"I saw it..."
"So that's the Rinnegan? Doesn't look all that special…"
"Can that Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique really bring someone back to life?"
Muren Uchiha was a man of action. He always suspected that Madara was messing with him—how could someone come back from the dead? That was just nonsense.
"The Rinnegan is known as the 'Eye that Controls Life and Death.' It's the pinnacle of ocular power. Its wielder can naturally control all five chakra natures, manipulate yin and yang, and possesses extraordinary abilities."
"Madara endured immense hardship to awaken those eyes. Don't underestimate them. If you want to reach Madara's level in the future, those eyes are essential."
Zetsu once again gave Muren Uchiha a little lecture.
As for the Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique, he didn't bother explaining—it was a forbidden technique of the Sage of Six Paths, far beyond ordinary ninjutsu. It was true Sage power.
After finishing his explanation, Zetsu turned his gaze toward Kazuyama Gekkō, who was busy stuffing his face. A flicker of seriousness flashed in his eyes.
"But why is that guy here? And why did he just happen to run into Nagato?"
"This could seriously interfere with our plans."
"You should know, he's already at the Kage level. Even the veteran Third Mizukage couldn't take him down."
"What do you plan to do?"
They had originally intended to make direct contact with Nagato, but now it seemed that plan would need to change. Kazuyama Gekkō's presence was a major complication.
"Hmph... Who knows if he really beat the Third Mizukage. Don't forget, his sensei is Orochimaru."
"Snakes are slippery. Maybe he used some trick to kill the Mizukage."
"No, help me create an opening. I'll try to take him out."
Muren Uchiha's Sharingan began spinning rapidly, and that eerie, cross-shaped diamond pattern appeared once more.
Zetsu couldn't help but tremble at the sight. Uchiha eyes manifested all kinds of powers after awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, and Muren's abilities were clearly among the most formidable—almost unbelievable.
"You'd better keep that killing intent in check. Sure, the cells from Hashirama help reduce the toll on your body from the Mangekyō Sharingan…"
"But overuse still invites danger."
"I don't get it. Why don't you just transplant Ao Uchiha's eyes? They were his last gift to you."
The moment Zetsu brought that up, a powerful bloodlust radiated from Muren.
Ao Uchiha had been his closest friend. The scenes of his death constantly haunted Muren's mind.
"Shut up! Don't bring up Ao!"
"Unless I have absolutely no choice, I'll never use his eyes!"
"It's just Kazuyama Gekkō. I'll deal with him myself!"
Seeing Muren Uchiha seething with rage, Zetsu fell silent. But deep down, he knew—even the most powerful eyes were useless in the face of overwhelming strength.
Kazuyama Gekkō had taken down the Third Mizukage. That alone proved he was no ordinary shinobi. Madara wouldn't have considered him a threat otherwise.
After all, in Madara's eyes, most people were insects. For Kazuyama Gekkō to rise above that meant he had something truly exceptional.
"What are you going to do?"
"Wait for the right moment—then kill him."
Zetsu was speechless. Now he understood why Madara had ranked this guy dead last. That mindset… seriously...
"Let's just keep watching. Right now, you've got no opening."
"Even with your eye power, you're not getting a chance."
"Besides, that little girl with Kazuyama Gekkō… something's off about her."
Both of their gazes turned to Yugito, as if trying to see straight through her.
Muren observed her for a while but didn't find anything suspicious. He thought he had a good read on Kazuyama Gekkō.
Especially when he saw Yugito's youthful face, he immediately thought he had it figured out.
"Tch, just a kid with a decent face."
"I know exactly what kind of guy Kazuyama Gekkō is."
"He was a total perv back in the village. And now... ha, he's just worse."
Zetsu felt a wave of frustration. No matter what he said, Muren always had a comeback.
But Muren wasn't entirely wrong. Based on their intel, Kazuyama Gekkō really was a lecher.
His Kekkei Genkai—Transparent Escape Technique—suited him perfectly. Even Jiraiya had to admit defeat.
"Let's find the right time. Once he's away from Nagato and the others, I'll strike. With my Sharingan, I can take him down."
The Sharingan spun, and Muren Uchiha vanished into the trees. Zetsu let out a helpless sigh.
"Sigh... Muren really is a go-getter."
"You should cut him some slack, Black Zetsu."
White Zetsu, who had been silent until now, finally spoke. His flippant tone made Black Zetsu even more exasperated.
All Black Zetsu could do was scream inwardly: These guys… totally unreliable!
He too slowly vanished into the trees.
...
At the camp.
Kazuyama looked irritated as he stared at the ten people in front of him, all unable to move.
Yes, ten—Yugito included.
A deer, several rabbits, and three owls had been completely devoured, and Kazuyama Gekkō still wasn't full. He was now chewing on a cracker.
"Were you all starving in your past lives?"
"Each one of you eats more than the last!"
Yahiko showed no shame and praised him enthusiastically.
"It's amazing! Way better than Akaashi's cooking!"
"This is the first time I realized barbecue can be this good!"
"Man! All the meat I've eaten before feels wasted now!"
The other seven chimed in with agreement, leaving Akaashi with a resigned expression.
"Hey, Yahiko, that's harsh."
"You all made me the cook, and I don't even know how to cook, okay?"
"But you're not wrong—Kazuyama's cooking is incredible!"
That meal brought Kazuyama and Yahiko much closer.
To Yahiko and the others, anyone who could make food that tasty was worthy of admiration.
Add in the fact that Kazuyama Gekkō had helped them earlier, and before long they were all sitting around the campfire chatting.
"So, Kazuyama Gekkō, what exactly are you doing in the Land of Rain?"
"You know Amegakure is extremely hostile toward shinobi from the five major villages. If anyone else finds you here, you'll be driven out of the country."
Yahiko's expression turned serious as he questioned Kazuyama about his reasons for coming to the Land of Rain.