I have to admit… Black Zetsu was indeed a masterful storyteller.
In his tale, Kaguya transformed into a compassionate and noble Goddess of the Moon, a figure both tragic and revered, a victim who had suffered betrayal at the hands of those closest to her. Despite her immense suffering, she had always prioritized the greater good, placing the lives of others above her own pain.
The story resonated deeply. It painted the Goddess of the Moon in a light humans craved—especially for someone like Emiya Shihara, who had long believed in the sacred tree and in Kaguya's enduring legacy.
Emiya Shihara fell into quiet contemplation.
Was this truly the ninja world? Was this a reality where such events could occur? The logic of the tale, though slightly flawed, was compelling. And yet… the flaw lay in the storyteller himself.
Because Black Zetsu, in his very nature, could not fully comprehend human emotions.
In ancient times, he had sought nothing but revenge against the Six Paths Sage. He was Kaguya's legacy, yet his mission was revenge. A being born of a mother so devoted and compassionate, willing to sacrifice everything for the world and her children, and yet this legacy—Black Zetsu—harbored animosity toward that very lineage.
Clearly, the intricacies of human feelings were beyond his understanding.
As a kindhearted individual, Emiya Shihara instinctively filled in the emotional gaps that Black Zetsu left behind. He sympathized, he understood, and in doing so, he unwittingly eased the burden of guilt Black Zetsu carried within himself.
"Really…" Shihara murmured, a trace of awe in his voice. "A revered deity… I cannot even imagine… such a great being, steadfast in her path, betrayed and sealed away by her own children. How much anguish must she harbor in her heart…"
Black Zetsu's face froze.
He had not expected his story to have such an impact.
Shihara's reverence for Kaguya had deepened, and the young man had even begun to internalize her pain during the sealing. Although the original historical account included more than just sorrow—there was resentment, anger, and betrayal—Emiya Shihara's empathetic perspective sparked a sudden realization in Black Zetsu. He understood immediately where his existence stemmed from.
"Yes…" he said quietly. "This pain is unbearable… even the Goddess of the Moon could not bear it. And this… this is why I exist in this world."
His voice darkened as he took on the weight of his own fabricated origin. "Even before being sealed, that great mother refused to hate her sons. She wrenched her anguish from her own heart, and from that pain, I was born into this world…"
"So… I have been hiding it," Black Zetsu admitted, as if acknowledging a long-held insecurity. "Because I am the embodiment of my mother's suffering, I dared not reveal my true identity…"
Shihara regarded him with a hint of realization, a touch of compassion reflecting in his eyes.
"Black Zetsu…" he murmured.
For a moment, it seemed as though Emiya Shihara had fully accepted him—not just his existence, but his purpose. He forgave Black Zetsu for his deception and even extended sympathy for the life he had led.
"You are the will of the Goddess of the Moon," Shihara said softly. "That… should be something to be proud of."
There was sadness in his tone, but also reassurance. "The gods themselves always intervene to save those in pain. And someone must come to relieve their suffering. You… as the painful will left behind by the Goddess of the Moon… you also speak for her anguish, don't you?"
Black Zetsu felt emotion stir within him. For the first time, he sensed true acceptance. Emiya Shihara was no longer just a pawn; he was an ally, a partner in the resurrection of Kaguya.
Yet even as Black Zetsu recognized this, a flicker of doubt passed through him. If Shihara were to witness Kaguya's true form when she was eventually resurrected, would he remain calm—or would he erupt in anger?
It did not matter for now. Black Zetsu could carefully manage that eventuality. For now, Shihara was the only piece he could truly trust.
As for Uchiha Madara, he was inconsequential—a chess piece long forgotten.
Black Zetsu imagined the future, the eventual moment when he would pierce Shihara's heart and bring Kaguya back. Should he celebrate in private, reveling in the culmination of his centuries-long deception? Or should he adopt the guise of sorrow, mourning the forced choices he had made while subtly boasting of the ingenuity with which he had orchestrated every detail?
In truth, it was a mixture of both.
A complex, almost schizophrenic state, perhaps. Yet it suited Black Zetsu, who had spent millennia balancing manipulation with the weight of his own identity. Even though Shihara's trust in him was almost complete, he still understood the gravity of their mission.
He could, if necessary, praise Emiya Shihara. He could acknowledge his role as a chess piece, express gratitude for his unwavering loyalty, and reveal his own joy at finally employing him in his grand design. Before the end of it all, Shihara would know the truth. That would be his final act of camaraderie, a gesture to honor their shared journey.
"Emiya…" Black Zetsu's voice was gentle, yet deliberate.
Shihara shifted slightly, feeling a touch of awkwardness at the direct address.
This Black Zetsu… he thought himself elevated, as though being the will of Kaguya granted him authority over titles and respect. He refused to address Shihara with the traditional honorific "Morihara-sama," despite the fact that such a title represented trust, friendship, and mutual reliance.
Black Zetsu's arrogance was evident. Even before gaining any tangible power, he behaved as though he were a god incarnate. For a man as magnanimous as Shihara, this would have been a trivial matter—yet Black Zetsu's attitude felt excessive, almost audacious.
Nevertheless, Shihara remained patient, for now.
"Emiya." The name itself carried warmth, intimacy, and recognition. Black Zetsu cherished it deeply. He felt their bond strengthening, believing that Shihara had not only accepted his identity but had forgiven his past concealments.
The time had come. It was time to focus on the task at hand.
"Resurrecting Kaguya is not a simple matter," Black Zetsu said, his tone grave. "When she was sealed thousands of years ago, it was easier—her chakra intact, her essence whole. But over the millennia, her power has gradually dissipated."
He paused, then carefully added, fabricating yet another detail. "Now… only her consciousness remains, still guarding the world she once loved so dearly."
Shihara's eyes glimmered with admiration. "How magnificent… yet…" His brow furrowed as a subtle unease crept over him. "If only her will remains, this divine realm is unlike any I've encountered. I may need considerable time to understand and interact with it, yet I worry I might not succeed…"
Black Zetsu smiled inwardly. Shihara's concern pleased him—this was the reaction he had been anticipating.
As expected of Emiya Shihara.
As expected of his most favored chess piece.
Shihara instinctively sought solutions, a trait Black Zetsu both admired and relied upon. Yet even Shihara could not possibly anticipate the intricacies of resurrecting Kaguya. It was a method beyond mortal comprehension, an operation of divine complexity.
"I think… huh?" Shihara began, intending to continue the conversation, when suddenly he sensed a new presence rapidly approaching.
Black Zetsu's perception, honed over millennia, immediately detected the intruder. A touch of annoyance crossed his face—his private conversation with Shihara interrupted.
"Someone's coming," he muttered, his voice edged with surprise.
"Wait…"
He couldn't comprehend the identity of the approaching figure. How had they found this place? And why now?
The answer would have to wait. For now, the story had served its purpose, embedding its seeds of trust, admiration, and purpose deep within Shihara's heart.
Black Zetsu's plan was moving forward—slowly, meticulously, and perfectly aligned with the will of the Goddess he had been born to serve.
And thus, their journey continued.
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