Senju Syura and Uchiha Yui stood facing each other, separated by several meters.
"So fast…"
Senju Syura forced a bit of calm onto his face, meeting Uchiha Yui's scarlet Sharingan with a steady gaze.
But only he knew that his heart was pounding like a drum, each beat hitting his chest so hard it felt suffocating.
The woman in front of him was the only female clan leader of the Uchiha clan at present, and also recognized across the ninja world as the fastest.
It was said that her Body Flicker Technique was incredibly fast.
Back then, even the Hyuga clan leader couldn't contend with her.
But Black Zetsu remained unusually calm, even carrying a hint of casual scrutiny.
His gaze passed through Senju Syura's senses and fell on Uchiha Yui.
'So this is this generation's reincarnation of Indra? The reincarnations are really getting worse with each generation…', Black Zetsu thought to himself.
Though this woman was called the fastest in the ninja world, among the geniuses Black Zetsu had seen, she was only average.
"You're from the Hatake clan, right?"
Uchiha Yui held her sword, the blade slanted toward the ground, its cold light reflecting her sharp features.
Her Sharingan locked tightly onto Senju Syura, her tone completely devoid of warmth, carrying an unquestionable pressure, "What is your purpose for coming here?"
"Is the Hatake clan also joining the war?"
"Say it, and I'll give you a quick death.", Uchiha Yui said coldly.
Black Zetsu took a deep breath and asked in a low voice, "Syura, do you trust me?"
Senju Syura didn't hesitate at all.
"Of course I trust you! Teacher has given me a second life!", Senju Syura said firmly.
This trust was pure and unwavering, without the slightest hesitation.
Black Zetsu nodded slightly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes, and continued, "Then next, I will take control of your body. At that time, your consciousness will fall asleep."
"Don't worry, I won't harm you. I'll just deal with the situation in front of us for you."
"Alright!"
Senju Syura agreed without the slightest hesitation.
He closed his eyes and willingly handed over control of his body entirely to Black Zetsu. His consciousness sank like into the deep sea, gradually falling into sleep.
Black Zetsu's consciousness completely took over the body. He slowly opened his eyes. The eyes that originally belonged to Senju Syura were now filled with darkness.
Black markings appeared on Senju Syura's body, and a black aura surrounded him.
His eyes turned completely black, even a bit eerie.
It was as if he was possessed by a ghost.
Something like this, probably still emitting black aura. If it's uncomfortable, remind me and I'll delete it.
Black Zetsu instantly figured everything out.
The Great Sage's intention had long been hidden within those ambiguous instructions.
If he wanted Senju Syura to lose, there was no need to send him here at all. Just letting things happen would be enough.
With Senju Syura's strength, facing someone like Uchiha Yui, there was absolutely no chance of survival.
The Great Sage sending him here clearly meant he wanted him to ensure Senju Syura won this fight.
It was just that the Great Sage cared about appearances and didn't want to say it directly, which was why he set the rule of "not using the Mayfly Technique to escape, but allowing moderate assistance."
And during these days together, Black Zetsu had also seen clearly that Senju Syura held the Six Paths Great Sage in the highest respect. This kind of character was worth supporting.
If someone who respected the Six Paths Sage like this still ended up badly, then it could only be blamed on fate.
With his decision made, Black Zetsu no longer hesitated.
Although the Great Sage's rules restricted the use of the Mayfly Technique and senjutsu, they allowed him to provide additional support in "extraordinary circumstances."
This current standoff was undoubtedly that so-called extraordinary situation.
"Senju Syura" slowly spoke.
But this time, what came out was a low and hoarse voice, completely different from his original tone, carrying a chilling coldness.
"Alright, then next… we switch."
'Switch.'
Uchiha Yui's brows instantly tightened, her scarlet Sharingan narrowing sharply.
The Senju Syura before her was now surrounded by a thick, ink-like black mist. As the mist churned, it emitted a cold, bone-piercing aura. His entire presence became eerie and terrifying, completely different from his earlier panicked escape.
"Could this really be some kind of forbidden technique?"
Uchiha Yui's nerves tightened slightly, a strange sense of danger creeping into her heart.
"Oh my, how scary!"
Looking at Senju Syura's ghostly appearance, Uchiha Yui couldn't help but say it out loud, though there wasn't a trace of fear in her tone.
Who was she? She was the famous Uchiha female clan leader of the ninja world, someone who even dared to tease the Six Paths Sage!
Let alone this strange black mist in front of her, even if a real ghost appeared, or even if the Six Paths Sage himself stood before her, she, Uchiha Yui, would still dare to raise her blade and fight head-on.
In an instant, Uchiha Yui suppressed all her surprise. The sword in her hand slowly lifted, the cold blade pointing directly at the forehead of the Black Zetsu-controlled Senju Syura, her Sharingan spinning rapidly.
At this tense moment, Black Zetsu suddenly controlled Senju Syura's body...
"When there were too many people just now, I couldn't run away. Now I'm kneeling to you, can you spare my life?", Black Zetsu begged with a crying face.
The moment these words came out, the surrounding Uchiha pursuers froze collectively.
After exchanging looks, they burst into laughter, "Hahaha! This kid was putting on a mysterious act for so long, turns out he's just a coward afraid of death!"
"I'm dying laughing! I thought he had some shocking trump card, and he just kneels and begs for mercy!"
Uchiha Yui's mouth twitched hard, her face full of speechlessness and confusion.
'I thought something big was coming, turns out it really was something "big."'
But Uchiha Yui still kept a calm face, remaining on guard. She wasn't that easy to fool.
At the very moment when everyone was amused by the sudden begging and their guard dropped...
The eyes of the Black Zetsu-controlled Senju Syura suddenly shifted, and a cunning, wicked smile curled at his lips.
Without any warning, he suddenly raised his hand and threw out a smoke bomb he had prepared in advance.
Puff!
Thick white smoke exploded instantly, completely swallowing Senju Syura's figure and blocking everyone's vision.
Taking advantage of the confusion and the moment when the pursuers couldn't react...
Black Zetsu instantly sensed the weakest point in the encirclement. Controlling Senju Syura's body, he burst forward at extreme speed like an arrow released from a bow, rushing straight toward that gap.
Who was Black Zetsu?
He was the ultimate survivor among survivors.
With so many people, plus the clan leader, and the Hagoromo clan about to arrive as well... there was no way to fight head-on.
So there was only one choice.
Run!
———
[Mount Myoboku]
Kaguya and Arisu suddenly locked eyes.
Arisu's eyes were deep and clear, like a hidden pool, cold and profound.
Kaguya's heartbeat suddenly became chaotic. She hurriedly turned her head away, avoiding his gaze.
"Arisu, when will it come back?"
Kaguya clutched her sleeve slightly and spoke softly, her tone carrying a trace of unease.
"Mm…"
Arisu's expression remained cold, his whole body carrying a distant chill that kept others away. His tone was calm and emotionless. "It will probably take some time."
After saying that, Arisu raised his eyes to look at Kaguya. His gaze turned slightly heavy, carrying a hint of warning as he said word by word, "During this time, stay in Mount Myoboku. Live at my Longevity Peak. Don't have any improper thoughts."
In truth, Arisu didn't feel any concern at all.
His killing intent detection hadn't been triggered for hundreds of years.
Because no one could threaten him.
He wasn't afraid of Kaguya harboring thoughts of revival or secretly plotting against him. This warning was just a casual, symbolic reminder.
Kaguya lowered her eyes. Her long lashes trembled lightly as she nodded obediently and said softly, "Mm… I understand."