Chapter 130: The Decision of Gamamaru and Black Zetsu
God.
It was a broad term.
But in the eyes of the Great Toad Sage, the Ōtsutsuki clan could absolutely be considered gods—at least in the broader sense of the word.
"Gods, huh?"
Fukasaku couldn't quite grasp what the Great Toad Sage was feeling, but he understood one thing very clearly—this was serious.
"Is that Ōtsutsuki Genshiki really that terrifying?"
"It's not just Genshiki that's terrifying—it's the entire clan."
The Great Toad Sage shook his head. For once, he appeared completely lucid and clear-headed.
"You can't comprehend what it means for an entire race to transcend the limits of life itself—wielding infinite power and boundless ambition. To humans, to most life forms... they are gods."
"Then isn't the shinobi world in grave danger?"
Fukasaku's expression turned grim. He didn't like riddles, but he knew the Great Sage wouldn't say such things unless the situation was truly dire.
"I don't know."
The response nearly caused Fukasaku to glitch out.
"What do you mean, you don't know?"
"Although my dreams are usually vague, they always point in some kind of direction."
The Great Toad Sage's tone grew more uncertain.
"But now... I'm lost. I suspect that my visions have been disrupted by some unknown force. I haven't seen anything related to this threat."
"...Great Sage, when was the last time you had a prophetic dream?"
Fukasaku asked cautiously.
"Not too long ago."
"How long is 'not too long'?"
"Maybe half a year... maybe a year."
"...Seriously?"
Fukasaku felt a headache coming on, but that didn't help anything. The Great Sage was still the same as ever.
"Regardless of how long ago it was, the key is clarity. And right now, everything is clouded. So yes, I believe my visions are being interfered with."
"Then what should we do now?"
Fukasaku took a deep breath and asked in a solemn tone.
"I don't know."
The Great Toad Sage's usually murky eyes now seemed unusually clear. His voice was calm.
"But I did some things a thousand years ago… maybe it's time I act again."
After saying that, the Great Sage closed his eyes, as if once again slipping into slumber.
"Disaster in the dreams... Ōtsutsuki from beyond this world..."
"This era is changing too fast."
"Mount Myōboku must always be prepared. Even if I am old..."
"...I must take action if needed!"
---
"Ōtsutsuki Genshiki? Kyūbi chakra?"
In the Rain Country, inside the Akatsuki base.
Nagato and Konan stared coldly at Uchiha Obito and Black Zetsu. They had suspected these two were after more allies—but they didn't expect them to bring such terrifying news.
"Yes, he's a highly dangerous individual. His goals even seem to align with ours."
Obito didn't really want to be here, but both he and Zetsu had been injured recently. Even he had to admit this needed to be reported.
"In fact, his abilities are quite similar to yours. Different eyes, sure, but it's urgent—you need to move faster."
"I already am."
Nagato frowned and snorted coldly.
"But the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path isn't easy to repair. And don't use that tone with me."
"Hmph."
Obito scoffed. He couldn't stand dealing with Nagato. To him, Nagato was just an arrogant fool.
"Enough, both of you."
Black Zetsu quickly stepped in to mediate.
"We all share the same goal: creating peace. Even if we have some friction, we need unity—this new enemy is unlike anything we've faced. If we don't work together, we'll be overwhelmed."
"Do you have more intel on him?"
Nagato's tone softened slightly—at least toward Black Zetsu. After all, it was Zetsu who had returned Yahiko's body.
"We've shared everything we know. Beyond that, we're in the dark too."
Black Zetsu shook his head. It was the truth—he genuinely didn't know more.
But deep down, he believed Genshiki hadn't revealed his full strength. If he had, things wouldn't have ended the way they did.
"However... I do have an idea."
"Let's hear it."
Nagato nodded. He knew these two must have come with a plan in mind.
"One year from now, Konoha will host the Joint Chūnin Exams."
Black Zetsu paused, then continued.
"All the major hidden villages will send shinobi to participate. I propose that we infiltrate it."
"Konoha?"
Nagato frowned. Konan spoke up in surprise. Black Zetsu nodded solemnly.
"Yes. We don't know where he'll appear, but we do know what he wants. That's why we need to be proactive."
"The Nine-Tails, right?"
"Exactly. He appeared in the Land of Fire for the Nine-Tails' chakra. If the Nine-Tails were to go berserk in Konoha, he might appear again. That way—"
"—We can draw him out."
Nagato immediately caught on to Zetsu's thinking.
Use Konoha's power to bait the mystery man. If things go well, they could even make him clash with Konoha—a lose-lose situation for their enemies.
And at the very least, it would eliminate a major problem. A win-win.
"Also, Danzo is in Konoha."
Zetsu noted Nagato's interest and pressed the advantage.
As expected, Nagato's gaze flickered with emotion.
"He hides very well. If we try to sneak in normally, we won't find him. But during the Chūnin Exams? It's the perfect chance."
"Once we're inside, we can track him. And rumor has it... he's a master of Wind Release chakra."
Wind Release…
Hearing that, Nagato shot Zetsu a glance.
Kakuzu needed Wind Release users. So did Sasori.
Even if those two ended up fighting over it, they'd at least support this mission.
Besides, Nagato had a personal grudge against Danzo. He'd love to be the one to end him with his own hands.
This guy... had this all planned out.
"And I also heard... the Fourth Raikage will be in Konoha."
Zetsu added calmly.
"He has deep grudges against Konoha. And don't worry about the Nine-Tails—we've pulled off similar operations more than ten years ago. So..."
"But... isn't this too risky?"
Konan finally spoke up, sensing Nagato's growing interest.
But Nagato shook his head.
"Understood. Go tell the others. Get them ready."
"Nagato..."
"Even if it's risky, it's worth it."
He cut her off.
"I want to know who this person is—this individual who dares to compete with us for tailed beast chakra... and possesses power so similar to mine. Because—"
He trailed off.
But Konan already understood what he meant.
After all, he was the wielder of the Rinnegan. After all, he was the one who walked among mortals as a "god."
"And this is also for Yahiko's revenge—this is something we must do."
"I understand."
Konan let out a sigh. In the end, she no longer objected.
Yahiko's death—they had to avenge it.
"Looks like we've come to an agreement. Then we'll take our leave."
Hearing this, Black Zetsu nodded slightly. This time, things were progressing according to his plan.
After all, he had found Nagato's weakness and was pressing it relentlessly.
"That guy... so full of himself. Clueless fool."
Once they were away from Nagato's hideout, Uchiha Obito let out a cold snort of disdain.
"Who does he think he is? Does he really believe he's a god?"
"Well, the Rinnegan is in his possession. And we do need him for now."
Black Zetsu reminded Obito calmly.
"Also, don't rush him about speeding up the plan. It could kill him. I know you're anxious, but some things just have to take time."
"Hmph."
Obito scoffed again, but didn't argue.
After getting beaten half to death by Kitagawa Gen, he was already in a foul mood. And now, a being even more terrifying—Ōtsutsuki Genshiki—had appeared. How was he supposed to cope with that?
If it weren't for his unwavering conviction, he might have already fallen into despair.
"Let's hope he puts in the work. Actually, I would love to see him cross paths with that monster. Maybe it'd teach him a lesson."
He might just get killed instantly—maybe even have his Rinnegan stolen...
Black Zetsu couldn't help but grumble internally. In his opinion, there was no way Nagato could stand against a true Ōtsutsuki.
"Anyway, I'm heading out. I need to prepare, and Itachi and Kisame still need a capable medical ninja."
Obito forced himself to calm down despite his frustration.
"I heard that guy Shinnō is pretty decent. Didn't get a chance to check him out last time. I'll go fetch him now."
"Suit yourself. Just be careful."
Black Zetsu offered a warning. Lately, things had been far too unpredictable, with unexpected people showing up left and right.
Caution was essential now.
"I got it."
Obito nodded. In the next instant, his figure vanished. Black Zetsu let out a long sigh.
"I just hope all of this works out…"
He had exhausted every method he could think of—trying to manipulate both Konoha and the Akatsuki at once.
This was the best solution he could come up with. Of course, there were other, more drastic measures he could try… like using White Zetsu's cells.
But that was a last resort. Too dangerous to use recklessly.
He looked up at the sky, his voice low and reverent.
"Mother... I will do everything in my power—everything I can."
---
While the Great Toad Sage was being pressured into considering personal intervention by the arrival of Ōtsutsuki Genshiki…
And Black Zetsu was contemplating whether to have the entire Akatsuki disrupt the Chūnin Exams…
The true instigator of it all, Kitagawa Gen, was currently tormenting Hiruzen Sarutobi inside the Hokage's office.
"So… you actually did it?"
Sarutobi looked at Kitagawa Gen with shock, then glanced at Kakashi and Jiraiya beside him.
"That's right. He really did."
Kakashi nodded. Jiraiya also chimed in:
"Ice Release—it's the real deal. And more than that, he fulfilled Minato's wish: combining Ice Release with the Rasengan."
Thinking back on what they'd just witnessed, both Jiraiya and Kakashi were overwhelmed.
The precision of chakra control, the mastery, the fluid transitions—there wasn't even the slightest hitch. It left them both in awe.
"Is that so…"
Sarutobi took a deep breath, gripping his pipe tightly to stop his hands from trembling. He finally spoke with as calm a tone as he could manage.
"Gen, I remember telling you not to take such risks. That you should inform us and prepare beforehand. So why did you—"
"Honestly, I didn't expect it to happen either."
Gen blinked innocently, looking at Sarutobi with a gaze as clear as a college student's final exam bluff.
"I was just trying to recall that person named Haku—the one with Ice Release. I was remembering their chakra proportions, and when I started mobilizing those two chakra natures, they just naturally… began to merge.
And once it started, I couldn't stop it. Luckily, it didn't absorb too much of my chakra, so…"
Recalling chakra ratios? Fusion absorbed only a small amount of chakra?
Even Jiraiya and Kakashi twitched at those words, while Sarutobi's eyes widened in disbelief.
Bloodline fusion... was it supposed to be that easy?
The shinobi world was vast and filled with people, but those with Kekkei Genkai were rare for a reason.
This kid… he was too reckless. Far too reckless!
"Very good. You've done exceptionally well!"
Though screaming internally, Sarutobi turned with a wide smile and praised Gen, even shooting a glare at Jiraiya and Kakashi for their "inadequate supervision."
"But it was extremely risky. Fusion of bloodline limits is no trivial matter—you must understand that clearly.
I want you to go to Tsunade and have a thorough examination. You are Konoha's future. We cannot afford anything to happen to you.
I also hope you'll take some time to reflect, to digest what you've learned instead of rushing ahead blindly. Understand?"
"Got it, Hokage-sama."
Gen nodded sincerely. He knew when to act obedient. Then, with a smile:
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
"Mm."
Sarutobi nodded. As Jiraiya and Kakashi tried to slip away with him, Sarutobi stopped them cold.
"You two stay. I need a word with you."
"…"
Jiraiya and Kakashi exchanged a look—as if they saw the words "we're doomed" written in each other's eyes.
Meanwhile, Kitagawa Gen casually patted his butt, turned, and left.
"Beautiful day today."
Hearing Sarutobi's angry shouts from above—presumably scolding Jiraiya and Kakashi for "poor guidance"—he blinked thoughtfully.
"Maybe I should find a chance to test Silver Wheel Reincarnation Explosion…"
He had obtained the ability—it needed testing. Otherwise, how could he know how effective it really was?
"Gen!"
Just then, Naruto and Sasuke came running toward him, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"What are you guys doing here? Weren't you training?"
"We were worried! You got taken away so suddenly—we thought something happened!"
Naruto shouted loudly, though both he and Sasuke gave Gen a once-over with concern.
"You okay?"
"What could possibly happen to me?"
Gen chuckled. Naruto really did worry about him.
"Relax, I'm fine. Actually… something good happened."
"Huh? Good?"
Naruto and Sasuke's eyes widened. Gen stroked his chin with mock seriousness.
"The Hokage told me to start preparing—for the Jōnin exam this year."
"Jō-Jōnin?! You?!"
"Yup! Just like Pervy Sage. I'll even be able to proctor Genin and Chūnin exams!"
"…"
"So you know what that means? You two might be evaluated by me. Excited? Isn't that great news?"
"…"
Good news?
Excited?
Naruto and Sasuke fell silent. All they felt was a cold shiver down their backs—and Naruto looked like he might cry.
In his hands… did they really have a future?