"Uchiha Naori is fine, no need to worry."
Lux had already checked Naori's condition. Though her chakra was depleted and she had minor injuries, nothing was fatal.
Black Zetsu had deliberately kept Naori alive as leverage to threaten Tobirama into giving up critical information.
Unfortunately, he wasn't perfect.
He never expected Tobirama to have such an extraordinary 'summoning help technique' that could even call forth a Sage.
"Can they be separated?" Tobirama asked urgently.
To him, every second Black Zetsu clung to Naori was a grave insult to her!
He couldn't tolerate it in the slightest!
Lux nodded slightly, activating the Yin-Yang Technique to separate Black Zetsu from Naori, like a viscous, toxic black liquid.
Throughout the process, Black Zetsu couldn't resist at all, like a piece of rubber kneaded and toyed with by Lux at will.
Despite his cunning, Black Zetsu's strength was still too weak.
Once he revealed his true form, every appearance was a huge risk.
Sadly, this time, he finally lost!
Of course, losing to Lux wasn't shameful.
After all, even his mother, Kaguya, had lost to Lux multiple times and had become something of Lux's 'possession.'
"Naori!"
Tobirama embraced the unconscious Naori, quickly checking her condition. After confirming she was safe, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Then he turned his gaze to the 'lump' of Black Zetsu in Lux's hand, filled with hatred.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"Who are you?"
Black Zetsu could speak again, but he was still bound by Lux's Yin-Yang Technique, unable to escape.
His heart was gripped with fear.
He didn't recognize Lux, but he could clearly see his Rinne Sharingan and the terrifying mastery of the Yin-Yang Technique.
The person before him was no ninja at all!
Who was he? Why did he attack him? Why did he save Tobirama? Why did he have his mother's Rinne Sharingan?!?
Black Zetsu had too many questions.
Unfortunately, Lux, at his current level, had no desire to explain to Black Zetsu or bother debating him.
He only needed to eliminate this unstable factor.
"You shouldn't have shown yourself."
"…"
"Of course, whether you appeared or not, it doesn't matter; you couldn't escape in the end."
Don't forget, Parallel World 7's Naruto had the Senrigan, able to monitor the entire world in real time.
As long as Black Zetsu was taken to another world, no matter how deeply he hid, he'd be found instantly.
Parallel World 7's Naruto, full of hatred, also held a deep grudge against Black Zetsu and would gleefully crush two unfortunate Black Zetsus.
"Alright, time to send you to the afterlife."
"Wait! Don't kill me, don't kill me!"
Black Zetsu sensed the danger of death and immediately begged for mercy without hesitation. He hadn't saved his mother; he couldn't die here no matter what!
"Whoever you are, we can work together! I know tons of information, many secret techniques, and I hold the secret to immortality. As long as you help me achieve my goal, whatever you want, I can give! As long as you—"
Black Zetsu pleaded and offered obsequiously.
As long as he could live, he was willing to give anything now.
Sadly, everything he could offer was utterly worthless to Lux.
Lux activated the Truth-Seeking Balls and began erasing Black Zetsu.
"Aaaaaaaaaa!"
A piercing scream erupted from Black Zetsu's mouth.
He couldn't understand why this person was so quick to kill him.
He was a false god who'd lived for thousands of years—how could this person have no interest in what he possessed?
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"Wait a moment!"
Tobirama suddenly spoke, interrupting Lux's erasure.
"Hmm? You want to save this guy?"
Lux paused, looking at Tobirama curiously.
Black Zetsu, half his body already erased, stared at Tobirama with hopeful eyes, as if seeing a super savior.
"No, not save him."
"I ask that you hand him over to me, Lord. His information and collection are indeed useful for the entire village and will help Konoha complete world unification!"
"Plus, his research value is immense. I can refine more forbidden techniques."
"And lastly, this is my personal wish."
"I don't want this guy to die so easily. I'll make him feel extreme despair in my laboratory! I'll make him experience true hell!"
Tobirama requested earnestly.
Unlike his kind-hearted brother Hashirama, he had no intention of saving Black Zetsu.
He wanted to squeeze every drop of value from Black Zetsu and make him suffer unprecedented torment and pain.
Only then could he avenge today's humiliation and redeem Naori's sacrifice!
In short, he couldn't let this monster Black Zetsu die peacefully!
"No—!"
"Senju Tobirama, you demon!!!"
Black Zetsu screamed in despair, thinking Tobirama wanted to save him, only to realize he just wanted to torture him!
So humiliating!
But Black Zetsu thought again—as long as he didn't die, he still had a chance. Even in Tobirama's laboratory hell, he might find an opportunity to escape and turn things around.
Of course, the more pressing question was whether Lux would agree to Tobirama's request.
On that note, Lux agreed casually, creating a Yin-Yang Technique cage to confine Black Zetsu and tossing it to Tobirama.
"Fine, I'll leave him to you."
"Remember, don't let him escape again."
Lux was generous, or rather, Black Zetsu was no longer a threat to him.
Handing him to Tobirama to extract all his value was no issue.
He was confident that Tobirama, having learned his lesson, would never underestimate Black Zetsu again or give him a chance to escape.
Even if Tobirama foolishly let Black Zetsu escape in the future, Izuna would likely destroy him.
And if Black Zetsu did escape, it would only let Parallel World 7's Naruto have fun hunting the monster.
It wasn't a big deal at all.
"Thank you, Lord!"
"Hehehe!"
Tobirama received the cage sealing Black Zetsu, his eyes filled with surprise and rage, unable to suppress an evil laugh.
This time, he'd make Black Zetsu regret being born!
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Tobirama stored Black Zetsu and carefully placed Naori down, thanking Lux again.
"Lord, thank you so much!"
"Without you, we might've truly been in danger…"
If only he had died, Tobirama wouldn't have been too afraid.
The key was Naori and Izuna dying too, and Black Zetsu using them to make his brother and Madara fight, ultimately destroying Konoha.
That would be the most desperate and dangerous disaster.
Something that absolutely couldn't happen!
Fortunately, his summoning help technique turned defeat into victory.
Indeed, someone well-connected needs a strong backer!
He just didn't know how high a price he'd have to pay for 'summoning a god' like this.
Would he have to sell himself, and even that might not be enough?
"Don't think weird things. A lowly Black Zetsu won't make you sell yourself. Would I even want you?"
Lux joked, waving his hand, as if he'd want Tobirama's body.
Having such thoughts was already disgusting and cheap!
"Hehehe, I overthought it."
"But your unification progress and efficiency here are too slow. Plus, with this failure, don't you think Izuna might do better?"
Lux didn't need repayment from Tobirama, but a proper whip was still necessary.
Parallel World 1, with the power to dominate the world from the start, largely due to Hashirama's personality, still hadn't fully unified after so long.
It was time for a push.
If he didn't whip Tobirama with Izuna, how could Tobirama run faster?
"Hiss—!"
"No way, absolutely not!"
Tobirama felt deeply threatened, immediately shocked and denying:
"That fool Izuna, look, he got tricked by Black Zetsu and sealed in a pot. If he unified the ninja world, it'd be worse and slower!"
"Oh? Really?"
Lux asked with a smile.
Of course, compared to Izuna, Tobirama reacted instantly.
"Absolutely, this time I won't hold back. In fifteen days at most, I'll conquer the entire ninja world! Crush all resisting nations!"
Tobirama made a ruthless promise.
In truth, he was fed up with the attacks from Kumogakure and Kirigakure this time, becoming more aggressive and brutal.
"Fifteen days?"
"Ten days, ten days to conquer the ninja world!"
Tobirama went mad—he couldn't let Izuna take the lead and step on him!
If that happened, his life would truly be over.
Even if he had to beg his brother for help, Tobirama was willing!
He had to suppress Izuna; he couldn't let him become the boss!
"Good, I'll give you ten more days."
"After ten days, I only want to see results."
Lux was very satisfied. After all, with no resistance in Parallel World 1, it was time for a clean sweep.
Plus, with Tobirama and Izuna both attacked and nearly captured, it was enough to make Hashirama and Madara break out in cold sweat, no longer obstructing world unification.
"Understood!"
Tobirama sighed in relief, nearly becoming Izuna's subordinate—that would've been worse than death.
Thankfully, he was smart and didn't release Izuna too early.
Otherwise, the outcome might've been different.
"Alright, handle the rest yourself. I'm leaving." Lux teleported away, not lingering.
"Take care, Lord!"
Tobirama waved, his mood slightly better.
Though the sacrifices and efforts in this battle were significant, at least the enemy didn't win—already the best outcome.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Tobirama created several clones to collect the White Zetsu corpses around. Meanwhile, his real body continued bandaging Naori's wounds.
Looking at Naori's scarred, stubborn, youthful face, Tobirama couldn't hold back his emotions, muttering to himself.
"You're an Uchiha, why did you fight so hard to save me?"
"Your hand is truly 'eviler' than Izuna's…"
"But I, Senju Tobirama, won't forget this kindness."
"Rest assured, I'll find a way to make your eyes see light again! I swear!"
"And as long as I, Tobirama, live, I won't let anyone hurt you again!"
Tobirama swore earnestly, gently wiping the dirt from Naori's face.
He didn't dare say more, but Naori's existence and sacrifice had shattered his prejudice against the entire Uchiha clan.
It turns out, there are good Uchiha ninjas too.
*BOOM!*
Behind Tobirama and Naori, the orange Amber Purifying Pot suddenly shook violently, startling Tobirama.
It seemed Izuna inside was launching a fierce attack, trying to break the seal.
"Tch!"
"That fool's still making a ruckus in the pot?"
"Why hasn't he melted into liquid yet?"
"Should I reinforce the seal and let him die in there?"
Tobirama frowned in annoyance, even considering whether to take this chance to kill the foolish Izuna.
Falling into such an obvious trap—how embarrassing!
If it were him…
Hmm…
If he could activate a full Susano'o, would he have ended up like that?
Useless Izuna!
"No, no, that evil Madara's still out there; if Izuna gets hurt again, he won't let me go. And I need to speed up world unification. I don't have time to waste with that bastard."
After a moment's hesitation, Tobirama couldn't bear to let Izuna suffer longer.
So he rushed to the Amber Purifying Pot and opened its seal.
Immediately, Izuna inside turned into a stream of chakra and flew out, freed.
"Deceiver, you're dead!"
Furious Izuna immediately sought the White Zetsu disguised as Naori, wanting to chop it to pieces!
"Fool, don't bother looking! The enemy's already dealt with…"
"Tobirama? Why you? Your injuries?"
Seeing Tobirama, Izuna was filled with doubt, not understanding how Tobirama could stand.
Wasn't he gravely injured and paralyzed? Why was he suddenly healed? Had he been sealed for months?
"What injuries? I'm healed. Stop talking nonsense. If not for your stupidity, how would it have ended like this…"
Tobirama grumbled in annoyance. He knew it wasn't Izuna's fault, but his heart felt stifled. Seeing Izuna's face, he couldn't help venting his anger.
"So that's it! I knew it, you're a fake too! Damn bastard, tricking me once and trying again? This time I won't fall for it—die!"
In Izuna's understanding, it was impossible to heal severe injuries like a broken spine in such a short time.
The only possibility was that the Tobirama before him was fake.
That explained why he appeared fine.
Yes, this Tobirama must be fake!
Furious Izuna attacked, venting all his shame from being tricked, striking Tobirama.
He charged and punched Tobirama.
"Uchiha Izuna, you fool…!"
"Senju Tobirama, I'll…!"
The two fought fiercely.
But Tobirama was no match for Izuna now and was soon beaten black and blue.
Actually, after the first punch, Izuna knew it was the real Tobirama, not a fake.
But he didn't stop.
After all, a chance to beat Tobirama with a valid excuse was rare. Even if it reached Hashirama, he could just claim he mistook Tobirama for an enemy and hit him by mistake.
A golden opportunity like this—how could Izuna let it go?
If he didn't beat Tobirama to a pulp today, he'd feel he let down Naori, who lost her Sharingan!