Arisu's gaze slightly tightened, and everything became clear in his mind.
Black Zetsu's sage art was to use himself as a medium, granting others temporary power. From refining chakra to controlling sage techniques, he could handle it all on their behalf.
But this power was ultimately like an illusion, like reflections of flowers in a mirror and the moon in water. Once separated from Black Zetsu, everything would return to zero.
Arisu's eyes fell on Black Zetsu. His fingertips lightly rubbed together, his expression thoughtful.
Black Zetsu's sage art was neither too strong nor too weak.
It mainly depended on the host's strength.
If the host was weak, then it was strong.
If the host was strong, then it became even stronger.
Black Zetsu was equivalent to a low-tier version of Arisu's Six Paths power.
'Interesting... perhaps it could be...', Arisu's gaze rested on Black Zetsu, his brows lifting slightly.
The thought circling in his mind gradually became clear, but interfering with fate in this way was something he was still weighing.
"Sage, Black Zetsu's sage techniques are all supportive and have no offensive capability. How should his sage assessment be judged?"
Fukasaku squatted on a bluestone, his frog eyes wide open, full of confusion as he spoke. He had come specifically to ask about this matter.
Black Zetsu also raised his eyes, a trace of expectation in his pitch-black pupils. After cultivating sage arts for a whole year, he was waiting for Arisu to set the assessment task.
At that time, he could also call himself Sage Black Zetsu.
Arisu, however, gently raised one hand.
In a calm voice, he said, "Black Zetsu, your sage assessment is different from others."
Black Zetsu immediately restrained the loose sage energy around him, bowed, and spoke seriously, "Please instruct me, Sage. Black Zetsu will definitely give it his all."
Arisu clasped his hands behind his back, his robes lightly fluttering in the mountain wind.
"I want you to leave the mountain and assist someone.", Arisu spoke in an unfathomable tone.
"May I ask, Sage, who this person is?", Black Zetsu felt puzzled. In the ninja world, he truly couldn't think of anyone worthy of being assigned by the Sage for him to assist.
"The current reincarnation of Asura, Senju Syura."
The moment Arisu finished speaking...
Black Zetsu's body suddenly stiffened. His dark form trembled slightly, clearly not expecting this answer.
Fukasaku at the side also widened his eyes, his frog mouth slightly open, frozen in place.
Neither of them were surprised that Arisu was interfering with the fate between Indra and Asura. This Sage had already intervened in their reincarnation entanglements several times before. It wasn't just once or twice anymore.
They just didn't expect that this time, he wouldn't even bother putting on an act.
As if seeing through their thoughts, Arisu smiled faintly.
Then he explained, "You don't need to overthink it. It's not that I like interfering, I simply want this destined confrontation to proceed normally."
"In this life, Asura's reincarnation is born unable to refine chakra, reduced to an ordinary person, without even the qualification to enter the stage. This confrontation would lose its meaning."
Arisu was the referee of this destined battle.
Naturally, he would adapt to circumstances, and when necessary, become an invisible hand of heaven, correcting the deviated path of fate so that the game could continue.
Besides, a small cheat didn't really count as cheating.
Even if Indra knew, he would agree with this approach.
Indra surely wouldn't want to win in such an unfair way. He would definitely want a proper, honorable fight.
Arisu turned his gaze back to Black Zetsu, his tone firm.
"It just so happens your sage assessment hasn't begun yet, so we might as well combine the two into one."
"Your assessment this time is to go down the mountain and assist Senju Syura."
"The outcome of the battle isn't something you need to force. When this destined conclusion between Indra and Asura comes to an end, I will judge whether you pass the sage assessment based on your performance."
Right after that, Arisu stated the requirements, "Remember two points. First, you must not teach him the Myoboku Mountain sage arts."
"Second, at critical moments, you must not use the Mayfly Technique to escape. You only need to provide strategies and guide him to refine and cultivate chakra on his own."
"Understood!"
Black Zetsu immediately bowed and accepted the order. Then he raised his eyes, hesitation wrapped in his dark pupils, and carefully asked, "Sage, then in your heart, do you want him to win, or do you want him to lose?"
Hearing this, Arisu's lips curved into a mysterious smile, his eyes deep and unreadable.
He only said lightly, "That is also part of your assessment. Comprehend it yourself."
'In plain words, I won't tell you, go figure it out yourself.'
Before his words even settled, the sage mist swirling around him suddenly surged, wrapping around his figure as he vanished in an instant.
After Arisu left, Fukasaku hopped forward. His frog face was full of enthusiasm as he cupped his frog hands together and said, "Congratulations, Brother Black Zetsu!"
"With your intelligence, passing this assessment will definitely be easy. And this time you even get to leave the mountain and see the ninja world."
"You won't have to stay stuck in Myoboku Mountain anymore. Let me congratulate you in advance on becoming a sage!"
Black Zetsu, however, let out a helpless sigh. His dark figure swayed slightly, showing a troubled expression.
"Fukasaku, right now I feel both shocked and happy, but even more uneasy."
"If I can't grasp the Sage's intention, I'm afraid I'll mess up this assessment."
Black Zetsu felt helpless inside. Arisu had always been like this, speaking in riddles, not giving even the slightest clear hint.
Whether he should help Senju Syura win or just let things happen naturally, he had no clue at all.
"Hey! Don't think about those troublesome things. Just follow your heart.", Fukasaku waved his frog hand, smiling as he reassured him.
"The Great Sage has a gentle temperament. Even if you make a mistake, he won't blame you harshly. Just act according to your own intentions."
Black Zetsu slowly nodded and solemnly cupped his hands toward Fukasaku, "In that case, I'll leave the mountain immediately."
"During this time, I'll have to trouble you, or A Fei, to take care of recording Myoboku Mountain's history."
"Alright!"
Fukasaku responded immediately. He casually picked up a cup of clear sake from the stone platform beside him. The liquid shimmered with a soft glow as he handed it to Black Zetsu.
"Here, drink this farewell wine. I wish you smooth success in your assessment."
"Perfect, I was just thirsty!"
Black Zetsu raised his hand to take the cup and tilted his head back, drinking it all in one go. As the wine went down his throat, it drove away some of the hesitation in his heart.
The two looked at each other, and at the same time burst into loud laughter.
"Hahahahaha...."
———
Arisu then went to see Gamamaru.
The man and the toad talked about many things related to technology.
To be precise, Arisu proposed ideas, and Gamamaru handled the planning.
Suddenly, Arisu sensed a message.
"Oh? The tailed beasts are calling."
Arisu smiled slightly. It seemed the tailed beasts wanted to have a video call with him.
"Hehe, those little beasts still remember their teacher.", Gamamaru said with a smile. He still remembered the days when he used to play with them all the time.
"Come on, answer it with me. We can see them together.", Arisu said to Gamamaru with a smile.
Gamamaru nodded.
One sage and one toad entered the video call.
But when it connected, they found that only the Nine-Tails was there.
"Oh? Kurama, why is it just you?", Arisu asked in confusion.
Kurama's expression was heavy, but respectful as he said, "Teacher, I initiated a private call. There are some things I want to say to you."
Gamamaru raised a brow upon hearing this.
Arisu's gaze tightened slightly. He sensed something, but still asked, "What is it?"
A trace of hesitation appeared between Kurama's brows, but immediately after, it seemed like he made up his mind.
"It's about the human world...", Kurama said in a deep voice.
"Mm."
Arisu nodded slightly, his expression still calm, already expecting it.
Meanwhile, Gamamaru trembled, shocked inside.
'Could it be that because of those matters in the human world, Kurama was planning to advise the teacher?'