Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 158: Black Zetsu 2.0: Black Zetsu, You're the Ex

"Is Hyuga Fuji's goal to cooperate with us in order to break free from Senju Tobirama's control?"

"I merely sent you to him for research, yet he offered Edo Tensei in exchange. That technique was his trump card; it shouldn't have been given so easily. Initially, I thought Fuji had hidden some trap in the exchange, but after verifying it, there was none."

Madara narrowed his eyes. "Now I realize he wanted me to master Edo Tensei to divert Tobirama's attention and take the opportunity to escape his control."

"..."

Merely? Black Zetsu mentally complained. I'm not some low-grade yin-yang release creation!

"And before he released you, he deliberately showed you the Historical Record. That likely has something to do with Tobirama's actions. Recently, rumors about the Historical Record have begun to surface in the shinobi world…"

Madara trailed off, shaking his head. "Never mind. I'll assign White Zetsu to investigate that. Now that you've returned, I have another mission for you."

Although puzzled by Madara's attitude, Black Zetsu was relieved to be included in the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan again. After listening to Madara's instructions, he replied solemnly, "Understood!"

With that, he sank into the ground and disappeared.

After Black Zetsu left, Madara furrowed his brow.

He harbored some doubts about Black Zetsu.

Unlike his other yin-yang creations, Black Zetsu's behavior was oddly unique, and creating him had required unusually little effort. There was something peculiar about him.

Still, Black Zetsu had always been loyal to him—unlike Obito, who was much harder to control. For now, Madara chose to trust him.

Closing his eyes, Madara pondered further.

If Tobirama knew he was alive, he must be preparing for him.

In fact, Madara even suspected that Tobirama had discovered his survival long before his death.

Edo Tensei was one thing, but developing a resurrection technique in barely a year? That suggested Tobirama had already been researching it during his lifetime.

The question was: for whom were these two techniques prepared?

If the research predated Tobirama's death, then it clearly wasn't meant for himself.

The answer was obvious… it was for Hashirama.

"Hashirama... In the end, it always comes back to you," Madara muttered, chuckling darkly.

Tobirama, having faced him firsthand, would know better than anyone that only Hashirama could stop him.

…

The desert heat distorted the air, making distant scenery appear warped and blurred. Occasionally, gusts of wind kicked up small sandstorms, briefly obscuring the sky.

From the shifting sands, Black and White Zetsu emerged, gazing out at the endless sea of sand.

Black Zetsu 2.0 remarked, "That 'Moon God'... truly a dangerous individual. He noticed us earlier, didn't he?"

"He did," White Zetsu confirmed with a nod. "But he didn't care. His overwhelming confidence saved our lives."

It had been a month since Ōtsutsuki Shinichi defeated Hanzo the Salamander.

Due to his victory over Hanzo and rumors linking him to the moon, Shinichi had gained the nickname "Moon God," a name that had begun circulating among certain circles.

"Do you really intend to recruit him into the Akatsuki? I don't think Obito can control him," White Zetsu questioned.

"Lord Madara can control him!" Black Zetsu 2.0 declared confidently.

"..."

Haven't we had this conversation before?

White Zetsu rolled his eyes inwardly, recalling their encounter with Uchiha Nameless and finding himself at a loss for words.

Just how much faith do you have in Madara? Do you think anyone can be roped into the Akatsuki?

If I didn't know for sure that you were a creation of Madara's last desperate effort, I'd suspect you were a spy planted by another faction. Recruiting these volatile individuals… Even if Madara could handle them, Nagato and Obito certainly can't. You're a bigger liability than I am!

Keeping his thoughts to himself, White Zetsu replied dryly, "But Lord Madara can't move right now, so Obito will have to deal with them. The same goes for Uchiha Hikari."

"Doesn't matter. When Lord Madara can act, everything will fall into place," Black Zetsu 2.0 retorted, undeterred.

"Individuals with that level of power should join the Akatsuki and contribute to Lord Madara's Moon Eye Plan. Besides them, other targets include Hyuga Fuji and Sasori of the Red Sand!"

White Zetsu twitched at the mention of Fuji. "Forget Sasori for now. What makes you think Hyuga Fuji would ever join us? He already commands a substantial force."

"I recently returned to the base, and Lord Madara told me himself—Fuji is nothing more than a puppet controlled by Senju Tobirama. He instructed me to arrange contact with him. It's only a matter of time before Fuji joins us," Black Zetsu 2.0 declared smugly.

"..."

White Zetsu was at a loss for words. After a moment, he simply sighed and said, "With you around, the Akatsuki is bound to become quite lively."

Hyuga Fuji, a puppet of Tobirama?

Madara's conclusion wasn't entirely baseless, given the deliberately misleading intelligence they'd fed him.

But recruiting someone like Fuji—who mastered so many of Konoha's forbidden techniques—into the Akatsuki?

Only a being with Black Zetsu 2.0's blind faith in Madara would dare attempt such a thing.

Compared to other rogue ninjas, Fuji was clearly on an entirely different level.

"Thanks for the compliment!" Black Zetsu 2.0 said proudly.

As Madara's will incarnate, he had absolute confidence in his creator's strength.

In his eyes, Madara could suppress anyone: Ōtsutsuki Shinichi, Uchiha Hikari, Nagato, Obito, Hyuga Fuji... All would bow before Madara's might.

As for Sasori?

Black Zetsu 2.0 acknowledged that Sasori wasn't on the same tier as the others, though he was still a worthwhile addition.

Ignoring Black Zetsu 2.0's delusions, White Zetsu glanced at the figure emerging from behind them: the original Black Zetsu. Narrowing his eyes, White Zetsu spoke.

"It seems Lord Fuji no longer requires this one."

"His replacement for surveillance has arrived. Let's prepare to leave," White Zetsu added.

Hearing this, Black Zetsu 2.0 turned his attention to the original Black Zetsu, approaching alongside White Zetsu. Curious, he asked, "Are you my predecessor?"

The original Black Zetsu stared silently at his successor, his emotions a complex swirl.

Madara, you bastard… So you really plan to replace me.

Seeing Black Zetsu remain silent, Black Zetsu 2.0 smirked triumphantly.

"I'm the current embodiment of Lord Madara's will. Senior, from now on, I suggest you behave yourself. Lord Madara trusts me more."

"Lord Madara values ability above all," the original Black Zetsu replied coldly. "Disappoint him, and you'll vanish."

"I'm not as incompetent as you, who let yourself be handed over for research." Black Zetsu 2.0 glanced at his white counterpart. "And my partner is far superior to yours."

Although White Zetsu wasn't as strong as his original, Black Zetsu 2.0 considered his current partner more capable in other areas.

"I don't have time to argue with you," the original Black Zetsu said grimly. "Just give me your latest intelligence. I need to continue monitoring the visitor from the moon."

The newly created Black Zetsu 2.0 was brash, arrogant, and childishly competitive—a temperament eerily similar to Madara's.

But the original Black Zetsu had no patience for such things.

The appearance of the lunar visitor had left him deeply unsettled.

After all, this individual might very well be a descendant of Ōtsutsuki Hamura left behind on the moon.

The question was: why had he appeared in the shinobi world now?

(End of Chapter)

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