Black Zetsu forced himself to perk up.
That's right. If Hiroki Hyuga disappears, his status in the Mother's heart will move up one spot.
Right, he must die!
He was never included in the original scheme anyway!
But circumstances have changed.
That guy is no longer the little brat he once was.
Back then, he had the Mother's protection. Now he possesses power strong enough to dominate everyone else.
His Tenseigan, the ultimate evolution of the Byakugan, stands at the same level as the Rinnegan.
Who could possibly defeat him?
Me? Obviously not.
Nagato with the Rinnegan is just a frail wretch; he wouldn't last long in real combat...
Who else is there?
No one under the Mother's command would dare touch him.
"Why don't I have teammates? I've done so many things over this millennium."
Black Zetsu went over all the ninja he knew in his mind.
After a long time, he muttered one name: "Madara... I miss you..."
Although Madara Uchiha was stubborn and arrogant, treating him like a younger brother to boss around,
someone like him would never have such filthy thoughts as Hiroki Hyuga.
After all, Madara was the man he'd chosen after a thousand years of waiting!
"Madara Uchiha." Repeating the name over and over, Black Zetsu's eyes gleamed brighter and brighter.
He felt relieved that he hadn't gotten rid of Madara Uchiha's body.
It was still lying undisturbed in some secret cave.
At this moment, Black Zetsu wanted to carry Madara Uchiha's body and find a way to bring him back to life.
But he immediately realized that without White Zetsu's help, he couldn't reach that place anytime soon.
Instantly discouraged, his mood collapsed again.
Time, life… why do you hate me?
We were both created by the Mother.
Hayato and Hamura became top experts right from the start.
What about me?
Even someone originally mediocre like Hiroki Hyuga was personally elevated by the Mother to the peak of the ninja world.
Tsunade, Yugao Uzuki, Hinata Hyuga, and others— they've all received enhancements...
As for me, I remain at the same level as before, exactly the same.
I still feel the same as I did before.
"Mother, what do you truly see me as?"
Feeling a quiet sadness for a moment, Black Zetsu then began calling out for White Zetsu everywhere.
"White Zetsu..."
"Come out quickly, White Zetsu..."
A white figure popped its head out, looking at the black shadow running around with an expression full of disdain.
Didn't the Master just slap him once? Could it be she took away his intelligence?
Why does Black Zetsu seem so much dumber now, unlike his usual calm self?
"What is it?" Impatiently appearing near Black Zetsu, he looked somewhat speechless.
"You're the one who insisted on separating. Fine, we separated. Now you suddenly want me back without explanation."
"White Zetsu, only together are we perfect." Calming down, Black Zetsu said steadily, "Your body combined with my intellect can accomplish anything."
"What exactly do you want to do?" White Zetsu asked suspiciously.
"I'm fine now. Come here, let's continue what we need to do."
"..."
Haku Zetsu said nothing, and their bodies merged together once more.
With White Zetsu's help, Black Zetsu immediately regained full mobility—free to go wherever he pleased.
"Madara, we'll meet again very soon."
Muttering to himself, he concealed his presence just outside Orochimaru's base.
"Lord Orochimaru, there's a strange man outside asking for an audience with you."
Early in the morning, as Orochimaru stepped out of his private chamber, one of his subordinates approached with a report.
"He has a yin and yang face. He said that if I described his appearance, you'd definitely agree to see him."
"Zetsu? What does he want from me?" Orochimaru arched an eyebrow, visibly intrigued.
...
"Is there no place you two won't stick your noses into?"
In a secluded alley far from prying eyes, Orochimaru calmly addressed the figure before him.
"For such a place that looks sealed off on the surface, someone must've noticed it already."
Offering a casual explanation, Black Zetsu continued, "Orochimaru, I need you to help me bring someone back."
Upon hearing this, Orochimaru hesitated slightly, lost in thought.
Now what... he isn't even one of Kaguya's people?
He wants me to bring someone back? Why not ask her?
Could it be that even Kaguya can't resurrect the dead?
So even a legendary figure like her has limits.
That means the world of the dead is beyond her reach.
"I'm not exactly a saint," Orochimaru merely chuckled lightly, neither agreeing nor declining outright.
"But I can tell you something you'd want to know."
...
"For example, Kabuto Yakushi was originally loyal to Shimon Hiruko. He was also Kaguya's spy placed here among us. White Zetsu implanted spores on him."
A flicker of surprise crossed Orochimaru's face.
What did that mean?
Is Zetsu—who came from Kaguya's side—actually giving away intelligence about her faction?
Can I trust this?
What are they really trying to accomplish?
White Zetsu was equally puzzled. What was Black Zetsu doing telling Orochimaru all this? Had he finally gone mad?
Did our master make some prior arrangement? Bring who back now? What was going on?
"Does Lady Kaguya wish to cooperate with me?" After a while, Orochimaru suddenly asked coolly.
"Yes. Kabuto has no further value—he's yours now." Black Zetsu replied casually. "White Zetsu, retrieve the spores you implanted on Kabuto right away."
"What?" White Zetsu showed confusion.
"Do it now," Black Zetsu's tone grew sharper.
Their forms separated briefly, then White Zetsu vanished before the two men.
Orochimaru fixed his gaze on Black Zetsu for a moment.
Then slowly, he spoke, "There's something that doesn't sit right with me."
"According to information Jiraiya once gathered, Tsunade, Yugito Nii, Yugao Uzuki, Hyuga, Konoha, Kumogakure ninja—Kaguya's goal was to collect the Tailed Beasts and gain control over these elites and major forces. So why hasn't she begun yet?"
Black Zetsu's mood soured slightly.
What else could it be? It was all because Hiroki Hyuga went missing for two years. Mother preferred to wait those two years out.
He mused quietly before speaking. "It began a long time ago... Few people seem to notice."
Orochimaru's expression shifted slightly, his curiosity growing. "Jue, why are you telling me all this? You're not seriously considering me an ally, are you?"
"You're reading too much into it," Black Zetsu replied coldly. "I simply don't see you as a threat."
"Heh..." Orochimaru chuckled softly. "Jue, were you trying to get White Zetsu out of the way just now?"
Black Zetsu remained silent once more.
Orochimaru couldn't help but smile again.
Exactly what was this organization centered around Kaguya up to?
"Alright then," Orochimaru said smoothly. "Who is it you'd like me to bring back?"
"Madara Uchiha."
By the time White Zetsu returned, their conversation had already ended.
Black Zetsu urged him to retrieve the corpse of Madara Uchiha from its resting place.
As Orochimaru carried Madara Uchiha's corpse into his base, White Zetsu finally gave in to his curiosity and asked, "Black Zetsu, exactly what are you planning to do?"
"You said the plan changed, didn't you? You said resurrecting Madara Uchiha wasn't necessary anymore."
"One more person means one more source of power," Black Zetsu said flatly.
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