Reborn in Konoha; I Think I’m Cultivating Immortality

This was truly unbelievable, utterly incredible.

Who was Black Zetsu? The creator of ninja worlds history, the ultimate puppet master of the ninja world, a figure who controlled everything from behind the scenes.

The emergence of Hui had been beyond his control, but that was because Hui had risen to power so quickly. Black Zetsu hadn't had time to act before Hui had grown beyond his influence.

However, the organization he had recently discovered was completely different. Unlike Hui, this group had never appeared in his centuries of observations. He had no prior knowledge of them whatsoever!

This was a group entirely beyond his control.

"No, I have to figure out what this organization is," Black Zetsu muttered, then sensed something nearby. 

His expression twisted briefly before he melted into the ground, vanishing from sight.

Not long after, an elderly man appeared where Black Zetsu had just been. He stopped and stood silently for a moment.

"Unbelievable… truly incredible. It really is immune to all forms of attack, even genjutsu."

It was Madara Uchiha. He stared at the now-empty space, murmuring to himself.

Ever since Hui had prompted Madara to investigate Black Zetsu, the Uchiha had become fixated on the mysterious figure.

Black Zetsu's unique immunity to all forms of attack fascinated Madara even more, making him begin to believe Hui's claims.

Unfortunately, the mysterious nature of Black Zetsu left Madara with little tangible information despite his efforts.

Elsewhere, in a small village not far from Madara and Black Zetsu, Hui's Shadow avatar continued its own act.

This Avatar was investigating Ōtsutsuki Isshiki, who had parasitized a man named Jigen. While the shadow Avatar knew this information, it wasn't aware of Jigen's exact location.

But that didn't matter. Knowing Isshiki's goals was enough.

A millennium ago, after narrowly escaping death from the Ten-Tails, Isshiki had been too weakened to implant a "Karma" seal on Jigen. He could only control Jigen's body through parasitism, intending to use it for his eventual resurrection.

However, Isshiki's immense chakra was too powerful for Jigen's body, rendering it unsuitable as a vessel. This failure forced Isshiki to postpone his resurrection and create the Kara organization, searching for a new "vessel."

Hui wasn't sure whether Kara had already been established in this era, but that didn't matter. Knowing their purpose was enough.

The shadow Avatar, disguised as a wandering monk, roamed the ninja world under the guise of spiritual training.

In reality, it was searching for someone suitable to become Isshiki's "vessel."

Of course, all of this was a ruse.

After observing the eligible individuals in the village, the shadow Avatar pretended to leave, continuing its "journey" to the next destination.

On the road, it sighed in disappointment, muttering to itself:

"Another failure. I wonder when we'll find the right person.

I hope the others in the organization find someone soon. The master's body is deteriorating rapidly and needs to be replaced."

After mumbling, the shadow Avatar fell silent and moved on.

Beneath its feet, Black Zetsu listened to every word, his mind racing as he analyzed the information.

From these mutterings, Black Zetsu knew that the shadow Avatar's organization was searching for a "suitable person" to act as their master's vessel.

Judging by snippets of overheard conversations, this organization had existed for a long time—at least a hundred years.

Who could it be? Someone who has lived for over a century? I should've noticed such a presence long ago!

Black Zetsu combed through his memories, recalling the extraordinary figures of the past century, but found nothing.

That damned Madara is closing in again. Damn it, I should have dealt with that Hui brat four years ago!

Feeling Madara's approach, Black Zetsu grew increasingly irritated.

Though Madara couldn't harm him physically, he had managed to attach a mental marker to Black Zetsu, allowing the Uchiha to track him.

While the marker didn't harm him and could be removed, the process required time, enabling Madara to keep pestering him.

Frustrated, Black Zetsu decided to move again, trying to lead Madara away.

Unaware of Black Zetsu's departure, the shadow Avatar continued its act.

Though it couldn't sense Black Zetsu's presence, it could sense Madara's, and Madara was clearly on Black Zetsu's trail.

But none of this mattered to the Avatar, who simply focused on its performance.

Acting was its specialty, and it considered itself a seasoned veteran in the craft.

Too bad I don't know Isshiki's exact location. If I did, this play would be even more interesting, the Avatar mused before continuing its act.

For days, the shadow Avatar fed Black Zetsu bits of information—just one or two sentences at a time. Much of it was repetitive, leaving Black Zetsu with minimal gains.

But this drip-feed of information made it seem all the more credible.

When performing for a master manipulator like Black Zetsu, the shadow Avatar dared not slip up.

One day, the Avatar, still disguised as a monk, rested against a tree, sipping water and wiping sweat from its brow under the scorching sun.

"Ah, I wonder when this will end. I just want to reunite with everyone.

"Even though they say I'm too talkative and don't want to work with me, I'm sure they miss me after so long.

"The master's condition worries me too. A hundred years ago, he founded the organization. Now, a century later, we've cycled through generations and still haven't found a suitable vessel for him."

The shadow Avatar sighed, its expression filled with concern.

Underground, Black Zetsu inwardly groaned.

This guy wasn't just talkative, he was a chatterbox!

And worse, he never got to the point, spouting nonsense instead of providing useful information.

"And apparently the master has other enemies, someone named Kaguya or something. I don't know what kind of person that is, but anyone who could oppose the master must've lived a long time too," the Avatar muttered idly.

The mention of "Kaguya" stunned Black Zetsu.

That name—it was impossible for him not to recognize it.

He was, after all, the manifestation of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's will.

Though rattled, Black Zetsu kept his composure. There had been others named Kaguya in the ninja world. Perhaps this wasn't his mother.

But as he tried to calm himself, the shadow Avatar continued, "The master said that Kaguya betrayed him, nearly leaving him to die in the maw of some monster. What a vile person!"

Betrayal… monsters…

Black Zetsu sucked in a sharp breath, unease flooding him.

"If I ever meet this so-called Kaguya who betrayed the master, I'll make them pay!"

The shadow Avatar added angrily before resuming its journey.

Meanwhile, Black Zetsu was gripped by an ominous feeling, his composure slipping.

The information the shadow Avatar had just revealed left him deeply unsettled, forcing him to consider the unthinkable.

If it really is that person, things could become very serious...

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