"Uzumaki Naruto?"
Parallel World 2 Tobirama had heard this name before. He also knew this was the son of his inherited disciple, Namikaze Minato.
Furthermore, he was the reincarnation of Asura's chakra, just like his brother, Hashirama.
However, Tobirama had never met the adult Naruto from Parallel World 7, not even the teenage Naruto. He had no understanding of the level of Six Paths Naruto at the peak of his power and couldn't imagine how he could deal with Black Zetsu.
At that moment…
*WHOOSH!*
Six Paths Naruto from the ninja world of Parallel World 7 arrived, instantly appearing beside Lux and Parallel World 2 Tobirama.
Instantly, Tobirama instinctively sensed an immense threat.
DANGER!
EXTREME DANGER!
The adult ninja with blonde hair, around 30 years old, standing before him was actually more dangerous than Uchiha Madara!
This sent chills down Tobirama's spine. He felt a spiritual pressure more oppressive than when he faced his enraged brother, Hashirama.
If the Tenshou Sennin was like an unfathomable black hole abyss, then Six Paths Naruto was like a blazing sun, as if getting even slightly closer could burn away all evil!
Yet, in contrast, Six Paths Naruto had a sincere smile almost identical to his brother's.
He seemed like an adult just returning from work, but with an unmatched spirit and vitality that ordinary office workers couldn't compare to.
"Lord?!!"
Six Paths Naruto felt a slight relief upon seeing Lux and lowered his guard.
He had just finished a full day of Hokage duties and was training Boruto and Kawaki outside the village.
After a series of tragedies in Parallel World 7, Naruto had grown significantly. He no longer shouldered all government affairs alone but delegated appropriate responsibilities to Sasuke and Shikamaru as Hokage assistants.
This allowed him to spend more time teaching Boruto and Kawaki.
Naruto had come to understand.
Surface-level peace was merely an illusion. As Hokage, he couldn't keep handling trivial matters.
Only by aggressively enhancing ninja strength and striving to train the next generation, thereby bolstering the overall power of the entire world, could he protect the world for the long term!
Thanks to this, Naruto's back no longer ached, his legs weren't sore, and the dark circles under his eyes were gone. His entire family, including Hinata and the others, was also increasingly content and happy.
"…"
"Huh? You? Stone-faced Second Hokage Uncle?"
Six Paths Naruto immediately recognized Parallel World 2 Tobirama.
"You're Uzumaki Naruto? Your eyes? Is that the Rinnegan?..."
"That's me. Hmm? You're not an Edo Tensei? Stone-faced Second Hokage Uncle, you're alive? Wait… Lord, where is this?"
Naruto sensed Tobirama's vitality, confirming his state.
After glancing at the ancient-looking Konoha below, he realized this might not be his original world.
"This is another space and time, Konoha Year 18, the era when this Second Hokage reigns."
"Konoha Year 18? Then, isn't that…?"
Naruto was shocked. He started counting on his fingers, and after a moment, he got his answer.
"That's 65 years ago! So far back…"
Tobirama was also stunned: "You came from 65 years in the future?"
"Yup."
"Good, good, good. The village has indeed continued. By the way, you're also a Hokage? Which one?"
"The Seventh."
"The Seventh Hokage, excellent! Who's the Sixth Hokage?"
"Kakashi-sensei."
"Hatake Kakashi? A descendant of the Hatake clan? Not bad, not bad. You're truly stronger than I could have imagined. The village in the future must be very peaceful, right?"
Tobirama grew excited.
With Naruto from Parallel World 7, a Hokage stronger than his brother, in charge, Tobirama could fully envision the peace and prosperity of Konoha in the future…
"Well…"
Naruto fell silent, scratching his head awkwardly.
It was hard to say that his village had just been destroyed, ironically by Sasuke, and was now in the process of being rebuilt…
"By the way, what business do Lord and Second Hokage Uncle have with me?"
Naruto clumsily changed the subject, fortunately addressing the goal Tobirama most wanted to achieve at the moment.
"Tobirama here needs your help to find an enemy."
"Who?"
"Black Zetsu!" Parallel World 2 Tobirama gritted his teeth and gave the answer.
"Him! Black Zetsu is still alive here?!!"
Upon hearing Black Zetsu's name, Naruto immediately perked up.
Painful memories resurfaced in his mind, and his anger surged sharply.
All the cheerfulness and bright smiles on his face vanished instantly. The speed of his expression change stunned Tobirama.
Moreover, the immense chakra pressure made Tobirama feel an overwhelming force, as if it were several times—no! Dozens of times!—more terrifying than when Hashirama was enraged…
Clearly, Black Zetsu in another space and time had also committed unforgivable crimes against Naruto and the others!
Just hearing his name was enough to enrage Six Paths Naruto so much.
"Can you find him?"
"Of course."
Naruto answered with absolute certainty. With the Senrigan he possessed, all secrets of the ninja world in Parallel World 2 were clear to him, including Black Zetsu's hiding place.
Moreover, in his tone, alongside the anger, there was a hint of excitement.
There weren't many opportunities in this world to personally kill an archenemy again. Naruto naturally felt a bit thrilled.
"But Second Hokage Uncle, after finding him, how will you punish him?"
"Kill him on the spot!"
"Can I do it?"
"Of course! I just want him dead to avenge my disciple!"
Tobirama didn't care who killed Black Zetsu. He only wanted that bastard dead.
"Alright, leave it to me!" Naruto grinned enthusiastically, immediately activating his Senrigan, sweeping the entire world with his divine power, and instantly locking onto Black Zetsu's location.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
On the other side.
In a temporary underground base, dozens of miles north of Konoha, thousands of meters deep.
Black Zetsu, controlling a White Zetsu body, fled here in a disheveled state.
That explosion had nearly killed him!
Fortunately, he immediately controlled several other White Zetsu to shield him, sacrificing their lives to absorb most of the blast's force. Only then did he manage to save his own life.
After the explosion, learning that the Rinnegan had also been destroyed, though Black Zetsu was furious, he had to prioritize his own safety.
Thus, he immediately fled, burrowing underground.
If he had been a few seconds slower, he likely would have been caught by Tobirama, who returned instantly.
It was extremely close!
At this moment, in the temporary base, the Main White Zetsu was waiting anxiously.
Of the three special White Zetsu, only one remained.
As soon as Black Zetsu returned, the Main White Zetsu hurriedly approached and asked:
"You're in this state? You failed?"
"Yes!"
Black Zetsu spoke with deep hatred. He had never felt such loathing in his life.
He had been just one step away from obtaining the Rinnegan he coveted!
Why?
How could this happen?
That damned Danzō!
Even with Black Zetsu's thousand calculations, he never expected Danzō would be willing to sacrifice himself and the Rinnegan to protect Konoha!
How dare he?!!
How could he do it?!!
Was he insane?!!
The most terrifying thing in this world isn't despair but being pushed into the abyss of death at the final moment when hope is almost within reach!
Black Zetsu felt exactly that now.
If his power weren't insufficient, he truly wanted to kill every Konoha ninja to vent the hatred in his heart!
"Senju Tobirama, you have a good disciple!"
"Just wait, I'll never let you go!"
"And the entire Konoha Village. After I revive Mother, I'll send you all to hell!"
Black Zetsu swore with deep hatred, despite having no teeth. His hatred for Tobirama, Danzō, and the Konoha ninja who ruined all his plans was enough to make Black Zetsu remember it for life.
"Is the Rinnegan really destroyed?"
"Yes."
"Then what do we do now?"
Black Zetsu shook his head with a grim face:
"Don't rush. We have plenty of time. We can slowly drain Senju Tobirama's energy."
"Who knows, he might have another Rinnegan in his hands."
"He must hate me to death now, but it's impossible for him to find me."
"As long as I can stir up trouble again, kill more Konoha ninja, maybe he'll bring out another Rinnegan to lure me out…"
"Then, that'll be my chance again!"
Black Zetsu answered with full confidence.
Though this plan's failure infuriated him, Black Zetsu—whose ultimate goal was to save his mother, Kaguya—quickly suppressed all his hatred and began planning and preparing for the next move.
The Main White Zetsu had objections and advised:
"I think we should hide for a while."
"Right now, Senju Tobirama and the entire Konoha Village must be frantically searching for us."
"If we're found, it'll be trouble!"
Black Zetsu retorted angrily: "What are you afraid of! Hiding here, Senju Tobirama can't possibly find us. Unless he can flip the entire continent! That's completely impossible!"
"What if…"
"There's no what if! I don't believe he can—"
Black Zetsu's words were cut off.
A faint spatial ripple suddenly appeared behind him.
A moment later, before Black Zetsu could even react, a massive golden hand instantly emerged from the other side of the space-time portal, gripping the back of Black Zetsu's head.
"Found you!"
Six Paths Naruto's voice, filled with killing intent and rage, rang out, instantly freezing Black Zetsu, his body stiffening.
At the same time, a terrifying force instantly restrained Black Zetsu's entire body, rendering him completely immobile.
Then, Six Paths Naruto stepped out of the portal, with Tobirama following.
Black Zetsu stared at Naruto and Tobirama with a face full of fear.
He didn't recognize Naruto at all, as Naruto in this world hadn't even been born yet.
But he recognized Tobirama!
"You…!"
Black Zetsu was utterly terrified. Just a second ago, he was confident Tobirama would never find him, but the next second, he was captured by Six Paths Naruto.
This was too horrifying, too unbelievable.
For Black Zetsu, it felt like a nightmare!
"Black Zetsu! Try running again!"
Tobirama also felt a mix of excitement and astonishment. He hadn't expected Six Paths Naruto to be so formidable.
Senrigan for full-map location, Rinnegan for full-map teleportation;
Black Zetsu, who had made him struggle so hard to lure and encircle, was now captured on the spot by Six Paths Naruto without any resistance.
(The son of my inherited disciple, Minato, has become this powerful?)
"…"
Seeing things go wrong, the Main White Zetsu beside him didn't hesitate to betray Black Zetsu. He immediately dove underground, attempting to escape.
Though he followed Black Zetsu's orders, he didn't want to be buried with him.
One Tobirama was already unbeatable, let alone with an even more terrifying unknown enemy.
Escape! That was his only option.
"Who allowed you to move?"
Naruto snorted coldly.
A pure black staff, formed from a Truth-Seeking Ball, shot out at high speed, instantly piercing the Main White Zetsu, pinning him to the ground and eliminating any chance of escape.
In the presence of Six Paths Naruto at the peak of his power, even Kaguya might not escape safely, let alone a mere White Zetsu.
On Black Zetsu's side, after seeing the Truth-Seeking Ball and then the Rinnegan in Naruto's left eye, his heart surged with shock.
"Who are you?"
"How do you have the Rinne-Sharingan?"
"Wait, that's Mother's aura! Those eyes belong to Mother!"
"Who are you really…?"
Black Zetsu sensed it. In the nine-tomoe Rinne-Sharingan, there was his mother's aura!
This was his mother's Rinne-Sharingan!
Why did those eyes appear on this blonde ninja?
This made no sense!
This was impossible!
Unfortunately, Six Paths Naruto had no intention of explaining to him. He had only one thought: kill this bastard Black Zetsu.
"Die!"
Naruto declared coldly. He was no longer the naive, pure young ninja but the Seventh Hokage, bearing the fate of the entire world.
At this moment, he had no hesitation in spilling blood.
"Wait, chotto matte—!"
Black Zetsu was terrified, pleading pitifully. After all, this time, he had no clone. This was the only core body he had left.
Once he died, it was truly over!
Unfortunately, Naruto showed no mercy.
A Truth-Seeking Ball appeared in his hand, rapidly expanding, annihilating Black Zetsu and the White Zetsu body he controlled, leaving not even a speck of ash!
Thus, Parallel World 2 Black Zetsu was completely dead!
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"He's dead?"
Tobirama asked, somewhat dazed. This speed-run was too fast, feeling like a dream, unreal.
The cunning enemy who had turned the entire Konoha Village upside down was killed so easily?
"Confirmed dead!"
"Did he leave any clones or something?"
Six Paths Naruto reactivated his Senrigan, sweeping the entire ninja world again, even including several other dimensions, before confirming Black Zetsu's total death.
"None. This was the only core body he had left. He's truly dead!"
After receiving a definite answer, Tobirama finally felt relieved.
He could tell Six Paths Naruto wasn't boasting.
The extreme hatred and killing intent toward Black Zetsu, even purer and more intense than his own, couldn't be faked.
"Good, he's dead!"
"That damned bastard deserved to die!"
"My good disciple, your vengeance is fulfilled…"
Tobirama sighed sorrowfully.
Black Zetsu was dead, but Danzō, who had died, was hard to bring back.
Fortunately, Madara was researching ways to revive Izuna. Once he succeeded, he might be able to revive Danzō too.
However, he had accidentally destroyed one of Madara's Rinnegan. That might be hard to account for!
Plus, he still owed a bet he had to fulfill—stabbing himself in the butt once.
With these two offenses stacked, if Uchiha Madara didn't kill him, he might have to change his name and marry into the Senju clan!
What a headache!
"Second Hokage Uncle, what about this guy?"
Six Paths Naruto's question startled Tobirama from his headache, pointing to the captured Main White Zetsu.
"Leave him to me. Seventh Hokage, thank you for your help!"
Tobirama separated a clone and took the captive Main White Zetsu. As a perfect Edo Tensei vessel, this White Zetsu was still useful.
"You're welcome. Killing that bastard again, I'm also very satisfied."
Naruto answered honestly. He was truly grateful, as such opportunities were rare.
*WHOOSH!*
Lux also arrived at the scene instantly.
"How's it going, all taken care of?"
"Reporting, Lord, it's done. Black Zetsu is dead. Thank you so much for your help!" Tobirama thanked sincerely.
If he had relied on himself, he didn't know when he could have found Black Zetsu.
"Good, since it's done. Naruto, I'll send you back."
At this moment, Naruto suddenly interrupted and requested:
"Lord, there's one more thing I'd like to take care of. I hope you'll allow it."
"What is it?"
Lux grew curious. After all, a major matter that made Naruto personally request permission must be extraordinary.
"I accidentally discovered Ōtsutsuki Isshiki in this space and time with my Senrigan. He seems to be still alive! I want…"
The killing intent in Naruto's eyes flared. The terrifying Six Paths chakra and the nine-tomoe Rinne-Sharingan in his left eye ignited with fervor.