Just as Black Zetsu was about to escape, there was no way Naruto's vision would miss him.
Still standing atop the colossal Armored Thousand Hands, Naruto raised his hand from afar and threw out a Universal Pull.
The immense gravitational force—
Even from a kilometer away—
Precisely locked onto the soil where Black Zetsu was burrowing.
The entire chunk of ground was yanked into the air.
But Black Zetsu, slippery like a black mud loach, had absurd resistance.
Despite the suction from Universal Pull, he broke out from the soil and attempted to burrow deeper.
No surprise for a creature who had slithered through a thousand years of survival.
He had his methods.
As Kaguya's progeny, born from the same origin as the Sage of Six Paths,
Black Zetsu lacked in combat power—
But his skills in hiding and escaping were top-tier.
Naruto frowned slightly.
Controlling the Armored Thousand Hands, he lifted its massive right foot—
And slammed it down.
The piece of land Black Zetsu had melted into was crushed into rubble.
His black form was once again exposed in the air.
"If Universal Pull can't grab you—
Then let's try this."
Naruto raised his hand again, rapidly condensing ocular power and Yin-Yang Release into his palm.
In a blink, a black orb the size of a fist formed.
He flicked it toward Black Zetsu.
Black Zetsu's expression changed drastically—
He tried to dive back into the ground.
But just as he moved,
His body suddenly froze—
As if struck by a paralysis seal.
The black orb locked onto him—
Dragging him backward with its gravitational field.
Black Zetsu's back stuck flush against the orb—
Unable to move.
This orb was a miniature Planetary Devastation core, forged by Naruto using a Truth-Seeking Ball.
Instead of massive sealing zones, he used it like a guided missile—
To lock on and bind an enemy directly.
Perfect for restraining someone like Black Zetsu.
Dismissing the Armored Thousand Hands, Naruto flew down—
Stopping a few meters in front of Black Zetsu, their eyes meeting.
Zetsu continued struggling violently—
But couldn't budge an inch.
Being stared down at such close range—
Even this thousand-year-old schemer felt serious pressure.
Even Uchiha Madara hadn't made him feel like this.
Then Naruto suddenly smiled warmly.
Black Zetsu blinked, confused.
"Zetsu, don't panic—
I'm an ally."
"…Ally?" Zetsu looked more bewildered.
"That's right. Just like you—
I'm one of Lady Kaguya's contingency plans."
Naruto narrowed his eyes slightly, maintaining that gentle grin.
At those words—
Black Zetsu's eyes widened.
Even his dark body seemed to light up in surprise.
With suspicion and shock, he stared at Naruto.
"You… one of Mother's contingencies?
Why wasn't I told?"
Naruto pondered for a moment—
Then continued to bluff smoothly.
"Well, it was an emergency at the time.
Lady Kaguya sent me to the Shinobi World,
Then immediately entered deep slumber."
"You arrived here a thousand years earlier than me—
Of course you didn't know."
"More importantly—
Zetsu!"
"Lady Kaguya is very disappointed in you."
"It's been a thousand years, and you still haven't succeeded in reviving her!"
"A thousand years!
Do you know what she's suffered in that time?!"
As Naruto said this, his voice took on a harsh tone—
So convincingly, even he almost believed it himself.
Black Zetsu sank into self-blame.
Naruto's knowledge of Kaguya,
Combined with his overwhelming strength and inexplicable talent,
Made Zetsu believe him about 70–80%.
Head slightly lowered, Zetsu murmured in shame:
"It… it's my fault.
I've failed Mother…"
"Wait, so you're also Lady Kaguya's child?"
"Then… should I call you Fourth Brother?"
Zetsu asked hesitantly, with a trace of hope in his eyes.
For a thousand years, he'd struggled alone—
Roaming the world in search of a way to revive his mother.
No allies, no rest, no support—
Just one goal, one mission, one lifetime.
Now—
He finally had a real companion.
A strong and reliable one who had even defeated Uchiha Madara.
How could he not be excited?
Naruto reached out and slapped him firmly on the shoulder.
"Strictly speaking—
You should call me Father."
"My true identity… is a descendant of Hamura from the moon."
"One fateful encounter with Kaguya… and well…"
…
What followed was a masterful performance of pure nonsense.
Zetsu was utterly entranced.
"Come now, little Zetsu—
Say it. Call me Father.
And together, we'll shatter the cursed moon and rescue Kaguya-chan!"
Naruto's passionate words stirred Black Zetsu deeply.
When he looked at Naruto again, his eyes were completely different.
He already believed 90% of it—
But still held one doubt:
"But… aren't you Uzumaki Naruto, the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki of Konoha?
How could you be from the moon?"
Naruto sighed.
"That's exactly how Kaguya-chan planned it.
She reincarnated me into Konoha."
"And the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was the perfect vessel.
How else do you think I became this powerful?"
It was airtight.
Reasonable. Plausible.
All supported by facts and logic.
Zetsu finally dropped his last shred of doubt—
And knelt before Naruto.
"Father!
Please… please save Mother!"
That "Father" came smoothly and sincerely.
For Kaguya's sake, he'd do anything.
What was a little name-calling?
Naruto nodded in satisfaction, patting Zetsu's shoulder again.
"Good child.
I'm sure Kaguya-chan would be proud of your devotion."
Zetsu nodded vigorously.
"Father—when do we go to the moon to save her?"
Naruto considered for a moment.
"The sooner, the better.
I've missed her dearly after all these years."
Seeing the sincerity in Naruto's eyes—
Zetsu's last doubts vanished completely.
"Good!
I know a place that can transport us to the moon.
Let's go now!"
"With your power, Father,
We might even forcefully break the moon's seal!"
Possibly inspired by Naruto's passion,
Even the usually silent Zetsu grew excited.
No more scheming.
Time to storm the moon.
Naruto glanced up at the sky.
Even though it was daytime,
His Tenseigan quickly locked onto the moon's position.
He shook his head slightly—
And grabbed Zetsu by the shoulder.
"No need for portals.
We're going directly."
Before leaving, Naruto quickly sealed away Six-Tails Utakata.
Having witnessed Naruto's strength, Utakata had given up resistance.
The Six-Tails was secured without a hitch.
With both the Five-Tails and Six-Tails in hand,
Naruto now had two of the Six Paths.
The next second—
Zetsu's vision spun wildly.
He felt dizzy, weightless,
Overwhelmed by vertigo.
Naruto's full-speed flight had broken the sound barrier,
Moving faster than the naked eye could perceive.
Even without Flying Thunder God,
He could move like a flash of lightning.
In under a few seconds—
They had reached the surface of the moon.
As he landed,
Black Zetsu was dazed.
When he looked up at Naruto—
His gaze now carried something like worship.
"I, Black Zetsu…
am finally no longer fighting alone!"