At that moment, the tension in the air was palpable.
How could Emiya Shihara remain calm? And how could Black Zetsu, a being who had existed for thousands of years, not feel the weight of the situation?
When a person is exposed to a shock so overwhelming that it challenges their understanding of reality, the mind naturally races. Conspiracies, hidden truths, and thoughts of world-altering events flood one's consciousness. Even the most composed individuals may find themselves teetering on the edge of disbelief, their imagination conjuring scenarios so extreme that they question the very foundations of existence.
And in this case, Black Zetsu was all too aware.
He truly did possess a conspiracy that could destroy the world.
Emiya Shihara, born in ancient times, carried within him knowledge and insight that spanned centuries. If allowed to think unchecked, he might piece together the truth behind Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's disappearance. That truth could unravel carefully laid plans that had been millennia in the making.
Black Zetsu knew he had to act—swiftly and decisively. He needed to implant his narrative into Shihara's mind, guide him to accept the "truth" he provided, and ensure that Shihara became fully, irrevocably indoctrinated by it.
"Listen carefully," Black Zetsu said, his voice deliberate.
The words sounded strangely familiar, echoing in his own mind. It was almost as if Shihara had already spoken them moments ago. The synchronicity of the moment struck Black Zetsu as fate, compelling him to adopt Shihara's phrasing while subtly bending the story to his own design.
"In our time…" he began. "You have undoubtedly heard of the Sacred Tree."
Shihara's eyes narrowed slightly, the ancient knowledge in him stirring in recognition.
"In ancient times, the Sacred Tree appeared in this world," Black Zetsu continued, "and it became the ultimate symbol of humanity's faith. Kaguya, who descended alongside the tree, was revered as the Goddess of the Moon."
He paused, letting the weight of the introduction sink in.
"But there is much you do not know," he added, lowering his voice. "Even in those days, humanity was torn by war."
Black Zetsu carefully constructed his words, portraying Kaguya in a light that would evoke admiration rather than suspicion. "The suffering humans of that era prayed to Kaguya for peace. Moved by their pleas, Kaguya, using the Sacred Tree's power, quelled the wars that plagued the world."
"But…" His tone shifted, heavy with implication. "This was not the end."
"Though Kaguya possessed godlike power," Black Zetsu continued, "power rivaling your own understanding of the human body, she eventually faced a dilemma: even divine might could not solve all problems."
He wove the narrative with meticulous care, incorporating subtle references to Shihara to elicit empathy.
"Could it be…" Shihara murmured, frowning, beginning to think.
"Yes," Black Zetsu affirmed in thought, though the words remained unspoken. "There are too many humans in the world for one goddess to save alone."
He quickly built upon this notion. "Kaguya, therefore, sought to disperse her power—her chakra—through those she deemed worthy. She hoped that exceptional individuals, perhaps even someone like you, could bear the responsibility of alleviating human suffering."
Shihara shook his head, deflecting the flattery. "I do not possess such noble character. I was merely fortunate to inherit the remnants of the Sacred Tree's power. My aim is simply not to waste it—I wish to save those who suffer, much like the Goddess of Mao."
"Do not be modest," Black Zetsu insisted, pressing the narrative. "In all my millennia, I have yet to see one like you… such rare virtue in the world is almost nonexistent."
He leaned into the story, expanding upon Kaguya's vision. "However, Kaguya understood the danger of distributing such immense power carelessly. She knew that if left unchecked, chakra could be exploited to bring harm, not aid."
Shihara nodded, acknowledging the wisdom embedded in Kaguya's intentions.
"Yes…" Black Zetsu sighed softly. "But Kaguya's two sons did not share her caution."
Shihara's eyes widened, intrigued by this unfamiliar twist.
"Two sons?" he asked.
"Yes," Black Zetsu replied grimly. "In addition to the Six Paths Sage Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, Kaguya bore another son, Ōtsutsuki Hamura. Unlike their mother, who recognized the weight of her power, her sons were born with chakra within them. To them, it was not a rare gift to be preserved, but a resource to be freely shared with the world."
He spoke cryptically, intentionally casting a shadow of doubt over Hagoromo while leaving enough ambiguity to provoke curiosity.
"This…" Shihara's brows furrowed. "Rashly distributing power that could destroy the world… seems reckless."
"Exactly," Black Zetsu whispered, reinforcing the narrative. "We have already witnessed the results of such naïveté. Kaguya foresaw the calamity before her sons did and chose restraint."
Shihara listened, the ancient memories of cataclysm haunting him.
"The two sons, in their youthful arrogance, unleashed chakra without understanding its true force," Black Zetsu continued. "Entire populations could have been wiped out with a single strike. The world teetered on the brink of annihilation."
"The catastrophe that nearly destroyed the world?" Shihara's voice faltered. He recalled the ancient fears he had encountered even in his own travels—legends of a disaster so great that humanity still trembled in its memory.
"Yes," Black Zetsu affirmed. "Kaguya did not wish to oppose her sons. Yet as the world suffered and the faithful perished, she was forced to intervene. It pained her greatly to see the lives of innocents destroyed, even by the hands of her most cherished children."
He paused, allowing the gravity of the story to settle. "The Goddess of the Rabbit softened her heart. As a mother, she ultimately yielded, guiding events to prevent further devastation. Yet even her divine power could not prevent the war entirely."
Black Zetsu's voice grew solemn, recounting the conclusion with a subtle twist. "In the end, the war concluded. Kaguya, more powerful than any other being in the world, was sealed by her own sons. Their fear of losing her chakra drove them to act, believing it was the only way to preserve their inheritance. And thus, the Goddess of the Rabbit vanished from the world's eyes…"
Shihara, immersed in the story, could barely speak. The tale of Kaguya, of divine wisdom challenged by mortal folly, resonated deeply within him.
Black Zetsu, noting Shihara's absorption, allowed himself a small, satisfied nod. The seeds of influence had taken root.
For countless centuries, Kaguya had been spoken of in hushed reverence, her name remembered in myths and sacred traditions. Now, through careful weaving of truth and fabrication, Black Zetsu had intertwined the past with a narrative that would shape the understanding of one who could, potentially, change the future.
It was a story of power, of duty, and of tragedy. And it was a story that would linger in Shihara's mind for all the days to come.
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