Yuzuru looked at the panicked Black Zetsu and allowed a faint smile to surface.
"So much pressure?"
Black Zetsu's voice was low. "I simply don't understand why you would make such a decision."
"As the will of Uchiha Madara, I know many, many things. No matter what you decide, I can offer you help."
Hearing this, Yuzuru's smile faded. He let out a quiet scoff.
"Dragging all humans into an illusion to create so-called true peace…"
"Is that really something a human could come up with?"
"If the Eye of the Moon Plan truly activates, humanity will probably disappear from the shinobi world within decades. What meaning would that peace have?"
Black Zetsu countered, "After activating the Eye of the Moon Plan, we can leave a small portion of humans behind and alter their memories so they reproduce."
Its mother, Otsutsuki Kaguya, had once done the same, and humanity had not gone extinct.
Yuzuru let out a cold laugh. "As long as humans exist, conflict exists. That is human nature. It has nothing to do with numbers."
"Leaving some or leaving all makes no difference to me."
"No, it's not the same!"
Imagining being banished to this lifeless dimension for an endless stretch of time, Black Zetsu grew frantic.
"Controlling a small number of humans is simple. Controlling all humans isn't. Madara once dreamed of unifying the entire shinobi world, but he learned it was impossible—hence the Eye of the Moon Plan."
Yuzuru burst out in laughter.
"The plan failed because Madara wasn't ruthless enough—and not strong enough. No matter what he tried, Hashirama always pressed him down."
"But I… am unmatched."
Seeing Yuzuru's confidence, Black Zetsu felt its heart sink.
It understood well how stubborn the Uchiha were. Once they decided something, they almost never turned back.
Now that Yuzuru had inherited Madara's legacy, possessed overwhelming power, and held the full support of Kumogakure, his chances of becoming the Ten-Tails jinchūriki were extremely high.
If someone like him—someone unwilling to execute the Eye of the Moon Plan—became the jinchūriki, then thousands of years of planning would be ruined.
Black Zetsu tried again.
"Everything I've said is recorded on the stone tablet in the secret chamber of Naka Shrine."
"The tablet was left by the Sage of Six Paths. You can verify it yourself. Only the Eye of the Moon Plan is the correct final choice!"
Yuzuru shook his head.
"Words can be altered. I trust only myself."
For the first time, Black Zetsu felt true fear.
If it remained stuck here forever, it would never be able to rescue its mother.
After toying with it long enough, Yuzuru spoke playfully.
"Don't despair too much. Maybe one day we'll meet again."
"Janā."
With that, Yuzuru vanished from the Kamui space.
On the empty ground, only Black Zetsu's hopeless scream remained.
"No! Uchiha Yuzuru, come back!!!"
No matter how loudly it yelled, no response came.
Annoyed by the noise, White Zetsu muttered, "Stop shouting. I can't even meditate properly like this."
"You meditate on your f*cking..."
——
——
Yuzuru stepped out of the Kamui space in excellent spirits.
That Madara had sent White Zetsu to approach him voluntarily was a delightful surprise.
Not only had he obtained Madara's legacy, he'd even convinced Madara to willingly allow himself to die.
That meant there was no longer any need to worry about that old schemer causing trouble from the shadows.
And on top of that, he'd exiled Black Zetsu into Kamui space.
As long as Yuzuru didn't allow it, Black Zetsu could never escape.
With its limited power, simple precautions were enough to prevent any threat.
As for why he didn't simply kill it…
Black Zetsu was created by Otsutsuki Kaguya using the power of a Kekkei Mōra. In the original timeline, even having Naruto stab it into the ground with a Truth-Seeking Ball didn't kill it. Yuzuru never expected to kill it now.
"Now that the unstable factors in the shinobi world are gone, I can begin strengthening myself step by step."
Thinking this, Yuzuru headed toward Kusagakure.
The Land of Grass had pleasant scenery, lush and beautiful.
Along the way, he passed places like Kannabi Bridge and Tenchi Bridge—locations that had once appeared in the original timeline. The experience felt surprisingly fresh.
After half a day of travel, Yuzuru finally reached Kusagakure.
Compared to Kumogakure or Konoha, this village truly lived up to the word "village."
From afar, Kusagakure didn't even have a proper outer wall—just a crude ring of wooden fences.
Most houses inside were wooden huts, with only simple pebble paths for roads.
By rough estimation, Yuzuru figured the entire village was only slightly larger than an ordinary settlement.
Since he hadn't concealed his presence, Kusagakure's shinobi spotted him instantly when he approached.
Two Grass shinobi appeared before him, kunai in hand.
"Who are you? Why have you come to Kusagakure?"
Yuzuru replied calmly, "Do you have any members of the Uzumaki clan in your village?"
The two Grass shinobi exchanged glances.
"That has nothing to do with you. Leave now, or we'll treat you as an enemy."
"Forget it…"
Yuzuru lost interest in further questioning and activated his Sharingan.
In the next moment, both Grass shinobi froze in place.
Yuzuru rifled through their minds and quickly obtained what he needed.
A few months earlier, a couple had come to Kusagakure.
The man was named Michio, the woman Kyōko.
Though they claimed to be wandering ninja with no surname, their bright red hair made their true identity obvious.
Since he had come all this way, Yuzuru decided to take them with him.
His Uzumaki bloodline had already reached 100%, but if he brought two Uzumaki back, Kushina would definitely be delighted.