---
Naruto sneered. "Am I testing your sincerity?"
Black Zetsu frowned. "What do you mean by that?"
Naruto met his gaze calmly. "You should understand there's a specific reason I can control the Rinnegan successfully. And I think you know exactly what that reason is."
Black Zetsu narrowed his eyes, trying to peer into Naruto's intentions. Something was off. This Naruto seemed like he knew everything—and yet, it also felt like he was baiting him, waiting for him to say something before trusting him.
Naruto's half-smile didn't help ease his nerves.
Black Zetsu wanted to dismiss the thought. It was impossible.
He was the oldest existence in the shinobi world, the mastermind behind centuries of manipulation. Everything had always gone according to his design. This Naruto—this variable—shouldn't be a threat.
Snorting, Black Zetsu steadied his thoughts and said confidently, "Madara awakened the Rinnegan under my guidance. When he fought Hashirama, he bit off a chunk of Hashirama's flesh. He had already etched a forbidden technique into his own eyes that would allow his resurrection."
Black Zetsu paused for emphasis, his expression smug. "He then fused Hashirama's cells into himself, and in time, he awakened the Rinnegan."
After speaking, he turned a calculating gaze toward Naruto. "I know you're also trying to cultivate the Rinnegan. You took Danzo's Sharingan arm—don't think I missed that. But let me tell you, the secret to awakening the Rinnegan isn't that simple."
Naruto pretended to be in awe. "Obito told me that Hashirama was the reincarnation of Asura, and Madara was Indra's. He said Sasuke and I are their reincarnations in this generation. So all I need is Sasuke's DNA, right?"
Hearing this, Black Zetsu relaxed, a subtle smirk creeping onto his face.
So that's it. He only knows part of the truth. Hmph, I was overthinking it—scaring myself. He's not as dangerous as I thought.
He chuckled. "You understand only the surface. Madara succeeded because he was Indra's reincarnation. His eyes—his Sharingan—were the genuine Eyes of Indra."
He stepped forward slightly, lowering his voice. "To awaken the Rinnegan, you need more than just DNA. You need the Eyes of Indra and the combined chakra of both Indra and Asura. Without that, it's impossible."
Black Zetsu sneered. "Otherwise, why do you think Obito never awakened the Rinnegan himself, even with Hashirama's cells? Why else would he invest so much in grooming Sasuke?"
Naruto's gaze sharpened.
Using the hidden formula within his seal, he confirmed it—Black Zetsu was genuinely trying to win him over. And now, he had revealed one of the greatest secrets of the shinobi world.
It also confirmed what Obito's true intentions were. Sasuke had always been a pawn—an experiment.
Naruto clenched his jaw.
He looked back at Black Zetsu. "That's some classified intel. Seems like you're very sincere. So… tell me. How exactly are you planning to help me?"
Black Zetsu chuckled darkly. Not bad… Not bad at all. This Asura reincarnation might actually be joining my plan. The resurrection of Mother is just around the corner now!
Hagoromo… you deceived your sons again in this life. Your so-called ninja system is about to collapse.
"The Rinnegan has many uses," Black Zetsu said smoothly. "You probably haven't tapped into its real potential yet. I can teach you how to develop the true power of the Rinnegan."
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "The true Rinnegan?"
Black Zetsu nodded. "Exactly. If you want to control the shinobi world, you'll need to dominate the tailed beasts. The real purpose of the Rinnegan… is to control all of them. To bend the Bijū to your will."
Naruto feigned surprise. "It can do that?"
Seeing the curiosity in Naruto's expression, Black Zetsu grinned wider. "Of course. But I have one condition before I teach you."
Naruto's expression darkened. "What condition?"
Black Zetsu met his gaze. "I need to leave a trace of my chakra within your body."
Naruto's face turned stone cold.
Sensing his hostility, Black Zetsu quickly added, "It's just a thread of chakra—to facilitate communication between us. Nothing more."
Naruto scoffed. "You think I'm an idiot? You're the one who ripped out Madara's heart and paralyzed him on the spot. That had to be something you left in his body. Otherwise, he would've crushed you on the spot."
Naruto turned abruptly, his cloak flaring behind him.
"I'll consider your offer."
With that, he walked away without another word.
Black Zetsu stood there, stunned.
This brat didn't even try to negotiate… he just walked off. Damn!
Tch, so Asura's reincarnation isn't as gullible as Indra's. But still… it's not a total loss. He didn't outright refuse. He accepted the terms, more or less. That's promising.
Smiling to himself, Black Zetsu sank back into the earth and disappeared. He needed to check on Obito's progress.
---
White Zetsu's Underground Base
Sasuke lay on an operation table, his bare chest strapped with wires connected to advanced medical monitors. His brows were furrowed as he stared at the ceiling.
"Are you sure this will really work?" he asked.
Obito, arms crossed and leaning back, responded calmly. "That's how Madara awakened the Rinnegan. It's what she told me."
Kabuto, standing nearby, looked ecstatic. His gaze lingered on the face of Hashirama Senju, which was grafted onto Sasuke's chest like some grotesque relic of history.
The source of the Sage of Six Paths' power… It's right here. I'm so close!
He trembled with excitement. Lord Orochimaru… are you watching? Do you see what I've accomplished?
Obito's attention shifted sharply. A faint rustling echoed in the base. As expected, Black Zetsu emerged from the ground.
Obito's expression hardened. "Where were you?"
Black Zetsu replied, "I went to check on things outside. Naruto went to Konoha, then to the Land of Lightning. He fought the Raikage and took an ancient structure—an art-laden attic containing hidden knowledge."
Obito raised an eyebrow. "He defeated the Raikage?"
Black Zetsu nodded. "Yes."
Obito snorted. "That loudmouth from the Five Kage Summit? Hmph. No loss there. But Naruto really is unpredictable… What was he doing in the Land of Lightning?"
Black Zetsu responded, "According to White Zetsu's reports, the Land of Lightning demanded that Konoha surrender either Killer Bee or Princess Hinata. Otherwise, they threatened war. The so-called 'alliance' is as good as gone."
Obito rubbed his chin and smirked. "So that's it… For Naruto, the girl matters more than the village or his title. Interesting. That Hyūga girl… she's his weakness."
Black Zetsu sidled closer. "Want to exploit it?"
Obito's eyes flicked toward Sasuke. "Sasuke's Rinnegan hasn't awakened yet. Before the Five Great Nations form a true coalition, we need to stir the pot—to make them doubt each other and hesitate."
He turned toward Kabuto and Sasuke. "Let's light some fires while they're still divided."
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