The next day, Araki was very puzzled.
Currently, Araki was seated in his room. It was inside the Senju Clan Manor which was surrounded by the forests in all direction. No matter who it was… Araki would sense the person approaching the Senju Clan Manor.
Yet… when he saw a black thing seemingly standing in front of his body, he couldn't help exhibit his shock. Was he too negligent in his sensing skill? No… That shouldn't be the case.
"What are you?" He asked cautiously, preparing to use a defensive skill in case this thing attacked.
"Greetings, Senju Araki. I am Black Zetsu. My Master has sent me to bring you to him." The Black thing opened its mouth while staring at Araki with what seemed like a grin.
Araki stared at this thing for some time before asking, "Who is your master? Why should I meet him?"
"You will know once you meet him. As for why you must come, do you know, the Land of Waves is a perfect place. A good place for people to hide, I mean. You understand what I mean, right?" Black Zetsu gave an eye smile with those golden eyes.
Even though Araki tried hard to give no reactions, he still couldn't stop his eyes narrowing at that information.
He started cursing in his head 'This fucker! He knows!'
Trying to maintain an indifferent image outside was a lot harder than it sounded. His complexion also changed a little, and he asked Black Zetsu, "How do you know? And who else knows of this?"
"I can't answer these two questions. Tell me now, will you come with me or not?" Black Zetsu asked him with a small smile.
"… Alright, I will come. But not now, I will come with you a month later." Senju Araki replies to Black Zetsu.
Black Zetsu was a little stunned when he saw that Senju Araki didn't show any resistance. As for the time, he didn't know how he should approach. Madara hadn't told him anything about it.
A month later? Did he want to train even more before coming? Such a naïve child… Did he think he could acquire enough power to face the unknown after a month of training?
After deciding internally, the Black Zetsu said, "Very well… Do make sure to not inform anyone about this, especially the Kyuubi Jinchuiriki. My tongue could slip, as well."
"Alright, I won't talk about this with Kushina. Just come and bring me away after one month. For this one month, I need to assign various tasks to my new retainers." Senju Araki says a little indifferently which makes Black Zetsu nod his head in agreement.
With that, his body phases through the ground. Araki once again frowns, he couldn't sense this thing again. It was as if it wasn't a living thing but some sort of will. He didn't like that this thing could spy on him and he would never know about it. He needed to take some countermeasures.
As for requesting a month wasn't just because he wanted to manage the Uzumaki Clan Members he had recently recruited into Senju clan. It was for one another reason…
A faint smile appeared on his lips as he walked towards an Uzumaki Clan Member. He had to ask him about a seal… It could be useful.
~~
Just like that, a month passed away before they realised it. As usual, Araki did all the training he could in this month. For now, he hadn't gone to Uchiha Clan to have his spar against the members of Uchiha Clan.
Well, it was mostly because Uchiha Kazuma didn't feel that the time was right. He was waiting for the perfect time to ask Araki to fight against many Uchiha youngsters. Perhaps waiting for his daughter, Uchiha Mikoto, to return.
His musing was interrupted when he heard a sound behind him, "Come with me…"
Araki was startled when he turned to see Black Zetsu there. He frowned a little as even though he was wearing some special seals which enhanced his senses, he still couldn't sense him. Now, he was sure that this thing in front of him didn't have a life force.
As he stared at it, he realised that this thing didn't even seem to breathe. This would be somewhat troublesome.
"Where are we going?" Araki asked him with a curious gaze.
"Follow me…" With that, Black Zetsu jumped out of the window and start running through the forest.
Araki didn't hesitate in jumping after the Black Zetsu and following him. He kept enough distance between himself and the Black Zetsu so he could immediately back away in case there was danger.
After running for what seemed like an entire day, they finally reached their destination. It was near the location where Konoha's borders lie with Iwa.
Araki followed after Black Zetsu and entered a dark cave.
His eyes widened in shock as he sensed something dangerous. This cave reeked of danger. The chakra he sensed right now… It was so sinister and dense that it was nothing that he had sensed before. Moreover, it made his senses forcing him to run away. Not even Kurama could accomplish that feat.
It was like he stood no chance against this person…
'Just who is he? Who is this person waiting for me?'
As Araki kept walking, he eventually reached the end where he saw a huge statue and many hose pipes connected to an old man who had kept his eyes closed.
The man was incredibly old as his hairs were utterly white and many wrinkles on his face.
Araki found it surprising as he thought 'This is the old man giving me such dangerous vibes? Just who is he?'
"So, you are Hashirama's descendant, huh?" Uchiha Madara speaks while carefully observing Araki through his chakra.
"Who are you, old man?" Senju Araki asks with a straight-forward tone. He wasn't going to underestimate this man who gave him such a dangerous feeling.
"Black Zetsu didn't mention it?" Madara questioned Black Zetsu who merely shrugged his shoulders and replied, "I wasn't told to mention your identity."
"Hmmm… Very well. I am Uchiha Madara. I wonder if you have heard of me." There was a trace of a smile on the Uchiha Madara's old face.
"What did you just say?!�� This information was far too much for Senju Araki's brain to handle.