Gento shook his head upon hearing this, his tone unhurried:
"There is no rush for this."
"Before casting the Infinite Tsukuyomi, there is still one thing I need to do."
Black Zetsu was somewhat puzzled:
"What could be more urgent than the Otsutsuki?"
Gento turned around.
"Another sealed Otsutsuki!"
A strong sense of unease immediately welled up in Black Zetsu's heart.
Sure enough, Gento continued:
"The soul of the Sage of Six Paths met with me and warned me that an Otsutsuki named Kaguya is still sealed on the moon."
"The Sage of Six Paths stated that he could not kill Kaguya, so he could only seal her away, charging me to kill Kaguya if possible."
"As it happens, the dojutsu of my Rinnegan is the natural counter to this!"
"So, let us go to the moon right now and kill Kaguya!"
Saying so, Gento made a move as if to walk out.
Black Zetsu grew extremely anxious.
Disregarding its own safety, its entire body bounded upward, blocking Gento's path:
"You cannot kill her!"
Gento halted his steps and looked down at this puddle of black substance, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes.
"Why can't I kill her?"
"Could it be... you want to be a traitor to the shinobi?"
Black Zetsu frantically racked its brain for an excuse.
…Only to find its mind blank.
Just as it was wondering what reason to fabricate, Gento shook his head. Deciding not to tease it any longer, he chose to expose it directly and mercilessly.
"You are afraid that I will kill your mother, Kaguya, aren't you, Black Zetsu?"
Black Zetsu's body stiffened violently.
That puddle of black substance trembled pathologically.
Only a single thought remained in its mind:
He knows. He has known all along!
Letting it run its scam was merely watching its performance.
Black Zetsu had thought that since it could deceive Madara and Obito, it could easily trick Gento.
Who would have thought that it would end up being played by Gento instead!
"You! How do you know!"
Black Zetsu's voice was filled with terror.
Gento squatted down, meeting Black Zetsu at eye level, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"I know everything that goes on in the shinobi world. In fact, there are some things even you do not know."
He stood up, crossing his arms as he looked down at this puddle of black substance:
"You can fool Madara Uchiha, you can fool Obito Uchiha, but you cannot fool me."
"The Infinite Tsukuyomi has never been some ninjutsu to save the world; it is merely a scam you cooked up to control the shinobi world and release Kaguya."
"Trapping everyone in a genjutsu, turning them into White Zetsu to nourish the Divine Tree; that is your plan, is it not?"
Black Zetsu did not answer.
Nonetheless, its silence was the best answer.
Lying on the ground in utter despair, Obito's body shuddered even more violently upon hearing these words.
So, he had been deceived all along?
From Madara to him, from the Project "Tsuki no Me" to the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
The "ideal" he had fought for half his life was nothing but a scam?
A scam fabricated just to resurrect Kaguya?
He recalled Rin's smile, remembered his determination to swear to create a world with her, thought of the innocent people he had killed, and the companions he had used...
Now, everything had become a joke.
At this moment, Black Zetsu was completely on guard, its body backing away slightly, constantly wary of Gento killing it.
It watched Gento's every move with vigilance.
Had it not been for Gento being too strong for it to escape, it would have fled long ago!
Looking at Black Zetsu's tense appearance, Gento suddenly smiled.
He waved his hand, his tone turning casual:
"Do not be so tense, Black Zetsu."
"I will not kill you."
Black Zetsu was stunned.
Gento continued:
"I have no direct conflict with Kaguya. In fact, if necessary in the future, I can even release her from the seal so we can face the other Otsutsuki together."
"After all, the enemy of my enemy is my friend."
Black Zetsu felt wild joy in its heart.
"Is what you say true?"
The moment it heard that its mother, Kaguya, might have a chance of being released from the seal, it was so delighted it could almost leap.
Gento nodded and held out his hand:
"Indeed. That said, under one condition."
"From this day on, you work under me first."
"You have lived for so long; you should be of great help to me."
Without any hesitation, Black Zetsu nodded excitedly:
"As long as you can release Mother, I will do whatever you command!"
"I, Black Zetsu, swear my loyalty to you from this day forth!"
Gento nodded with satisfaction, withdrew his hand, and turned to clean up the aftermath.
With a thought, he first stored the Gedo Statue into the Yomotsu space.
"Let us go back to the Hidden Gento Village."
Gento took the others and used the Flying Thunder God to return to Cerulean Harbor.
Space fluctuated.
The figures of several people materialized in the study of the palace.
"Itachi, take Nagato to the medical department first. Arrange for people to look after him and place him under house arrest for now. Do not let him wander around."
Gento instructed.
Itachi nodded, leaving with Nagato.
Gento then looked at Konan, his gaze turning gentle:
"You will reside in my palace from now on. I have already had a room prepared for you."
At the thought of being able to be with Gento at any time from now on… Konan's cheeks instantly flushed crimson, and she lowered her head, uttering a soft assent.
Mabui also appeared at the appropriate time to lead Konan to her room and help her settle in.
Only Gento and Shisui remained in the study.
"Shisui, take Obito down and lock him up first."
Shisui nodded and left with Obito.
Having arranged everything, Gento finally exhaled a long breath.
The Akatsuki had been destroyed, the Rinnegan secured, the Tailed Beasts gathered, Black Zetsu subjugated, and both Nagato and Obito neutralized.
Everything was proceeding according to plan.
Next, all that remained was to unify the shinobi world and wait for the Divine Tree to bear fruit.
Just then, the notification tone of the system suddenly rang in his mind:
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for completing the SSS-rank mission: Collecting Tailed Beasts!]
[Mission rewards are being distributed...]
[Congratulations to the Host on receiving one opportunity to copy a Talent Trait from an offspring!]
[Please select a target offspring to copy their Talent Trait.]
⟩ After copying, the Host will perfectly obtain the full effects of the trait without harming the offspring's original talent.
⟩ This opportunity can only be used once, so please choose carefully.
Gento abruptly opened his eyes, wild ecstasy flashing within them.
Copying a child's Talent Trait!
This meant he could possess the same Six Paths Body as Hanyu, be a Natural Sage like Shiva, or be a Reincarnator like Mirai!
Every single one of them was an ability of heaven-defying caliber.
He took a deep breath and opened the system panel.
Before him emerged the Talent Traits of all his offspring, detailed information listed one by one.
[1. Hanyu Uchiha: Six Paths Body]
[2. Mitaka Uchiha: Natural-Born Emperor]
[3. Asahi Uchiha: Kekkei Tota]
[4. Mika Uchiha: Cat Lover]
[5. Hiiragi Uchiha: Tailed Beast Affinity]
[6. Yukito Uchiha: Wanderer]
[7. Shiva Uchiha: Natural Sage]
[8. Mirai Uchiha: Reincarnator (Hidden Trait)]
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