"A trade?"
Black Zetsu's body, which had flowed onto the ground, reattached itself to White Zetsu's, asking his confusion through White Zetsu's mouth.
"What do you want to trade?"
"I am merely a failure who couldn't even save my own mother, while you have already become the true strongest in the ninja world."
"Such an unequal pairing leaves no basis for a trade. What can you give me? What can I give you?"
Orochimaru shook his head, stating with a serious expression:
"I will help you complete the Infinite Tsukuyomi and rescue Kaguya Otsutsuki."
"You will persuade Kaguya Otsutsuki to fight for the ninja world."
Black Zetsu froze, looking at Orochimaru in disbelief.
"You trust me?"
"You must understand that Mother is the progenitor of chakra in the ninja world. Once she is freed from her seal, you might not be her match."
Orochimaru smiled and shook his head.
"Naturally, I do not trust you."
"But I trust Kaguya Otsutsuki!"
"Because of her betrayal, an executor of the Otsutsuki clan was forced to abandon their body and could only cling to existence through a Karma."
"I believe that to survive, she will definitely choose to cooperate with me."
Black Zetsu was moved.
Orochimaru did not rush, calmly awaiting its reply.
Orochimaru's trades were not as benevolent as he outwardly presented.
In the future, even if Kaguya Otsutsuki were freed, she would only be able to become Orochimaru's subordinate.
Otherwise...
Becoming a sacrifice for the God Tree on Isshiki Otsutsuki's body would be her only end.
"Since it is a trade, I need to know the specific details, and also..."
"What will you contribute to the Moon Eye Plan!"
Black Zetsu pondered for a moment, ultimately unwilling to give up this opportunity to save his mother.
Orochimaru, having prepared his words, immediately spoke:
"The executor of the Moon Eye Plan will still be Senior Madara. Although Indra's chakra is gone, he has experienced the awakening of the Rinnegan."
"In the future, when casting the Infinite Tsukuyomi through the Gedo Mazo, Senior Madara remains the most suitable candidate."
Uchiha Madara, who hadn't expected to be involved, was about to refuse.
His shattered beliefs had made him weary of everything.
Now, all he wanted was to fight Orochimaru, who had advanced to the Six Paths level, one last time before his death and leave this world without regret.
To witness the power of a Six Paths level being would be a life well-lived.
"Senior Madara, please don't be so quick to refuse."
"For the future of the ninja world, please bear with it one more time!"
Orochimaru wore a trace of insincere apology on his face, but his words told a different story.
"Otherwise, I will have no choice but to summon you from the Pure Land using Edo Tensei."
Uchiha Madara's expression stiffened, utterly stunned by Orochimaru's shameless threat.
"You scoundrel..."
"You intend to use Tobirama's forbidden jutsu to humiliate me?"
Orochimaru grinned at him and slowly shook his head.
"If Senior Madara refuses to help, I will have to resort to this less honorable method."
"After all, the future of the ninja world is more important than pride."
Black Zetsu looked at Uchiha Madara with a gloating expression, but was met with a fierce glare in return. After failing to amuse his boss, Black Zetsu turned back to Orochimaru and continued his questions:
"Since the candidate remains unchanged, what about the Tailed Beasts? And Nagato's Rinnegan?"
"Who will be responsible for these?"
Orochimaru smiled confidently.
"You don't need to worry about the power of the Tailed Beasts. I will find a way to reach an understanding with the nine Tailed Beasts and extract some of their power."
"Although this will weaken Kaguya Otsutsuki's strength somewhat, once she is freed from the seal, she will gradually recover."
"As for Nagato's Rinnegan..."
Orochimaru pondered for a moment and gently shook his head.
"Let it remain with him for now!"
"Senior Madara will not live for much longer. When Nagato grows to a point where he can perform the Rinne Rebirth Jutsu, you can retrieve it then!"
"In the time you have, focus on nurturing Nagato."
"I will inform Jiraiya and Nagato, and they will gradually become accustomed to your presence."
Black Zetsu nodded in agreement. This arrangement did not deviate significantly from the plan it had previously set.
Furthermore, it saved the trouble of figuring out how to capture the Tailed Beasts. This deal was feasible.
Uchiha Madara, standing nearby, was almost driven mad by Orochimaru.
He might be old, but in Orochimaru's words, he was about to die soon?
If I hold back and don't fight, I can at least live another twenty years, do you believe that?
Orochimaru did.
Therefore, upon hearing Uchiha Madara's helpless rage, he nodded seriously at him.
"Senior Madara, Black Zetsu needs to go to the Land of Rain to fulfill our trading duties."
"It might be inconvenient for you to remain here alone."
"Besides, the commotion here earlier should have already attracted the attention of the Land of Iron."
"Rather than exposing your presence, why not..."
"Come back to Konoha with me!"
Uchiha Madara froze. After a long silence, he suddenly snorted dismissively and stood up, carrying his Gunsen fan.
"Back to Konoha?"
"There is nothing worth clinging to in the clan and village that betrayed me."
"Since I can't resist your arrangements anyway, let me witness the power of the Six Paths level before I die!"
With that, Uchiha Madara assumed a fighting stance, staring intently at Orochimaru and issuing a challenge.
Orochimaru shook his head helplessly and casually produced a Truth-Seeking Orb from within himself, erecting a barrier in front of him.
"Senior Madara, the power of the Six Paths has fundamentally changed. Even with your awakened Rinnegan, you cannot harm someone possessing Six Paths power with ninjutsu."
"This battle is meaningless."
"Come back to Konoha with me!"
Uchiha Madara, stubborn as ever, directly unleashed a fire jutsu at the barrier formed by the Truth-Seeking Orb.
The outcome was as expected.
Uchiha Madara's expression fell. He slumped back onto the ground dejectedly and waved a hand at Orochimaru.
"In the eyes of the ninja world, I, like Hashirama, am already dead."
"Konoha or anything..."
"I have no interest!"
Orochimaru's thoughts shifted, and he spoke with a mocking tone:
"Senior Madara, you are like before, unable to integrate into the village like the First Hokage, aren't you?"
"Afraid of being laughed at, a cold-faced demon who doesn't smile?"
"Nonsense!"
Uchiha Madara couldn't help but puff out his chest and curse at Orochimaru.
"Or are you afraid of seeing the younger generations of the Uchiha clan who have integrated into the village, and thus unable to accept your own failure?"
"You..."
Uchiha Madara, enraged, stood up with a "swish," chakra surging around him, ready to fight this shameless brat.
Orochimaru grabbed Uchiha Madara's wrist, suppressing his aura.
Then, appealing to his emotions and reasoning, he earnestly persuaded him.
"Let's go back!"
"Leaves always return to their roots. Moreover, the name Konoha was chosen by you and the First Hokage together."
"The position of the leader of the Konoha Root has always been vacant."
"Or how about I secretly let you be Hokage for a few days to satisfy your craving?"
"For the remaining time, why not go back and see how Konoha has changed?"
"What do you think?"