Do I really have to deal with this?
Uzumaki Jun looked at the White Zetsu clone that had turned into a tree again and sighed inwardly.
He wasn't going to do anything to Zetsu, so why did it always turn into a tree after delivering a message?
Were White Zetsu clones really so disposable?
And…
Couldn't it at least choose a different spot for its "greening" efforts?
Last time, he had to personally chop down the tree. Now, he had to do it again.
Office greening wasn't supposed to be done like this.
"Hiruko, huh?" Jun rubbed his chin, a faint smile appearing on his lips as he muttered, "Finally, you've shown up."
Hiruko…
A genius biologist whose potential was wasted on being a shinobi. Due to his inferiority complex, he created the Kekkei Genkai Absorption Technique and rose to the peak of his life, even gaining a loyal, beautiful, and well-endowed dog…
Seriously!
He could have lived a happy life, but he had to go and provoke the protagonist squad. As a result, he was beaten into regret, and even his beloved dog was killed. What a tragic life.
"I wonder where he found that dog," Jun sighed. "A dog that's capable, attractive, and obedient is hard to come by these days."
The timing was about right now. He didn't want to run into Konoha's forces, so he would wait until Hiruko had shaken them off before making his appearance…
And give him a chance to realize his true worth.
Being a shinobi…
Wasn't the right path for him.
"Has he left?" Black Zetsu asked White Zetsu. "We should move too."
Once he retrieved Madara-sama this time, he would never set foot in Uzushiogakure again. He—
The third son of the Mother of Chakra—had his own dignity.
"Yeah," White Zetsu nodded. "The Zetsu clone tailing Hiruko has already sent back spores. That kid has appeared."
He didn't really care.
He would act according to Black Zetsu's will.
Of course, there was also Tobi…
Should they bring that idiot back?
"Let's go," Black Zetsu said, relieved. "Otherwise, Madara-sama will grow impatient."
After all, Madara-sama wasn't getting any younger.
And the Rinnegan…
That was the key to rescuing Mother.
So, there could be no mistakes.
Feeling White Zetsu's return, he slowly sank into the ground.
Time was tight.
He had to take Madara-sama and Tobi away while Jun was gone.
"Did they stop chasing me?" Hiruko clutched his wound, a bitter smile on his face. "Of course…"
"Even though I've become a jōnin, the village still looks down on me."
Otherwise, why would they give up halfway?
They probably thought he was insignificant, especially since his forbidden technique wasn't complete yet…
"Konoha…" Hiruko gazed in the direction of the village, his expression complicated. With a sigh, he clenched his fist. "I'll definitely come back."
Why was it that despite going through the same six years of compulsory education, the Sannin—Jiraiya and the others—had become legends known throughout the shinobi world?
While he…
Only became a jōnin by sheer luck.
Just because they had a Hokage as their teacher?
Back then, Jiraiya and he had been the bottom two in their class!
"Genius, huh?" Hiruko let out a self-deprecating chuckle. "I really am a failure."
But he believed…
With the Kekkei Genkai Absorption Technique, he would surpass Jiraiya and Orochimaru.
Because this technique was his own creation.
"If only I weren't born with such weak constitution," Hiruko smirked coldly. "I would have succeeded long ago."
He was a genius…
If not for his frail body, he would have already surpassed Jiraiya.
So…
"Jiraiya, Orochimaru…" Hiruko muttered. "I'll prove that I'm better than all of you—"
Just then…
"Young man."
A calm voice interrupted him.
"Do you wish to realize your worth? Do you want to be revered by thousands? Do you want your name to echo throughout the shinobi world?"
"If you do…"
"Then sign this contract."
Uzushiogakure.
Today was a major event for Uzushiogakure. All its citizens watched as a massive ship and strange equipment suddenly appeared in the eastern sea. Their hearts swelled with excitement—if Uzushiogakure's territory really expanded, it would be much easier for them to obtain citizenship.
Especially for the migrant workers who had only arrived a few years ago. After working here for two years, they longed even more to settle down.
Because…
Only here could they support themselves and their families through their own labor.
No matter what job they did…
As long as they worked hard, their monthly wages could feed and house a family of three comfortably, with even some savings left over. This was something they had never dared to dream of before. So, they desperately hoped to become citizens of Uzushiogakure, to save up and buy a home here, ensuring their descendants wouldn't have to wander homeless, enduring cold and hunger.
Thus…
They all watched intently, their hearts yearning…
For a place on that newly claimed land.
"Have they arrived?" Madara, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them and looked at the Black and White Zetsu materializing before him. "Finally."
He hadn't slept well today—it had been too noisy, bustling since morning.
At his age, getting some rest and sunbathing wasn't easy.
"Madara-sama," Zetsu nodded respectfully. "It's time to leave."
"Yes," Madara agreed, sighing. "It's been long enough."
Then, he stared silently at Zetsu.
"Is there something else, Madara-sama?" Zetsu felt a sudden unease. "If not, we should leave quickly."
Otherwise, once Jun returned, they wouldn't be able to escape.
"Nothing much," Madara's lips curled slightly. "I just have one question for you."
"What is it?" Zetsu asked cautiously.
"Just…" Madara's eyes snapped open. "Whether you've been lying to me all along."
Then, he suddenly roared—
"Genjutsu—"
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