"Are you... are you sure?"
Zetsu blinked forcefully, staring at Aomi with a look that didn't seem feigned, and asked in a trembling voice, "Are you serious?"
Zetsu originally thought that with Aomi's conservative nature of not fighting unprepared battles, he would first sacrifice Kaguya to obtain the powers of Gaia Consciousness and the God of Otsutsuki's husk before battling Otsutsuki's powerful enemies...
But what Aomi said was not like that.
Sacrificing Kaguya was the last option.
Before that, Aomi would stand in front of everyone, burning himself first...
Thus, the nature of it changed.
From Zetsu's perspective, Aomi, who already possessed power surpassing Kaguya, still didn't use forceful means to make her a mere tool like a filter; instead, he shared his power with her...
Charging into battle himself, only in case of absolute necessity, would he let Kaguya take the risk...
There simply were no flaws to find.
Even Zetsu, even without considering the personal relationship between the two, had to admit from the actual situation that this was the best possible method overall.
Even if there were a certain way to let Aomi act as a filter for Kaguya to gain superlative power, Zetsu wouldn't think of implementing it. He would just agree with Aomi's approach and what he said.
As for why...
Because, after removing the filter for Kaguya, Zetsu didn't believe Kaguya could handle such powerful forces; she couldn't fully wield the power even after consuming the Chakra Fruit...
Let alone further elevation.
On the other hand, watching Aomi fight from the bottom and steadily build a solid foundation for his strength step by step, Zetsu couldn't help but admit.
Entrusting power to Aomi, believing that Aomi's willpower could conquer those two supreme forces, made him the only choice Zetsu felt assured of in the current Ninja World...
"Promise me... you promised me you're not lying..."
Zetsu closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and suddenly opened them wide. Due to uncontrolled emotions, even Obito's Kamui emerged:
"If you're telling the truth, I agree."
After Zetsu finished speaking, a hint of absurdity flashed through its heart.
What does it matter to have a promise with Aomi? Even if Aomi deceived him, what could Zetsu do?
But Zetsu just wanted a promise from Aomi.
Because Aomi was such a person, whether dealing with Obito, Zetsu, Kaguya, or even Senju Tobirama — or anyone...
Anything he promised seemed never to renege on.
Only in one instance, during the sealing of himself, he revived Senju Tobirama and suppressed the so-called Six Paths Sage alone in the Black Water Nine Dragon Coffin...
But if you let Senju Tobirama say, can this act of Aomi even be called betrayal?
Clearly, it was an act of utmost loyalty!
"I agree."
Aomi nodded naturally, giving a self-deprecating smile: "Actually, I just feel somewhat guilty... dragging you into this, mostly wasn't about accelerating the depth of Kaguya's Soul Engraving."
"I just wanted someone who understands me, who could appreciate my actions and participate... that would alleviate my guilt and sense of wrongdoing somewhat."
"Such me might be considered despicable, but in the face of an unknown future, I am also quite perplexed... to go ahead by any means necessary, I need to support my heart this way."
Aomi once again seemed to express his innermost thoughts.
This time, Zetsu first paused for a moment, then nodded earnestly.
If put this way, it could understand Aomi even better.
The saying goes: being one step ahead makes you a genius, being two steps ahead makes you a madman.
Even Zetsu initially thought Aomi was a renegade who surpassed the Six Paths Sage. Walking this thorny path of being misunderstood, the loneliness in his heart must harbor unspeakable anguish.
Humans, after all, are creatures in need of others' approval.
"Aomi..."
Zetsu had just begun to speak but shook his head, reorganizing his words: "Brother... I don't think there's a problem with what you're doing. Actually, it's I who misunderstood you all along."
"Given the current situation, your preparation cannot be better... the previous misunderstandings stemmed from the perspectives of Kaguya and me that could not keep up with yours..."
"Without reaching your level, we neglected the real danger isn't in these degraded Otsutsuki like the Six Paths Sage but in the pursuing Otsutsuki from the future."
"Brother, I support you in doing so... If we eventually succeed, and Kaguya blames us, let me take the blame!" Zetsu said astonishingly.
Zetsu genuinely thought so.
It didn't want Aomi, who had reached such a height and given so much...
To have a rift arise between him and Kaguya, whom he was wholly devoted to.
Zetsu, who had toiled fruitlessly for a thousand years in the Ninja World, also wanted to do something meaningful, even if just as a glue between family members...
Ultimately, it wanted to do something.
"Zetsu, I appreciate your good intentions..."
On Aomi's weary face, a relaxed smile appeared, as if Zetsu's words had dissipated most of his suppressed emotions.
Aomi tapped Zetsu's forehead: "You're still just a youngster, stay out of grown-up matters..."
Zetsu rolled its eyes in displeasure.
Is it a youngster? It was evidently the former deeply hidden puppet master of the Ninja World...
Nevertheless, thinking this, Zetsu still found it pleasing, smiling sneakily.