The damp air of the cave clung to my skin as I sat cross-legged on the cold stone floor. My thoughts ran deep, drifting between the divine knowledge that burned within me and the mortal world I'd been thrown into.
I needed information. That was priority number one. If I wanted to find Camp Half-Blood, if I wanted to understand which point in history I'd landed in… I needed eyes and ears everywhere.
But I didn't have spies. I didn't have a network.So, I'd create one.
"Creation of All Things…" I murmured to myself, the words echoing faintly through the cavern.
Even saying it out loud sent a shiver down my spine. I remembered Father Hagoromo using it only once — shaping life itself from nothingness, bending the rules of reality. His chakra was perfect balance; mine… not yet. But I wasn't starting from nothing either.
I had Indra Ōtsutsuki's talent.I had Zeus's divine blood.And I had Kurama's raw, roaring power flowing through me.
"Let's see if the impossible still remembers me," I said, smirking faintly.
Closing my eyes, I drew my chakra inward — molding it, purifying it, forcing Yin and Yang to dance together. The energy pulsed and cracked through my veins like lightning. For a moment, I could almost hear the universe protesting my defiance. My mindscape flickered — and somewhere deep within, Kurama stirred, his massive presence rumbling through my consciousness.
"You're insane," Kurama growled, voice like rolling thunder. "Creation of All Things isn't something you just 'try,' brat."
"You're right," I answered calmly in my thoughts. "But if I succeed, I'll never have to rely on anyone else for information again."
"Tch. You're just like your father," the fox grumbled. "Fine. Don't die doing it."
I smiled. That was as close to encouragement as Kurama ever gave.
The ground beneath me trembled as I brought my hands together, molding chakra unlike anything mortal or divine. Dark purple energy spiraled from my palms — the fusion of Yin and Yang. Reality twisted, the air shimmering like a heat haze as I shaped my intent.
"I name you… Black Zetsu," I whispered. "My shadow, my eyes, my will incarnate. You will serve only me."
A form began to take shape in front of me — a slick, black silhouette crawling from the shadows themselves. Its eyes glowed faintly gold for a second, before dimming to a deep, unsettling amber.
"...Master," it said, voice echoing like ripples in still water. "You have created me."
My chakra flared, almost collapsing from the strain, but I didn't stop. I pushed just enough divine energy into the construct to give it life. Not an imitation — real, conscious life.
"I did," I breathed, my chest rising and falling rapidly. "And you will help me build the foundation of what's to come."
The creature bowed, melting seamlessly into the rock as if becoming one with the shadows again. A faint tremor of chakra told me he'd already begun splitting himself — the birth of the White Zetsu, the start of my network.
I leaned back, exhausted but satisfied.
"One step closer," I whispered to myself. "If Father could create life from nothing… then maybe I can create an empire."
The cave was silent again, except for the faint hum of power still vibrating through the stone. I let out a small laugh.
"From nothing to something," I said softly. "This world has no idea what's coming."