In the borders of the Land of Grass, near the Kannabi Bridge, in a secret underground cave.
This was once the place where Madara lay in wait. Here, he and Black Zetsu and White Zetsu plotted the future of the Ninja World, drawing up grand plans. Now, all that remained was an empty cavern and a figure writhing on the ground in apparent agony.
At this time, Obito's body was half-covered in a ghastly white substance. Although his arms and legs had regrown, they were twisted and scarred from burns, and the white half of his body continued to writhe unnaturally.
After being rescued by Black Zetsu, Obito had immediately been brought to this hideout near the Kannabi Bridge for treatment. It was the closest location to Konoha and had been prepared by Madara himself, ensuring its safety.
As for the treatment method, it was simple for Black Zetsu: he just had White Zetsu merge with Obito's body, allowing Obito to gradually absorb White Zetsu's power.
"Man, Obito, this is so boring. Your injuries have been like this for so long, why aren't you healed yet? It feels worse than when Namikaze Minato beat you up last time."
In the silent cavern, a voice filled with complaint but also a hint of amusement rang out.
From the white half of Obito's body, a swirling-faced white head suddenly emerged. This horrifying sight would have terrified any ordinary person, but Obito was used to it by now.
He remained silent, ignoring the voice.
"Hey, hey, Obito, why are you so quiet? Talk to me, this is so boring."
"By the way, even though I'm attached to you now, why don't I feel the urge to poop?"
"What even is the urge to poop?"
"Obito, do you not feel the urge to poop anymore either? Is that why you haven't gone in over a month?"
"Then Obito will be a poor man without the urge to poop in the future."
"That's kind of sad, Obito. But at least you used to know what the urge to poop felt like. I don't even know what it is."
"I..."
"Shut up!"
Obito couldn't take it anymore. Hearing the same questions every day had worn thin on his patience. Moreover, his mood was already terrible, his eye filled with both intense hatred and deep fear.
He couldn't understand how that Setsuna had known the weakness of his Kamui. The only ones who knew about it were Zetsu, and Zetsu had no reason to betray him. Even if Minato had figured out his Kamui back then, he couldn't have known the details as thoroughly as Setsuna, who had even devised a plan specifically to counter him.
He just couldn't figure it out.
Gradually, fear began to dominate his thoughts. Although Setsuna was dead, the Uchiha who knew about Kamui's weakness had mostly survived. Now, even more people likely knew about his vulnerability.
The Space-Time Dojutsu and the Mangekyo Sharingan, which had once filled him with confidence and made him invincible, could no longer provide him with a sense of security.
'If only I had my other eye...'
This thought suddenly crossed Obito's mind. If he had both Kamui eyes, he wouldn't be stuck in the awkward position of being unable to attack while intangible. With the other eye, he would have no weaknesses.
Moreover, he could use the Mangekyo Sharingan's ultimate power… Susanoo!
In the past, he had never considered retrieving the eye he had given to Kakashi, partly because he had given it to Kakashi himself. What Uchiha Obito gave away, he would never take back.
Another reason was that, with just one Kamui eye, he had been unstoppable. Even without the other eye, Obito Uchiha had been invincible in the Ninja World.
But now, his current situation filled him with dread. He needed the power of the other eye.
"Hey, hey, Obito, why are you so angry? How about I draw you a picture of poop? Maybe looking at poop will cheer you up."
The White Zetsu, Tobi, wasn't intimidated by Obito's outburst. His white half extended an arm, searching for the paper and pen he kept here, ready to draw Obito the finest piece of 'art.'
Just then, a venus flytrap-like head sprouted from the wall.
"Madara."
"Yes, what new information do you have today?" Obito asked.
"Karatachi Yagura has broken free from the Genjutsu."
Hearing this, Obito's pupil contracted, and a flash of hatred crossed his eye: "What happened? Even if I'm injured, the Genjutsu shouldn't have been affected."
"It was the Byakugan. The Byakugan that Kirigakure obtained during the war saw through the Genjutsu on Yagura. "
"Damn it, that cursed Kirigakure!"
Obito gritted his teeth, wishing he could destroy Kirigakure right then and there.
Black Zetsu, observing Obito's current state, felt a flicker of disappointment. After all, it had taken years to mold Obito into someone somewhat stable, but now, he seemed to have reverted to his old, unreliable self.
If it weren't for the fact that finding someone as talented and easily manipulated as Obito was so difficult, Black Zetsu might have considered replacing him.
"Any other news?"
After cursing Kirigakure, Obito asked again.
"Orochimaru and Kakuzu have left the Akatsuki, likely due to the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. The Box of Ultimate Bliss from Hozuki Castle has also been taken, again by the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki. However, White Zetsu's spores haven't been able to locate their whereabouts yet."
"Nine-Tails Jinchuriki?"
Obito recalled the little one he had seen seven years ago when the Jinchuriki was born, 'If Namikaze Minato hadn't intervened back then, the kid would have been blown to pieces.'
'But to think he had become so strong in just seven years? The power of the Nine-Tails was truly terrifying.'
"Madara, you need to retrieve your other eye."
Black Zetsu stared intently at Obito, his tone low and serious.
Obito's expression faltered for a moment. After a brief hesitation, he coldly glanced at Black Zetsu and said in a deep voice: "I will consider it."
Black Zetsu's brow furrowed. While he was pleased that Obito was considering retrieving the eye, he didn't like the hesitation in Obito's demeanor.
He continued: "Madara, Kakashi is currently on his way to Kirigakure. If you need it, I can retrieve the eye for you. "
This time, Obito's eyebrows also furrowed. He felt that Black Zetsu had been unusually pushy today, as if he had forgotten who was in charge.
"Black Zetsu, I am Uchiha Madara. What I gave away with my own hands, I will take back with my own hands once I recover. It's not your place to interfere!"
"You!" Black Zetsu's voice faltered. He glanced at Obito, who was still lying on the ground, then sank back into the wall, leaving behind a faint, ominous remark.
"Uchiha Obito, you will regret this!"
Ignoring Obito's warning, Black Zetsu used his Mayfly Technique to head toward Kirigakure. He intended to try retrieving the eye himself. After all, if they waited for Obito to recover, there would be too many variables.
And with his unique abilities, the chances of success were high.