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Black Zetsu set aside his confusion and followed Fukasaku's directions through the forest. He walked along the bluestone path until he reached the Grand Sage Hall.
He raised a hand toward the White Zetsu standing guard nearby. "Please inform the Grand Sage that Black Zetsu has returned and seeks an audience."
The White Zetsu bowed, but before he could answer, a familiar voice came from inside the hall.
"That is Black Zetsu, isn't it? No need to report. Come straight in."
Hearing that voice again after so many years made Black Zetsu stop for a moment. It still carried the same authority and warmth as he remembered.
He steadied himself and stepped into the Grand Sage Hall.
Manji sat on the sage platform, dressed in blue robes. The air was filled with sage energy. He seemed even more difficult to read than before.
Then Black Zetsu's gaze shifted slightly, and he saw Kaguya Ōtsutsuki sitting beside him.
"Greetings, Grand Sage."
Black Zetsu quickly bowed, but the moment the words left his mouth, his mind crashed to a halt.
Wait...
Who?
Who did I just see?
Kaguya?
Wasn't she sealed away?
Thump. Thump. Thump.
"..." The figure at the edge of his vision came into focus. Black Zetsu stared at Kaguya, shocked and unable to move.
Manji took in his reaction and smiled. "What's wrong, Black Zetsu? You greet me first, but you won't greet your mother?"
Kaguya merely glanced at Black Zetsu, her expression cool and distant. She did not say a word.
For Kaguya, Black Zetsu was never really her child. He was only a Will she created, a tool for her return. She cared even less for him than she did for Manji.
Black Zetsu felt completely lost. He looked at Manji, then at Kaguya, his voice rigid with disbelief. "Grand Sage, this... what exactly is going on?"
Manji slowly peeled the orange in his hand and laughed. "Kaguya, you should at least say hello. Black Zetsu was the most important piece in your resurrection plan, wasn't he?"
Kaguya clicked her tongue and looked at Manji with irritation. "And now he has already become yours, hasn't he?"
Only then did she turn toward Black Zetsu. Her tone stayed flat as she said, "Black Zetsu, from now on, don't cause trouble for Manji."
Black Zetsu's face tensed.
For a moment, he felt lucky.
He was relieved he had not spent years trying to bring Kaguya back. If he had worked so hard, only to be scolded for causing trouble for Manji, he might have fallen apart on the spot.
If he had put all his effort into bringing Kaguya back, and instead of thanking him, she snapped, 'Why are you causing trouble for Manji?' What was he supposed to do then?
Black Zetsu immediately bowed and answered with complete respect. "Understood!"
Manji could not help laughing at the sight.
He understood Kaguya better than anyone. Her sense of family had faded long ago. Hagoromo and Hamura had let her down, and Black Zetsu was always just a tool to her. There was never a true mother-son bond.
"Come now. A mother-and-child reunion should be a happy occasion. Why make it feel like a formal meeting between ruler and subject?" As Manji spoke, he walked down from the sage platform, broke off a slice of the orange, gave one piece to Kaguya, another to Black Zetsu, and ate the rest himself.
"Thank you, Grand Sage."
Black Zetsu accepted it with both hands and tasted it.
Manji looked at him and spoke warmly. "Black Zetsu, you handled this trip to the shinobi world very well. I am satisfied."
"Your Sage assessment has passed. I will have a White Zetsu send your white robe and credentials later. Go back and rest properly."
"Thank you, Grand Sage!"
A smile quickly appeared on Black Zetsu's face. Passing the assessment and getting promoted made him much happier than the shock of seeing Kaguya again.
He bowed, took his leave, and left the hall.
After Black Zetsu left, Kaguya looked at the smile still hidden in Manji's eyes and said softly, "You seem rather pleased today."
Manji smiled lightly. "You noticed?"
Of course he was pleased.
He had already figured out the secret of the Ōtsutsuki time-space treasure. Finding Isshiki's alternate dimension was just a matter of time. With Kaguya's chakra, he could travel through her Amenominaka dimensions. Once he found the young Ten-Tails, he could combine it with the Dragon Vein's chakra to grow a new Chakra Fruit.
If the Ten-Tails needed a sacrifice, Hamura's body was still available. With Gamamaru speeding up biological research, it might even be possible to make another Ōtsutsuki body in the future.
Manji slowly withdrew his smile. His gaze settled on Kaguya as he asked, "What about you, Kaguya? From the moment you heard Black Zetsu had returned, your expression hasn't been right. Why?"
"Ah..."
Kaguya let out a soft sigh. Her brows drew together, and she looked lonely.
She looked up at Manji. Her Byakugan showed a reluctance she could not hide.
"Back then, you said that once Black Zetsu returned, you would send me back. Now Black Zetsu really has returned... so does that mean I have to leave?"
Manji's brow lifted slightly.
He did remember saying that.
Technically, he should have sealed Kaguya again as soon as he found the Ōtsutsuki time-space treasure. But he hadn't done it.
He still needed her power to help explore the Ōtsutsuki dimensions. He didn't want to wander blindly through Kaguya's spaces like Sasuke did in Boruto.
"What? You don't want to leave?" Manji spoke more slowly and looked at her.
Kaguya nodded heavily, her fingers lightly gripping the edge of her sleeve.
"I want to stay here. I don't want to return to that half-conscious sealed place, and I don't want to become a bound body again." She paused, then looked up at Manji. A hint of slyness appeared in her eyes. "Besides, you will not let me go either. You need me to help you deal with the Ōtsutsuki Clan's future invasion, don't you?"
Manji nodded slightly, then waved a hand and answered with open composure. "Since you already understand, keep it in mind. There is no need to say it aloud."
Seeing how openly he admitted it, Kaguya realized Manji was in a good mood. She felt a teasing thought rise inside her.
She smiled first, then leaned a little closer. "Hagoromo was your student. Indra was your student too. Even Black Zetsu has become your subordinate."
Kaguya lifted a finger and tapped her cheek, her smile growing.
"So now... do you also want to make me yours?"
"..." As soon as she finished speaking, Manji's face went cold.
Of course he knows what Kaguya was implying.
"Heh. Kaguya, don't try to be clever with me." Manji let out a cold laugh. "Do not cross the line. The fact that you are allowed to stay here is already my mercy."
After that, Manji sent Kaguya out directly.
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Don't forget to drop some power stones!
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