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"What are we discussing?"
Black Zetsu stared blankly at Hashirama Senju, his heart racing, though he wasn't particularly afraid.
He was a manifestation of his mother Kaguya Otsutsuki's will.
Few in this world could easily kill him!
Or rather, few methods existed to kill him.
The person in front of him, the previous Asura Chakra reincarnation, was currently in a state of Impure World Reincarnation and clearly lacked the world-destroying power of the Six Paths.
Of course,
Given Black Zetsu's own abilities,
He still couldn't handle Hashirama.
"Let's talk about how we should remake the Black Zetsu saves his mother story!"
Hashirama's lips curled into a higher smirk, his dark pupils gleaming under the moonlight filtering through the gaps in the leaves, adding an air of mystery to him.
"What do you mean?"
Black Zetsu's orange eyes fixed intently on Hashirama. He didn't understand the joke or the underlying meaning of Hashirama's words.
However,
One key term
Was sharply caught by his senses.
Saving his mother!
Isn't this exactly what he was trying to do!
After so many years of planning,
It was all to resurrect his mother, Kaguya Otsutsuki!
"Don't you understand?"
Hashirama looked at Black Zetsu, who was pretending not to know. The latter's mouth was still firmly shut, at least from what could be seen from the anime, he had managed to survive until the final rounds, just barely missing the victory.
Only Black Zetsu could truly understand the setbacks and trials he had faced over the years.
He never let anyone else in on his plans.
Every layout was waiting for the final moment.
Whether in the Naruto world or the real world, he thought such a person was truly ruthless!
"I don't understand."
Black Zetsu shook his head, having no intention of revealing his thoughts. This was a matter of filial piety, not a joke or a game; it had to be handled cautiously.
"Keep pretending then!"
Hashirama looked at Black Zetsu with a half-smile. He had watched the entire Naruto anime series; even though some details were hazy, he was very familiar with Black Zetsu.
This was the power of information disparity!
When intelligence is unequal, it creates different effects, much like the plot twists in melodramatic dramas with information mismatches leading to misunderstandings.
"I'm in a good mood today."
"Let me give you a hint."
"Don't you want to resurrect Kaguya Otsutsuki?"
"Do you still want to go through with it?"
As Hashirama spoke, he smiled broadly. By bringing it up, he had seized Black Zetsu's weakness.
As long as Black Zetsu couldn't kill him,
He would be under his control!
"What did you say?!"
Black Zetsu's face darkened even further, making his already dark visage seem even more inscrutable.
"Should I repeat it?"
Hashirama greatly enjoyed the feeling of dragging someone hidden in the shadows into the open and holding them completely accountable.
"What exactly are you trying to say?"
Black Zetsu's tone grew serious, a sensation akin to having the deepest secret exposed.
He was extremely displeased!
It was like discovering a hidden video file buried deep within a folder.
"Black Zetsu."
"I'm done pretending!"
"I'm revealing everything!"
"I'm going to be honest with you!"
"I discovered you a long time ago!"
"I also found out about your plans!"
"The Uchiha clan's monument was altered by you!"
"Now…"
"Do you understand what I'm getting at?"
Hashirama spoke in rapid succession, not giving Black Zetsu any chance to catch his breath or defend himself.
Each statement felt like a sharp blade,
Piercing straight into Black Zetsu's heart.
At this moment,
Black Zetsu's head was spinning. Although he felt his plan was at its most promising stage, it now seemed likely to fall apart.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't alter any Uchiha monument. Don't make baseless accusations!"
Black Zetsu weakly protested.
No matter what,
He couldn't admit it.
He would never admit it!
For years, Black Zetsu had hidden in the shadows, staying low-key and cautious, never expecting the day he would be discovered.
"Infinite Tsukuyomi."
Hashirama said these words, then paused before casually adding, "This technique could save your mother."
"What exactly are you trying to do?"
Black Zetsu could no longer maintain his composure. He couldn't stop Hashirama from speaking, but he felt utterly passive.
"From the very beginning, I had noticed you."
"I just didn't show it."
"I wanted to see what you were up to."
"You made excellent use of Uchiha Madara."
"If it weren't for me,"
"You could have used Uchiha Madara to the fullest and successfully executed your plan."
"But…"
Hashirama raised his hand to point at his eyes, striking a mysterious pose that made him seem inscrutable.
"My eyes have seen through everything about you!"
At these words,
Black Zetsu's body trembled slightly, and he involuntarily took a step back.
He was profoundly shocked.
How could this be?
Clearly, he was on the fifth layer, while Hashirama and Uchiha Madara were on the first layer, just tools being used by him.
Yet suddenly,
It felt as though Hashirama was on the sixth layer!
This realization left Black Zetsu's mind in chaos, as if every meticulously planned step was being executed right under the opponent's nose.
"Do you think I didn't know that Uchiha Madara could awaken the Rinnegan after obtaining my cells?"
"Do you think that's why I died so young?"
"Uchiha Madara would retain Izanagi."
"Do you think I had no backup plan?"
"Black Zetsu."
"I might as well tell you!"
"This resurrection was no accident; it was planned before my death!"
Hashirama stared at Black Zetsu, using the information gap to enter full-blown bluster and boasting mode.
Hashirama knew everything Black Zetsu knew.
No matter how much Black Zetsu tried to bluff, it had no effect.
But,
Hashirama knew things Black Zetsu did not.
This information disparity was enough to unravel many seemingly incomprehensible aspects and, combined with a bit of conspiracy theory, made it appear as if it was all part of a grand plan.
"What?!"
Black Zetsu exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief yet forced to accept the truth.
Uchiha Madara had bitten into Hashirama Senju!
He bit hard.
Taking a chunk of flesh.
It was with his help that the Rinnegan was awakened!
Izanagi.
All of it made sense!
If one instance is a coincidence, and two instances are a coincidence, then so many aligned coincidences indicate a deliberate plan!
Black Zetsu didn't admit it verbally but had internally accepted Hashirama's claims, though he was puzzled.
"How are you so sure you can be revived?"
Black Zetsu's skepticism wasn't without merit. Uchiha Madara's plan had been to leave the Rinnegan to Nagato, intending to use the Six Paths of Pain technique.
"This question is too simplistic. Don't you know who invented Impure World Reincarnation? Do you think the significance of Tobirama's research into this jutsu was just a coincidence?"
Hashirama wore a mysterious smile, relishing the chance to bamboozle Black Zetsu. Such grandstanding was only entertaining in this context.
For everyone else, it was unnecessary!
(End of Chapter)