Chapter 172: Black Zetsu: No One Understands the Uchiha Better Than Me!

In the outskirts of Konoha, Obito ran with his head down until the sky turned dark. He finally stopped, exhausted, and started punching and kicking a tree. "Useless! Useless! You’re so useless!" he yelled, furiously kicking the tree, his face filled with anger and self-loathing. He hadn’t noticed any chakra fluctuations, and he understood that Nohara Rin was busy. His anger was directed more at his own incompetence. Obito’s choked sobs echoed through the forest. Just then, a voice sounded out. "Young man, what are you crying about?" "Ah!!" Obito was startled and jumped to the side, staring at where the voice came from. He relaxed after getting a clear look. It was an old woman. He felt a bit foolish, then asked with concern, "Granny, what are you doing out here so late? It’s dangerous if you fall. Let me walk you back to the village!" "Hehe, don’t mind my age, my body is still strong! I fetch my own water and carry my own firewood, never troubling you young people!" the old woman chuckled, leaning on her cane. She indeed had a stack of firewood on her back. Obito was amazed, then said with admiration, "I wish I could be as strong as you!" "What strength? It’s just living, that’s all," the old woman smiled. She stopped and looked at Obito. "You still haven’t said what you were crying about. You look quite sturdy and very kind. You must have run into a difficult hurdle!" "I, my friend, graduated a few years ago, but my grades were too poor, so I couldn’t graduate early. Now, I feel like we’re growing further and further apart..." For some reason, Obito naturally poured out his heart. The old woman listened quietly. After he finished, she let out a playful laugh. "Hahahaha—" "You, what are you laughing at?" "I was reminded of the past. Children in love are always clumsy. My late husband was the same." Her tone was full of nostalgia and wistfulness. "Those were beautiful times. Looking back, they still give me endless motivation." "Yes, yes!" Obito nodded repeatedly in agreement. "Every time I think of her, I feel all my fatigue wash away, and I’m full of motivation!" "Isn’t that it, then? You like her, you care about her, and she might just be very busy and pursuing her own career. That’s very normal," the old woman said with a smile. Obito was stunned for a moment, then asked, "Then what should I do?" "Work harder, become more outstanding! In fact, having some time apart without deep contact is also your opportunity. When you show her your changes and progress, she will definitely look at you in a new light." The old woman’s tone was full of encouragement. After hearing this, Obito’s face lit up, the gloominess swept away. "Thank you, Granny, I understand now!" "It’s nothing. I’m just older than you and have been through these things," the old woman chuckled. Then, she slowly walked towards the other side of the village. "Let me walk you back!" "No, no need..." "It’s fine, I need to go for a run to train anyway." Obito walked her all the way back. At her home, he happily waved goodbye. The old lady insisted he drink some water and eat before seeing him off. As Obito left the small wooden hut, a slight smile unconsciously touched his lips. This old lady reminded him of his grandmother. Just as gentle and kind. He chuckled and ran towards his own home. After he left, a black shadow emerged from the old woman’s body and quickly disappeared without a trace. The old woman looked around, somewhat confused. She scratched her head, momentarily unsure of the situation. But a moment later, a mass of white flesh devoured her. She didn’t even have time to scream. Her chakra was plundered, and a moment later, a White Zetsu had transformed into her appearance. Black Zetsu merged into it, sealing her away. "I didn’t realize you were so good at making things up," White Zetsu chuckled. Black Zetsu couldn’t be bothered to reply. "From now on, your mission is to play the part. Care for him, look after him, and chat with him." "Is that all?" "Yes. This child is kind and simple-minded. When faced with a major change, he will often go to the other extreme. The power he awakens will be stronger than that of an ordinary person." Black Zetsu chuckled lowly. He knew the Uchiha clan all too well; he could tell who was a promising seedling at a glance. White Zetsu, however, was dismissive. "What about the other one called Shisui?" "He’s too smart. Smart people are not easy to control." --- In Konoha, at the Hokage’s Office. Tsunade’s expression was grave as she looked at the intelligence scroll in her hand—it detailed the recent situation. "Shikaku, take a look at this..." As it happened, Shikaku was there, so Tsunade handed it over. Since the end of the war, Shikaku had been officially promoted by Tsunade to the position of Jonin Commander. This position allowed one to directly participate in the meeting to nominate the next Hokage and propose their own candidates, granting considerable power. In the past, it had always been held by the Nara clan. However, with the Third Hokage being in good health, this position was more symbolic before. Now, it was different. To some extent, Nara Shikaku was equivalent to Tsunade’s strategist and deputy, holding more real power in the village than the three advisors. He read it carefully, and his expression grew slightly more serious. "Hiruko’s experiments seem to have killed many Kekkei Genkai ninjas. The memories of these survivors are indeed helpful to us. As for Crystal Release..." Shikaku pondered for a moment. "Crystal Release, I’ve never heard of it, but since Hiruko captured them, it must be real." A Kekkei Genkai inheritance, no matter what, was worth winning over. Tsunade nodded. She also agreed to help Mami and the other rescued people. However, the benefits and interests still needed to be listed out to justify it to those above and below. Putting that aside, she turned to the main topic. "Kyohiko mentioned that this matter might be related to Danzo. In your opinion, can we use this information?" Dealing with Danzo was their current top priority. Hiruko had attacked Konoha ninjas; if they could tie him to Danzo, they could use it against Danzo. Shikaku shook his head. "Difficult." He then added his thoughts. "It would be difficult to use this to sway those who support Danzo." As the head of the Nara clan, who frequently dealt with nobles, he knew their ways all too well. In essence, this was still a power struggle. A little right and wrong, a few lives, meant nothing to those nobles up high. It had nothing to in with them, anyway. Tsunade sighed softly. How could she not know? "However, when the time is ripe, we can bring it up along with other things to deal with Danzo. The effect will be better." The timing... naturally referred to the current situation in the Land of Water. The Land of Water was now at a tense standoff. The two clans had left their territories to take refuge in the capital and had officially become Guardian Shinobi. There was no essential difference between the Guardian Shinobi of the two countries; in fact, Danzo’s side had even more power. He could recruit his own troops and secretly cultivate his forces. The current situation in the Land of Water was enough to raise alarm, but for now, it still lacked a little something. --- Half a day later, at the Hokage’s residence. Tsunade looked at the stack of materials, a hint of shock in her eyes. So much material. One could only imagine how many plans and experiments Hiruko had tried to research the "Chimera Technique." This was data and information piled up from human lives. Bloody and heavy. "Is this all his research?" "It should be. I haven’t looked at it yet. The situation was special at the time, so I could only hastily seal everything," Kyohiko replied. Tsunade nodded, pacing back and forth with the remaining sealing scrolls. What had been unsealed was only a part of it; more materials were in the sealing scrolls. Just from Kyohiko’s description, she could imagine the complexity of the data. The Chimera Technique. Tsunade pondered for a long time. "This kind of terrifying forbidden jutsu should not exist in the world. You brought them back..." She looked at Kyohiko. "You’re not thinking of letting someone devour Pakura’s Kekkei Genkai, are you?" "There’s no need." Kyohiko shook his head and explained, "The research of forbidden jutsu requires all sorts of knowledge. There might be a lot of knowledge that can help us develop other ninjutsu." Tsunade thought for a moment and couldn’t help but nod lightly. That made sense! The technique itself might have many problems, but the research process held great wealth. In the past, her grand-uncle (Tobirama) had researched forbidden jutsu, and much of the data was preserved and sealed away. The intent and purpose should be similar to Kyohiko’s thinking. But even so, she still had to be cautious about the Chimera Technique. "I will screen it first to see what cannot be used for ordinary research." As Tsunade spoke, she sighed softly. "We should still try our best to preserve the useful knowledge. This is all knowledge accumulated through human lives." "Mm." Kyohiko nodded. Only the two of them were in the room. Tsunade looked at Kyohiko, about to say a few words of concern, but couldn’t help but be slightly taken aback. In her memory, Kyohiko still had the appearance of when they first met. Seven or eight years old, smart yet immature. But today, after a busy period, the two of them were rarely alone together, and she realized that, unknowingly, the little boy had grown taller, had grown up. Although he was only Nawaki’s age, but... compared to Nawaki, Kyohiko was much more mature and powerful, basically not needing Tsunade to worry. Hmm? That’s right! She suddenly smiled. "Kyohiko." "Hmm?" Kyohiko was organizing books and sealing scrolls. Hearing Tsunade call him, he immediately turned his head. Tsunade smiled. "I don’t feel like going back to work overtime today. Let’s go out for a drink." "Why suddenly go out for a drink? Besides, I’m not of drinking age yet." Kyohiko arranged the books and put labels on them. Tsunade said, "I’m in a good mood, so I want to go out for a drink. Just say if you’ll accompany me or not. By the way, let’s celebrate for Jiraiya!" "Jiraiya-sensei?" Kyohiko recalled. Wasn’t Jiraiya in the north, helping to monitor the direction of the Land of Earth, and patrolling and traveling there by the way? The latter was Jiraiya’s own suggestion. Although the current Jiraiya had changed a lot and vaguely felt that the Great Toad Sage’s prophecy was a bit ridiculous, he still wanted to give it a try. Sometimes, various experiences shape who you become later. It was also good to let Jiraiya travel around; anyway, that guy couldn’t stay idle in the village. Tsunade nodded, then smiled. "Yes, but you don’t know yet, do you? Your Jiraiya-sensei has published a book." "Hmm?" Kyohiko’s eyes lit up. Tsunade mentioned it with excitement. "Although that guy was being secretive and wouldn’t say what he wrote, Shikaku told me he published a book, and it’s a bestseller. The theater isn’t closed yet, want to go check it out together?" "Alright." Kyohiko thought for a moment; he was indeed quite curious. In the original timeline, after the Third Shinobi World War, Jiraiya first wrote a book called The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Ninja, and only later embarked on the path of no return with the Icha-Icha series. He didn’t know which one had been published. --- On Tea Street, the crowd was surging. During the previous war, Konoha had displayed its powerful strength. Thanks to this, the number of merchants and wealthy people coming to Konoha for commissions was even more than before the war. Even the nobles from the capital were coming to Konoha for fun more often. Arriving at the theater, they indeed saw many people at the entrance, forming three circles inside and three circles outside, making it impossible to get in. Tsunade tried several times from the outside but couldn’t get in. Kyohiko looked around, then with a body flicker, he was on the roof. Icha-Icha Paradise. As expected! Kyohiko chuckled. A work like The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Ninja was fine to boast about in private, but in terms of commercial value, the Icha-Icha series was definitely stronger. He was smiling when Tsunade came up beside him. "How is it?" Under the lights, a quiet and scenic view caught the eye. Tsunade glanced at it, then cursed with a laugh, "Little pervert, what are you looking at?" She sat up, then narrowed her eyes, a hint of anger gradually appearing in them. She cursed in a low voice, "Jiraiya, that idiot, writing something like this, no wonder he didn’t dare to say!" "Sensei’s imagination is only good in this area," Kyohiko commented. Tsunade nodded in deep agreement. That guy Jiraiya could be quite serious when he was serious, but in terms of literature, it was really hard to trust him. She pouted. "Let’s go, let’s go eat!" She had originally planned to buy a copy, but now... forget it. She turned around, her eyes like a hawk’s. "You can’t buy it!" "Don’t worry, I’m not interested in that kind of thing." In terms of risqué novels, there were far too many from his previous life. Any one of them would blow this out of the water. Hmm, maybe I can give sensei some inspiration later. For example... something like The Genin’s Secret or The Ninja Teacher’s Lessons... Kyohiko thought to himself. "Let’s go." Tsunade smiled. She jumped down and walked ahead, but she didn’t head towards the izakayas, but rather in the direction of her home. After a long while, Tsunade brought him to her door. "Go on in." Kyohiko was stunned outside. Inside... are Kurenai and Shizune here? He stepped inside, and immediately, scattered paper confetti floated down. "Happy birthday." "Hey, everyone is very busy. Teacher only mentioned today was your birthday tonight. We just made two paper flowers on the spot, and there’s no cake," Kurenai said, holding the props. "It’s nothing, I’m used to it. Besides, doesn’t a birthday just symbolize getting a year older?" Kyohiko smiled and kicked at the paper confetti. Tsunade punched down, but not with much force. After a burst of clamor, everyone sat down, and Kurenai lamented that Kakashi and the others weren’t there. Kyohiko agreed, while sighing inwardly—he had indeed forgotten his birthday. Unknowingly, almost four years had passed! "Make a wish." "It’s simple. I hope everyone gets better and better..."