Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 152: Black Zetsu Gets Completely Fooled

Black Zetsu himself wasn't entirely sure where he was anymore.

He felt as though he had been moved to a new laboratory.

Since arriving here, it seemed that Hyuga Fuji had become far more uninhibited. Previously, his research had been cursory at best, but now he had fully let loose.

During experiments, Fuji would even release the seal on him without any fear of escape.

Not that Black Zetsu would dare to escape anyway, given Madara's orders...

Powerless to resist, he was subjected to one experiment after another.

What was it like to have hundreds of Byakugan staring at you every day as experiments were performed?

It was pure hell!

If he could, he desperately wished for Madara to take him back.

Unfortunately, that wretched man seemed to have completely forgotten about him. Left to his own devices, Black Zetsu could only attempt to manipulate Hyuga Fuji.

Thus began a battle of wits—a "great deceiver" versus a "naive rookie."

Yes, Black Zetsu considered himself the great deceiver.

However, he quickly found that Hyuga Fuji, this so-called rookie, was far from easy to deal with—no, Fuji was exceedingly difficult to handle!

Fuji wasn't just a skilled ninja; he was also an accomplished researcher. And like all ninjas, Fuji wasn't immune to discussions about peace.

In Black Zetsu's experience, calm and collected ninjas like Fuji were often numb to the endless conflicts of the world but secretly harbored a desire to save it and achieve peace.

Before speaking with Fuji, Black Zetsu had been sure of this.

"Do you wish for peace in the shinobi world? Lord Madara has a plan to end wars and bring peace!"

"Peace? I'm not interested. Peace among humans doesn't exist."

"..."

What kind of ninja thinks like this?!

In his millennia of existence, Black Zetsu had encountered countless individuals, and he could tell from Fuji's words that this Hyuga ninja genuinely believed peace was impossible.

How was he supposed to continue the conversation after that?

Clearly, his initial attempt had failed, but Black Zetsu wasn't one to give up. He shifted the topic to another angle.

Fuji was studying him to gain greater power and mastery of yin-yang release. Black Zetsu figured he could offer exactly that.

Having wandered the shinobi world for a thousand years, he knew an abundance of secrets—Six Paths tools, the Grasscutter Sword, and more.

If Fuji were willing to release him, Black Zetsu could offer a trade.

But...

"Mr. Black Zetsu, the real joy of research lies in exploring the unknown. Finished techniques and tools, while valuable for study, are things I already have plenty of. I don't lack them."

As he spoke, Fuji even showed off his extensive research team, composed of ninjas from various bloodline and secret technique clans.

Faced with such a formidable lineup, it was clear Fuji didn't need Black Zetsu's intelligence.

In that moment, Black Zetsu was utterly speechless, his spirit crushed.

With nothing left to lose, he resorted to his final gambit.

"Do you want to know the truth of this world?"

To his surprise, Fuji actually smiled at this question.

...

"...Ultimately, the Sage of Six Paths succeeded in dividing the Ten-Tails into nine tailed beasts."

In a fully equipped laboratory, Black Zetsu lay limp like a puddle of sludge on an experiment table, his voice trembling as he explained, all the while subjected to Fuji's experiments.

"This is part of the truth about the world—the history of how the nine tailed beasts were created. Without Lord Madara's permission, I can't tell you more."

Truthfully, Black Zetsu wanted to reveal more. If he could satisfy Fuji's curiosity, perhaps the experiments would end, and he could return to Madara.

But he couldn't. He was, after all, an extension of Madara's will.

While he could express a desire to leave, he couldn't jeopardize Madara's interests for his own sake. Thus, he couldn't divulge anything about the Infinite Tsukuyomi plan.

What if Fuji casually mentioned it to Madara and aroused suspicion?

Ah, the identity he had fabricated for himself had now become a trap. Who could have foreseen this?

Life was hard, and Black Zetsu sighed in frustration.

Meanwhile, Fuji listened carefully to Black Zetsu's account, smiling thoughtfully. "The story of the nine tailed beasts aligns perfectly with the historical records of both the Uchiha and Hyuga clans. It seems there's no need to doubt it."

"?"

Black Zetsu stared at Fuji, puzzled.

What historical records?

Sensing his confusion, Fuji extended his hand. A stone tablet fell to the ground, its engraved text facing them.

Black Zetsu's eyes narrowed sharply as he read the topmost inscription.

How could this be?

This… was the true history of the shinobi world!

"It seems, as a being created through yin-yang release, you can understand the contents of this tablet," Fuji remarked with a smile. "To read it fully requires either the Byakugan or the power of yin-yang release."

He continued, "Ordinary Byakugan can only reveal insignificant details, while the most critical parts remain hidden. The reason I'm researching you is to obtain stronger yin-yang release and decipher its secrets. If you can help me, I might even release you right now."

As Fuji explained, Black Zetsu stared at the tablet's contents, his mind racing.

The tablet recorded Kaguya's battle with the Sage of Six Paths and his brother. Unlike the Uchiha tablet, this one hadn't been altered—it was the unvarnished truth. If this information were made public, or worse, if Madara saw it...

It would all be over!

If Madara discovered the unaltered history recorded on this tablet, the entire plan would fall apart.

Realizing this, Black Zetsu felt a pang of regret.

In the past, he had focused solely on the descendants of the Sage's elder son, neglecting those of the younger son. He never imagined they would leave behind such a critical "historical record."

Now, this so-called historical record had become a fatal flaw!

Frustrated, Black Zetsu's anger flared.

Curse you, Hamura! You left this for your descendants as well? You and Hagoromo both wanted Mother to remain sealed forever, didn't you?

I won't let you have your way!

Fuji, noticing Black Zetsu's prolonged silence as he stared at the tablet, smiled faintly.

How could a historical record lack history?

Only someone like Black Zetsu, who had lived through history itself, could truly verify its authenticity. That was what made it the ultimate historical record.

[...Above is the history of Mother's sealing. Yet, regarding her sealing, I've always harbored doubts. If I had understood her heart earlier, might there have been another way?]

[When she controlled me, I felt her emotions clearly. She was also just a vulnerable woman.]

[She was afraid… terrified of certain enemies. After spending considerable time searching alternate dimensions using the Tenseigan's power, I uncovered relics Mother left behind and confirmed the true nature of those enemies. I've since developed an idea.]

[The world moves forward. Perhaps one day, when the shinobi world gains the strength to face those enemies, it will be time to unseal Mother.]

Upon reading this, Black Zetsu froze, staring in disbelief at the words "unseal Mother."

Hamura… wanted to release Mother?

Black Zetsu couldn't believe it. Yet the perspective, phrasing, and knowledge recorded here—things only Hamura could know—left him with no choice but to accept it.

(End of Chapter)

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