Chapter 88: Black Zetsu Gradually Transforms!

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Hashirama looked at Black Zetsu before him.

In a certain sense.

If it weren't for those two cheaters at the end.

Oh...

Wait.

To be accurate, there were three, as Sakura was also cheating. With bullies, you don't need evidence!

Wait...

Four!

Kakashi was also cheating!

In the end, it was just cheat after cheat!

If it weren't for these people cheating, Black Zetsu would have become the ultimate winner at the moment he exposed his true intentions.

He could be considered the most cunning and deceitful person in the ninja world!

Hashirama found Black Zetsu interesting and capable of accomplishing many tasks, as Black Zetsu might be the most knowledgeable person at the moment.

Even so.

There was still a significant information gap between them.

"Edo Tensei..."

Black Zetsu's orange eyes stared at Hashirama, already accepting this idea in his mind.

In the past, there was no Edo Tensei.

Ashura and Indra died and that was it, their mission failed.

Black Zetsu knew about the Edo Tensei technique a long time ago, invented by Konoha's Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, but he didn't take it seriously.

No one had used it until now!

Based on the technique's effects, it was just a high-level summoning technique, claiming to be forbidden due to the need for living sacrifices.

Black Zetsu had all this information.

It's akin to summoning an army of the dead using living people as sacrifices, allowing them to retain their abilities from life, but limited by the Edo Tensei bodies.

Once sealed, it's broken.

It had no significant strategic value.

Even in the previous ninja wars, Edo Tensei hadn't come to the forefront of history.

However.

This technique, sealed in the forbidden scrolls, was used by Orochimaru during the plan to destroy Konoha, summoning none other than Hashirama Senju.

Just after being summoned.

He regained his freedom.

This made Black Zetsu think deeply, believing there were intricate connections behind the scenes, far from being as simple as they seemed.

Although he knew Madara Uchiha could also break the Edo Tensei, he didn't think Madara could absorb Hashirama's cells in that state.

Both White Zetsus were absorbed!

Those Hashirama cells weren't just absorbed simply.

Those cells, brimming with life energy, would be useless if given to someone who didn't know how to use them!

However.

These life essences could enable Madara Uchiha to awaken the Rinnegan.

When Black Zetsu was helping Madara, he was essentially stuffing these life essences into him, filling the hole in his chest that Hashirama had left.

These were already incredibly powerful uses.

But Black Zetsu hadn't anticipated that when encountering Edo Tensei Hashirama, the White Zetsu would be absorbed directly, with those Hashirama cells instantly merging into Hashirama's body, changing his aura.

This wasn't just about filling up.

It was more like swallowing.

And it went straight to the stomach.

Direct digestion!

Such a phenomenon left a question mark in Black Zetsu's mind.

Could it be that Edo Tensei and Hashirama cells are really that compatible?

Or...

Was the Edo Tensei technique, invented by the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, designed as a mold to resurrect Hashirama, retrieving his scattered cells and ultimately restoring Hashirama's vitality?

Is this another form of resurrection?

Black Zetsu's thoughts kept expanding, considering many possibilities. He couldn't help but think extensively. To him, Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha were in the same league.

Madara Uchiha thought to use Izanagi to preserve his life and, after awakening the Rinnegan, used the Rinne Tensei to bring himself back to life.

So...

Had Hashirama really not prepared for this?

The more Black Zetsu thought, the more complex and terrifying the implications became.

"Now you should be quite clear."

Hashirama wore a meaningful smile. The way he spoke was deliberately ambiguous.

He first mentioned things Black Zetsu knew.

Then he mentioned things Black Zetsu knew but others couldn't possibly know.

Laying down these facts.

This would create a preset in Black Zetsu's mind, making him believe that what Hashirama said was true!

After that.

Hashirama would say some ambiguous things, seemingly unclear, but leaving room for Black Zetsu's imagination.

Everything becomes dangerous when overthinking.

Once the process of psychological manipulation starts.

There's no turning back!

At this moment.

Black Zetsu was on this irreversible path, convinced that Hashirama Senju was extraordinary and knew many things, some known to Black Zetsu and others not.

In short...

Very troublesome!

"What exactly do you want to say?"

Black Zetsu stood in the pit, surrounded by debris and vines. Although he wasn't physically restrained, he could still turn into a puddle of black goo and escape underground.

But he didn't want to leave!

They had come this far in conversation.

If he didn't clarify things.

It would be uneasy to face White Zetsu in the future, making it hard to merge confidently.

"If you want to resurrect your mother, you need to cooperate with my plan."

Hashirama finally revealed his true intention. He had gone around in circles, but it wasn't in vain; the detour was a trap for Black Zetsu.

Now that Black Zetsu was ensnared, it was time to act.

This was a crucial step. Once the trap was set, subsequent actions could be carried out safely.

"What action?" Black Zetsu asked in a deep voice. Although he believed Hashirama's words, he didn't fully trust Hashirama himself and wouldn't easily stake his plans on him.

"I can't tell you now. After the Five Kage Summit, come find me, and we'll discuss it. For now, you can leave."

Hashirama waved his hand dismissively and turned away without hesitation, walking towards the villa.

He left Black Zetsu with a mysterious silhouette.

"???"

Black Zetsu felt utterly bewildered. Something felt off, but he couldn't pinpoint what.

Was he really free to leave?

What plan?

What situation?

What was going on?

Black Zetsu realized that aside from knowing how powerful Hashirama Senju was, he knew nothing else. Hashirama had become an enigma to him.

In front of Hashirama Senju, Black Zetsu felt like a transparent figure.

But...

He had completely lost track of Hashirama Senju's information.

By now, Black Zetsu had disregarded all his previous knowledge about Hashirama Senju, thinking it was all a facade deliberately shown to the world. The real Hashirama Senju remained unknown.

What was his true character?

How strong was he really?

How did he suddenly die?

And how did he come back to life at this particular time?

It couldn't be without reason!

Black Zetsu felt a chill down his spine, sensing an unseen hand manipulating everything from behind the scenes. He just didn't know if that hand belonged to Hashirama Senju or someone else.

...

"Ying~"

A cutesy creature lifted its chubby hand, swiping on its flip phone, seemingly playing a game like Tetris.

(End of chapter)