"Even if Uchiha Madara is resurrected, it is only in his normal form. According to Black Zetsu's memories, the reason Madara just now displayed such immense combat power is due to the existence of Six Paths power. To gain that power, one must become the Jubi's Jinchuriki. That's why the Akatsuki was collecting the Biju. The nine Biju are fragments of the Jubi. Only by gathering their Chakra can the Jubi be revived."
The black-robed figure explained.
Sasuke was puzzled and asked, "I didn't know there was such a secret behind the Biju. But Madara never obtained the Biju, so how could he revive the Jubi?"
The black-robed figure elaborated, "Using the Rinnegan's ability to resurrect and combining it with fragments of Biju Chakra Black Zetsu had collected over the years, it was enough to revive Jubi at its weakest form. Even a weakened Jubi grants Six Paths power to Madara after becoming the Jinchuriki."
"Black Zetsu acted hastily because he feared he couldn't steal the Biju from us. That's why he pushed Madara to act quickly, hoping Madara could defeat us and take our tailed beasts to fully revive the Jubi. Otherwise, why would Black Zetsu, who's been so patient for a thousand year, act so recklessly now?"
"What?"
Sasuke's expression froze, catching a peculiar implication, "You said Black Zetsu has endured for a thousand years? But Madara hasn't lived that long. What's going on here? Are you saying Black Zetsu is the real mastermind?"
The black-robed figure nodded slightly, "You're right. Black Zetsu is the true mastermind, but the one he serves is a woman named Otsutsuki Kaguya."
Seeing Sasuke's focused attention, the black-robed figure continued, "Madara believed himself to be a savior, but that was an illusion planted by Black Zetsu. It's similar to how Madara manipulated Obito. In truth, everything Madara did was shaped by Black Zetsu's subtle guidance."
"Black Zetsu isn't a creation of Madara's will, as Madara mistakenly believed. Instead, Black Zetsu is the will of Kaguya's. That misunderstanding is why Madara trusted Black Zetsu unconditionally."
Sasuke pondered this revelation, "So Madara was being manipulated all along, and Black Zetsu is actually that Otsutsuki Kaguya's will?"
"Exactly."
The black-robed figure confirmed.
"But Madara isn't a fool. There's no way he would blindly trust Black Zetsu, right?"
Sasuke asked in confusion.
The black-robed figure explained: "Black Zetsu's longevity allowed him to tamper with the stone tablet left by the Sage of Six Paths for the Uchiha Clan. The altered tablet spread misinformation, making Madara believe in the Infinite Tsukuyomi as a way to bring peace through a dream world."
"However, the truth is that the Infinite Tsukuyomi is a technique designed to absorb everyone's Chakra. Those trapped in its Genjutsu are ultimately transformed into White Zetsu… the mindless puppets under Black Zetsu's control. Black Zetsu carefully laid every trap, leading Madara to fall into this scheme step by step."
Sasuke, shaken by the revelations, muttered, "I can't believe Black Zetsu is this scheming. What exactly is Black Zetsu? And who is this Otsutsuki Kaguya?"
The black-robed figure explained, "You know the Shinobi World was founded on the teachings of Ninshu, which is passed down by the Sage of Six Paths. Otsutsuki Kaguya is the Sage of Six Paths' mother. Black Zetsu is her will, her third 'child'."
"In truth, much of Shinobi World's history was shaped and manipulated by Black Zetsu. Everything was orchestrated to prepare for Otsutsuki Kaguya's resurrection, turning the entire Shinobi World into a tribute for her return."
"Tributes?"
Sasuke couldn't believe what he was hearing.
The black-robed figure continued, "Kaguya is a member of the Otsutsuki Clan, which is an alien race that invades other worlds. They cultivate God Trees to absorb the Chakra of entire planets through its fruit, granting them immense power. Kaguya, consumed by her own power, was eventually sealed by her two sons, Hagoromo and Hamura, the Sage of Six Paths and his brother, using the Chibaku Tensei technique."
"The moon itself is the remnant of Jubi and Kaguya's seal. Black Zetsu was created by Kaguya just before her sealing and managed to escape unnoticed to Earth, hiding in the shadows for centuries."
"Black Zetsu's goal has always been to revive Kaguya. By gathering all the world's Chakra, he could exploit Six Paths Madara, using his body to break the seal and forcibly resurrect Kaguya. If she were to return, she would consume all life and resources, leaving the world in total ruin."
"An alien invasion…"
Sasuke struggled to process the information. This revelation was beyond anything he had ever imagined.
After a long pause, Sasuke exhaled deeply and said, "It's a good thing you extracted Black Zetsu's memories. Without that, things could have taken a catastrophic turn."
Now, he finally understood the cause of the whole thing.
'Everything that had transpired, the wars, the conflicts, all stemmed from Black Zetsu's plan to save his 'mother'.'
'Everyone else, acting on their own desires or beliefs, had unknowingly played into his hands. The instigator behind many of the Shinobi World's major events and conflicts had always been Black Zetsu.'
'Now, with Black Zetsu dead, Kaguya's resurrection was impossible.'
"It's all over…"
Sasuke let out a long sigh of relief. At this moment, he and the black-robed figure had exposed and destroyed the root cause of the Uchiha Clan's tragedies, avenging their people. In doing so, they had also unintentionally saved the entire world.
Sasuke felt a sense of completeness… his duty to his clan, his village, and its people fulfilled. However, there was one lingering debt in his heart: gratitude toward the black-robed figure.
After a moment of deliberation, Sasuke bent down on one knee, extended his right hand, and solemnly declared, "As per our agreement, from now on, I am yours. I am willing to dedicate the rest of my life to you..."
…
Having listened to Orochimaru recount the entire story, Naruto nodded in satisfaction and said, "Not a bad ending. It seems that even without me, Sasuke managed to live a pretty fulfilling life. But why are you still so tense about all this?"
More than half a month ago, Sasuke and the black-robed figure finished everything, so Naruto didn't understand what Orochimaru was still worried about.
Orochimaru sighed and said, "If only it were that simple. Sasuke may have upheld his end of the bargain and won't cause trouble, but it's the black-robed figure I'm worried about. Don't forget, Naruto-kun… he's your nemesis!"
"I was so absorbed in listening that I forgot about that."
Naruto chuckled awkwardly, then his expression turned serious.
'Indeed, as Orochimaru said, the black-robed figure's existence was far from reassuring.'
Naruto considered this. The black-robed figure being his nemesis not because of their personal enmity, but because he possessed system like him. Based on past interactions, Naruto suspected the black-robed figure's favorable treatment of Sasuke wasn't just due to appreciation for Sasuke's looks but rather something deeper… perhaps Sasuke's destiny.
After all, Sasuke was one of the two children of fate in the Naruto World.
Now, with Sasuke's role fulfilled and his destiny reaching its zenith, Naruto believed that it would be the perfect time for the black-robed figure to seize Sasuke's fortune.
This could potentially shift the balance of power in her favor, significantly increasing her odds against Naruto.
"By the way, where did you hear this story? If this was just between Sasuke and the black-robed figure, how did it reach you?"
He caught a crucial detail.
"I told Orochimaru!"
A familiar voice answered. From the shadows, a figure stepped forward… it was none other than Sasuke.
Yet Naruto's attention wasn't on Sasuke. His gaze was fixed on the figure emerging behind him: the black-robed figure.