Only then did Shima turn toward Black Zetsu and slowly speak, "Black Zetsu, we came here to guide your direction.
"For the next few years you'll be in the human world, we'll be responsible for looking after you. If necessary, we can mobilize the White Zetsu intelligence network to assist you."
A trace of confusion flashed through Black Zetsu's eyes. He frowned and said, "Shima, didn't the Sage explicitly forbid me from relying on your power?"
"Idiot!"
Shima shot him an annoyed glance. "Our intelligence division is just covering your back. You're someone from Mount Myoboku."
"If you get caught or fall into trouble, we can't just stand by and watch, can we? When the time comes, we'd still have to send people to pull you out."
Hearing this, the tension in Black Zetsu's expression instantly eased, and a relieved smile curved at the corner of his mouth, "Ah, as long as I don't run into any sealing techniques that can counter me, I'll basically be fine."
Then his tone shifted, his eyes filled with amazement. "But speaking of which, your intelligence network has actually become this powerful already?"
A proud smile appeared on Shima's face as she lifted her chin slightly, "Of course! The Great Sage started laying the groundwork hundreds of years ago. By now, our intelligence network has already spread throughout the human world."
"Every move in the human world is watched by White Zetsu and the toad clan."
"The reason your historical archive can record every piece of history with complete accuracy, every detail precise and correct, ultimately comes down to the day and night reconnaissance of our intelligence personnel."
Black Zetsu bowed slightly, his tone sincere, "Then please pass along my thanks to everyone in the intelligence division."
Shima nodded faintly, then raised her hand and lightly clapped her palm.
Swish!
A shadow burst out from the soil beside them. A completely white White Zetsu emerged and stood respectfully in front of the three.
"Next, this White Zetsu will guide you to the Senju clan's territory."
Shima pointed at the White Zetsu as she spoke to Black Zetsu.
"Huh? You guys have missions too?"
Black Zetsu looked at Shima, full of confusion.
Shima nodded and said in a deep voice, "Mm, the Great Sage also assigned us tasks. But you don't need to worry."
"There are countless White Zetsu rotating shifts in the human world, so the support won't be cut off."
At the side, Gamabunta's eyes immediately lit up. He swayed excitedly and said, "Yeah, yeah! We're going to the Dragon Vein! I heard that place hides a lot of ancient secrets, it's super mysterious~"
Shima turned to look at Black Zetsu, her frog-like eyes meeting his as her tone grew solemn, "We're leaving now. I wish you success in passing this assessment and advancing to become a Sage of Mount Myoboku."
Black Zetsu slowly nodded. "Thank you. Until we meet again."
"Mm."
Shima responded, then pulled along Gamabunta, who was still chattering about the Dragon Vein, and quickly disappeared into the cover of branches and leaves.
Only Black Zetsu and the guiding White Zetsu remained, standing quietly in the forest clearing, preparing to set off toward the Senju clan's territory.
"Black Zetsu, in order to ensure we can locate you at any time, we need to plant a tracking mark on you.", The White Zetsu spoke gently, a faint smile on his lips.
Black Zetsu nodded in understanding, his ink-like body shifting slightly. "Mm, I get it. It's the Spore Technique, right?"
"As expected of you, you guessed it right away."
White Zetsu nodded in praise. Tiny white spores condensed at his fingertips, drifting lightly onto Black Zetsu's body. In an instant, they merged into his texture, leaving no trace behind.
With the tracking settled, the two said no more. Their figures sank into the soil together, using the Mayfly Technique to travel at high speed, rushing toward the Senju clan's territory in the blink of an eye.
———
Meanwhile, at the Senju clan's territory, the green tiles of the Six Paths Hall had been warmed by the sunlight.
Senju Syura lay lazily on the rooftop with his arms behind his head, staring at the drifting clouds on the horizon as he let out a soft sigh.
"Sigh, the Uchiha are showing signs of starting another war. The young ninjas in the clan have all been deployed to the border for defense, yet I can only stay here and watch…"
Senju Syura's thin figure was set against the slanting light of the evening sun, filled with helplessness and loneliness.
After a moment of silence, he waved his hand and muttered to comfort himself, "Well, it's already come to this. Might as well sleep. In dreams, you can have anything…"
As his words fell, he closed his eyes. His breathing quickly became steady, and in no time, he sank into a deep sleep. The sunlight gently fell across his face, easing away some of his worries.
Not long after he fell asleep, an ink-black shadow quietly appeared from the corner of the hall.
Black Zetsu emerged, lowering his gaze to look at the soundly sleeping Senju Syura, and couldn't help shaking his head. 'This is the reincarnation of Asura?'
'With this kind of laid-back attitude, forget comparing him to Senju Mio or Uchiha Izumichi, he probably can't even match Senju Shuichi.'
'But with me assisting you, you have a chance to become the strongest Asura reincarnation at present…'
A hint of cunning flashed through Black Zetsu's eyes.
His ink-like body turned into a wisp of black mist and directly attached itself to Senju Syura, merging completely with his body without leaving the slightest trace.
And Senju Syura noticed nothing at all, still sleeping soundly, not even the slightest frown appearing on his face.
This sleep lasted all the way until sunset. Only when the orange-red glow dyed the sky did Senju Syura groggily open his eyes.
The surroundings were silent. As the sun slowly sank, a sense of loneliness from being all alone surged into his heart.
Looking at the empty surroundings, Senju Syura muttered in a low voice, "The sun's gone down… after eating, I'll keep sleeping…"
With no friends by his side, his strength completely lost, even his clan leader father had already given up on him.
As an ordinary person in a clan full of ninjas, sleep was the only way he could temporarily forget his troubles.
Hearing this, Black Zetsu, who was attached to him, instantly darkened his expression, silently losing his mind inside, 'A legendary sleeping king? Big brother, can't you at least lower your head and look at your own hands, feel the changes in your body?!'
———
"Sigh, another day gone…", Senju Syura gazed at the setting sun and spoke dejectedly. His eyes casually swept over his left hand, and his body suddenly stiffened, his expression changing drastically.
"Hm? What's going on? Why is my left hand so black?!"
Senju Syura hurriedly raised his hand and examined it over and over. His palm and fingers were completely covered in deep black, as if ink had been spilled over them.
No matter how he rubbed, not even a trace came off. Full of confusion, he muttered, "Did I get ink from the hall on it?"
Before his words even fell, the pitch-black in his palm suddenly began to squirm. The outline of brows and eyes slowly formed, and a face made of ink appeared out of thin air. It was Black Zetsu.
"Hehe, little friend~", Black Zetsu spoke with a grin, his tone carrying a hint of teasing.
"Ah!!"
Senju Syura was so frightened by the sudden scene that his soul nearly left his body. He had already been sitting at the edge of the roof, and with a slip of his foot, he lost his balance and fell straight down. His scream got stuck in his throat as he shut his eyes tightly, waiting for the pain to hit.
Black Zetsu's face darkened as he grumbled inwardly, 'Am I really that scary?'
[T/N: Have you ever looked yourself in the mirror buddy?]
Seeing that Senju Syura, who had no chakra, was about to crash heavily to the ground, he immediately acted. Thick black liquid surged out instantly, firmly wrapping around Senju Syura's body.
Thud!
With a light sound, Senju Syura landed. He curled up, convinced he was about to die, yet found no pain at all. He stood there safely on the open ground in front of the hall.
Senju Syura opened his eyes in a daze, looking down at his intact limbs, his face full of surprise, "Huh? Why don't I feel any pain? I'm not dead?"
"Ahem, kid, it was me who protected you."
Black Zetsu's voice came from his left hand again. The ink face reappeared, carrying a trace of helplessness.
Senju Syura stumbled backward in fright, staring fixedly at the abnormality in his palm, his voice trembling, "You!? Are you a human or a ghost!? Or some kind of genjutsu cast by a ninja?"
"Me? I'm neither human nor ghost."
Black Zetsu straightened his intangible body slightly, his tone gaining a touch of pride. "However, you can call me Sage Black Zetsu."
"Huh?"
Senju Syura froze on the spot, his eyes widening as realization began to dawn.
He muttered to himself, "Sage? That's the mark of the Six Paths!"
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