Measured by the standards of the ninja world, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's power now stood just a step below Hashirama and Kaede.
After all, her true, complete strength could rival half of Kaede's own power—already proof enough of her terrifying might.
She released her chakra into the world, and instantly, Black Zetsu felt it once more.
This time, he didn't hesitate.
At his fastest speed, he rushed straight toward the Uchiha stronghold, driven by the undeniable call of his mother.
Kaede had already informed the villagers beforehand, so when Black Zetsu appeared, Tsunade and the others didn't stop him. They simply watched as he passed and made his way toward the tower.
For Black Zetsu, it was the fastest he had ever moved.
And when he finally arrived at the tower, he saw her.
Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
A figure he could never forget, because she was his mother.
She wore the same attire from five thousand years ago—a flowing white robe, her long hair trailing behind her. Beautiful beyond compare, she looked like the goddess of the moon itself.
"Mother! Mother, you're finally free!"
Overcome with emotion, Black Zetsu surged forward to embrace her.
But before he could, his true form—a mass of black liquid—spilled out uncontrollably.
Just as that liquid reached out to touch her, Kaede stepped in front of Kaguya, blocking him.
"Talk if you must, but don't fling yourself at her."
The rebuke froze Black Zetsu where he was.
Seeing that Kaguya made no move to counter Kaede's words, he reluctantly pulled back, reshaping himself into his usual form with the great reed-like protrusion on his shoulder.
"Yes. Kaede freed me. And no, I don't resent him for my sealing," Kaguya said calmly.
"I knew it," Black Zetsu said quickly. "Mother, once you escaped, I was certain you would never forgive those two traitors. If not for them, you would never have suffered so. But Mother… though you are free, I still haven't gathered all the Tailed Beasts. I can't yet recreate the God Tree. Please, don't blame me!"
He ignored Kaede entirely, speaking only to Kaguya in desperation.
"It doesn't matter," she said softly. "This was never your fault. Now that I'm free, and with Kaede's power guarding this world, I don't need the Tailed Beasts' chakra. You needn't strain yourself further. Stay by my side, that's enough."
In truth, to Kaguya, Black Zetsu was little more than a tool. He called her "Mother," but the only ones she had ever truly considered her children were Hagoromo and Hamura.
And both had betrayed her.
"Then… Mother, in Akatsuki, the organization I've been guiding… it was built to collect the Tailed Beasts. We've already secured several. If Kaede gave up the rest, we could fully restore the God Tree. You could regain your strength!" Black Zetsu pressed urgently.
"No," Kaguya rejected flatly. "I will cultivate my own strength. The God Tree is no longer necessary. As for your Akatsuki, I don't know the details, but end it. This world is on the brink of full unification under Kaede. Why invite more division?"
She understood the truth. Some Tailed Beasts had long since dissolved into pure chakra and become part of the new God Tree.
And beyond this world, the threat of the Ōtsutsuki Clan still loomed.
Sooner or later, they would come to investigate the death of Isshiki.
When they did, they would plant a new God Tree seed and try to steal the planet's power.
To resist them, this world had to be united. Any further division was nothing but handing the enemy a blade to slit their throats.
"Yes, Mother. I understand," Black Zetsu answered at once.
Obedient as always, he bowed to her will.
"But… the Tailed Beast plan is already in motion. It's called the Eye of the Moon Plan. I'm not the only one in charge anymore. I may not be able to stop it completely. Still… I can give you information about Akatsuki."
He betrayed Obito and the others without hesitation.
With his mother here, he would never again tie himself to Obito's doomed path.
"Then tell us," Kaguya said, glancing toward Kaede with a trace of apology in her eyes.
If not for her creation of Black Zetsu, there would have been no manipulation of Madara, no manipulation of Obito, no Eye of the Moon Plan. Kaede might already have united the ninja world without resistance.
Kaede chuckled. "It's fine. Akatsuki hardly matters anymore. They're nothing more than rats in the gutter—afraid to show themselves, hiding in shadows. They know that once they emerge, they'll be slaughtered.
I hold the blade. They are the meat on the cutting board. I can carve them as I please."
(End of Chapter)
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