Chapter 124: Black Zetsu—How Delightful
Learning from last time's lesson, Shisui specially reserved a private teahouse room this time.
He pulled open the sliding door for Yu.
The room was decorated simply and elegantly with several porcelain pieces neatly arranged, corners adorned with artificial flowers and plants.
This time no attendants were arranged. Shisui personally poured Yu tea, indicating he should sit.
After Yu sat, Shisui took the seat opposite but didn't rush to speak.
He lifted his teacup for a light sip before slowly saying: "Sasuko visited Tsunade today, proposing to register as a Genin."
Yu's expression slightly condensed.
Shisui noticed his reaction and continued frankly: "Tsunade and the others have concerns, so they asked me to inquire about your thoughts."
Before Yu, Shisui never beat around the bush.
To him, compared to Konoha leadership's attitudes, Yu's feelings mattered far more.
This man was not only his close friend but his and the entire Uchiha's lifesaver.
This profound bond far exceeded the "village righteousness" those leaders constantly spoke of.
Moreover, those who'd once tacitly permitted Danzo's actions weren't worth his genuine trust.
Yu gazed at the clear tea in his cup, silent for a long while.
From his heart, he didn't want Sasuko taking the ninja path.
This world's ninja, frankly speaking, were merely the village's mercenaries executing various dangerous missions. He didn't want Sasuko tainted by these.
But he also understood that in this strength-revering world, Sasuko chose proving her independence by becoming a ninja. He understood he shouldn't obstruct this growth.
Yu rubbed the teacup's edge, worry appearing between his brows.
"Honestly, I don't want her taking the ninja path."
"This profession's true nature—you and I both know. With me here, Konoha need not worry about external enemies. She could completely live safely and smoothly through this life."
He set down his teacup, rubbing his brow: "But not long ago I encouraged her to pursue herself. Now if I secretly obstruct out of worry, it's too contradictory."
Shisui listened quietly, speaking at the right moment: "I understand your concerns. But perhaps there's another way."
"Since you worry about her safety, why not make thorough secret arrangements? With your influence in Konoha, you could completely respect her choice while ensuring she doesn't encounter true danger."
Yu looked up at him: "You mean?"
"I suggest first agreeing to her application." Shisui analyzed calmly. "But reach consensus with Tsunade—missions assigned to Sasuko must undergo strict screening, while arranging reliable ANBU for covert protection. This gives her growth space while minimizing risks."
He paused slightly, continuing: "Rather than letting her face danger unknowingly, better let her personally experience ninja life within controllable ranges. After she truly understands this profession's hardships, she might make new choices herself."
Yu fell into contemplation.
Shisui's suggestion was indeed reasonable, both respecting Sasuko's wishes while maximally guaranteeing her safety.
"Let's do as you say." After a long while, he finally nodded. "But mission screening must be strict, and guard personnel must be personally confirmed by me."
Shisui nodded: "Naturally."
Actually, standing in Tsunade and the others' position, he should approve Yu's thinking—not letting Sasuko become a ninja could indeed save much trouble.
But having experienced the past with Itachi, he deeply understood one principle: presumptuous control often brewed more serious consequences.
Rather than repeating mistakes, better give the involved party freedom to choose. As long as complete protection was arranged, perhaps better results could be achieved.
Yu drained his tea, mind already decided.
Honestly, in his eyes, those Konoha people—whether Jonin or Hokage—were merely ants strength-wise, hardly fit for important tasks.
He wasn't certain whether stronger existences remained in this world, but relying on these people to protect Sasuko outside left him deeply uneasy.
Though he'd left a protective seal on Sasuko, what if they encountered special attack methods or unprecedented bizarre jutsu? Depend on these Konoha people?
He gently shook his head.
Yu already had a candidate in mind—that source of all jutsu, bloodline limits, and chakra.
---
In a carefully arranged room, Black Zetsu was joyfully organizing Mother's residence.
Days ago, it had suddenly sensed Mother's chakra fluctuation and trembled with excitement throughout its body.
Originally it had planned postponing plans two hundred years—after witnessing that scene in the desert, it clearly realized that martial force alone could never overcome Uchiha Yu's obstacle.
Even Impure World Reincarnating all past Five Kage and Uchiha Madara together would be hopeless.
Only its great Mother could possibly contend with that monster.
And those two girls around Uchiha Yu—one stuck to him constantly never leaving, the other stubborn as a rock—completely impossible to approach.
Black Zetsu carefully wiped room furnishings, heart full of relief. Though it didn't know specific circumstances, Mother had indeed escaped the seal.
When Mother found it that day, her clothing was slightly disheveled, eyes unlike a thousand years ago's coldness, instead carrying several emotions it couldn't comprehend. She'd even specifically instructed it not to cause trouble.
But that familiar aura couldn't be wrong—this was the Mother it had awaited a thousand years.
Thinking this, it couldn't help showing a smug smile.
These years though it hadn't saved much money—after all, usually no expenses—the Akatsuki organization's funds were quite ample.
As one of the behind-the-scenes controllers, it had directly diverted large sums—anyway, with Mother's return, this organization had lost value.
The only pity was not personally seeing that fool constantly calling himself god discovering funds vanished without trace.
"Keke keke..." Black Zetsu couldn't help laughing aloud.
Kaguya sat alone in the living room, gazing at the night sky through the window. A thousand years sealed, finally regaining freedom.
Black Zetsu's laughter came from inside, drawing her thoughts toward another direction.
She recalled those initial two children, those two children who'd betrayed her.
Since being betrayed by humans, she no longer trusted anyone. So she created Hagoromo and Hamura, pouring all her devotion. Never expecting even they ultimately stood with humans.
(In the manga's canon, Kaguya independently birthed Hagoromo and Hamura. I'm following the manga here.)
Yet this existence transformed from chakra she'd hastily left before sealing had persistently worked toward rescuing her for a thousand years.
Even Kaguya couldn't help being moved by this devotion now.
Kaguya softly called Black Zetsu over.
Black Zetsu immediately reverted to that mass of pitch-black original form, slowly moving before Kaguya—this was the appearance Mother had initially shaped for it.
Except before Kaguya, it never showed this form to anyone.
Kaguya extended her hand, gently stroking this black sludge, tone unprecedented gentle: "These years have been hard on you."
Black Zetsu trembled violently, too moved to speak complete sentences: "Mother, I..."
Kaguya gazed at the trembling black sludge before her, voice gentle yet solemn:
"I couldn't properly name you back then... Now, I want to formally acknowledge you as my daughter."
She paused, fingertips lightly brushing the sludge surface:
"From now on, you'll be called Otsutsuki Yoya."