"At the time, I vaguely sensed something was wrong with Black Zetsu." Uchiha Sogetsu seemed to recall the past as he spoke slowly.
"But unfortunately, when I was investigating Black Zetsu and Danzo, I was attacked by the 'Saint' of the Aurora Order… I didn't even have time to react before—"
Only then did everyone realize the truth behind Uchiha Sogetsu's assassination back then. Beyond Danzo and the Aurora Order, Black Zetsu was also intricately involved!
"No… I don't believe it!"
Madara's pupils trembled as countless irrational signs about Black Zetsu suddenly flashed in his mind.
"Ahem, actually, I have proof regarding this."
Suddenly, Jiraiya appeared, coughing lightly, earning Madara's furious glare.
"One thing is certain: Black Zetsu is not a fragment of your will." Jiraiya handed over a scroll containing the prophecy of the Great Toad Sage from Mount Myoboku. "Take a look. The prophecy mentions Black Zetsu."
Madara snatched the scroll and quickly glanced at it.
"I know of the toad from Mount Myoboku… But even with this prophecy, I still cannot believe it."
"Lord Uchiha Madara, I might have something here you'll want to see." Kabuto pushed up his glasses and smiled.
"Lord Orochimaru investigated Black Zetsu and, by examining the ancient remnants scattered across the lands, finally traced his origin."
"Origin?"
Madara was beginning to waver. His pupils seemed to burn with fire as he grit his teeth. "Speak. Tell me everything!"
"Black Zetsu is a manifestation of the will of Ōtsutsuki Kaguya," Kabuto said slowly.
"The Ōtsutsuki clan may be unfamiliar to you, but perhaps this will help: the Sage who founded the Ninshu—the Sage of Six Paths—was actually Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo. He and Ōtsutsuki Hamura once sealed their mother, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya."
"The so-called chakra actually comes from Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, which is why she is also called the Progenitor of Chakra."
"And the Moon… it was the result of the Rinnegan's sealing technique on Kaguya Ōtsutsuki. That was when Black Zetsu was separated, acting all along with the goal of resurrecting Kaguya."
"As for the Moon's Eye Plan you've seen, including the Infinite Tsukuyomi and gathering the nine tailed beasts, it's all actually meant to revive the Ten-Tails, so that Kaguya Ōtsutsuki can escape her seal."
"Once the Ten-Tails grows into the God Tree, it will absorb all the chakra scattered across the ninja world. The result won't be the peace you imagine, with wars forever ended by the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Instead, it will be the resurrection of the Progenitor of Chakra, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki!"
Uchiha Madara was unusually silent, but the trembling of his fingers revealed the storm within his heart.
After all, anyone would struggle to stay calm knowing that everything they had worked for most of their life—the truth they had pursued—was ultimately a lie.
"Madara, take it easy."
Uchiha Sogetsu walked over and patted his shoulder, offering comfort. "You can't blame yourself. Who hasn't been deceived before? At least you discovered it early, right?"
"Get your hands off me!"
Madara snapped like an angry black bear, slapping away the hand on his shoulder. His eyes were fierce.
"So, Black Zetsu actually deceived me. I, Uchiha Madara, who have dominated the ninja world, was fooled in the end by some insignificant parasite. I will personally kill that bastard!"
"Fourth Hokage, Fifth Hokage, the heads of the major clans have already been summoned," said the head of the ANBU, bursting into the room to interrupt.
Tsunade took a deep breath and turned to Madara. "I don't know why you and my grandfather went your separate ways, but as you said, Konoha was built by you. Can you really bear to see it destroyed by those traitors?"
Madara said nothing, but the fire in his eyes burned even brighter.
Being deceived by Black Zetsu had completely crossed his line!
"Fine. I can agree to your request."
Suddenly, an idea flashed in Madara's mind. He looked at Tsunade with a cold smile. "But I have one condition. If you agree, I will help Konoha."
"What are your demands?"
Tsunade suddenly had a bad feeling.
Inside the Konoha meeting room, the heads of the major clans, elite Jonin, and leaders of the ANBU were all silently waiting for the Hokage.
They had all witnessed what had just happened, which was why an explanation was necessary.
At that moment, Tsunade pushed open the door and entered. She looked at everyone, feeling an inexplicable heaviness:
"Everyone, I assume you already know about the Fourth Great Ninja War launched by the Iwagakure allied with the Aurora Order?"
"Hokage-sama, we need an explanation."
Several of the clan leaders, who held high authority, began to question her.
"What exactly happened just now?"
"Did you use a forbidden technique?"
"Who did you resurrect? Besides the Fourth Hokage, who does the other Susanoo belong to?"
Facing the barrage of questions, Tsunade remained calm and sat to the side: "Regarding this matter, let the person involved speak for himself."
At that moment, everyone's eyes widened. They saw the Fourth Hokage, Uchiha Sogetsu, and a relatively unfamiliar man with long black hair, layered armor, and an overwhelming aura.
"Fourth Hokage-sama!"
Thoughts raced through everyone's mind, but most of their attention was on the man.
Then, Uchiha Madara sat directly in the chair that symbolized the Hokage. He rested one hand against his face and said slowly: "Just now, your Fifth Hokage handed the title of Hokage to me. From this moment on, I am the Sixth Hokage of Konoha."
"What?!"
Shock spread across the room as everyone's eyes darted between Tsunade and the man.
"Ridiculous!"
"This is unacceptable! The position of Hokage is far too important to give to a stranger!"
"No, I do not agree!"
"I don't agree either!"
Immediately, the meeting room erupted into chaos.
Led by the Hyuga, the clan heads expressed their disapproval, glaring angrily at the man: "Who are you? What right do you have to be the Sixth Hokage?"
"Me?"
Uchiha Madara let out a cold laugh. A terrifying aura then enveloped the room as he spoke deliberately, word by word:
"I am Uchiha Madara. Is that enough qualification?"
*******
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