Heading north from the Land of the River Source, in a certain remote town.
During this period, the formation and expansion of relatively powerful regional forces like the Fireflies organization had caused the interior of the Land of the River Source to become increasingly stable, while external expansion directions grew ever more turbulent.
The direct change this produced was population migration—both inward and outward.
Those who could enter the Land of the River Source had already done so long ago, while those who couldn't join for various reasons naturally migrated toward more distant places.
Moreover, the Fireflies weren't the only ones doing this, so under these circumstances, some previously remote border towns had actually become slightly more prosperous due to population influx.
It was in such a town that Yūshin, wearing a bamboo hat, sat in a restaurant corner, listening intently to certain diners' conversations.
"Did you hear? That famous Hagoromo Clan was wiped out by someone."
"I heard. Though the news sounds incredible, this is just how the world is now... Even such a powerful ninja clan can be destroyed in the blink of an eye."
"I have another important piece of news," the speaker deliberately lowered his voice to emphasize the mystery. "In the Hagoromo Clan's destruction, that Fireflies organization and 'Flame Shadow' Yūshin played a key role."
"Huh? Impossible. That ninja and his organization are all composed of local shinobi—how could they possibly have the strength to attack the Hagoromo Clan?"
"You can't say that. We know how ruthless that ninja is—we can't underestimate his strength too much."
"Compared to the Hagoromo Clan, they really are weak. That's not underestimating, is it?"
"No, no, you're definitely wrong. I heard that the main force destroying the Hagoromo Clan was the Senju Clan, and when war broke out, many other ninja clans participated. These clans were also coordinated by the Senju Clan."
"You mean Tobirama Senju, right?"
"The Senju Clan, truly ruthless. No wonder the Hagoromo Clan didn't even have a chance to escape."
"Hmph, local shinobi wanting to participate in such matters? Dream on."
Yūshin: "..."
He'd originally wanted to gauge whether the common people's tolerance for chaotic wars had reached its limit, but unexpectedly gained additional intelligence.
The strategy of impersonating Tobirama Senju and coordinating other ninja clans under the Senju Clan's name to participate in the Hagoromo destruction was indeed correct.
It wasn't that Yūshin naturally liked causing trouble or creating incidents from nothing—he'd anticipated certain situations long ago.
If the Hagoromo were destroyed, there would definitely be a pile of blame waiting to be distributed, but Yūshin didn't want to shoulder the biggest, darkest burden.
Operational aggressiveness was one thing; reputational aggressiveness was another. Obviously, the Senju Clan didn't want the "inherently aggressive" label, or they'd become a clan nobody liked.
So during post-war propaganda, they'd distribute responsibility—but choosing targets wasn't easy. They couldn't pick their long-term friendly or even quasi-allied forces, right? Who would work with them afterward?
Under these circumstances, only the Fireflies organization was just the right size.
For similar matters, Hashirama Senju definitely couldn't do it, but if Butsuma Senju didn't act this way, he wouldn't be Butsuma Senju.
However, such rumors actually had quite weak credibility. The main force attacking the Hagoromo Clan was the Senju, right? The one running around the Shinobi World making connections was Tobirama Senju, right?
With such facts before them, where was room for the Senju Clan to argue?
Yūshin silently withdrew his gaze. Hmph, though the tallest tree catches the most wind, he'd never stuck his head out.
The Senju Clan's actions would be judged by history.
These calculations were actually normal—not just cooperation relationships, but even true allies would scheme against each other plenty.
The Senju Clan's methods were good and normal. What was good was that Yūshin was superior in skill.
Moreover, these civilians' information was surprisingly well-informed. Ordinary people might lack the energy and ability to care about various ninja clans' movements in the Shinobi World, but these speakers might be different.
Considering their hatred, resentment, contempt, and some fear and suppressed anger toward Yūshin and the Fireflies organization, Yūshin had reason to suspect these people were the noble class swept out from the Land of the River Source.
There might even be several daimyō among them.
Based on basic crisis awareness, their concern for the Shinobi World and even the Fireflies organization's movements was very normal—after all, they had to be ready to flee again at any time.
Having gathered interesting intelligence, Yūshin naturally wouldn't argue with these ordinary people who couldn't even use ninjutsu. He then quietly left this place, walking briskly away from the town.
The Senju Clan still wanted to whitewash themselves? They should consider just how dark Tobirama Senju really was—don't they understand "those close to ink get stained black"?
Continuing north from this town, Yūshin soon entered the continent's central region.
Huh? Strange—that previous town was clearly near the continental center. Shouldn't it be a blessed land connecting the Shinobi World? Why was it called a borderland?
One could only say those who understand, understand; those who don't have no choice.
Black Zetsu and large numbers of White Zetsu were entrenched in what would later become the "Land of Rain's" approximate territory—there were definitely corresponding reasons.
After entering this area, Yūshin immediately employed the secretive Mayfly Technique, relying on the acquired one-way sensory ability to begin hunting White Zetsu.
Previously he'd always used thief tactics, but this time was different. Having gained the ability to sense White Zetsu, he could now steal or rob.
Even if his actions were exposed to Black Zetsu, it wouldn't find his motives surprising... Just revenge—Black Zetsu had some idea of what it had done recently.
It might not understand why Yūshin could find their headquarters, but this question didn't need Yūshin's explanation—it could slowly fill in the blanks itself and would surely complete reasonable explanations soon.
As for White Zetsu's low drop rate problem, Yūshin had prepared mentally before coming. Without sufficient gains this time, he absolutely wouldn't leave.
Low drop rate? Then increase the base number.
In the continuous drizzle and lush primeval forests of the "Land of Rain," Yūshin patrolled or crouched in ambush, quickly discovering a lone White Zetsu.
The process needn't be described—the result was just four words: instant refinement.
But reality never follows scripts. Even with Yūshin's full mental preparation, an accident occurred... this time a good accident.
"Wind? Such a rare good attribute, and it dropped right away? Good White Zetsu!"
Yūshin hadn't expected to gain a new attribute immediately, and a relatively rare Wind attribute at that. How could this be a lucky start?
Indeed a good White Zetsu. For such a valuable White Zetsu, Yūshin naturally couldn't mistreat it. He took out a scroll and carefully preserved this corpse for future waste utilization.
But after the lucky start, everything returned to normal levels.
In the next several operations, White Zetsu's selfless dedication only resulted in slight basic constitution improvements for Yūshin... But no matter—heaven rewards the diligent.
One day, three White Zetsu were rapidly traveling through soil layers using Mayfly Technique, but the next moment their signals disappeared completely, as if they'd traveled to another world... Actually, this description wasn't wrong—the underworld was also another world.
Another day, during sun showers, six or seven White Zetsu were half-embedded high in a large tree trunk, seemingly enjoying the gentle rain and breeze while absorbing solar energy.
Suddenly, something shot vertically upward from directly below. First soaring straight up to the White Zetsu group's level, then using hands and feet together, instantly yanking them all into mid-air.
Sunbathing, eh? Then let me help you get closer to the sun.
During this period, Yūshin thoroughly studied White Zetsu biological habits, discovering these guys weren't working every moment—they seemed to have vacation mechanisms and actually had time for sunbathing.
Not working? Then never work again.
With absolute advantages in both strength and intelligence, eliminating White Zetsu was no different from harvesting leeks.
Plus, being in the densest area of White Zetsu activity, his operational efficiency was remarkably high.
After four or five days, eliminated White Zetsu numbers had reached triple digits—nearly equivalent to one-tenth of the existing White Zetsu population. Blatant to this degree, it would be difficult for Black Zetsu and the original White Zetsu not to notice such actions.
Deep in the rainforest, within a certain underground cavern.
"Indeed, this time we can be certain. Unlike previous rumors, someone really is purposefully hunting us," the original White Zetsu said.
"Your reaction is a bit slow," Black Zetsu said.
"Slow? Wasn't it you who wanted to suppress the situation to facilitate further observation and determine how clear that enemy's purposefulness really was?"
The original White Zetsu immediately retorted. This black guy was truly black—even pinning such blame on others? I noticed the anomaly long ago; wasn't it you who demanded using White Zetsu lives to continue probing?
Black Zetsu simply ignored White Zetsu's questioning and continued:
"For someone who would do such things, I can only think of one person."
"Mm, absolutely correct—it's that ninja called Yūshin," White Zetsu also knew the answer.
"This era seems quite different from the thousand years we've previously lived through—actually producing a ninja who can specifically sense us and even hunt us down."
Black Zetsu spoke thus, but according to its description, Yūshin's appearance and current actions seemed like mere natural phenomena.
"This was your decision-making error. Without investigating the enemy's capabilities and threat level clearly, you formulated such plans. Now the opponent's behavior is obviously simple revenge, completely unrelated to the great plan."
Today's White Zetsu seemed to have eaten some kind of courage, directly pointing out that Yūshin's actions were revenge rather than "natural phenomena."
The reduction in White Zetsu population naturally interfered with the great plan's implementation. The one who should bear responsibility was naturally Black Zetsu.
Accustomed to complete "invisibility," Black Zetsu had appeared overly careless when formulating previous plans. What now—its existence had been discovered, and now people were coming for revenge.
Black Zetsu wanted to refute but couldn't find reasons, only responding with silence. At this moment, it felt this White Zetsu was getting a bit too comfortable with life.
"The key is what should we do next?" White Zetsu asked again.
"Don't worry, I've already thought of countermeasures."
"Without the Rinnegan, our power is very hollow. You and I are both empty shells, lacking actual strength to oppose ninja."
"Of course, I said I've already thought of methods."
"But..."
"Shut up. Do I need to repeat myself a third time?"
Actually, repeating several times would be useless—the original White Zetsu clearly lacked trust in Black Zetsu's schemes or intelligence.
According to division of labor, I'm the limbs, you're the brain. The limbs' work has always been completed well, but what about the brain?
Seems like that got brain-damaged.
...
After another day, Yūshin felt the surrounding White Zetsu had disappeared.
Hmm? Did I overhunt?
Definitely not—Black Zetsu and the original White Zetsu must have implemented countermeasures. After all, the opponent couldn't possibly let him continue hunting White Zetsu.
Yūshin organized his gains, feeling his constitution had reached 5—five times that of ordinary ninja. This should reach the standard of elite ninja from great ninja clans.
Additionally, regarding chakra attributes, honestly the acquisition probability wasn't high, but he could accept it... Besides the initial lucky strike, he'd gained three more attribute chakras.
Wind, water, water, lightning. Not even mentioning subsequent Kekkei Genkai synthesis, just looking at these, Yūshin's gains were already very good... You reap what you sow. Though the sowing was a thousand years ago and the harvest now, this made the "fruit" miss timely collection, but good things are worth waiting for.
After this series of operations, Yūshin finally became a ninja with all five attributes, barely catching up to Sasuke Sarutobi's level at birth.
Logically, after gaining such rich rewards, Yūshin should withdraw from here—leave a way out for future meetings.
But after thinking it over, Yūshin ultimately felt he should meet Black Zetsu face-to-face, because... he wanted to know what differences existed between the original White Zetsu and ordinary White Zetsu.
Theoretically there should be no differences, but what if?
He began purposefully searching for Black Zetsu and the original White Zetsu. Then something strange happened—clearly knowing someone was purposefully hunting them, Black Zetsu and the original White Zetsu actually remained in this area.
Why was this?
Anyway, Yūshin found them.
In an underground cavern that had received some kind of careful arrangement, carrying mysterious and ancient atmosphere, the original White Zetsu sat very calmly on the ground, half its body dyed black.
Half black, half white, extremely serene. Under the surrounding environment's contrast, this thing created an atmosphere suggesting it possessed some kind of divinity.
If Yūshin didn't know them inside and out, he might really have been fooled.
Playing mysterious? Do I fall for your tricks?
Yūshin ignored all this. He silently emerged from behind the original White Zetsu, then directly gave it a black tiger heart-rip.
Honestly speaking, Yūshin had no way to deal with Black Zetsu—after all, sealing Black Zetsu required "Six Paths: Chibaku Tensei"-level sealing techniques.
But at this moment, Yūshin could at least vent on Black Zetsu's "cat tower." The original White Zetsu had the same strength as ordinary White Zetsu—it shattered on contact.
"You... why..."
Yūshin thought the original White Zetsu was talking to him, so he responded:
"Though you have no chakra signature, I can sense your malice, so finding you isn't difficult... Tell me, what are your origins? What exactly are you?"
However, what he didn't know was that White Zetsu's dying words were actually questioning Black Zetsu... the situation's development was completely different from what Black Zetsu had previously explained.
Though Black Zetsu's brain didn't work well, fooling White Zetsu was still manageable.
Just then, Black Zetsu seemed to melt, flowing across the ground.
Continuously forward.
Then, it rapidly dyed black a stone tablet standing ahead.
Yūshin: "..."
Are you afraid I can't see it?
Do I look that easy to fool?
Are you taking me for that blockhead Madara Uchiha?
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