The research of the sealing technique was over half done, but it was an illusion of teamwork. In fact, all the analytical and creative power was invested only by Black Zetsu. Being a product of ancient times, he possessed knowledge beyond the reach of mortals. Obito, the eternal outsider, has never been able to grow to such heights. His ceiling remained illusions, a game with perception, but not the fundamental laws of the world contained in fuinjutsu. He understood them just enough to understand his own incompetence.
However, Obito wasn't kept here out of pity. Black Zetsu saw this as a necessary measure: Obito shouldn't have caught Nagato's eye right now, much less accidentally run into Senju Tobirama. The consequences could be fatal to their plan. Therefore, the ancient creature loaded Uchiha with work, hoping for a miracle.: what if his out-of-the-box thinking gives rise to a brilliant idea?
Alas, Black Zetsu overestimated him. Obito's contribution to the common cause tended to zero. All the weight of the research was borne by Zetsu, whose knowledge was boundless like the ocean. It's just a pity that wisdom doesn't always equal strength, and he couldn't resurrect his mother with his own hands.
Immersed in their research, they had no idea that their pawn was out of control. They didn't know that Nagato, having received the Sealing Armor from Orochimaru, was already rushing to fight Uchiha Yue. The duo of conspirators wrote off this idea, considering it suicidal. Yue's power seemed absolute, almost divine. How can you find a gap in such a defense in such a short time?
And if Nagato had won, so what? A "black mark" was left in his new body, a loophole that allows him to end his life at any moment.
The silence of the laboratory was broken by the appearance of a White Zetsu, which grew right out of the floor like a pale mushroom.
"What do you mean, 'disappeared'?" Obito whirled around, his only visible eye narrowing.
— I have no idea! — White Zetsu spread his hands, feigning extreme bewilderment. "He just disappeared." I've turned the entire Akatsuki base upside down. I checked everything, right down to the bathroom, and it was empty!
Obito turned to his dark partner.
"Zetsu, what are your thoughts?"
Black Zetsu, who had been silently writing out another formula on a scroll, froze. He slowly raised his head, and realization flashed in his yellow eye.
— To the Akatsuki base. Immediately," his voice sounded muffled. "Nagato really seems to have found something."
The White Zetsu couldn't be mistaken. He was purposely left with Nagato as a spy disguised as a nurse. The official version was that Zetsu was monitoring the condition of Akatsuki leader's new body. It seemed stable, but who knows what kind of malfunction might have occurred? The presence of a spy ensured that help would arrive on time. This clone practically did not leave Nagato's side, and if he says that the target has disappeared, then that's the way it is.
"Come on!" Obito didn't hesitate. Kamui's vortex enveloped him and Black Zetsu, instantly transporting them to the Akatsuki base.
There they were greeted by a frowning Conan. It was from her that they learned the truth: Nagato had gone to challenge Uchiha Yue.
"It can't be… They did it... so there's a flaw in his power after all..." muttered Obito, confused. Suddenly, his and Zetsu's herculean efforts in this dusty cave seemed pathetic and stupid to him. While they were poring over the scrolls, someone else found the key to victory.
They had no idea that Orochimaru had not hacked Yue's dojutsu. He just created a crowbar, against which there is no reception.
Konan did not elaborate on the details.
After exchanging glances, Obito and Zetsu left and disappeared into the shadows of the corridor.
"Zetsu, it looks like our plan is changing!" Obito sounded triumphant. "Nagato will kill Yue for us, and we can get down to business!" Ha ha ha!
A predatory grin twisted the face behind the mask. "Madara's will..." he chuckled inwardly. —Stupid Zetsu… As soon as Nagato does the dirty work, I'll take his power. And then no one can tell me what to do. Even you." He has already seen this picture: he stabs Nagato in the back, intoxicated by victory, rips out his eyes, and then turns to finish off his dark "ally."
Black Zetsu nodded in agreement, lowering his head and hiding a grin.
"Stupid child," flashed through his mind. "Do you think you're a puppeteer?" Just another puppet with strings that you can't even see. Another vessel on the way to a great goal. Mother... soon..."
And then an icy thought pierced his centuries-old consciousness.
"And if he loses?" Black Zetsu's voice became quiet and heavy, cutting off Obito's euphoria.
"Lose?" How is he mo…
Obito stopped in mid-sentence. Sweet fantasies of triumph crumbled like ashes. Yes, Nagato could win, but he was just as likely to die.
What if he loses?
If Nagato falls by Yue's hand, if his eyes —the legendary Rinnegan— are destroyed, what then? You can stay in Kamui's dimension, but what's the point? Without these eyes, you cannot summon Gedo Maso, devour the Tailed Ones, or create an ideal world under the rule of the Eternal Tsukuyomi.
Nagato must not die. At least his eyes should be safe.
In an instant, their bright prospects were replaced by chilling horror. Their initial plan was long-term, but reliable. The current situation was a risky gamble where everything was at stake.
Their grandiose plan, their secret intrigues, all crumbled to dust in the face of one simple possibility: what if Nagato, their temporary trump card, was beaten?