In the minds of all the White Zetsu, Madara is exactly that kind of person.
He spends all day pretending to be deep and mysterious in the darkness, always scheming against this or plotting against that, and in the end, it's always them—the White Zetsu—who do all the dirty work without a word of complaint.
As the conversation was ongoing, suddenly a White Zetsu who had been patrolling outside burrowed out from the wall, catching the attention of both Zetsu and Akatsuki.
"What's up? Did you discover new poop?"
Akatsuki asked.
That White Zetsu answered, "No new poop found, but a troublesome enemy has appeared. Get ready to face them."
After hearing this, White Zetsu and Akatsuki instantly became alert.
Didn't expect that not long after, the enemy would come knocking again.
Just like their Lord Madara had predicted, the enemy's actions were a constant probe at their defenses and strength; once the probing was over, they'd strike with a deadly blow.
◎
Boom!
The earth split open, and from the crack, a White Zetsu was instantly exposed.
This White Zetsu didn't even have time to react before a huge shadow descended.
A massive, fat orange cat crushed down in a Mount-Tai-overhead fashion.
Another loud crash, and White Zetsu was squashed into a meat pancake, his white body flattened between the rocky fissure, dying on the spot before he could even scream.
"Ubi, where are the rest?"
Ruri stood on the other side and asked.
"Lady Ruri, the remaining two are at three o'clock direction, about twenty meters away."
Once Ubi reported the enemy's numbers and positions, Ruri vanished from where she stood and appeared twenty meters away at the three o'clock direction.
Sage Art Chakra gathered on her fist, and in an extremely violent fashion, she slammed the ground.
Chunks of stone shattered, flying into the air. The two White Zetsu were frightened; as reconnaissance types, their combat ability was minimal—once their location was exposed, it meant death.
She casually used a kunai to slash their throats, killing them instantly.
Having dealt with the White Zetsu lurking outside, Ruri continued onward, Ubi's massive orange body following closely, fire-like light blazing in his eyes.
"Wood Style: Tree Realm Descent!"
Thick and sturdy trees burst up from the ground, as if uprooted, rapidly forming a dense forest across the mountain terrain.
The trees twisted like ropes, rushing to bind Ruri's body, but before they could touch her, Ubi leapt in front, opened his mouth wide, and unleashed a massive fireball, incinerating the attacking trees to ash.
"Who are you?"
"Last time was clay puppets and a giant water serpent, this time it's a woman and a cat combo? Oh my, looks like they're tough customers, and they're Uchiha Clan too."
Akatsuki walked out from behind one of the trees, striking a good-natured pose while speaking in a troubled tone.
Noticing the Uchiha Clan crest stitched on Ruri's clothes, he knew the fight wouldn't be easy.
"That boss really knows how to keep us busy. Actually, I'd just like to think about how to take a shit. Yup, that's more important than fighting, you know."
Akatsuki sighed and shook his head helplessly.
"That boss?"
Ruri raised her eyebrows, apparently interested in this 'boss' Akatsuki mentioned.
A fellow with Sharingan? Or maybe another powerful ninja in this mysterious group?
"Forget it, looks like you're not gonna tell me what it feels like to take a shit anyway. So—"
Akatsuki was suddenly startled.
Ruri had vanished right in front of him.
Snap!
A white arm had been ripped off.
Akatsuki retreated, dripping with cold sweat, keeping a safe distance from Ruri.
If I'd been a second slower, my head would've been gone. This woman's Instantaneous Body Jutsu is insanely fast! Akatsuki swallowed nervously, realizing this Ruri was fundamentally different from the previous enemy he encountered.
"Dodged it?"
Ruri stared at Akatsuki, who'd retreated to keep his distance, holding the detached left arm in her right hand.
Pale skin, no blood, not even any bone visible.
How does this creature even move?
Is it the Divine Tree's power?
The First Hokage's Wood Style might also be a manifestation of the Divine Tree's power. Ruri mused internally.
Both Uchiha and Senju are descendants of Otsutsuki Kaguya; Otsutsuki Kaguya is the Divine Tree Ten-tailed, from whom the Sage's body and eyes originated.
But if that's so, why did only Senju Hashirama from the Senju Clan master Wood Style?
Ruri believed there was still some hidden mystery in all this.
"You actually dodged Lady Ruri's Instant Body Jutsu… Looks like I need to get serious too."
Ubi knew exactly how fast Ruri's Instant Body Jutsu was, and her remarkable reflexes were the reason she could immediately attack the enemy after using it.
"Then, how about this move?"
After opening the distance, Akatsuki activated his chakra. A multitude of long, sharp-tipped wooden spikes grew from his arm, writhing like snakes, stabbing toward Ruri's body.
They passed through Ruri… no, it was just a residual image.
Akatsuki retreated instantly, abandoning his Wood Style Ninjutsu.
He grabbed a thick branch of a tree, swung himself onto another big tree, and immediately leaped deeper into the forest he'd created to escape.