How Kurama Leads Naruto Astray

"We failed to capture the One-Tail," Black Zetsu said calmly.

Obito was lying on a bed, his eyes wrapped in white bandages, his upper body bare, completely still like he was asleep.

Black Zetsu's gaze twitched. "I know you heard me, Obito. What should we do next?"

"Without the One-Tail, we can't seal the rest of the Tailed Beasts." Obito's voice was oddly hoarse, and there was a strange emotion in it — something like regret. "Right now, we don't stand a chance against Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke."

Black Zetsu also understood things weren't looking good. He let out a long sigh. "Senju Hashirama, Senju Tobirama, and Uzumaki Mito — those three troublesome ones broke free from Orochimaru's control."

"I know," Obito's body shifted slightly. "But don't worry too much. Madara's there too."

"I don't think Madara alone can get away from those three. Or rather… just Senju Hashirama is enough to keep him tied down," Black Zetsu said. He didn't think Madara would lose, but Hashirama alone could stop Madara from helping the rest.

Things hadn't gotten any better — they'd only become more complicated.

Maybe because he knew the situation was really that bad, Obito sat up in bed, eyes still wrapped in bandages, like he was looking straight at Black Zetsu. "What did Orochimaru say?"

"He said he'll do his best," Black Zetsu said quietly.

"Do his best?" Obito clenched his fists, anger rising on his face. "That's the answer he gave me? Just 'do his best'?"

"But right now, he's the only one we can count on… or more like, the only thing we can use is his Edo Tensei," Black Zetsu replied, also annoyed, but helpless. The Akatsuki's current state was just…

Sigh. Black Zetsu was already starting to think about hiding again — maybe wait until Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke died, then restart the plan.

But since this generation's Asura and Indra had reconciled, their chakra probably wouldn't reincarnate again. That would make the plan a lot harder.

Black Zetsu felt hopeless. But there was really nothing it could do. After all, Kaguya had created it in a rush and didn't have time to give it any real power.

Obito took a deep breath. "With how much Uzumaki Mito knows about sealing jutsu, and with Senju Tobirama being the one who created the Edo Tensei… don't you think they could figure out a way to counter it?"

Black Zetsu fell silent.

Those two were absolutely insane — not like Hashirama or Madara who were freaks on a god-like level, but still at the absolute peak of what humans could achieve.

If you called them the strongest a human could be, not many people would argue with that.

Thinking this, Black Zetsu sighed again. "We've already lost everything. The only thing we can use now is Orochimaru's Edo Tensei. Even your Rinnegan can't be called a trump card anymore."

Obito clenched his fists.

He knew that. Uchiha Sasuke had a Rinnegan with tomoe — an eye power that surpassed even his own. If Obito tried using the Gedo Statue in battle, there was a high chance Sasuke could take control of it right out of his hands.

There was nothing he could do — the Gedo Statue didn't care about the person, only the eyes.

If Nagato hadn't already summoned the Gedo Statue into the ninja world, Sasuke could have easily summoned it before them and taken control. As for chakra — with Naruto and Kurama, they had more than enough to keep it running.

They were weaker in power, couldn't hide, couldn't fight directly, and sneaky tricks wouldn't work either. Obito had no one else to count on except Orochimaru.

Pathetic.

The Akatsuki's great advantage had completely vanished the moment Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke returned.

*Bang!* Obito punched the bed to let out the anger boiling inside him.

Seeing this, Black Zetsu shook his head. "I'll keep in touch with Orochimaru. That guy's been studying the Rinnegan nonstop. Who knows, maybe he'll actually figure something out."

"Heh." Obito let out a mocking laugh and didn't say anything.

The Rinnegan had been by Obito's side for a long time. He'd already worked with Nagato to study it, and in the end, they got nothing. He didn't believe Orochimaru could come up with anything in such a short time.

But it didn't matter.

Obito took a deep breath. "How long until I can use the eye?"

"A week," Black Zetsu replied. "You and the Rinnegan aren't a great match. The cells from Hashirama have helped your body adapt, but the Rinnegan still has a strong rejection effect—stronger than you think. At least a week is needed for it to fully adjust to your body."

"Alright." Obito nodded. "Tell Orochimaru I'll go find him in a week. He'd better not let me down."

"I understand." Black Zetsu replied in a low voice, his body slowly sinking into the ground.

The dark room was completely silent. No light at all—

Except for the flickering candle flame.

After Black Zetsu left, Obito sat alone on the bed. The candlelight made his shadow on the wall dance wildly. For a moment, it looked like some twisted monster was crawling out from the wall.

In a daze, Obito thought he saw a light. Facing the direction of the candle, he spoke in a soft but firm voice: "Rin, I'm going to create a world where you exist again…"

——

"This… might not be a good idea." Not far from the Hyuga clan's compound, Naruto scratched his cheek awkwardly as Kushina dragged him along. His face was a little red. "Mom, the Hyuga clan is really busy right now. Isn't it kind of rude to visit at a time like this?"

"And we didn't even bring a gift…" Naruto's whole body was clearly resisting.

Mostly because he was embarrassed, nothing else.

"Shut up, Kurama!" In his mind, Naruto yelled at Kurama, furious that he'd seen right through him.

Kurama didn't say anything. He just gave him that Anya-style expression, staring at him with a 'smile.'

Kushina, full of energy, pulled Naruto forward, completely ignoring his reluctance. She was full of excitement as they walked toward the Hyuga compound. "It's fine, it's fine. I'm still the Fourth Hokage's wife, after all. Sure, it's not the most proper thing to do… but since when did I care about proper?"

Since when did she care about proper behavior?

If you think Kushina turned into some obedient wife after getting married, you clearly don't know her.

The older folks all remember—Kushina once dared to yank the Third Hokage's beard. What could she possibly be afraid of now?

No gift? Who cares? Worst case, they'll just leave without taking anything either.

Naruto looked helpless. "Mom, this really doesn't feel right."

"I'm just going to say hi. I won't embarrass you, I swear." Kushina thumped her chest like she was making a solid promise.

But the very next moment, Naruto suddenly tightened his grip on Kushina's hand and stopped her in her tracks.

Kushina looked confused, but Naruto's face was serious as he stared at her. "Don't say that again."

Kushina blinked. "Naruto?"

"Don't say stuff like 'I'll embarrass you.'" Naruto held her hand tight, his tone unusually serious. "I'm the most embarrassing person in the village. As your and Dad's son, I'm the one who shames you—not the other way around."

"So… never say that again."

"I don't like it."

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