Uzumaki Jun looked at Zetsu slowly floating up, feeling filled with emotion inside. It had been so long since he last saw Zetsu.
Ever since the last organization team building event, this Zetsu seemed to have been avoiding him the whole time. Was he afraid Jun would kill him?
How was that possible!
No matter what, having someone take the blame for Uzushiogakure during this period was not easy. Even more so...
For an entire organization!
Even though this organization was crudely created by him, on the surface it only had him and one...no, ten thousand white weaklings!
And because Boss Madara had physical conditions preventing strenuous activity, Uzumaki Jun believed this organization would gradually grow stronger. After all...
The number one filial son in the shinobi world was still waiting to save his mother!
"How is that Hiruko doing?" Uzumaki Jun asked. "Has he defected yet?"
"No." Zetsu shook his head. "He seems to be doing quite well in Konoha. Why do you think he would defect?"
"Ah, you wouldn't understand." Uzumaki Jun sighed and shook his head. "Geniuses are not tolerated by the world!"
"..."
So what are you saying? That geniuses will defect?
Zetsu always felt this kid in front of him could become a Kage at such a young age because...
The brains of geniuses all have problems!
Look at Hashirama, look at Madara...cough, better not say too much.
And he couldn't see anything special about that short, somewhat good-looking Hiruko being a genius!
There was nothing remarkable about him at all!
"By the way, what exactly did Konoha's Danzo go through with you?" Zetsu asked. This time, from the reports sent back by the White Zetsu monitoring Konoha, he heard something strange...
A mentally twisted person actually became cheerful!
This was simply too unbelievable. After spying on the shinobi world for over a thousand years, he had seen countless people with psychological issues. But never had he seen someone like this...
Who would smile for no reason!
It was disgusting!
"Perhaps he was influenced by freedom, democracy..." Uzumaki Jun sighed regretfully. He didn't care how Danzo changed. Even if Danzo changed genders, it had nothing to do with Uzushiogakure. That old man only knew how to scheme behind the scenes.
As for personally coming to kill Jun like he did Nagato in the anime...
Uzumaki Jun would crush him instantly!
It seemed Hiruko would defect not long after the Second Shinobi World War started. Probably after seeing his good friends all become tall, rich, and handsome or white, rich, and beautiful, with reputations spreading across the shinobi world, while he remained short, ugly, and poor.
That's why he wanted to mutate.
But...
"It will still take a few more years!"
The shinobi world was really lacking in technical talent!
"By the way, Lord Madara wants to meet you." Zetsu decided to finish asking questions quickly and leave. This was too mentally exhausting!
He couldn't get any answers!
"Boss Madara wants to meet an outstanding employee?" Uzumaki Jun was stunned upon hearing Zetsu's words. Why would he want to meet for no reason? Was it because Jun used Madara's likeness without authorization?
But...
He wore a mask!
And his name was Uchiha Shin, not Madara...
"..."
Zetsu still decided to ignore his nonsense. "Prepare quickly. I'll take you to see Lord Madara."
"Hmm?" Uzumaki Jun frowned in thought. He didn't know what would happen meeting Madara now. But...
Since he decided to work under Boss Madara, meeting him was necessary.
And...
Boss Madara was already old. Jun wasn't necessarily afraid!
"Fine." Uzumaki Jun nodded. "But..."
"What is it?" Hearing Jun agree, Zetsu inwardly sighed in relief. Ever since last time when he reported to Lord Madara about the situation and mentioned this Uzumaki kid was definitely not just an ordinary Kage level, Madara had become very curious about this underage brat.
He was really worried this kid would refuse and kill him!
But...
What else did this kid want now?
Zetsu frowned at Uzumaki Jun. "Anything else?"
"Any promotions or raises?"
Uzumaki Jun looked at Zetsu expectantly...
"..."
...
"This street is Uzushiogakure's future commercial district." Gato pointed at the somewhat deserted street ahead. "Don't be fooled by how empty it looks now. In the future..."
"It will definitely become Uzushiogakure's economic center!"
"But..." A merchant hesitated before sighing. "This place is really too deserted."
They were merchants. Having a consumer base was absolutely necessary no matter what.
But looking at the current situation, it didn't seem like there were many people.
"There are fewer people now." Gato smiled, unbothered. "Everyone is at work right now. Oh, looking at the time, they should be getting off work soon. Then this place will become lively."
Yet...
Everyone looked at Gato with disbelief. After all, they were all merchants!
To attract and retain customers, was there anything they hadn't done?
And...
This street didn't sell anything.
Why would people come?
"Don't doubt it." Gato shook his head and smiled. "Let's go have lunch first. Otherwise there won't be any seats left later."
"Oh yes. Since we're here, you must try Uzushiogakure's cuisine!"
He pointed at the Uzushiogakure Ramen shop. "This way!"
...
Cave...
This should be where Boss Madara was retiring.
"Wait here. I'll go ask Lord Madara first." After bringing Uzumaki Jun here, Zetsu said indifferently. "Don't wander around. Especially..."
"Don't leave any space-time ninjutsu seals here!"
This kid was capable of anything. He had to be careful!
Otherwise he wouldn't even know how he got tricked.
"Got it." Uzumaki Jun didn't mind Zetsu's tone. After hiding for over a thousand years, it was understandable to have some social anxiety, always being suspicious. But...
As an outstanding youth...no, child nurtured by socialism, Uzumaki Jun felt he must be considerate!
"Tobi!" Zetsu shouted. "Come keep an eye on him!"
"Huh?" Suddenly, a white figure with a spiral single eye emerged halfway from the ground. "If he causes trouble, I can't stop him at all!"
Tobi looked at Zetsu suspiciously. "You're not jealous that Lord Madara favors me and trying to use this kid to kill me, are you?"
But...
"Shut up." Zetsu said flatly and left without another word. He still didn't know how this joker came to be.
What a headache!
Uzumaki Jun also ignored Zetsu. Instead, he circled Tobi with great interest, stroking his chin. This must be the White Zetsu with an independent personality!
"You...what do you want?" Tobi crossed his arms over his chest, looking wary at Uzumaki Jun. "I belong to Lord Madara, you know!"
"..."
This joker!
Uzumaki Jun's forehead twitched as he looked helplessly at Tobi. "Can you come out fully?"
Only half his body was showing. It was uncomfortable to look at!
And...
"I heard you can increase body...no, attributes?"