A trace of complexity flickered in Kaguya's eyes.
"But... Uchiha Funan..."
"Was he telling the truth? That he extracted power from the White Zetsu bodies?" Kaguya asked in a deep voice. "Is that power truly about to be depleted?"
"More or less," Black Zetsu muttered. "When the White Zetsu army was created, there were fewer than 120,000. Some were lost during the war, and the rest were used in Funan's experiments."
Black Zetsu had a rough idea of how much power Funan had given to Kaguya.
Calculating the total, he was shocked to realize that the amount of White Zetsu power Funan had granted her was equivalent to at least 80,000 units.
How was that possible?
Even subtracting the losses during the war and the energy spent during extraction, had Uchiha Funan not retained any power for himself?
Black Zetsu relayed this discovery to Kaguya.
After a moment of thought, Kaguya said, "It's impossible that he gave me everything. If he handed over all the White Zetsu power, then he must have another source of power."
Black Zetsu nodded—he agreed with that conclusion.
But...
There was still a problem.
The shinobi world was only so large—how many power sources could it really offer?
Could it be that Funan turned all of the White Zetsu warriors he created into energy?
That would be a tremendous waste!
No matter how you looked at it, it seemed like Funan had come out at a loss.
Kaguya silently agreed as well.
Funan was always leering at her—was that part of some grand plan?
What a pity.
All for nothing.
"Maybe it's for the best," Black Zetsu said. "Funan's power is too great. If Mother gains more power and he loses some, that benefits us."
"Mm."
"Mother..." Black Zetsu hesitated. "I still feel a bit..."
Fearful.
Apprehensive.
Terrified.
Very few people faced the Sage of Six Paths without fear. As his brother, Black Zetsu felt that fear even more acutely.
Kaguya paused briefly, then said, "Let's first absorb the final three energy streams Funan sent us."
"Understood!"
Black Zetsu's eyes lit up.
From Kaguya's tone, he could tell—
Kaguya still had some hesitation about attacking Hagoromo.
Her quick agreement earlier had merely been a way to secure the last three streams of power Funan was offering.
Once she absorbed them, no matter what she did, she would have greater confidence.
Even in dealing with Funan.
Black Zetsu thought that, if possible, it would be best not to fight Hagoromo at all.
Meanwhile, Kaguya turned her gaze toward the shinobi world.
The entire world should belong to me.
Funan and the others—were nothing but thieves who stole my power.
A deep, solemn glint appeared in Kaguya's eyes.
If the chance arises...
...
Funan returned to his office and immediately summoned all his closest confidants to discuss how to deal with the Sage of Six Paths.
As long as they could eliminate him, everything else would cease to be a problem.
True peace would finally come to the shinobi world.
"Only the Sage of Six Paths?"
Tobirama let out a cold snort. "What about Kaguya?"
"Yeah, what about Kaguya?"
The others echoed the question.
Frankly, unless she was dealt with, none of them would feel at ease.
"Kaguya? She's our ally. Why do you all always assume the worst?" Funan said with deep dissatisfaction. "We must be magnanimous. How can we embody the grand and noble image of Konohagakure if we're so petty and narrow-minded?"
No one said a word.
They simply stared at him in silence.
"Cut the nonsense,"
Yako said in a low voice. "Kaguya is too dangerous. She hasn't made any moves these past six months only because of you. But if you were no longer around…"
"What kind of talk is that?" Funan rolled his eyes in exasperation. "What do you mean, 'if I were no longer around'? How badly are you hoping for me to disappear?"
"Am I wrong?" Yako snorted coldly. "If you weren't here, do you think Kaguya would still behave? She wouldn't. Absolutely not."
"That's why we must take down the Sage—and Kaguya too!"
Her words were firm and resolute.
Immediately—
Tobirama and the others cast approving glances her way.
"You don't have to put it like that…" Funan still tried to win them over.
"It's a must," Yako said with absolute certainty. "We're not going to gamble the entire shinobi world. Kaguya is too dangerous. We have to take her out while you're still here."
Tobirama added, "Otherwise, she'll become a disaster in the future."
"…Fine."
Funan sighed. "Even though I'm the Hokage, I can't always do as I please. I'll listen to you this time."
"Spare me," Yako said, eyeing him up and down. She curled her lips. "I can tell—you were probably planning to take her out anyway, weren't you? Deal with her at the same time as the Sage of Six Paths."
"Don't slander me," Funan chuckled softly. "I just figure… after six months, I still haven't breached Kaguya's fortress. So maybe it's time to stop trying. Or perhaps, I should just go with brute force and crush her into submission."
Hashirama shook his head. "You're going to die at the hands of a woman one day."
"Eh?"
Everyone turned to him in surprise.
Did Senju Hashirama just say that?
Was he really the one to say that?
Funan gave him a sidelong glance and said dryly, "And you'll die at the hands of a man."
"I…"
Hashirama froze.
At first glance, the words sounded off.
On closer thought, they sounded even worse.
And the worst part was… his death really had been related to Uchiha Madara.
"Alright, that's enough," Tobirama cut them off. "Funan, tell us your plan. Since you called us all here, you must already have one."
Funan spoke in a steady tone. "Yes. I have a plan. All of you—just do what you normally do. As for the Sage of Six Paths… I'll handle him personally."
The group fell silent.
"This is your plan?!"
"Don't blame me," Funan said, spreading his hands. "Tell me, when faced with someone of Six Paths level—when faced with the legendary Sage of Six Paths—do any of you have a solution?"
"Naruto and Sasuke—their power comes from the Sage of Six Paths. And what happened when you faced them?"
No one had a response.
"You see?" Funan gestured again. "You can't even beat the power granted by the Sage. So when it comes to facing the Sage himself, do you really think you'll stand a chance?"
Silence returned.
"All right, then. Just continue managing the daily operations of the shinobi world," Funan said with a smile. "As for the Sage and Kaguya—leave them to us."
"Are we really useless here?" Tobirama frowned. "At least my brother and I have some value—he has Wood Release and Sage Mode, I have Flying Thunder God."
"You two definitely have your uses," Funan replied with a meaningful smile. "In fact, not just the two of you—I've made arrangements with other shinobi as well."
Everyone present immediately glanced at one another.
Then, one by one, they turned suspicious eyes toward Funan.
Among them were the strongest individuals in the entire shinobi world—aside from Funan himself.
If not them, then who else could he mean?
"The White Zetsu?" someone guessed.
"No," Funan shook his head. "They're too weak. Besides, it's not yet their time to act."
White Zetsu units simply weren't powerful enough.
They couldn't possibly be used to fight the Ōtsutsuki clan.
Funan suspected that Kaguya still held secrets—things she hadn't yet revealed to him.
With this in mind, he was determined to test her again. And if that failed...
He might seriously consider devouring all remaining White Zetsu to strengthen himself.
Otherwise, what purpose would they serve?
He was not like Kaguya. He had the entire shinobi world behind him—far superior to White Zetsu.
"Well then—"
"No more questions," Funan waved his hand. "Tell me how things are going in the shinobi world right now."
"Everything is thriving!"
With that topic, everyone perked up.
"With Big Brother around, building the shinobi world is so much easier!" Tobirama laughed. "I've got to say—Big Brother is extremely useful. Whether it's in battle or construction."
"Ah, Wood Release…"
Funan chuckled.
Senju Hashirama pouted a bit.
Why did it sound like the only things worth praising about him were his ability to fight and build houses?
After laying out another round of strategic planning for the shinobi world, Funan dismissed everyone.
Then—
He sat quietly at his desk.
The Sage of Six Paths.
Kaguya.
Naruto and Sasuke both carried power from the Sage and could not be taken lightly either.
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