Black Zetsu's figure slid along the ground like a real shadow, and he soon caught up with the two figures ahead, one big and one small.
At present, there were only a handful of people in the entire ninja world who could sense Black Zetsu.
He did not rush to approach. Instead, he stayed beyond the edge of their perception and quietly observed.
Uchiha Akira followed behind Madara, occasionally quickening his pace for fear of being left behind.
The boy's vigilance was not low, but compared with a true Anbu member, he still seemed inexperienced.
The corners of Black Zetsu's mouth lifted slightly.
"I'll use a letter…"
He quickly chose the safest method, and the one that would be hardest to refute.
Late that night, when Madara and Uchiha Akira were resting in a hidden cave, Black Zetsu silently approached the small bundle the boy had placed in the corner.
He did not alert anyone.
First, he carefully took out the paper and pen Uchiha Akira carried with him and studied the boy's handwriting.
Black Zetsu circulated his chakra and precisely imitated strokes that were almost identical.
Then, he began writing the letter.
The salutation was respectful and restrained, "Kindly open this letter, Lord Tobirama."
The main text was written in a deliberately subdued, cautious tone characteristic of a boy, "I have successfully followed Lord Madara out of Konoha."
"At present, Lord Madara has no obvious suspicions toward me. I will continue to report his daily movements and changes in mood when I have the opportunity."
"There is another matter that needs to be reported urgently."
"Lord Madara has mentioned 'true power' and 'a way to change the world' several times recently, and has vaguely revealed an interest in the Nine-Tails."
"I speculate that Lord Madara already intends to capture the Nine-Tails and make it his own. The specific time of action is still unclear, but this is by no means baseless."
"Please make preparations early, Lord Tobirama, so that Konoha will not be caught unprepared."
"I will continue to remain undercover and await further instructions."
The signature was "Uchiha Akira."
After finishing, Black Zetsu used the same handwriting to leave a "draft" on another sheet of paper. Its contents were almost identical to the official letter, except that it had several corrections and traces of hesitation, making it look more like the boy's true state when he had mustered the courage to write the letter.
He secretly sent the official letter toward Konoha through special means, ensuring that it would fall into Senju Tobirama's hands.
After doing all this, Black Zetsu retreated into the shadows and calmly watched the two sleeping figures in the cave.
"This way…"
"Once Madara becomes suspicious, as long as he 'happens' to find this draft and then thinks of the intelligence Tobirama may have received…"
"Even if Uchiha Akira tears out his heart, he won't be able to clear his name."
More importantly, the intention to "capture the Nine-Tails" mentioned in the letter was something Madara would eventually do anyway.
A mixture of truth and falsehood was the easiest way to make someone believe it.
———
Konoha, the secret room behind the Hokage's office building.
Senju Hashirama did not handle official business. He was only Hokage in name, and most of the village's affairs were left to Senju Tobirama.
Candlelight flickered, illuminating half of Senju Tobirama's face while the other half sank into shadow.
He had just finished dealing with the village affairs that had piled up during the day and was preparing to rest for a while when an extremely light knock suddenly came from outside the door.
"Come in."
An Anbu member responsible for special communications silently pushed open the door and entered.
He presented a letter carefully wrapped in waterproof oiled paper with both hands, his voice lowered to a whisper. "Lord Tobirama, this was sent into the village today through a secret passage outside the village."
"The sender did not show himself. He only left this letter and disappeared. Preliminary examination shows no poison and no seals."
Tobirama took the letter, his brows drawing together slightly.
He first swept every inch of the paper carefully with his chakra. Only after confirming that there were no hidden techniques did he slowly open it.
The moment the letter was unfolded, his gaze suddenly sharpened.
"Kindly open this letter, Lord Tobirama."
The handwriting was somewhat childish.
Tobirama read on line by line, and his gaze grew colder and colder.
The letter described in detail how Uchiha Akira had successfully followed Madara out of Konoha, that he had not yet aroused any obvious suspicion, and that he would continue reporting his movements.
And the most crucial passage almost made his fingers tighten slightly.
"Lord Madara has mentioned 'true power' and 'a way to change the world' several times recently, and has vaguely revealed an interest in the Nine-Tails. I speculate that Lord Madara already intends to capture the Nine-Tails and make it his own…"
The signature was "Uchiha Akira," and there was also an extremely fine identifying mark in the corner.
Tobirama placed the letter on the table, lightly tapping his knuckles against its surface as he fell into a brief silence.
The candle crackled.
He did not believe it completely.
Uchiha Akira was Kagami's son. Kagami had leaned toward the hawkish faction while he was alive, and the fact that this child had suddenly stepped forward to follow Madara when he defected was itself somewhat unusual.
Now he had even taken the initiative to send intelligence… Was he sincerely pledging allegiance, or did he have another motive?
But the "capture the Nine-Tails" mentioned in the letter made it impossible for Tobirama to dismiss it as a complete lie.
Given Madara's current state, having completely lost hope in Konoha and being eager to seek greater power, there was indeed a very high possibility that he would turn his attention to the Nine-Tails.
If Madara really controlled the Nine-Tails, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Tobirama slowly exhaled, a dark sharpness flashing in his eyes.
"Prepare on the assumption that this is real."
"Strengthen the surrounding areas outside the village. Report any abnormalities immediately. Also, as for the contents of this letter… tell only me for now."
The Anbu member acknowledged and withdrew.
Tobirama sat alone where he was, his eyes fixed on the letter, not moving for a long time.
He did not rush to tell Hashirama.
His elder brother's personality was too soft. Once he learned that Madara might be going after the Nine-Tails, he might make an impulsive decision.
As for himself, he first had to confirm whether the letter was genuine and whether Uchiha Akira was actually a spy or a pawn with another purpose.
"Uchiha Akira…"
Tobirama quietly repeated the name, his lips tightening slightly.
Whether the boy was sincere or pretending, he would keep the initiative firmly in his own hands.
"Hmph, what is this Uchiha brat after? If Uchiha Madara finds out, he's finished. He actually has that much nerve."
Senju Tobirama could not help but say this quietly.
———
[Several Days Later]
At the end of the official road, the forest grew denser.
Uchiha Madara stopped and looked up toward the distant mountains covered in thick mist.
A violent and massive chakra fluctuation could faintly be sensed there, the Nine-Tails.
He had been wandering around this area for several days, confirming the general range of activity of that tailed beast.
"Akira.", Madara spoke calmly, his voice giving away no emotion.
Uchiha Akira, following behind him, immediately stepped forward. "Lord Madara."
"From today onward, find a place to settle down on your own. I have some things to take care of."
Uchiha Akira's heart tightened, and he instinctively asked, "Where is Lord Madara going?"
Madara turned his face slightly, his Sharingan rotating faintly in the morning light.
"To catch a fox."
"The Nine-Tails.", Uchiha Madara said calmly.
Uchiha Akira's pupils contracted slightly.
Of course he knew that in the original story, Madara would eventually control the Nine-Tails, but he had not expected it to happen so soon. It had only been a few short days since leaving Konoha, yet Madara had already set his sights on a tailed beast.
"Are… are you taking me with you?" Uchiha Akira asked tentatively.
"No need."
"With your current strength, you'll only hold me back. We'll talk after I return."
Madara had already started walking again.
After saying that, his figure flashed and disappeared into the forest.
Leaving Uchiha Akira standing alone where he was, his fists slowly tightening.
———
On the outskirts of Konoha, the Anbu members responsible for monitoring the Nine-Tails' activity area noticed the abnormality immediately.
The violent tailed-beast chakra normally fluctuated steadily, but early this morning, an extremely strong trace of Uchiha chakra suddenly appeared in that area, familiar, oppressive, and carrying obvious hostility.
The Anbu captain barely hesitated before immediately sending the intelligence back to the village at the fastest speed.
"Report to Lord Tobirama!"
The secret-room door was hurriedly pushed open. The Anbu member knelt on one knee, his voice low yet exceptionally clear. "Uchiha Madara's chakra fluctuation has appeared in the Nine-Tails' activity area! The other party's target is most likely the Nine-Tails itself! It has been confirmed. This is not a false alarm!"
Senju Tobirama's hand, which was examining a scroll, suddenly stopped.
The candle flame flickered.
He slowly raised his head, a sharp chill flashing through his eyes.
The letter sent under the name "Uchiha Akira" several days ago clearly surfaced in his mind.
"Lord Madara already intends to capture the Nine-Tails and make it his own…"
He had originally thought it was only a possibility, and had even suspected it was a trap.
Now...
It had been confirmed with his own eyes.
Tobirama was silent for two seconds.
"Immediately strengthen every line of defense around the Nine-Tails' sealing site. Mobilize all available Anbu and seal off the outer passages. Anyone who approaches is to be restrained first and questioned afterward."
"Also…"
Senju Tobirama paused, his gaze sinking.
"For now, don't tell my elder brother about this."
"Yes!"
The Anbu member acknowledged and left.