Deep in a shadowy cave, a delicious aroma filled the air.
It was the scent that finally roused Naruto from sleep. Rubbing his bleary eyes, the first thing he saw was the fire, the skewers, the fish roasting to a perfect golden crisp.
Gulp!
He swallowed hard. "I'm digging in…!"
Chomp! Chomp!
Naruto wolfed it down.
Beside him, the figure in the straw raincoat and wide-brimmed hat chuckled, his dark face twisting into a grin. "Slow down. No one's gonna steal your food here."
"Uncle Dark, you're the best, dattebayo!" Naruto said, his voice full of warmth.
Black Zetsu laughed. "Of course. A promise made is a promise kept. Jiraiya's student… you're like my own kid."
Now, let's rewind a bit.
Over a month ago, Sasuke and Jiraiya's fifth clash ended. To explain the situation, Sasuke returned to Azure Moon Island.
Kabuto proposed going back to the Land of Whirlpools to retrieve Uzumaki clan documents.
That gave Black Zetsu his opening.
He ambushed Kabuto. After learning everything from the boy about the previous timeline, he crafted a new plan. Naruto became a crucial 'pawn' in this scheme!
With brutal efficiency, he killed Yamato—who had stayed behind in the Land of Whirlpools to oversee Naruto's training—defeated a Four-Tails enraged Naruto, and took the boy.
When Naruto woke, the intense trauma had wiped his memories of the moments before unconsciousness. He didn't remember this 'Uncle Dark' was the one who killed 'Yamato.'
For Black Zetsu, this was an unexpected gift!
He'd already prepared an elaborate story to deceive Naruto, one that could perfectly pin everything on Sasuke and Orochimaru. Now, he didn't even need it.
Faced with a confused Naruto, he immediately claimed to be a friend of 'Pervy Sage' Jiraiya. Said Jiraiya was tied up with urgent business and had asked him to look after the boy.
The rest was easy. To lower Naruto's guard, Black Zetsu cared for him, cooked his meals.
Naruto kept up his training, so Black Zetsu guided him, even offered valuable insights. Naruto formally mastered shaping his Rasengan with Wind Release.
Strangely, ever since 'Uncle Dark' arrived, the Nine-Tails had gone silent. No whispers, no temptations when Naruto was exhausted. Nothing.
Over the month, except for a brief absence when the Akatsuki sealed the Seven-Tails, Black Zetsu stayed by Naruto's side.
Just like that, Naruto got familiar with 'Uncle Dark.'
After finishing the fish, Naruto asked a weird question.
"Uncle Dark… how long has it been since you washed your face?"
"Hah?"
"Have you seen a mirror? The grime on your face is worse than my bathroom!"
"Ah… My face has always been like this."
Black Zetsu's voice dropped low. "When my mother gave birth to me… a great fire engulfed our home. With her last strength, she brought me into this world. This… is the face she left me with."
"Eh?" Naruto's heart clenched. "But… why? Why would a fire start like that?"
Black Zetsu laughed, a bitter, wretched sound. "Heh… It was her other two children. My… older brothers. They set the fire. They killed our mother."
Naruto's blood shot to his head. "WHAT?! How could they?! What kind of cruel, unfilial sons would do that?!!"
"Right?" Black Zetsu's voice was heavy with fake grief. "Just because our mother was strict… they committed this unspeakable evil."
Naruto clenched his fists, grinding his knuckles. "Where are they?! Those bastards! Where are they now!!!"
Black Zetsu shook his head. "Forget it. Their nature is vile, but their power… is immense. As you are now, you'd only throw your life away…"
Tears welled in Naruto's eyes. His fists trembled. "Uncle Dark… I'm sorry. I didn't know you had such a sad past. I… I never knew my parents either. I never got the love other kids got from theirs. But somehow… I think I understand how you feel!!"
Naruto, heart aching, threw his arms around the dark figure in a tight hug.
"So… I've decided! Sooner or later, I'll find those unfilial sons! I'll beat the crap out of them! Make them kneel before your mother's grave and beg for forgiveness!!!"
"Naruto… you really are…"
Black Zetsu seemed deeply moved. He hugged the boy back.
Naruto didn't see it. The face of the 'Uncle Dark' hugging him wore a smile of pure, twisted malevolence.
Heh heh heh… Such a foolish reincarnation of Asura. Truly unseen in a thousand years. But Naruto… merely making them kneel and repent is not enough. I will turn this entire world into a blazing house. And everyone in it—including you—will become Mother's possessions.
As for Kaguya's partner… a god-like existence like that? Why would Mother bother with him? We'll just stay far, far away until he wakes.
Zzt!
At that moment, Black Zetsu's senses pinged. Powerful chakra signatures approached the cave's entrance.
"A month… and they finally tracked us here. All familiar faces…"
"Jiraiya. Itachi Uchiha. The Uzumaki woman… Ah, and Kabuto Yakushi. He used Izanagi? Hm. And that dead Wood Style pawn… reanimated with Edo Tensei."
"Heh. Finding us is useless. You lot won't get past this…"
Zzzt… ZZZT!!
The talismans planted outside the cave activated.
Before Jiraiya, Itachi, Karin, and Kabuto… perfect copies of themselves rose from the ground!
Itachi's eyes narrowed. "The Mirror Attacker Technique. It creates a mirror image that replicates the target's current power."
Karin's sensory abilities flared. "I can feel it! The target chakra is inside the mountain!!"
"NARUTO!! I'M COMING FOR YOU…!!!"
Jiraiya burst forward. His copy blocked the path.
"GET OUT OF MY WAY!!!"
Jiraiya lunged, a Rasengan blazing in his palm. The copy met him with an identical Rasengan.
BOOM…!!
The clash… equal force. A deadlock.
Shwoop!
They broke apart.
Jiraiya gritted his teeth. "Damn it… Their strength really is identical. We can't break through easily!!"
Itachi's crimson Susanoo clashed with its copy. But his mind was elsewhere, analyzing the battlefield. He noticed… the Edo Tensei Yamato had not been replicated.
I see. The Mirror Attacker Technique only copies the living. Then Yamato is the key. His combat power may be the lowest here, but even the smallest force, applied correctly, can tip the scales.
"Yamato! Please, assist Lord Jiraiya!"
CRASH…!!!
At that moment… Itachi's copy hurled a blazing Yasaka Magatama from its Susanoo's hand. The target… was Yamato.
Itachi's eyes widened. "No… My copy anticipated this counter!?"
Clang!!
Itachi's own Magatama shot out, intercepting the attack!
Clang!!
Sensing the commotion outside, Black Zetsu's dark form enveloped Naruto.
Naruto was used to this. "Where are we going next, Uncle Dark?"
Black Zetsu's voice was a smooth murmur. "Somewhere meaningful."
"Honestly… I'm a little worried about Pervy Sage. He's been gone way too long on that errand…"
"Don't fret. He'll come find you when he's done."
"Still… when he does, I'll miss you, Uncle Dark…"
Carrying Naruto, they sank into the earth.
Black Zetsu sneered inwardly. Heh… Have fun playing your games, fools. I'll take my leave now. By the time you find us again… it'll be far too late for anything.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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