Chapter 291: Mirror Heaven, Reflect Earth
The Ice Puppet Clone looked around in astonishment. The space was now nothing but an empty void.
"Everything you just saw was indeed a mirror of the timeline from my memories," Kinoshita Genichi explained. "However, the people within it were real, possessing independent thought. But as the master of this dimension, I can replace any one of them at any time. I can also reset everything within it."
The clone extended its senses and quickly understood. "If nothing escapes, the energy within here is constant. Which means that resetting it doesn't actually consume anything." Since it was a closed space, matter and energy only changed forms; they weren't lost. When Genichi had just reset the dimension, everything had reverted to pure energy—chakra.
"Can it mirror anything?" the clone asked.
Genichi shook his head. "Anything within my cognition."
"This dōjutsu is called Kyōten Shōchi (Mirror Heaven, Reflect Earth)!"
The clone pondered. "Anything within your cognition... Does that mean you could mirror Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, or the Sage of Six Paths? And then replace them?"
"Could a Spiritual Projection control them? Or only one person at a time?"
Genichi chuckled. "What do you think?"
Understanding dawned on the clone, followed by a smile. "Then, is it time to plant the tree?"
Genichi nodded and took his clone back to Konoha. However, he didn't head straight to the lab to begin creating his own Ten-Tails. Instead, he immediately contacted his other clone, Otsutsuki Genshiki.
Mountain Graveyard
Receiving the message from his main body, Otsutsuki Genshiki slowly opened his eyes. "Have Black Zetsu return. The plan is about to begin."
A White Zetsu waiting by the stone wall acknowledged the order and relayed the message through the underground Zetsu network.
Black Zetsu, who had been keeping an eye on Naruto and Sasuke while they were out on a mission, felt a surge of excitement upon receiving the command. He and the Aloe Zetsu immediately headed back. He hadn't placed all his hopes on Genshiki, hence why he'd been watching Naruto and Sasuke, looking for an opportunity. After all, both possessed the Rinnegan; if a chance arose, it would be ideal. But now that Genshiki was making a move, that became his priority. Or rather, he no longer had any other choice. Though Black Zetsu suspected Genshiki had ulterior motives, he had never doubted the connection between Genshiki and Kinoshita Genichi.
Returning to the underground base as quickly as possible, Black Zetsu asked, "Lord Genshiki, what do you intend to do?"
"Black Zetsu," Genshiki instructed, "take control of this body. I will have Kaguya revive within it."
Black Zetsu looked at the clone connected by tubes to the Gedo Mazo. It bore a striking resemblance to Hinata Hyuga. Honestly, it was an excellent clone with great potential, but it couldn't compare to a Ten-Tails Jinchuriki. Still, this was the only option now. As long as Mother could be revived, that was all that mattered.
Feeling deeply wronged but resigned, Black Zetsu detached himself from the Aloe Zetsu and merged with the intubated clone. This clone was one Genshiki had brought back from Konoha on his last trip. The Gedo Mazo had also been summoned back, now that they had Isshiki's Ten-Tails. Black Zetsu hadn't questioned its earlier disappearance.
"What next?" Black Zetsu asked after taking control.
Genshiki stood up. "Naturally, we break the seal."
"Only the Sage of Six Paths can undo his Six Paths Planetary Devastation," Black Zetsu stated. "Even Mother cannot break it."
"Every jutsu has a weakness," Genshiki said calmly. "There is no invincible or perfect technique in this world. Even if one existed, the user would not be flawless."
In the original timeline, the seal was broken via the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Genichi hadn't fully analyzed the exact mechanism but had his theories. Kaguya's physical body was undoubtedly gone, likely decayed long ago due to the sealing process. Only her consciousness remained on the moon. There was also the fact that her original body had merged with the Ten-Tails, making the Gedo Mazo essentially her physical form. Regardless, the Infinite Tsukuyomi was clearly the method to release Kaguya's consciousness from the moon.
Neither Genshiki nor Genichi possessed the Infinite Tsukuyomi, nor would they ever use it and allow themselves to become Kaguya's vessel.
Genshiki reached out, and the clone body controlled by Black Zetsu floated towards him involuntarily. Black Zetsu felt a surge of unease, but he had no way out now.
Genshiki grasped the clone's shoulder. "White Zetsu, you remain here." With that, a jutsu formula appeared beneath their feet, and the two vanished.
Moon Castle
"Lord Genichi!"
As soon as Genichi appeared, a female puppet flew over and bowed respectfully. "Lord Genichi!" The voice emanating from the puppet was Hinata Hyuga's.
Genichi smiled. "Ah, Hinata, you're on duty."
"Yes," the puppet replied. "Is there something you need, Lord Genichi? Shall I inform Lady Mei Terumi?"
Control of the giant Tenseigan alternated between Neji and Hinata. Additionally, a Kage-level shinobi was always stationed on the moon as commander. This month, it was Mei Terumi.
"You can inform her," Genichi said. "I will be unsealing Ōtsutsuki Kaguya shortly. The moon might destabilize. Hinata, you will need to use the giant Tenseigan to keep it intact."
Hinata was startled, her voice stuttering. "Un... unsealing?"
"Yes," Genichi reassured her with a smile. "But don't worry, there won't be any problems. Just do as I say and have everyone else prepare. Keep them calm." Many people had immigrated to the moon by now, drawn by its vast land resources.
"Yes, Lord Genichi! I'll make the arrangements immediately," Hinata replied quickly. Controlling the puppets spread across the moon base, all linked to the giant Tenseigan, made contacting Mei a simple task.
Genichi didn't linger in the castle. After giving Hinata her instructions, he descended to the landmass below.
Meanwhile, in the command center, Mei Terumi received Hinata's message and immediately began organizing the stationed shinobi and puppet guards to prepare for the impending event.
Back on the surface, Genichi waited briefly until Otsutsuki Genshiki appeared beside him, bringing Black Zetsu.
The moment Black Zetsu saw Genichi, he cried out, "Kinoshita Genichi!"
"Surprised?" Genichi chuckled. "Black Zetsu, didn't you want to save your mother? I'm fulfilling your wish now."
Terror filled Black Zetsu. "You... you deceived me? Why? Otsutsuki Genshiki, why would you cooperate with him?"
"Is it possible," Genichi mused, "that he is me?"
Black Zetsu stared in disbelief. "A clone? That's impossible! If that were the case, you could have captured me easily back then. Why go through all this trouble?"
Genichi nodded. "That's true. It's just that, at the time, I hadn't decided how to deal with you, or rather, how to solve the problem of Ōtsutsuki Kaguya. Besides, you enjoy manipulating others. Isn't it only fair that I get to play with you a little?"
Black Zetsu was speechless. How despicable!
Genichi continued mockingly, "What? You don't want to rescue Kaguya anymore? In that case, forget it. Let her stay sealed. I plan on planting a God Tree on the moon anyway; Kaguya would make excellent fertilizer."
Black Zetsu felt utterly humiliated. "Kinoshita Genichi, what do you want? Why are you releasing Mother? Is it to sacrifice her to the Ten-Tails?" Fear gripped him.
Genichi smiled broadly. "Last time, your mother and I reached an agreement. I break the seal, and she bears my children."
Black Zetsu froze instantly. Bear... bear children? How could Mother possibly agree to such a condition? It must be a lie! No, she must be pretending to agree.