"Kaguya, how are things on your end..."
"I've already brought Tsunade back."
Inside the collapsed Central Tower in the Forest of Death, Kaguya responded.
After speaking, Kaguya glanced at the badly injured Rock and Sand ninja squads before turning to Tsunade and Hinata: "This place is yours now."
Earlier when Madara Uchiha unleashed the Heavenly Obstacle Quaking Star, she stepped in to protect her own people from death.
She pulled aside everyone she could control, saving them from being crushed.
The only two left unprotected were Kimimaro and Gaara, with whom she had no connection.
However, both were Jinchuriki now, not that weak, and wouldn't die simply from being hit by collapsing rubble.
After removing Izumi Uchiha's eyes and knocking out the unstable girl, Kaguya vanished from everyone's sight.
Once she was gone, Tsunade dug out Onoki and Rasa from the wreckage, addressing the battered leaders: "Now, do you still think your enemies are us?"
Onoki and Rasa wore complicated expressions. "What exactly was that in the sky just now?"
Tsunade looked upward as the blue giant grew larger in the sky. She sighed softly. "Susanoo... must be one of the Uchiha."
At the same time, Sasuke and Naruto climbed out of the ruins of the Uchiha Clan's territory.
"Hey, great! You're both okay!" White Zetsu suddenly appeared before them, grinning broadly.
"Lord Madara needs your help."
"Madara?" Sasuke gave a cold chuckle. "That commotion just now was caused by Madara, wasn't it? I felt the power of the Sharingan."
"Is such a person really worth our help?" Thinking about what had happened moments ago, Naruto muttered darkly to himself.
"Heh, you guys sure talk too much. Hurry up and go..."
White Zetsu urged them impatiently, reaching out to envelop Sasuke and Naruto.
"You even killed civilians just now? How many died?"
Hiroki gazed up at the massive Susanoo towering above.
Madara Uchiha replied coldly: "Surrender yourself, and I'll spare the rest."
In truth, he didn't care about others' feelings at all.
If he truly did, he wouldn't have fallen for Black Zetsu's Infinite Tsukuyomi back then.
His only goal was to complete his ideal world — one with himself at its very center.
Hiroki let out a soft "Hmph" but didn't reply.
Madara Uchiha remained silent.
The only one who ever kept his word and put others first — even when it cost him — was Hashirama Senju, his old friend.
Madara Uchiha snapped his fingers, and another black dot appeared in the sky.
Another orb of [Heavenly Obstacle Quaking Star] was flying rapidly toward them.
This time, with no interference, Hiroki quickly summoned the blade aura of [Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion], aimed at the target, and swung.
A thunderous roar erupted.
Flames burst across the sky.
Then came a blazing meteor shower.
The orbs of [Heavenly Obstacle Quaking Star] had already shattered, scattering like meteors across the sky.
Madara Uchiha expressionless, Susanoo drew its long sword.
Hiroki stood his ground, gripping a Hakutori that seemed too large for his frame.
The two exchanged blows, dodging and countering in a flurry of motion.
Before long, Kaguya also arrived at the scene.
Glancing at the sparring pair, she refrained from intervening and softly called out, "Black Zetsu..."
Black Zetsu trembled inwardly, continuing to play dead.
Kaguya slowly stepped toward a corpse and lightly stomped on it.
Finally, Black Zetsu emerged, managing a forced smile. "Mother..."
At this moment, the reset White Zetsu clones looked utterly bewildered.
Huh? Did he just call her Mother?
It's like some secret subplot... How come none of us knew about this?
"Why did you attack Hiroki behind my back?" Kaguya asked. "You should understand me, shouldn't you, Black Zetsu?"
"Of course I understand you, Mother," Black Zetsu hurriedly replied. "I exist precisely to carry out your will."
"But please, Mother, don't let that guy get near you again..."
He realized full well—Kaguya needed companionship.
He also knew that Hiroki held a special place in her heart, hence why she was so anxious after the sneak attack.
Yet despite understanding, he still couldn't accept it fully.
After all, he had been born from Kaguya herself.
Yet, so many years had passed, and he had developed thoughts of his own.
And because of his bond with Kaguya, his obsession ran deep.
"I should've reclaimed you already," Kaguya sighed, placing her hand gently on Black Zetsu's forehead. "It would've been better for everyone."
Black Zetsu stiffened, his expression conflicted.
So… this is how it ends?
Perhaps this was also... a way to stay by her side forever...
What timing!
Meanwhile, Sasuke and Naruto were wrapped tightly inside a White Zetsu clone, hiding underground.
They listened closely to the sounds coming from outside.
"When the moment comes, we'll both unleash the power from the Sage of Six Paths," Sasuke whispered.
Naruto silently nodded.
"White Zetsu, take us to that woman," Sasuke ordered.
"Fine."
"Mother, I've got an idea!" Black Zetsu struggled free from Kaguya's grasp and dashed toward Hiroki.
"I can become one with Hiroki Hyuga!"
If only he could possess him through spiritual possession!
That was his hope.
Unfortunately, without White Zetsu nearby, his speed was limited...
Watching his clumsy form race away, Kaguya remained unmoved, yet something about it made her feel like smiling.
Hiroki slowly lifted off the ground, casting a quick glance toward Black Zetsu.
"Back off, Black Zetsu! I have no interest in turning out as hideous as you!"
Black Zetsu froze, standing there dejected.
"Hahahaha... So that's what it is! Black Zetsu, you're nothing but a disposable tool after all!" Madara Uchiha burst into laughter, a sneer forming on his lips.
Madara hadn't entirely believed Sasuke's stories about the Sage of Six Paths and Kaguya from a thousand years ago, but hearing them now, suspicions about Black Zetsu had started to grow.
Now that Black Zetsu's identity had been completely revealed, he didn't really feel betrayed — in fact, he saw Black Zetsu more like a clown.
Black Zetsu's face grew even grimmer upon hearing mockery from Kaguya, the one he had once tricked.
"Black Zetsu, your mission has already been completed…"
While Kaguya was talking, two figures appeared at her left and right sides simultaneously.
Sasuke and Naruto exchanged a look. At the same time, they both raised the hands marked with sun and moon sigils.
"Naruto Uzumaki, do you want to know where Minato Namikaze went?"
Kaguya wasn't unaware.
Hearing her voice, Naruto Uzumaki hesitated immediately.
At this moment, Kaguya instantly grabbed his wrist and turned her gaze toward the two youths.
Sasuke clenched his jaw, desperation rising inside him, almost ready to let out a frustrated yell.
Why does something always go wrong at the crucial moment?
Why?!
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