Naruto: Getting Observation Haki By Sacrificing The Byakugan

Even after recovering, his sense of crisis was immediately heightened. Not only had the two Uchiha activated their Mangekyō Sharingan, but the pressure from Kawaki Aoba alone was enough to suffocate him.

Ōnoki deeply regretted not becoming stronger and killing that damned brat during their first meeting. He had allowed him to grow to a point where he could disrupt the balance.

By his own standards, if Iwagakure had the power to disrupt the balance, Ōnoki would have happily let the other four great ninja villages perish without hesitation.

Dominating alone was much more exhilarating than having the five villages stand together.

Unfortunately, no matter how much he wished, Iwagakure did not have such power. Instead, they were among the four great ninja villages that were at risk of being eliminated.

Under the intense sense of crisis, Ōnoki had no choice but to unite with the other three villages to form a mutual defense alliance. If Konoha attacked, they would face a joint counterattack from all of them.

Even if they couldn't defeat Aoba Kawaki together, they would still tear a piece of flesh from Konoha.

It would be even better if they could perish together. However, observing Konoha's current actions, although their goals were ambitious, it didn't seem like they were aimed at the other ninja villages.

This made Ōnoki breathe a sigh of relief, but also feel a deep humiliation.

What did those guys in Konoha mean? Were they completely ignoring them?

Or had they already regarded them as nothing more than meat on the chopping block?

In terms of individual strength, Ōnoki had essentially given up on catching up to Konoha. What he had to consider now was whether to compete with them in other areas. Konoha had already begun to reform, and its intentions were clear.

For him, as Tsuchikage, whether to follow or not was a difficult decision.

If he followed and copied Konoha's approach, he had no confidence he could overcome the opposing voices within his village, especially as it was in a weakened state.

But if he didn't follow, was he simply going to stand by and watch Konoha grow stronger?

Standing at the crossroads of time, bearing the pressure of the entire village, Ōnoki felt like he wanted to die.

But sadly, he could not afford to die now.

Just as Ōnoki was consumed by anxiety, a dark figure crawled out from beneath the floor of his office.

"Respected Tsuchikage, are you worried about the future of the village?" the figure said.

It was Black Zetsu, who had just updated his mastermind plan.

After gaining power, Uchiha Madara had become inexplicably confident, as though everything was under his control. His attention to Black Zetsu had decreased, giving the latter a chance to stir up trouble.

Seeing Black Zetsu emerge from the floor, Ōnoki was initially startled but quickly regained his calm.

Remaining seated majestically on his specially elevated chair, Ōnoki spoke: "You sneaky fellow, state your purpose. Otherwise, I'll decompose you into atoms with my Dust Release."

"Hehe, Tsuchikage is really unfriendly. I'm here to help you eliminate the threat of Konoha. What? Is this how you treat a friend?" Black Zetsu responded, seemingly unafraid.

Ōnoki tapped the table with his fingers, sneering. "You pretentious fool. Give me a brief explanation of your purpose, or I'll have you sent straight to our interrogation department."

"Tsuchikage is so impatient. Alright, I'll keep it short. Konoha's power is already overwhelming, especially that guy named Aoba Kawaki, who has completely shattered the balance. This is something no one wants to see. I have power that can contend with him. I wonder if Tsuchikage is interested."

Black Zetsu's tempting voice echoed in his ears, but Ōnoki remained unmoved.

As a cunning veteran, Ōnoki wasn't easily provoked by mere words.

"A power to contend with Konoha, huh?" Ōnoki said with a disdainful sneer. "If such power existed, why haven't you used it yourself?"

Despite Ōnoki's taunting, Black Zetsu wasn't angered. He continued, "Of course, I have the key to unlock that power, but not the power itself. Otherwise, I wouldn't need to cooperate with you, would I?"

Ōnoki's expression softened slightly upon hearing that. He leaned forward. "Go on. Tell me more about this so-called power."

Black Zetsu's voice grew more sinister. "This power is not unfamiliar to you, Tsuchikage. I believe you've heard of the power of Jinchūriki."

At the mention of Jinchūriki, Ōnoki's face immediately darkened.

It was a painful reminder of Iwagakure's past. Now, they were the only one of the five great ninja villages without a tailed beast, a humiliating position. Sunagakure had been defeated, became Konoha's subordinate, and had redeemed the One-Tail. It made Ōnoki seethe with frustration.

If he didn't still want to hear Black Zetsu's explanation, he would have already used Dust Release to reduce the creature to nothingness.

"…This is the essence of that power. By gathering the nine tailed beasts, one can awaken the legendary monster, the Ten-Tails."

Black Zetsu revealed the truth behind his plan—the Ten-Tails.

However, he was cautious, only mentioning the gathering of the nine tailed beasts to awaken the Ten-Tails, but leaving out crucial details about how to awaken it and the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path.

Though Black Zetsu was confident that even if Ōnoki knew everything, he would still be under his control, he chose not to reveal everything.

Ōnoki, after hearing Black Zetsu's explanation, thought for a moment before responding, "So, by becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki, one would gain the strength to challenge that Kawaki Seiyu. Then, what is the method? After gathering the tailed beasts, how does one awaken the Ten-Tails?"

Black Zetsu smirked, clearly aware of Ōnoki's shrewdness. "The method to awaken the Ten-Tails? Heh, when Tsuchikage gathers the nine tailed beasts, I'll come to tell you everything."

As a millennium-old schemer, Black Zetsu knew exactly what Ōnoki was thinking.

"Is that so," Ōnoki muttered, his eyes narrowing as a dangerous aura began to emanate from him.

"What? Does the Tsuchikage want to fight? Don't waste your energy. You of the Hidden Stone can't catch me with your strength."

As he spoke, Black Zetsu's body began to sink into the ground like liquid shadow.

At the same time, intricate sealing tags had already enveloped the entire Tsuchikage's office.

From the very beginning, Ōnoki had planned to detain Black Zetsu and interrogate him for critical information. He had discreetly alerted the Barrier and Sealing Unit to prepare an ambush.

But the sealing tags proved completely ineffective. They didn't even slow Zetsu's escape.

Seeing this, Ōnoki's face darkened. He immediately leapt from his seat, forming a hand seal mid-air.

It was the starting motion for Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique.

Unfortunately, the moment his hand moved, Black Zetsu's body sank even faster. By the time the light of Dust Release lit up the office, Zetsu had vanished without a trace.

"Damn it… he played me."

Zetsu had clearly been capable of escaping at any time—but he chose to stay just long enough to mock them. His provocation left Ōnoki seething.

The sealing unit arrived moments later, only to be met with the full brunt of the Tsuchikage's fury.

"Useless! What's the point of funding your training if you're just decorations?"

It was the second time the Tsuchikage's building, the very symbol of Iwagakure, had been infiltrated. Though this incident wasn't as destructive as Kawaki Aoba's previous assault, the sheer audacity of Black Zetsu's intrusion—right under Ōnoki's nose—was a public humiliation.

—

Elsewhere, Black Zetsu emerged from the ground beside Nagato, who sat high atop the Amegakure Tower.

"It's done. Whether or not that old man Ōnoki believes me, he'll try to recover their lost Tailed Beast from Konoha. Let's move. The other villages are next."

Nagato didn't respond immediately. He simply stared at Zetsu with his Rinnegan, eyes narrowed.

"You're Madara's will, right? So why are you helping me? Aren't you afraid I'll betray you once I become the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki?"

Nagato didn't suspect Zetsu's betrayal of Madara—but he did suspect Madara of plotting to use him.

Black Zetsu scoffed, a grin forming on his murky face.

"Betray us? Ridiculous. You have no idea of Madara's power, or his plan. Even as the Ten-Tails' host, you wouldn't be able to defy him."

Zetsu's confidence was chilling—eerily reminiscent of Madara himself.

Nagato clenched his fist, anger surging.

'Just you wait… one day, I'll make you eat those words.'

But Zetsu had already seen the spark of rebellion in his heart. After all, what was a mere child—no matter how gifted—compared to a will that had existed for a millennium?

—

Black Zetsu then visited the remaining Great Nations—Kumogakure, Kirigakure, and Sunagakure—repeating the same performance.

Each time, the Kage tried to capture him and extract information. And each time, Zetsu escaped with ease.

Before long, the entire shinobi world—except for Konoha—was aware of the existence of the Ten-Tails.

Using Kawaki Aoba as leverage, Zetsu ensured that the other villages had reason to fear losing their Tailed Beasts.

He wasn't relying on them—he was simply ensuring they wouldn't stand idle. He wanted them to act, even if only to protect what was theirs. Especially Iwagakure, which had already lost two Tailed Beasts to Konoha.

—

Their final destination was Takigakure, once considered the strongest of the minor villages, thanks to its possession of the Seven-Tails, Chōmei.

But after years of decline, Takigakure was a shadow of its former self.

When Nagato and Black Zetsu arrived, they broke through the village's defenses with ease. The only resistance was a frail old man, barely able to stand—the current Jinchūriki of the Seven-Tails.

Nagato had prepared for a battle. Instead, he found himself worried the man might die on the journey back to Amegakure.

Still, their mission was a success. They now had Chōmei in their hands.

Back in the hideout, Black Zetsu reported the success to Uchiha Madara.

After listening quietly, Madara only gave a brief nod.

With his power growing—possibly even beyond his original plan—he no longer seemed interested in becoming the Ten-Tails' host.

"Leave the Ten-Tails to Nagato. If he wants to play god, let him."

Zetsu bowed and stepped back, slightly confused. Madara's change in attitude was unexpected. If Madara truly wanted to become the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki, no one could stop him—not even Zetsu.

That would've been true despair.

But for now, Madara didn't seem interested in taking action against Konoha to reclaim the captured Tailed Beasts.

That didn't mean he would stay idle.

—

Soon, rumors began circulating across the black market and shinobi underworld.

"What?! Uchiha Madara… wants to meet with the leader of the Akatsuki?"

Kawaki Aoba nearly dropped the scroll in his hand.

His reaction was instant—shocked and suspicious.

He almost blurted out a truth he wasn't ready to face.

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