BAM!
Zetsu slammed the white creature into the ground with a brutal force that cracked the earth beneath them.
"Damn," Muzan thought, blinking as the dust settled. "He just finished creating that… just to manipulate me?"
It had been a White Zetsu—some kind of clone, created by Zetsu himself. For reasons unclear, it had attacked Muzan.
"Thank you!" Muzan shouted dramatically, stars practically gleaming in his eyes.
Zetsu glanced at him, an unusual softness passing across his otherwise blank face.
"Ah… it's okay," he muttered. "Just looking at you reminds me of the good old days."
"What do you mean?" Muzan asked, tilting his head in confusion—or, at least, pretending to be confused.
Zetsu raised a hand, as if preparing to lecture.
"First rule when facing a genius," Muzan thought, eyes narrowed behind a pleasant smile, "is to act dumb. If they think you're stupid, they only use that much intelligence against you."
"Back in my day…" Zetsu said, staring up at the sky.
"There was no war. Greenery was everywhere. The Senju, the Uchiha, and the Hagoromo clans lived together in peace. If not for those two…"
"What happened?" Muzan asked quickly, perfectly playing the role of the curious fool.
"At that time," Zetsu said, his voice darkening, "the world was ruled by the kind Rabbit Goddess. Wherever she walked, life bloomed. She brought peace and harmony to the land. There was no fighting."
"Then?" Muzan asked, still pretending to hang on every word.
"Then two bastards—Hagoromo and Hamura—attacked her for her power. They sealed her away like cowards. After that, they split her strength between them, and thus began the Age of War."
"Poor Rabbit Goddess…" Muzan muttered, putting on a sorrowful expression. His eyes even watered slightly for extra effect. "That's… tragic."
Zetsu nodded slowly. He had achieved his goal—the boy was listening.
"So… who are you, really?" Muzan asked.
Zetsu stood tall and placed a hand over his chest.
"I, my dear, am the last creation of the Goddess. I am the one destined to unseal her. I am the one who will save this damned world."
He paused for dramatic effect.
"I… am Zetsu."
"Woooo…" Muzan feigned awe. "That's… incredible!"
Zetsu stepped forward. "Kid, I see potential in you. Do you want to help save the world?"
Muzan lowered his gaze, letting his voice tremble with fake insecurity. "But… how could I help? I'm weak. Even sunlight burns me…"
"What do you mean, sunlight burns you?" Zetsu asked, frowning for the first time.
"Um," Muzan muttered, scratching the back of his neck, "Ever since I was young, the moment sunlight touched my body, I'd feel like it was cooking me alive."
He smiled faintly, trying to sound optimistic. "But I regenerate really fast. Like, super fast. I don't know why—it just happens."
Zetsu narrowed his eyes.
"A new… Kekkei Genkai?" he whispered, inspecting the boy more carefully.
Then, more seriously: "Boy. Have you unlocked your chakra yet?"
"No…" Muzan mumbled, eyes dropping. "Not yet."
Zetsu paused, judging him.
"Why did I think this weak maggot could help me?"
"He doesn't even have chakra…"
"I should walk away…"
He turned to leave.
"If I had unlocked it," Muzan said softly, just loud enough for Zetsu to hear, "I would've helped you save the great goddess…"
"Please take the bait…"
"Please take the bait…"
Zetsu stopped.
He turned again, his face unreadable.
"Follow me, boy."
As Zetsu walked into the forest, Muzan followed, smirking silently.
"The fish has taken the bait," Muzan whispered, his voice low and victorious
They moved through the ancient forest. Towering trees whispered in the wind, sunlight dripping through the canopy like threads of gold. Zetsu walked with purpose, occasionally glancing back to make sure Muzan kept pace.
"Where are we going?" Muzan asked eventually.
"Do you think we can stay out in the open with a war going on?" Zetsu replied. "We have to go to my hideout."
Muzan nodded, still in character.
Zetsu continued: "If you want to free the goddess, you need to get stronger. I mean a lot stronger. Your current strength isn't enough—you'd have to face the entire world."
"As long as I'm with you, I'll face the entire world to save my lady," Muzan said, smiling sincerely.
"What a naïve child…" Zetsu thought, not even turning back.
Eventually, they reached a cave. The interior was dim but lit by flickering torches embedded into the rocky walls. Shadows danced around them.
Muzan sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor as Zetsu unrolled an ancient-looking scroll. The parchment was cracked and yellowed with age.
"This was created by that scum Hagoromo—'Sage of Six Paths'—and his cursed sons," Zetsu spat, handing the scroll to Muzan. "Read it. Try to extract your chakra."
"Where are you going?" Muzan asked.
"Scouting," Zetsu replied, vanishing into the darkness.
Muzan finally exhaled.
"I've been playing the professional for nearly a day," he muttered. "Time to work."
He dusted off the scroll gently and began to read.
'Chakra is a tool for—- . It will —- us all.' —the first line read.
Some words were crossed out
He kept reading.
'To extract chakra, you must meditate. Look inward. Slowly, through your 361 tenketsu points, you'll feel a weak pull—your body creating chakra. The quantity depends on your vital energy and soul. First meditate. Then try to pull energy from every cell, letting it flow through the 361 points. Finally, let the soul and body merge into balance.'
"Hmph. Not too hard. Let's try."
Muzan quickly assumed a meditation pose. He began breathing slowly.
In… and out.
In… and out.
"Haaa…"
"Hooo…"
Chirp.
Croak.
'Uchihaaaaa!'
'Senjuuuuu!'
His enhanced demon senses flared. Muzan could hear and smell far beyond what any normal human could. He pushed deeper into meditation, seeking… something.
Then—
A cold sensation entered his body.
Spurt.
Shhhhh-
His chakra was awakening.
——-
How's the story so far ?
Is it good or bad?