"Hello~"
A massive aloe suddenly shot up from beneath Tobitake Tonbo's feet, startling him into retreating in a hurry.
"Partial Multi-Size Jutsu!"
Akimichi Shitō threw a heavy punch, but the moment Zetsu stuck his head out, he immediately retracted back underground.
Just as fist met earth, Takeshi used the Flying Thunder God to bring Shimon to the scene.
Wasn't he supposed to be tailing them? How did a fight break out again?
"Takeshi-san, Sasori put on some white clothes and ran off!"
Tobitake Tonbo tried hard to sense Zetsu's movements, but within his sensory range, there wasn't the slightest trace of anything unusual.
Watching Sasori get farther and farther away, Tobitake Tonbo had no choice but to remind Takeshi while keeping alert.
"Understood. Flying Thunder God Technique!"
Takeshi nodded. When capturing Sasori, he had already placed a Flying Thunder God mark on him.
The instant he appeared in front of Sasori, Takeshi slashed out with his blade—only to realize that the figure before him was already in the form of a whirlpool-patterned White Zetsu.
"Whoa, that was close!"
Bending back to dodge Takeshi's slash, the whirlpool-patterned White Zetsu made a displeased sound.
But Takeshi gave him no chance to escape, closing the distance and slashing several more times.
The fact that White Zetsu had appeared here meant Sasori really did have connections with the two Uchiha. There was no way Takeshi could allow him to leave. If he could use this chance to force Black Zetsu out of hiding, that would be perfect.
Though Takeshi's plan sounded good, he clearly overlooked his own clumsy sealing techniques.
"Geez, Zetsu really… Didn't he say he'd do his best to stall for time?"
Dodging Takeshi's attacks with ease, the whirlpool-patterned White Zetsu scratched his head, clearly displeased with Zetsu's earlier boasting.
"Hmph. Worthless trash. I never had any expectations of him to begin with."
From inside White Zetsu's body, Sasori's tone carried a "See, told you so" sort of smugness.
Several attacks in a row all missed. Takeshi felt something was off and once again activated the Flying Thunder God.
"Flying Thunder God: Kidney Strike!"
But just like before, the whirlpool-patterned White Zetsu twisted into a strange pose, slipping past Takeshi's precise strike.
This guy… he can actually react to Flying Thunder God!
"Close one, close one! Hey, hurry up and help me!"
Balancing on one leg like a golden rooster stance, White Zetsu nearly lost his balance and shouted anxiously for backup.
"Since you're asking so nicely, I guess I'll stop playing with these guys."
Hearing White Zetsu's call, the real Zetsu—who had been playing whack-a-mole with Akimichi Shitō and the others—immediately activated the spores he had planted on their bodies, knowing Takeshi was too tricky to face directly.
In an instant, while still maintaining Partial Multi-Size Jutsu, Akimichi Shitō felt his energy drain away, his steps suddenly growing heavy.
Looking down, he saw a half-faced White Zetsu rapidly swelling, soon growing to nearly adult size.
Tobitake Tonbo and Shimon were the same—their chakra reserves had been average to begin with, and now, drained by White Zetsu, they instantly felt like they had aged into middle age.
Immediately after, countless branches sprouted from Zetsu's body, binding the trio as they fell.
"That's… Wood Release!"
Akimichi Shitō recognized the jutsu instantly, shock filling his face.
With them restrained, Zetsu controlled a massive branch to lash straight toward Takeshi.
Takeshi also noticed the black portions on Zetsu's body—proof that Black Zetsu really was present. Forming seals rapidly, he released ninjutsu just before the branch pierced through him.
"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
Like a rampaging dragon, roaring flames surged in from three directions—left, right, and front—engulfing the Wood Release and instantly reducing the leading branches to ash.
"As expected, this won't be easy."
Seeing this, Zetsu condensed more branches together, trying to resist Takeshi's flames.
"Eh? What, no one's gonna help me?"
White Zetsu was running with arms flailing, his backside almost catching fire.
"Shut up."
The black portion spoke, sending out a vine to save the almost-singed White Zetsu.
The rest of the branches continued charging toward the fire-style flames.
When the outer layer of branches finally burned away, Zetsu managed to break through Takeshi's fire.
But Takeshi's former position was already empty.
Turning, Zetsu saw Takeshi had reappeared by his comrades' side using the Flying Thunder God.
[So he really did leave Flying Thunder God marks on his teammates…]
Zetsu looked at Takeshi with unease.
And Sasori's body also carried a mark.
Which meant even if he stalled Takeshi for a while, once Takeshi was free, he could teleport straight to Sasori.
Zetsu hesitated, considering whether to abandon Sasori altogether.
At the same time, a dark hostility grew toward Takeshi.
This man's existence could very well ruin his entire plan.
Perhaps it was best to find a way to kill him.
But Takeshi, unaware of Black Zetsu's murderous intent, simply swung his blade, severing the branches and spores binding his comrades.
Freed, Akimichi Shitō and the others shot Takeshi grateful looks, then stood and resumed battle stances.
The remaining flames spread through the nearby forest, casting the group's figures clearly in the flickering blaze.
"This is bad. This guy's not easy to handle."
White Zetsu still wore his goofy expression.
Suddenly Takeshi struck, cutting off Zetsu's thoughts.
"Eh?"
White Zetsu tried to dodge—only to realize Takeshi's target was actually Zetsu.
Caught off guard, Zetsu's shoulder was sliced open by a deep wound.
[The target… was me?!]
He swung massive branches to destroy two of Takeshi's clones, but could only watch as Takeshi's true body weaved between the branches, never letting him land a hit.
Kicking off hard, Takeshi spun midair, reversing momentum, then aimed White Fang's blade downward, driving it toward Zetsu's head.
Zetsu quickly formed new branches, condensing them into a massive drill that thrust upward to counter.
"Multi-Size Jutsu!"
With some chakra restored, Akimichi Shitō charged like a raging bull straight at Zetsu.
Assaulted from two directions, Zetsu stood his ground, building a thorn-covered wall of vines.
But he underestimated Akimichi Shitō's sheer force—the hastily built defense shattered under impact, throwing Zetsu's counter at Takeshi off course.
The giant drill was torn apart by lightning and fire. Closing in, Takeshi abandoned White Fang, urging Isobu within him to pour out more chakra.
"Wind Style: Super Vacuum Wave!"