'With the Senju clan head gone, you've completely collapsed into a heap.'
'Then what am I supposed to do about my sage assessment?'
'How am I supposed to explain this when I go back to the Great Sage?'
'More importantly, I really can't bear to watch you sink like this.'
Suppressing the countless thoughts in his heart, Black Zetsu put away all his emotions, his expression turning serious and heavy in an instant as he said in a deep voice, "Syura, you can't keep giving up on yourself like this."
"The situation outside is hanging by a thread. The Uchiha and the Hagoromo clans are watching like tigers eyeing their prey, ready to march in at any moment."
"And those elders in your clan? Not only are they not thinking about how to resist the enemy, they're taking advantage of the leaderless situation to fight among themselves over the position of clan head!"
"The Senju clan has already reached the edge of life and death!", Black Zetsu spoke in a low voice.
After hearing this, Senju Syura suddenly clenched his fists, his knuckles turning pale, a flicker of anger flashing in his eyes.
His father had only passed away a few days ago, his body not even cold yet, and those high-ranking elders were already ignoring the external threat and starting to fight over power?
This was the Senju clan he had believed in since childhood?
This was the Senju of love?
But that spark of anger only burned for a moment before quickly going out.
"Sigh…"
Senju Syura let out a long sigh, his tightly clenched fists loosening weakly, his shoulders slumping as he returned to that numb, defeated state.
"Forget it, let it be."
"Let those old men worry about those power struggles. I don't want to deal with it, and I can't handle it anyway."
"I'm just not capable enough. Without your support, Sage, I'm nothing. I can't do anything."
"Instead of carrying all that burden, I might as well just be an ordinary person, muddling through life in the clan."
Senju Syura said in a dispirited tone.
Looking at him like this, giving up the moment he faced a setback and completely lying flat, Black Zetsu felt a wave of helplessness.
'No wonder the Great Sage specifically sent me out to assist this kid.'
The next second...
Black Zetsu's expression suddenly changed, his aura turning fierce and sharp.
He stepped forward in large strides, standing over Senju Syura and staring down at the dejected boy, shouting sternly, "Senju Syura, listen to me!"
"You're no longer the clan head's son protected under his wings! Do you think those elders who are fighting for power will still treat you the same as before?"
"In their eyes, you're just a useless waste now!"
"Without the clan head's protection, if you stay this weak and incompetent, what awaits you will never be a peaceful life!"
"They'll casually assign you to do hard labor, and when war comes, they'll treat you as the lowest cannon fodder, sending you to the battlefield to die for nothing!"
"Your only way out is to pull yourself together, stand on your own, and take the position of clan head with your own hands, to protect yourself and this Senju clan that's on the brink of collapse!"
Black Zetsu's scolding left Senju Syura completely at a loss.
The echo of his harsh voice lingered in the simple mourning hall, making Senju Syura's whole body stiffen.
The emptiness in his eyes was replaced by confusion as he blankly looked up at Black Zetsu's sharp expression.
"Sage… you…"
Seeing the boy's dazed look, the hostility around Black Zetsu eased slightly.
"Have you forgotten how your father ended up? He died on the battlefield for the Senju clan, and after his death, he was publicly burned by the Uchiha and the Hagoromo clans, suffering the greatest humiliation!"
"You are his only bloodline. Are you really going to hide in this mourning hall and spend your life as a coward who runs away from reality?"
"You hate the fighting of ninjas because you've always lived under your father's protection and never truly taken on any responsibility!"
"If you keep sinking like this, not only will you fail to avenge your father and protect the clan he built his whole life, you'll also become a sacrifice in the elders' power struggles, trampled and discarded at will! Is that what you want?"
These words struck like thunder.
Hearing them, Senju Syura suddenly clenched his fists.
Very quickly, his gaze became firm.
'This guy is right!'
"Sage! I understand now!"
Senju Syura's voice was hoarse but resolute, the hem of his mourning clothes brushing against the cold floor, full of determination.
"I'll go gather the clansmen right now and resist the invasion of the Uchiha and the Hagoromo clans!"
Seeing Senju Syura about to turn and rush out, Black Zetsu immediately raised his hand and firmly pressed down on his shoulder, stopping his impulsive movement.
"Hey!"
Then, a sinister and scheming smile curled at the corner of Black Zetsu's mouth, his voice lowered, deep and meticulous, "What's the rush? Brute courage won't save the Senju, nor will it accomplish anything great."
"The urgent matter right now is not rushing to the front lines to fight the enemy."
"You need to secretly contact your father's old subordinates, gather all the forces loyal to the former clan head, and quietly build up strength."
"As for resisting the Uchiha and the Hagoromo clans, let those old guys who are fighting for power take the front."
"Aren't they desperately trying to seize the position of clan head?"
"Then let them exhaust themselves dealing with the external threat."
"When they've both suffered heavy losses and no longer have the strength to control the clan, that's when we make our move, seize power in one go, and firmly take the position of clan head!"
Black Zetsu said with a scheming look.
Hearing this, Senju Syura froze for a moment, his brows tightly furrowed, unease and worry appearing on his face.
"Is it really okay for us… to seize power while they're in crisis?"
Black Zetsu shook his head lightly, his expression turning extremely serious, his gaze fixed on Senju Syura as he spoke in an unquestionable tone, "I don't see anything wrong with it."
"Those elders are selfish and only care about fighting among themselves, ignoring the safety of the clan. They're not fit to lead the Senju clan at all."
"You are the only son of the former clan head. The clansmen naturally trust you and have a favorable impression of you. That's your innate advantage."
"As long as you achieve a few merits in battle, combined with the full support of your father's old subordinates, and more importantly, with me by your side empowering you, your strength will surpass all the ninjas in the clan."
"In that case, your rise to power will be what everyone expects. It will be as easy as flipping your hand.", Black Zetsu said confidently.
Senju Syura looked at Black Zetsu's certain gaze, stayed silent for a moment, and the last bit of hesitation in his heart completely disappeared.
He took a deep breath and nodded heavily at Black Zetsu.
"Then we'll do it your way, Sage. I'll go."
———
[Meanwhile, On The Uzumaki Clan's Side]
A young boy curiously picked up a scroll from the Six Paths altar.
"Huh? When did this scroll appear?"
"Could it be that the Sage of Six Paths has shown a miracle? Seeing our Uzumaki clan at a disadvantage, he specially sent us help?"
The boy opened the scroll with a puzzled look.
The moment the scroll was opened, the boy realized it was actually a scroll recording a sealing technique.
"Reaper Death Seal… what is this?"
The boy sat on the ground and began studying it.
Arisu, meanwhile, stood nearby watching calmly, though the boy couldn't see him at all.
"In that case, let the Reaper develop quietly for a few hundred years…"
Arisu clasped his hands behind his back, then suddenly frowned tightly.
"Why are the tailed beasts attacking again… could it be they're coming to advise me again?"
[🎉 Shoutout to Kyle and Walter for joining p@treon. It motivates me to keep bringing you better stories. Thank you very much.🤗]