Kagami silently committed the methods Black Zetsu described to memory. "To rescue Kaguya," he said, "I need to go to the moon. You know how to open the passage, correct?" The Otsutsuki clan on the moon controlled the gateway between the two worlds, and Kagami was certain that Black Zetsu, in his millennium of existence, had learned how to use it.
Hearing that Kagami intended to save Kaguya, Black Zetsu's face lit up with excitement. He had briefly considered tricking Kagami into transplanting Madara's eyes and becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, then activating the Infinite Tsukuyomi so Kaguya could reincarnate through him. But Kagami was too enigmatic; he couldn't see through him at all. He suspected Kagami already knew the truth about the Infinite Tsukuyomi and didn't want to risk antagonizing the one person who might be able to free his mother. Besides, Kagami's power was so immense that he wasn't confident a surprise attack would even succeed. He abandoned the treacherous plan.
"I only know that a thousand years ago, Hamura Otsutsuki left a secret place in this world where a passage to the moon exists," Black Zetsu said helplessly. "However, I do not know where that secret place is."
"Is that so? Then there's nothing to be done for now," Kagami nodded, sighing internally. He couldn't fly to the moon himself. Without a path, his ability to break the seal was useless. But he wasn't too disappointed. At worst, he would wait a few more years, have a few more children, and eventually gain the power to reach the moon on his own. He wasn't in a rush.
But at that moment, Black Zetsu's face hardened with determination. "Although I don't know the location, I will take the White Zetsu and search for it! Even if I have to scour the entire world, I will find that secret place!" He would never give up, no matter how hard it was.
Kagami nodded. "That's the only way. Take the Zetsu and begin your search." If Black Zetsu found the passage, that would be great. If not, it didn't matter. He could wait. With that, Kagami allowed Black Zetsu to leave with the other Zetsu. He then activated his Flying Thunder God and returned to Konoha.
Back in the village, Kagami assigned a clone to practice the methods for Yin-Yang Release and absorbing pupil power, while he himself chose to spend time with his wives.
At the same time, in the magnificent hall of the Fire Daimyo's mansion, the daimyos of the five great nations were engaged in a heated argument.
"Daimyo of the Land of Fire, the behavior of your Konoha Village is simply outrageous!" the Lightning Daimyo roared, his eyes wide with fury. He slammed the table, sending teacups jumping. "Our shinobi are the elite of our nations, and you've massacred nearly all of them! Is Konoha trying to provoke an all-out war?"
The Fire Daimyo's expression was grave, but before he could explain, he was interrupted by the angry shouts of the others.
"You must give us a reasonable explanation!" the Earth Daimyo bellowed, his voice deep and powerful. "Otherwise, the Land of Earth will never let this matter rest!"
"Konoha's actions are a challenge to all four of our nations," the Water Daimyo added, his voice cold. "If we do not punish them severely, how can we maintain our dignity?"
The Wind Daimyo clenched his fists, his face grim. "Your village's arrogance has aroused public outrage. I hope you will be wise and not make an irreparable mistake!"
The daimyos of the four nations all stood, pointing and shouting at the Fire Daimyo, plunging the hall into chaos. But at the center of the storm, the Fire Daimyo remained surprisingly calm. A subtle, sly smile touched his face as he thought to himself, 'You are all already dead men walking.'
These daimyos had no idea that their Fire Nation counterpart had long been secretly controlled by Kagami's agents, now serving as his pawn. Waving his hands for silence, the Fire Daimyo's voice was like a bucket of cold water. "Dear daimyos, please be patient. Regarding this matter, I believe there must be a misunderstanding."
"Misunderstanding?!" they all roared in unison.
"Yes, a misunderstanding," the Fire Daimyo repeated calmly. "As I know it, it was your shinobi who started the war. Konoha merely acted in self-defense. Their deaths are their own fault."
The four daimyos trembled with rage. "Daimyo of the Land of Fire, do not think we are so easily bullied!" the Lightning Daimyo threatened, pointing a finger in his face. "Konoha must pay the price!"
The Fire Daimyo's smile was filled with disdain. "Oh? Really? Your shinobi initiated the war, and now you blame us? Where is the justice in that? Besides, even if Konoha was at fault, these were the actions of a few ninjas. It has nothing to do with the entire Land of Fire. Would you truly start a war over this?"
His words left the other daimyos speechless, but they wouldn't give up. "Alright!" the Lightning Daimyo gritted his teeth. "Even so, the Land of Fire must pay compensation! Otherwise, we will never let this go!"
"Don't push us!" the Earth Daimyo growled.
"That's right!" the Water Daimyo echoed. "If you don't pay, our four nations will unite and wage war! You won't regret it then!"
A cold light flashed in the Fire Daimyo's eyes before he softened his expression. "Very well, I promise you. After we investigate the truth, the Land of Fire will provide reasonable compensation."
At the word "compensation," the other daimyos calmed slightly. In truth, they didn't care that much about the dead shinobi; they were merely tools. The real military power of their nations lay in their millions of samurai. Their main purpose in coming here was to extract some benefits from the Land of Fire, not to actually start a war. Compensation would be enough to appease their people. Seeing that the Fire Daimyo was willing to pay, they saw no reason to continue arguing. After a few more empty threats, they left the mansion.
__________________________
"Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed the chapter, please consider donating Power Stones and joining our patreon
[patreon.com /coolperry]
for early access to future chapters.