Chapter 197: Inviting Black Zetsu for Tea
"Hey, this is the ninja tool bag prepared for you."
At the entrance of the Hyuga estate, Ryosuke's family gathered to see off the old cat—who was about to embark on the first mission of his life. Only Hiashi was absent, having left early that morning.
A short distance away, Hyuga Hoshicai waited quietly.
Gently, Hinata squatted in front of the old cat, helping him fasten the ninja tool bag around his small frame and adjusting the belt.
"There's not much in it, just a few detonating tags and shuriken," she said softly.
"I figured your claws were sharper and more useful than standard close-combat tools, so I didn't pack any of those."
"And here,"
Beside her, Hanabi stepped forward and handed over a small pouch.
"These are special pills I made—cat-specific. I only managed to make a few since time was short. Use them sparingly."
She had improved them herself after learning about medicinal herbs in school. Other than a change in flavor, the effect remained the same.
"Thank you, Miss Eldest and Miss Second."
The gray cat spoke in a flattering tone, his voice unnaturally clear—he had long since learned to mimic human speech.
But soon, his eyes drifted past the girls and settled expectantly on the gentle-looking man behind them.
"Don't look at me like that," Ryosuke said with a helpless wave of his hand.
"I didn't prepare anything for you. It's just a minor task. Complicated, sure, but nothing too dangerous."
"You're just coming along with us to see the world a bit. Nothing more."
"…All right."
The old cat lowered his head, disappointed. But after a moment, he lifted it again with forced enthusiasm.
"Then... I'm heading out, everyone."
He gave a reluctant farewell, though his paws didn't move.
"Hurry up and go already," Ryosuke urged.
"You're a teenage cat. If the neighborhood kittens see you dawdling like this, they'll never let you live it down."
"…"
Steeling himself, the cat turned and ran toward Hoshicai, who was still patiently waiting in the distance.
That would be his new captain. From today on, he was officially part of Hoshicai's squad.
Watching the old cat's back as it grew smaller, Ryosuke's family remained silent.
It wasn't until Hoshicai gave a courteous nod and led the old cat away that Hinata turned back, concern creasing her brow.
"Are you sure it's okay to send him on such an important mission?"
"Every mission involving the other world is crucial. Maybe you should've arranged something easier for his first time out."
With research on Sharingan and Wood Release at a temporary standstill, the elite medical and research unit organized by Hoshicai had been disbanded for the time being.
Now, as Ryosuke's most trusted subordinate, Hoshicai had been promoted to legion commander and tasked with a critical assignment—investigating potential alien presences in the Land of Fire.
Soon after Ryosuke brought back intelligence about foreign entities in the region, more reports followed.
Several accounts from civilians described "ordinary people" who wielded non-ninja powers—and even managed to wipe out a group of wandering shinobi hiding within the Land of Fire.
But these stories had been passed through multiple sources, and no firsthand witness could be traced, leaving the truth uncertain.
"Even if the mission is important, it's not dangerous," Ryosuke explained.
"I sent the old cat with them for a reason."
"Their goal isn't to confront the enemy, but to gather intel. Exploration and combat are two different things. We can't even confirm if these people are really from another world."
"Besides, they'll need to engage with civilians during the investigation. Hoshicai's good at that. It's a perfect opportunity for Old Cat to learn how ninja track, observe, and execute non-combat missions."
He paused, noticing Hinata's expression shift as realization set in.
"And one more thing," he added. "This mission requires avoiding direct confrontation. If they manage to confirm the enemy's identity, they're to report back and wait for further instructions."
"They're just sentinels—handling low-yield, high-uncertainty assignments."
"As for the real contact… I might go myself. But that's for later."
Hinata nodded slowly. "I understand now."
She admitted silently that she had been overthinking it.
With the discussion done, Ryosuke and his family didn't linger at the door any longer. They returned inside.
Before long, Hinata and Hanabi left for their usual activities, leaving Ryosuke alone in the house—for the first time without the old cat by his side.
He set up a small table in the inner courtyard, laying out snacks and tea.
Then, with no one around to interrupt, he picked up where he left off yesterday: reading the clan's records about Senju Hashirama.
But after flipping through only a few pages, he sighed and set the book down.
He couldn't focus.
An odd unease churned beneath his calm surface—anticipation mixed with something else. Restlessness, perhaps.
He picked up the kettle and began pouring hot water, rinsing the teacups again and again, as if the motion might settle his nerves.
In truth, he hadn't told Hinata everything about the mission.
He didn't want to worry her.
Could an ordinary person kill a wandering ninja? Technically, yes. After all, not all wandering ninjas were strong.
Some were barely above Genin level—lucky ones who'd learned chakra refinement by chance.
Others were stronger than most village shinobi.
So yes, a civilian could take down a weak wanderer—by luck or ambush.
But the group that had reportedly been killed? They weren't weak. They were trained, numerous, and well-equipped.
No ordinary person in the ninja world—samurai included—could have taken them out.
Which meant…
There was a high probability that these attackers were indeed from another world.
So why send a rookie like Old Cat?
Because, simply put, his growth had far outpaced expectations.
Measured by ninja standards, his combat strength was at least on par with a Jonin. True, he would struggle against opponents who specialized in genjutsu or advanced ninjutsu—and could even be killed in an instant under certain conditions.
But if the threat came from foreign warriors—strong ones unfamiliar with chakra-based combat—then his raw physical prowess might become a decisive edge.
In fact, his presence might boost the confidence of the entire squad.
Ryosuke wasn't foolish enough to underestimate anyone who came through a gate to another world.
The portals were selective.
Anyone who managed to cross over wasn't likely to be ordinary.
That much was clear from the people he'd met so far—Gintoki, Blueno, and others.
But whether that pattern held true for this group… that remained to be seen.
"Hmm?"
Just then, as Ryosuke rinsed the teacup for the fifth time, his hands stilled.
His eyes shifted to the ground.
As his gaze shifted, a mass of black mud lurking beneath the ground abruptly fled, retreating a full hundred meters from Ryosuke's location.
Black Zetsu...
An intrigued smile formed on Ryosuke's face.
What's he doing here now? Trying to confirm my identity?
Judging from how Black Zetsu had instantly fled upon spotting him—just like during their last encounter in the Hidden Rain Village—Ryosuke could already guess: the guy had misunderstood something.
Unlike the Ōtsutsuki brothers, Hagoromo and Hamura, Black Zetsu was fundamentally different. Though he resembled a shadowy offspring of Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, he was, in truth, something far more uncanny—more intimate.
A fragment of her will.
Born of Kaguya's spiritual essence, Black Zetsu hadn't inherited her powers, but he did understand her better than either of her sons. He carried her memory, her will, and knowledge hidden even from Hagoromo and Hamura—including the true origin of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
But... if he's really mistaking me for an Ōtsutsuki, does he think he can just run away unharmed?
Ryosuke knew Black Zetsu well enough to understand one thing: he wouldn't risk anything unless he had a backup plan.
And then, just as expected, something else happened—something that made Ryosuke's smile deepen.
From his vantage point, he watched Black Zetsu halt in the distance. After a long pause, he raised his head and... summoned a White Zetsu.
"So this is how you want to talk?"
Ryosuke already knew what he was planning.
A disposable messenger. No surprise there.
Under Black Zetsu's control, the White Zetsu crept forward like a nervous cat, slinking into the Hyuga clan's territory and tiptoeing toward the main house with exaggerated caution.
By the time the White Zetsu surfaced in Ryosuke's courtyard, Ryosuke had already brewed tea on the stone table and dragged two stone stools into place.
"Though you're no guest," Ryosuke said with a chuckle, "since you've come from afar, I still prepared a cup of tea."
His clear eyes weren't focused on the White Zetsu—but beyond it, locking directly on the one truly trying to communicate with him.
Black Zetsu.
As if unbothered by the exposure, Black Zetsu stepped into view. He didn't seem surprised that Ryosuke had seen through him. Still, he paused at the edge of the courtyard, scanning the scene carefully before walking over and sitting down with a cautious expression.
Up close, his suspicion only grew stronger.
Hyuga Ryosuke isn't a Hyuga at all... He should be called Ōtsutsuki Ryosuke.
Though Ryosuke couldn't read his mind, he could more or less guess Black Zetsu's line of thinking just from his subtle movements.
"Please." Ryosuke used bamboo tweezers to pick up a teacup and placed it gently in front of Black Zetsu. "The tea is the finest from the Land of Hot Springs. The water—sweet spring water brought down from the mountains. Try it."
Black Zetsu stared at the steaming tea for a moment, then, without ceremony, picked it up and downed it in a single gulp—like a cow chewing peonies, completely missing the flavor.
Ryosuke shook his head in regret but didn't comment.
He cut straight to the point. "So, what brings you here?"
Black Zetsu, caught off guard by the hospitality and the directness, hesitated for a second.
Then, skipping all pretense, he asked, "...Who are you?"
" Ryosuke. Don't you know that already?" Ryosuke replied lazily.
"But your eye technique—it's not Byakugan."
Instead of mentioning the Ōtsutsuki outright, Black Zetsu tested the waters. "You're not truly from the Hyuga clan. Just distantly related by blood, right?"
A cool breeze passed through the courtyard, rustling the trees.
Apart from the soft wind and their voices, silence filled the air.
Ryosuke took another sip of tea. The sweetness lingered on his tongue, and he nodded contentedly before drinking again.
Finally, he answered, "There's no need to keep testing me. I'm not an Ōtsutsuki."
He poured out the remaining tea in his cup, retrieved the one from Black Zetsu using the tweezers, and began to rinse them both.
Opposite him, Black Zetsu froze for a moment, watching in silent confusion.
Ever since I first laid eyes on him... I've been puzzled.
After a long pause, he asked again, "If you're not one of the Ōtsutsuki… how do you know so much?"
All true records of Kaguya's arrival had been destroyed by him. What remained were just myths and fables, warped and worthless.
So… where did this man learn the truth?
"I won't be answering that question," Ryosuke said as he poured fresh tea into the rinsed cups and pushed one toward Black Zetsu again. "You can only ask the questions I'm willing to answer. After all, we're still enemies—for now."
Black Zetsu narrowed his eyes slightly. "Why do you think we're enemies?"
He was trying to regain some control over the conversation. Being led around like this unsettled him.
Ryosuke raised an eyebrow. "You don't know what you've done? Why we're enemies?"
Black Zetsu frowned. "Considering bloodlines… aren't we technically on the same side? Why oppose me?"
He repeated the same question, fishing for weakness.
Ryosuke shook his head. "I've told you—there's no point in testing me. I know exactly what you've done. What you're planning."
His gaze sharpened, firm and unwavering. Even someone as old and experienced as Black Zetsu felt a flicker of unease under it.
Still, he composed himself quickly. "Many throughout history have believed they were in control," he replied coolly. "They thought they were masters of the board... but they were merely pawns."
He paused, his tone cryptic. "What you think you know might not be the truth."
Ryosuke chuckled.
"Ha. Does that include you?"
Black Zetsu's expression didn't change, but his stare locked onto Ryosuke's eyes.
Ryosuke ignored it.
"Let's not forget," he said slowly, "you thought you had Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Obito dancing in your palm. You thought you had it all planned out. But in reality, things had long slipped from your grasp—and you never even realized."
Boom.
Like thunder crashing through the quiet, Ryosuke's words struck Black Zetsu straight in the heart.
His greatest secret.
His thousand-year plan.
How... did Ryosuke know?
Even with centuries of emotional control, panic surged in his chest.
Still, he forced himself to remain calm. "What are you talking about?" he asked flatly. "Explain it clearly. I think… you might be the one misunderstanding things."
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