Chapter 123: Black Zetsu's Attention
"Madara's personality really doesn't seem like the type to do something like that."
Kei nodded, acknowledging Mito's words.
In truth, what she said was correct.
Under normal circumstances, Madara would have preferred to die in battle rather than hide away in seclusion just to outlive Hashirama.
But unfortunately, Black Zetsu had always been by Madara's side.
Under Black Zetsu's guidance, and with the grand goal of achieving eternal peace in the Ninja World, anything Madara did seemed perfectly understandable in Kei's eyes.
That was the kind of place the Ninja World was.
Everywhere, there were people fighting for their ideals.
Hashirama had been like that, and so had Madara.
Still, in front of Mito, Kei naturally could not sound too certain.
After all, he had no way to explain where his information came from.
So after thinking for a moment, he spoke carefully.
"I'm just preparing for the worst."
"If Madara truly vanished into history, then so be it. But if he's still alive, then at the very least, I need to have a way to take him down with me."
"For Konoha, and for the hard won peace."
"Yes. For Konoha."
Hearing Kei's words, Mito seemed somewhat moved.
She nodded and finally agreed.
The Reaper Death Seal was indeed one of the Uzumaki Clan's forbidden techniques, and ordinarily, it should never be passed on lightly.
But Kei was clearly different.
Not only was he Konoha's Hokage, but he was also Mito's future grandson in law.
In terms of status, he was unquestionably one of their own.
Giving him one of the Uzumaki Clan's forbidden techniques was naturally not a problem.
However...
"Once you return this time, shouldn't you start preparing for the wedding with Tsunade?"
She smiled as she spoke. "That girl has been looking forward to it for a very long time."
"Of course."
Kei smiled and nodded, showing no intention of refusing.
Since he had already made the promise, he naturally had to follow through.
Otherwise, dragging things out any longer would just be in poor taste.
Doing what he said he would do was one of Kei's principles.
"But speaking of it, with such a huge commotion this time, that fellow should have noticed by now, right?"
Standing there, he looked into the distance as several thoughts flashed through his mind.
"After all, when it comes to gathering intelligence, that fellow is one of the very best in the entire Ninja World."
The person he was referring to was naturally Black Zetsu.
As a remnant of Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, Black Zetsu had been lurking silently throughout the Ninja World all this time.
As Kaguya's creation, his actual combat strength was hard to judge, but his concealment ability was unquestionably terrifying. He had hidden himself for countless years without ever being discovered.
Kei knew that by revealing Wood Release this time, he would inevitably draw that fellow's attention.
And if that was the case, then some of the necessary preparations had to begin ahead of time.
And in truth, that was exactly what had happened.
Within the Land of Whirlpools, in a desolate corner, a strange being with half its body black and half white stood quietly, looking into the distance.
"Oh my, this really is a major event."
Looking at the traces left behind by Wood Release in the distance, the White Zetsu being possessed spoke with exaggerated astonishment.
"The First Hokage's Wood Release... To think someone in this era can actually use it. That really is surprising."
"Could he be the next Hashirama?"
"His Wood Release hasn't reached Hashirama's level."
Black Zetsu spoke coldly. "But compared to Madara-sama's Wood Release, it shouldn't be much weaker."
"And he also possesses the Sharingan at the same time."
"He really is very similar to Madara-sama."
White Zetsu grinned. "Other than not having the Mangekyō Sharingan, they're practically the same."
"Indeed."
Black Zetsu nodded, staring at the scene in the distance with a somewhat absent expression.
Wood Release by itself and the Sharingan by itself did not actually mean much to him.
But for someone to possess both Wood Release and the Sharingan at the same time, the meaning was completely different.
Because those represented the powers of Ashura and Indra respectively.
"That person carries Ashura's chakra. Is it because he obtained Wood Release?"
Black Zetsu carefully sensed the aura around Kei, confusion rising within him.
"A pity. He is not Indra's reincarnation."
As the reincarnation of Ashura's chakra, Hashirama's cells naturally carried Ashura's power.
Kei had devoured the First Hokage's flesh and blood, so he also possessed that chakra.
At that point, if he also held Indra's chakra, he could attempt to awaken the Rinnegan.
And if that happened, then to Black Zetsu, he would undoubtedly become a second Madara and the ideal candidate for the Eye of the Moon Plan.
Unfortunately, Kei was not Indra's reincarnation, nor did he possess Indra's chakra.
He had no possibility of awakening the Rinnegan.
Black Zetsu felt a trace of regret at that thought.
"Still... even if he isn't Indra's reincarnation, there is another aura on him that feels strangely familiar..."
As he carefully sensed Kei's presence, Black Zetsu's heart became filled with doubt.
"Is that Mother's aura?"
"How is that possible?"
Although it was faint, he could indeed sense Ōtsutsuki Kaguya's aura on Kei.
That aura was incomparably pure and gave Black Zetsu an inexplicable sense of kinship.
No one knew how many years had already passed. At this point, nearly all of Kaguya's traces in the Ninja World had long since vanished. The only descendants left in the world were the descendants of the Sage of Six Paths.
Anything connected to Ōtsutsuki Kaguya had already disappeared completely, aside from Black Zetsu himself.
And now, after all this time, he had suddenly encountered someone carrying Kaguya's aura.
It was only natural that Black Zetsu would feel both a strange closeness and deep confusion.
Because logically speaking, this should have been impossible.
"Mother has been sealed for countless years. There is no way he could have come into contact with Mother. So why does he carry Mother's aura?"
"Just who is he?"
At this moment, Black Zetsu's heart was filled with uncertainty.
If he could have, he would have gone directly to Kei and investigated him in person.
But because White Zetsu was still beside him, he ultimately restrained himself and decided to return to Madara first and report the situation.
Their efficiency was fast.
In just a short time, the information had already been delivered to Madara.
Inside a dark cave, Madara sat quietly, several tubes extending from his back and connecting to the Gedo Statue.
This person was none other than Madara himself.
Compared to the past, the current Madara had already entered the twilight of his life. His whole body looked frail and aged, and he was relying on the Gedo Statue to maintain his life.
Yet in his eyes, a pair of dazzling Mangekyō still shone brilliantly, carrying immense dōjutsu power.
"Oh?"
After listening to the information brought back by Black Zetsu, Madara's interest was clearly piqued.
"An Uchiha who can use Wood Release?"
....
https://discord.gg/KvMN2CFsMR
[If you don't want to wait for the next update, read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon.]
[[email protected]/FanficLord03].