Question:
Exactly how large was Black Zetsu's psychological shadow at this moment?
He wasn't panicking at all. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying it.
When the Third Mizukage's neck twisted one hundred and eighty degrees, he even cooperatively let his limbs and head go limp.
However, not daring to be careless, Chiyuki continued twisting his neck until it reached three hundred and sixty degrees.
The cracking sounds from his neck kept going until it completed its third full rotation before finally halting as though reaching its limit.
Even a ninja's body, several times stronger than an ordinary human's, would be undeniably dead after sustaining such injuries.
But in front of Black Zetsu—who possessed the Rinnegan—the death of the Third Mizukage was actually better.
"Everyone, watch out!" Mito, sensing a strange power, immediately stepped forward to block the way.
"Thud!"
Several black rods pierced through the withered corpse of the Third Mizukage.
Then, something horrifying abruptly occurred.
The twisted neck began slowly rotating back from the opposite direction in an extremely eerie angle.
"I originally didn't want to reveal these eyes."
After the Third Mizukage's neck returned to normal, those previously dim eyes suddenly emitted a purple glow.
Starting from the pupils, circular ripples spread outward, covering both eyes entirely.
[Sealing Space] The Nine-Tails inside the sealing space had disbelief written all over its fox-like face.
[Rinnegan?] Mito, who was mentally communicating with it, raised the question immediately. "Is this the legendary eye of the Sage of Six Paths?"
For once, Kurama held back his usual outbursts.
The seriousness of the situation went beyond what ordinary ninja could comprehend.
"Mito, you absolutely mustn't die by his hands."
"What? Has the strongest tailed beast actually learned to care for its jinchūriki?"
Kurama, with a solemn expression, stated a fact: "If you die by someone else's hand, I may still return in a few years.
But if you die by his hand, perhaps I will completely vanish from this shinobi world forever."
Before Mito could process her countless questions, she was kicked out of Kurama's mental communication channel in the next second.
All the Tailed Beasts understood the power held by the Rinnegan.
Though unaware exactly how Black Zetsu obtained these eyes,
It did nothing to prevent him from sensing the other's deep-rooted malice and desire toward the Tailed Beasts.
What good is changing the locks anyway? No Tailed Beast would ever trust a ninja's words.
In the commercial street before dawn.
With no adult supervision around, the Second Konoha Troublemaker—Kushina Uzumaki—led a group of young friends to a ramen stall.
After the mysterious man served five bowls of ramen, he continued kneading dough.
"Slurp!" Minato devoured the noodles loudly. He was grateful to the Uchiha Hotpot owner for ignoring his family's pleas, taking off his apron, and joining the battle.
Otherwise, he was afraid he might've already come down with stomach issues at such a young age.
The Ino–Shika–Cho trio also ate their ramen with similarly grateful expressions.
With adults gone and meals finished, what else was there left to do?
Of course, they tore through Konoha like a tornado!
The statue of the principal, wearing a wig and with red-painted cheeks at the Ninja Academy, was a gift left behind by their graduating class for future generations.
When they climbed onto Kage Rock and picked up the paint and brushes Kushina had prepared in advance, a huge, round ball of water instantly captured all five of their attention.
"That's where my place is!"
"You're right," Minato replied, suddenly overcome with a sense of foreboding.
"Let's go." Kushina said before leaping off Kage Rock. "Whoever dared to pull pranks on my territory is done for."
What else could the remaining four lackeys do?
Shikaku, who always avoided trouble whenever possible, followed first.
If they didn't go, things would only get worse later.
Choza, who wanted no part in tasting Devil Hell Spicy Broth, didn't hesitate before jumping after them.
Minato and Inoichi exchanged glances.
Then both nodded simultaneously and leapt off Kage Rock one after another.
They were at the bottom of the pyramid either way—no chance of saying no.
But maybe that upbeat little golden-haired kid hadn't realized this yet?
Black Zetsu, his Rinnegan now revealed, didn't seem eager to launch an attack just yet.
Years of repressed, gloomy experiences might have made him used to acting cautiously.
None of the five elderly survivors from Konoha's Warring States period launched reckless attacks.
They all knew—if the legends were true—then the Rinnegan was the ultimate counter to all ninjutsu; any attack infused with chakra would be neutralized and absorbed.
"Just who are you?" Mito Uzumaki asked, seeing he showed no intention of attacking, trying instead to coax information out of him. "How did you obtain the Rinnegan?"
Believing there was nothing in modern-day Konoha capable of threatening him, Black Zetsu stretched the dead mouth of the Third Mizukage's body into an exaggerated grin.
"These eyes... they weren't meant for me."
His expression twisting comically, he stretched out his neck and lifted his chin proudly. "They're a precious treasure I stole back."
A wave of dizziness swept through the five elders.
Such a legendary treasure as the Rinnegan... was actually stolen?
"That person... you all know him quite well."
Unrestrained and careless, Zetsu continued: "He is—"
"Eh? Grandma Mito, why are you sparkling all over like gold?" Kushina, having led her friends to arrive here, questioned Mito's condition with genuine confusion.
Holding his breath, Black Zetsu's comical expression immediately collapsed.
"Kushina, quickly take your friends away!" After Mito finished speaking, she released [Adamantine Sealing Chains] once again.
With an indifferent expression, Black Zetsu extended his hands, absorbing the Nine-Tails' chakra.
"Hahahaha!" He felt an unprecedented satisfaction. "This chakra is far stronger than that of the Three-Tails and Six-Tails!"
Kushina took several steps backward, watching in shock as his face became animated again.
"Grandma Mito, who is he?"
"Careful!"
The two elders of the Hyuga clan, using exquisite taijutsu techniques combined with 360-degree vision provided by the Byakugan, deflected a Black Receiver aimed directly at Kushina.
"Everyone, pay attention! These Black Receivers can block the flow of chakra entirely."
"
The moment the two of them touched the Black Receiver, they immediately felt a serious disruption in their Chakra. Relying on their years of battlefield experience, they came to a conclusion in an instant.
"Let's play a game," Black Zetsu grinned again. "Let's see if the five of you venerable elders can truly protect these five kids."
Then he raised his left hand and aimed straight at the obvious kid with the little yellow mop.
Boom!
A light golden tail swept away the Black Receiver aimed at Minato.
It wasn't until Mito sacrificed some of her Chakra in a last-ditch effort that she finally realized what Black Zetsu was truly plotting.
Black Zetsu's expression lit up with delight. He raised his hand and began launching one Black Receiver after another—each forged using Yin-Yang Release—straight at them.
"Not a chance!" The five elders immediately stepped forward to shield the five children.
These elderly survivors from the Warring States period (Sengoku Jidai) would never allow the young ones of Konoha to be harmed right before their eyes.
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