hiruzen cut him off, eyes sharp.
Danzo closed his mouth, nodding grimly.
"Your stance toward the Uchiha is too extreme. Enough. Leave."
"Hiruzen, you—"
"One more word and I'll call it what it is, using public office for private grudges."
Danzo's teeth clenched. He did believe the boy was dangerous. But Hiruzen's eyes stayed steady, unmoving.
Finally, Hiruzen looked up from the report and frowned. "Still here?"
Danzo's voice came low, seething. "You'll regret this."
Hiruzen sighed inwardly. The same tired line again. He waved him away like a fly.
Bang!
The door slammed shut behind Danzo. The shinobi outside barely glanced up.
Elder Danzo storming from the Hokage's office in a fury was nothing new, three to four times out of ten, it ended with a door slam.
By early afternoon, the ink dried on the approval. At one o'clock, the appointment letter was already on its way to the front lines.