Next Bonus, 100PS!!
--------------------------------------------------
Only then did Shima turn to Black Zetsu and speak. "Black Zetsu, we came here to point you in the right direction."
"For the next few years, while you're in the human world, we'll be responsible for keeping an eye on you. If necessary, we can mobilize the White Zetsu intelligence network to support you."
Doubt flashed through Black Zetsu's eyes. He frowned. "Shima, didn't the Grand Sage specifically forbid me from relying on your power?"
"Idiot." Shima shot him an annoyed look. "The Intelligence Bureau is only here as your safety net. You're from Mount Myōboku. If you get captured or stranded somewhere, are we supposed to just sit by and watch? We'd still have to send someone to fish you out."
Black Zetsu relaxed, a smile tugging at his mouth. "Oh, as long as I don't run into sealing techniques that counter me, I'll basically be fine."
Then his tone shifted. "Still, your intelligence network has grown this powerful?"
Shima smiled and lifted her chin. "Of course. The Grand Sage started building our network centuries ago. Now, it covers the whole human world."
"Every movement in the human world is watched by White Zetsu and members of the toad clan."
"The Historical Records Hall can record accurate history down to every detail because our intelligence personnel spend day and night gathering the truth."
Black Zetsu bowed slightly. "Then please thank everyone in the Intelligence Bureau for me."
Shima nodded, then raised her hand and clapped softly.
Swish!
A dark shadow burst from the ground nearby. A snow-white White Zetsu appeared and bowed to the three of them.
"This White Zetsu will guide you to the Senju Clan's territory," Shima said, pointing him out to Black Zetsu.
"Huh? You two have a mission too?" Black Zetsu asked, puzzled.
Shima nodded. "Yes. The Grand Sage also arranged a task for us. But don't worry. Countless White Zetsu are rotating through the human world. You won't be left without backup."
Tobi's eyes lit up, and he swayed with excitement. "Right, right! We're going to the Dragon Veins! I heard that place is full of ancient secrets. Super mysterious~"
Shima looked back at Black Zetsu. "We're leaving now. I hope your examination goes smoothly and that you earn promotion to Sage of Mount Myōboku."
Black Zetsu nodded slowly. "Thank you. Until we meet again."
"Mm."
Shima replied, then pulled Tobi away as he kept muttering about the Dragon Veins. Soon, the two disappeared into the leaves and branches.
Only Black Zetsu and the White Zetsu guide were left in the forest clearing, ready to head to Senju territory.
"Black Zetsu, to make sure we can locate you at any time, we need to place a tracking mark on you," the White Zetsu said, smiling faintly.
Black Zetsu nodded. "Mm. I understand. The Spore Technique, right?"
"As expected of a senior. You guessed it at once."
The White Zetsu nodded. Tiny white spores formed at his fingertips and floated onto Black Zetsu, disappearing without a trace.
Once the tracking was done, neither of them spoke again. They both sank into the earth, using the Mayfly Technique to travel quickly toward the Senju Clan.
..............
Meanwhile, in the Senju Clan's territory, the green tiles of the Six Paths Hall were warmed by the afternoon sun.
Senju Tsuru lay lazily on the roof, arms behind his head, watching clouds drift by as he sighed.
"Looks like the Uchiha are gearing up for war again. The young shinobi in the clan have all been sent to the border, and all I can do is sit here and watch..."
His thin figure rested in the slanting evening light. After a moment, he shrugged. "Well, if things are this bad, I might as well sleep. Dreams have everything anyway..."
As soon as he finished speaking, his eyes closed. His breathing slowed, and he quickly fell asleep. Sunlight gently touched his face, softening his worried look.
Not long after he fell asleep, a dark, ink-colored shadow appeared in the corner of the hall.
Black Zetsu appeared, looked down at the snoring Senju Tsuru, and shook his head. "This is Asura's reincarnation? If he's given up this much, forget Senju Uzuki or Uchiha Senichi. He probably can't even match Senju Futen."
"But with my help, you might become the strongest Asura reincarnation so far..."
His dark body turned into a strand of black mist and attached itself to Senju Tsuru, merging into him without a trace.
Senju Tsuru noticed nothing. He kept sleeping soundly, without so much as a twitch of his brow.
That nap carried him straight to sunset. Only when orange-red light filled the sky did Tsuru finally open his eyes in a daze.
Everything around him was quiet. As the sun sank, he felt the loneliness of being alone.
Tsuru glanced around the empty roof and murmured, "The sun's going down... I'll eat dinner, then go back to sleep..."
He had no friends, no strength, and even his clan-head father had given up on him long ago. Living as an ordinary person among the shinobi of the Senju Clan, sleep was his only escape from worry.
Black Zetsu's face somehow darkened even further as he silently lost his mind. Legendary Sleep King, is that what you are? Brother, can you at least look at your own hand and notice something changed??
"Another day gone..." Tsuru muttered, staring at the setting sun. His gaze drifted across his left hand by accident, and his body went stiff. His face changed at once.
"Wait. What's going on? Why is my left hand so black??"
Tsuru raised his hand and turned it over and over. His palm and fingers were stained deep black, like someone had spilled ink on them. He rubbed at it, but nothing came off. Confused, he muttered, "Did I get ink on it in the hall?"
Before he finished speaking, the blackness in his palm began to squirm. Brows, eyes, and facial features slowly formed, and an ink-black human face appeared out of nowhere.
It was Black Zetsu.
"Hehe, young man~" Black Zetsu said.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
The sudden sight almost scared Senju Tsuru out of his wits. Since he was sitting near the edge of the roof, his foot slipped, he lost his balance, and fell straight down. He squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for the impact.
Black Zetsu's face darkened again.
Was he really that scary?
Seeing the chakra-less Tsuru about to slam into the ground, Black Zetsu acted at once. Thick black liquid surged out, wrapping around Tsuru's body and holding him steady.
Thump!
With a soft thud, Tsuru landed safely. He had curled up, sure he was about to die, but there was no pain. He found himself standing unharmed in front of the hall.
Tsuru opened his eyes in confusion, looked at his unharmed limbs, and stared. "Huh? Why doesn't it hurt? I'm not dead?"
"Ahem. Kid, that was me. I protected you."
Black Zetsu's voice came from his left hand again. The ink-black face reappeared with a sigh.
Tsuru stumbled back, staring at the strange face in his palm. "You?? Are you human or a ghost?? Or is this some ninja's genjutsu?"
"Me? I'm neither human nor ghost..." Black Zetsu straightened his intangible body. "You may call me Sage Black Zetsu."
"Hm?" Tsuru froze. His eyes went wide.
His brain caught the keyword. "SAGE? THAT'S... A SIGN OF THE SIX PATHS!"
--------------------------------------------------
~ Every 100 PS => Bonus Chapter!
~ 15 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)