Naruto: Growing Stronger Through Healing

"Damn Hagoromo… to think he hid a method even I never knew about." Black Zetsu cursed once more, his voice filled with suppressed fury.

Although he had existed for a thousand years, Black Zetsu did not possess the overwhelming power of the Sage of Six Paths.

That was precisely why he had always hidden within the shadows of the ninja world, manipulating events as a mastermind rather than acting openly.

Now, after determining that Hirakawa Aoshi was connected to the Sage of Six Paths, genuine panic rose within him.

Because Black Zetsu knew very well that although that bastard Hagoromo was ostensibly dead, he still resided within the Pure Land.

The ninja world had never truly escaped his gaze.

"So… what should we do next?" White Zetsu asked, having already accepted Black Zetsu's judgment.

"How about informing Uchiha Madara and letting him deal with Hirakawa Aoshi?"

The moment those words were spoken, Black Zetsu rejected them outright. "No. We absolutely cannot tell Madara about this."

To guide Uchiha Madara into carrying out the Eye of the Moon Plan, Black Zetsu had secretly altered the contents of the stone tablet left behind by Hagoromo within the Uchiha clan.

He had rewritten the Infinite Tsukuyomi as a genjutsu meant to bring eternal peace.

If Uchiha Madara learned that Hirakawa Aoshi had also awakened the Rinnegan, he would inevitably develop immense interest in him.

And if the two were ever to meet—If Madara were to learn the true nature of the Infinite Tsukuyomi from Aoshi himself—

Then Madara might abandon the Eye of the Moon Plan altogether.

That was something Black Zetsu absolutely could not allow.

After scheming for an entire millennium, he had finally seen hope of success in Uchiha Madara.

Any variable that could cause the plan to fail had to be eliminated, no matter the cost.

"If Madara doesn't act," White Zetsu asked again, "then how are we supposed to deal with Hirakawa Aoshi?"

There was no way White Zetsu himself could take action.

Against ordinary ninja, numbers could solve everything. But against Hirakawa Aoshi—someone who possessed the Rinnegan—no amount of White Zetsu would matter.

They would be utterly useless.

Silence fell.

For a brief moment, even Black Zetsu did not know what to do.

He could not allow Uchiha Madara and Hirakawa Aoshi to interact. Yet he himself did not dare to appear before Aoshi either.

The reason Black Zetsu had survived undetected for so long was simple—he was cautious beyond measure.

Aside from secretly instigating Hagoromo's son, Indra, he had never revealed himself to anyone.

Not even to Uchiha Madara.

That was right. To this day, Uchiha Madara still did not know Black Zetsu existed.

In Black Zetsu's original plan, he would only appear as "Madara's will" after Madara found the proxy for the Eye of the Moon Plan.

"Should I… take action personally?" Black Zetsu muttered to himself.

Though he was not suited for direct combat, a sneak attack from behind was well within his capabilities.

No matter how powerful Hirakawa Aoshi was, Black Zetsu believed that if he went all out, he could still succeed.

What held him back was Hagoromo. He feared that Hagoromo might have left other contingencies besides Aoshi.

Exposing himself to the Sage of Six Paths' eyes simply to kill Hirakawa Aoshi was a risk Black Zetsu could not afford.

"…It seems the only way to eliminate Hirakawa Aoshi—this unpredictable variable—is through war."

At last, Black Zetsu revealed his conclusion.

From White Zetsu's intelligence, he already knew that Hirakawa Aoshi was no longer someone who could be eliminated by simply sending an assassin.

Since neither he nor Uchiha Madara could act directly—then the only remaining method was war.

Two fists could not withstand four hands. As long as enough people were gathered, even Hirakawa Aoshi could be worn down and killed.

"Then what do we tell Madara?" White Zetsu asked.

Madara was deeply concerned about Tobi's sudden death. They could not delay indefinitely.

"Tell him that Tobi was accidentally caught in a ninja battle while monitoring Uchiha Obito,"

Black Zetsu replied without hesitation. "His identity was exposed, and he was killed."

White Zetsu nodded. He then appeared before Uchiha Madara and reported exactly as instructed.

After listening, Uchiha Madara's brows furrowed slightly.

He always felt that the truth should not be so simple.

However, out of trust in White Zetsu—and recalling Tobi's unreliable behavior in the past—

Madara ultimately accepted the explanation.

"In that case," Madara said coldly, "send another White Zetsu to monitor Obito. This time, be careful. Do not expose yourselves again."

With that, Uchiha Madara closed his eyes and returned to slumber.

White Zetsu immediately dispatched another White Zetsu to Konoha, strictly instructing it to observe Obito only from underground.

Absolutely no exposure.

After completing these arrangements, White Zetsu returned to Black Zetsu's side.

At this point, Black Zetsu had already begun contemplating how to ignite a war. He was, in truth, exceptionally skilled at such matters.

But he had to ensure his own existence remained hidden, which meant choosing the right instigator.

"Danzo Shimura was forced into defection by Hirakawa Aoshi," Black Zetsu murmured. "He must be desperate for revenge."

After only a brief consideration, Black Zetsu chose Danzo as his pawn.

In his eyes, Danzo was quite similar to himself—a man skilled at plotting in the shadows, patient, steady, and ruthless.

Starting a war would be no problem for someone like him.

Moreover, Danzo already harbored deep hatred toward Hirakawa Aoshi. To kill his enemy, he would not hesitate to use any means necessary.

That perfectly aligned with Black Zetsu's intentions.

More importantly—by choosing Danzo, Black Zetsu would not need to act personally.

The risk of exposure would be greatly reduced.

—

Inside a small inn.

Danzo had no idea that, aside from the Four Great Shinobi Villages, Black Zetsu had also set his sights on him.

At this moment, he had become the greatest prize in the entire ninja world.

Everyone wanted him.

After remaining in the small town for several days, the Root ninjas scattered throughout the ninja world finally converged.

With his subordinates gathered, Danzo regained his confidence.

His attitude toward Rinne Path-Orochimaru even became increasingly arrogant.

"Orochimaru," Danzo said coldly, "it's time for us to depart."

Rinne Path-Orochimaru merely smiled faintly, saying nothing, as he led Danzo and his group toward the Land of Rice Fields.

However—no sooner had Danzo and his group left than Rasa arrived, leading the shinobi of the Hidden Sand Village.

Like Danzo's Root, Ebizo's subordinates were highly proficient in intelligence gathering.

Thanks to their networks spread throughout the ninja world, Rasa's group was the first to locate Danzo's trail.

Unfortunately, they were still one step too late.

"Lord Rasa," a subordinate reported, "we're too late. Danzo and Orochimaru just left. Their destination appears to be the Land of Rice Fields."

The moment the report ended, Rasa turned around without hesitation.

The Sunagakure ninjas followed closely behind.

Before long—Rasa's group caught up to Danzo's group, blocking their path forward.

"Rasa," Danzo demanded coldly, his expression grim, "what is the meaning of this?"

At his side, the Root ninjas quietly prepared to make a move.

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