"What's wrong? Speak up! What do you want, barging in like this?"
Kaguya stared at Black Zetsu with a cold expression and spoke icily.
"Mother..."
Black Zetsu quickly changed his demeanor. His face became calm and his tone composed, like a great philosopher.
Glancing toward Hiroki on the bed, he said, "I heard Hiroki brought back a woman who's a mirror image of you—and they seem to be lovers."
Kaguya remained silent, her fury palpable.
You really know how to bring up the wrong topic.
"Mother, when I first learned about this, I found it rather strange myself," he continued cautiously.
He stole a glance at Kaguya's face and noticed only her silent cold smile, feeling somewhat nervous inside yet forced himself to stay calm.
"However, since Hiroki has now found his own path, perhaps it's time for you to let go and allow him to live the life that belongs to him."
"Otherwise, because of that woman, he might develop confusing feelings toward you as well, which would inevitably affect your relationship with him."
"Besides, the agreement between you and Hiroki has already been fulfilled."
"You undertook to ensure his safety, while he assisted in breaking the seal."
"Hiroki's current strength is unmatched by virtually no one else in the Ninja World, and you've already gained your freedom."
"As for what happens next, leave it to us. Tsunade and Yugito are both heads of major political forces. Hiroki deserves a life of his own now."
"His friends, his family, and even a future spouse..."
"Mother, by constantly binding him like this, aren't you being a little unfair to him?"
Black Zetsu kept his head lowered, saying "Hiroki" over and over again, as if sincerely considering his future.
White Zetsu was genuinely shocked.
So Black Zetsu could actually be considerate like this?
But speaking this way was practically criticizing their master. Would she even listen?
Meanwhile, on the bed, Hiroki couldn't help but twitch his fingers. He'd woken up earlier when Kaguya rolled over and got up.
Now hearing Black Zetsu's words, his only thought was: This guy really knows how to beat around the bush...
"Hmph." Kaguya exhaled sharply, clearly annoyed.
So, did he come barging in just to say something like this?
Do I need to report my decisions to all of you?
If I like something, then that's just how it is!
After a thousand years of isolation, am I not even entitled to indulge myself?
Once again, silence filled the room.
After a long pause, Kaguya finally replied coldly to Black Zetsu, "Just do your job properly."
Black Zetsu felt bitter inside. Was Mother truly determined to keep him close?
Even knowing he might harbor improper intentions toward her?
Still unwilling to back down, he maintained his calm appearance, pretending concern once more as he earnestly advised, "Mother, he's always been the passive one. Have you ever carefully considered how he feels...?"
"Enough! What I give, he will come to love too." Kaguya interrupted harshly.
At those words, Black Zetsu's heart dropped like a stone.
White Zetsu was shocked again—surely this wasn't referring to what he thought it was?
"Mother..." Black Zetsu became visibly agitated.
"Don't forget there's another person involved. Are you really ready to make an enemy out of someone with unknown intentions… just for him?"
"I told you to shut up!"
Kaguya shot up from her seat.
Slap!
White Zetsu touched half his face, realization dawning.
Oh, so it wasn't me who got hit after all!
Black Zetsu had been caught off guard when Kaguya slapped him midair. He froze in shock, his face twisted between disbelief and anger. Though the pain was minimal, at that moment of silence, he felt a chill rising from deep within his heart, leaving him disoriented and indignant.
Mother, she actually hit me—because of that guy!
For over a thousand years, hundreds of thousands of days and nights, it was I who prayed for Mother and devoted myself to her.
It was I who ran around tirelessly despite my incomplete body, who suffered humiliation and hardship everywhere for Mother's sake!
And it's still I who truly understands Mother best!
I know about Mother's past and her suffering. I've endured a thousand years of concealment merely to reunite with her.
What is Hiroki Hyuga anyway? How many years has he even existed? What exactly has he sacrificed?
Why is he the one receiving Mother's affection, while I get absolutely nothing?
"...Get out!" Kaguya almost blurted out "rot in hell," but hesitated before changing her words.
Black Zetsu stood silently, filled with sorrow.
Without uttering a word, White Zetsu took him and left.
After this exchange with Black Zetsu, Kaguya's mood became slightly irritable.
Once both had completely vanished, she turned around only to find Hiroki still asleep, which immediately reignited her anger.
Instantly, she climbed onto the bed, pressing herself atop him while sulkily shaking his head, muttering discontentedly.
"Sleep sleep sleep—still sleeping? That's all you do! With your abilities, you certainly don't need sleep to restore energy."
"..." Hiroki opened his eyes.
Their gazes locked. Kaguya's expression faltered momentarily before she pursed her lips. "Hiroki, when did you wake up?"
"Just now. You shook me awake."
"..."
"Hiroki, why are you lying on top of me?"
"This is my room. I can do whatever I want." She gave a light snort. "You're resting here, Hiroki, so you'll follow my rules."
"Aww... So we have to stay like this the entire night? This isn't going to be comfortable for either of us. Want to try a different way?" Hiroki suggested.
As if something suddenly came to mind, her cheeks flushed faintly as she gently twisted the hem of her garment.
Smiling knowingly in her direction, Hiroki lifted her chin with a teasing undertone:
"My dear, please stop acting like that. I much prefer your composed, aloof, noble demeanor—the cold, untouchable beauty..."
"Go to hell." Blushing and furious, Kaguya kicked him aside before standing up.
...
"Ahh..."
Somewhere deep in the Frost Country's forest, Black Zetsu suddenly screamed out.
"Black Zetsu, are you okay?"
White Zetsu flinched at the sound.
Black Zetsu: "How can someone like you—an empty-headed fool—ever understand my pain?"
White Zetsu remained silent, cursing inwardly that Black Zetsu must have finally gone mad.
Someone who once mocked Obito and Nagato repeatedly—now losing it completely.
Pain? As if I'd feel pain!
"White Zetsu, I need some time alone."
"Huh?"
"Don't stick to me like that."
"...Oh."
White Zetsu snorted and immediately separated from him.
On the ground was left only a puddle of black—a slimy, muddy-like substance.
This was Black Zetsu's original form.
He shaped limbs for himself and walked toward the lakeside.
His body faded perfectly into the night.
Only when he curled his lips, baring sharp teeth, did he catch a glimpse of himself in the water.
Seeing his own appearance, Black Zetsu felt even more grief inside.
I've held onto this ugly form...
My persistence...
My ideals...
The effort and time I've poured in...
All for what purpose?
"Maybe he's nothing but a plaything. In a few years, Mother will get bored and toss him away like an old toy."
Whispering to himself, Black Zetsu tried to convince his heart to let go.
In the next moment, he broke down in tears again.
Even if he is just a toy, he still matters more than me.
"Mother..."
No. I have to erase him from Mother's life—completely!
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