Frankly, if an average, angsty teenager were being manipulated by Black Zetsu like this, they would probably get completely fired up and passionately vow to change the world.
The overarching problem was that his current target was Naruto.
'Part of me wants to play along, but I can't let you control the pace.' So, Black Zetsu received a very firm, immediate refusal.
Being flat-out rejected left Black Zetsu completely stunned this time.
'I laid it all out there, and now you're telling me it's none of your business? Shouldn't you take ending the shinobi world as your sacred mission? Saving this corrupt world? Or destroying it works too.'
Why wasn't this Nine-Tails Brat following the script?
This was getting genuinely tricky.
Seeing Naruto remain completely unmoved, Black Zetsu began to feel a bit dejected.
'Seriously? You're out of material already? Your mental fortitude is incredibly weak.'
After watching Black Zetsu struggle to spit anything out for a long moment, Naruto had no choice but to take the conversational lead. "I see. After all that, Zetsu-senpai, you're trying to tell me that this hidden organization, is capturing Tailed Beasts for a reason connected to their origin?"
"So they'll eventually come for Nine Tails, meaning I need to be prepared?"
Seeing Naruto graciously hand him an excuse, Black Zetsu quickly agreed. "Precisely."
"Their goal is likely to resurrect the divine beast, Ten-Tails, said to be a companion of the gods."
"Legend says that obtaining Ten-Tails power allows one to rival the Sage of Six Paths himself."
Obito was utterly useless, a lost cause, and Madara was stuck in the Pure Land. Trying to trick this Nine-Tails Brat into gathering the Tailed Beasts to become Ten-Tails Jinchuriki wasn't a bad backup plan at all.
At the very least, he desperately needed to get Madara summoned.
'Calling Ten-Tails a divine beast? You're really something else.'
Hardly anyone in the entire shinobi world knew about Ten-Tails. Even the Nine-Tails, a manifestation of its chakra, was largely unaware. This provided fertile ground for Black Zetsu's elaborate lies.
He then recounted several secrets from the past millennium, even mentioning that the Sage of Six Paths chakra watches over this world, and demonstrated his expertise by performing a small feat of Yin-Yang Release right in front of Naruto.
After a thousand years of training, and having successfully infiltrated and stabbed Six Paths Madara in the back without a sound, Black Zetsu's mastery of Yin-Yang Release was undoubtedly among the finest in the world.
'Not bad. This Yin-Yang Release will be mine soon.'
Seeing the growing reverence in Naruto's eyes, Black Zetsu gave a mental nod of supreme satisfaction.
"Zetsu-senpai, knowing this much... your identity must be more than just Zetsu, right?" Naruto's face showed a hint of respect, his tone carrying a measure of deference mixed with a trace of doubt.
Seeing this expression, Black Zetsu knew Naruto was buying the story, but not completely.
'Here it comes.'
Black Zetsu knew that revealing and proving his identity now would pretty much seal the deal. It had worked flawlessly with Indra and Madara Uchiha back in the day.
'This is my specialty.'
The title he revealed had to completely awe the other party.
'That's right. My true identity is the Incarnation of Uchiha Madara's Will.'
But before he could even speak the words, Naruto answered first.
"You know millennium-old secrets and wield such profound Yin-Yang Release. You must be an existence far older than a mere century."
Black Zetsu froze in utter confusion.
'Crap, I completely oversold it.'
Black Zetsu remembered he'd revealed too many things Madara shouldn't know, all to build credibility. If he claimed to be Madara now, the persona he'd crafted would instantly crumble, even arousing heavy suspicion.
Simply put, Madara's name carried weight, but not 'that' much weight.
'This brat is way trickier than those fools Madara and Indra.'
So who should he claim to be now?
Before Black Zetsu could decide on a new fake identity and formulate his words, Naruto spoke again.
"I've got it. You're the incarnation of the Sage of Six Paths, aren't you?"
'Why didn't I think of that?'
Compared to the mythical Sage of Six Paths, Madara Uchiha's historical prestige paled significantly.
Black Zetsu was about to agree when Naruto shook his head slightly and said, "No, that's not right. Kurama never mentioned that."
He'd almost forgotten, Naruto was different from ordinary jinchuriki. He shared a mental connection with Kurama. Claiming to be the Sage of Six Paths would likely be immediately exposed by the fox.
Before Black Zetsu could think of a better idea, Naruto spoke again. "But Kurama says he smells something familiar on you."
Black Zetsu reeled in panic.
'The Nine-Tails had that ability too? This is bad. I'm in serious trouble.'
He'd boasted too big to take it back. As he spoke, Black Zetsu seriously considered fleeing. After hiding for a thousand years, what were a few more centuries? As long as he survived, there was hope.
"The Sage of Six Paths chakra watches over this world. If you can say that, Zetsu-senpai, you must be connected to him."
Naruto adjusted imaginary glasses on his nose bridge and pointed confidently at Black Zetsu. "There is only one truth! Zetsu-senpai, you're one of the Sage's clansmen, right?"
"Kurama told me the Sage had a small group of clansmen back then, maybe even direct descendants."
"Zetsu-senpai, am I right?"
Black Zetsu gaped.
'Yes! Exactly!'
"I underestimated you." Black Zetsu imitated Madara's tone and agreed immediately. "Correct. I am the Sage of Six Paths son, the Incarnation of Indra's Will."
Knowing Naruto was bluffing again, Sasuke fought back a laugh but froze at those words, completely bewildered.
'You're the Incarnation of Indra's Will? Then what am I? At least you didn't claim to be Ashura.'
"So it's true." Naruto fell silent, as if digesting the new information, then spoke slowly. "Zetsu-senpai, is your purpose in our Organization to guide its leader?"
"Or is it to guide me?"
Black Zetsu silently rejoiced. 'What a perfect excuse. It's mine now.'
"Initially, it was to guide the possessor of the Sage's eye. Now you're included, because you too qualify as the Sage's successor."
Throughout his speech, Black Zetsu tried to drive a wedge between Naruto and Nagato, just as he'd once done with Indra and Ashura. But his real target remained that unknown group that had snatched the Eight-Tails.
"A new enemy has emerged. We cannot stand still."
"..."
"They're collecting Tailed Beasts. A major threat."
"Then does Zetsu-senpai know their location?" Naruto's sensory range couldn't cover the entire ninja continent. He could find them with effort, but it would simply take too long.
"Better to strike first than wait to die."
Solving the continent's hidden dangers sooner meant breathing easier sooner. Besides, he had perfect cannon fodder for reconnaissance right in front of him.
Seeing Naruto finally playing along, Black Zetsu felt a massive weight lift. In that short time, he'd used every manipulative trick he had. If this failed, escape was his only option.
"Of course." Black Zetsu's voice brimmed with arrogance. "There's nowhere I cannot infiltrate. The vast earth itself is my incarnation!"
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