Chapter 369: Black Zetsu—Living Like a Simp
With Kaguya's escape, the Moon cracked open, and the Rinnegan's power that Nagato had cast upon it seemed to be affected by Almighty as well.
Some of those trapped in Infinite Tsukuyomi began regaining consciousness, as if the impact of the Almighty's power was disrupting the illusion.
Breaking free from the branches, they looked around in shock and confusion.
"What happened? Wasn't I just getting married to Rena? Wait… that was the enemy's genjutsu?!"
"Rena? You brat! You were thinking about my wife?!"
"No, big bro, it was a dream! Listen to my expla—my excuse! I mean, my explanation!"
In just a few breaths, these shinobi had first been dragged into an illusory paradise, then violently ripped out of it by an unexpected phenomenon, leaving even the most experienced warriors disoriented and accidentally blurting out their deepest secrets—causing absolute chaos on the battlefield.
A few seconds later, Tsunade was the first to recover. She quickly assessed the situation.
The battlefield was now enveloped by wood-style trees even more terrifying than her grandfather's, suspending every shinobi midair. However, thanks to the strange power that had just surged through the area, some of the stronger ones had managed to escape the genjutsu's effects.
But that wasn't the most important thing.
What mattered was… who had freed them.
"Wait… wasn't that the person Nagato brought with him?"
Tsunade's eyes widened in shock.
Meanwhile, Nagato, realizing the situation had shifted unpredictably, withdrew from the fight, his brows furrowed. He had never expected Kaguya's Almighty to be powerful enough to affect Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Back at the Command Center, Madara Uchiha narrowed his eyes at the cracked Moon, his expression darkening.
Who just made their move?
Hashirama was also momentarily stunned.
"…Was it Hyuga Fuji?"
He was the only person Hashirama could think of capable of interfering with Infinite Tsukuyomi.
---
"It has finally begun."
Inside the spiritual domain, Hyuga Fuji turned to Hyuga Shizuka, who stood quietly beside him.
"It's your turn now. Go."
"…Alright."
Hyuga Shizuka nodded slightly.
Taking a deep breath, she slowly closed her eyes and began channeling chakra. As the energy flowed through her, her spiritual force spread like a tide, resonating with her physical body. Her consciousness faded from this space.
Hyuga Fuji observed her departure, the black eye on his forehead and his Tenseigan's power subtly expanding as she moved.
Meanwhile, in the real world, Hyuga Fuji also rose to his feet—heading straight for the battlefield.
"It's time to end this war."
---
"My power… it's finally back!"
Kaguya was ecstatic. The familiar presence of her full strength surged through her body, and she could hardly contain her excitement.
Meanwhile, Black Zetsu, hidden within her sleeve, also felt the surge and became just as excited—though he remained more rational than Kaguya.
"Mother, the priority is reclaiming the Ten-Tails. I don't know why Hyuga Fuji hasn't stopped you yet, but now that you're free, I imagine he'll arrive soon."
Kaguya's gaze sharpened, and she nodded.
He was right.
Even if Isshiki had chosen not to stop her before, he definitely wouldn't sit back and let her regain all her power now.
They were mortal enemies—sworn to destroy each other.
With that thought, Kaguya turned to Nagato, who had stepped back from the battlefield. He was also watching her carefully.
As Kaguya's power fully returned, Nagato could feel it—a presence beyond his own, an aura akin to an ancient, primeval beast staring him down.
Yet, Nagato showed no fear.
"Transfer your power to me. That's an order."
"..."
Kaguya didn't move. Instead, she stared at him with greedy eyes.
Nagato frowned, sighing.
"So she's out of control. Not unexpected… Bayakushi."
According to the original plan, he was supposed to be the vessel for her power. But instead, this Hyuga woman had absorbed it herself—proving that Kotoamatsukami's control over her had been broken.
Had she never been under control to begin with? Or had Almighty undone the mind manipulation? Nagato had no way of knowing.
But… so what?
Even if she had absorbed Kaguya's power, it wouldn't change anything.
Much of Kaguya's strength came from the Ten-Tails. Without it, no matter how high her potential, Nagato was confident he could still handle her.
And besides—this wasn't even the real Kaguya.
She was just a Hyuga clan member.
Power like hers wasn't something that could be mastered instantly. And they wouldn't give her the time to adapt.
Squelch!
Suddenly, a hand emerged from the void, piercing straight through Kaguya's chest.
"Almighty's power is beyond imagination. It was necessary to take extra precautions."
Standing behind her, Bayakushi looked at Kaguya with a complicated expression—mixed with a hint of self-mockery.
With Infinite Tsukuyomi disrupted, he had also awakened from his dream.
"…I couldn't even control a single Hyuga properly. I've truly failed Lord Jigen's expectations."
Bayakushi's voice was calm. "If not for the curse mark I placed on your heart, today's plan would've been ruined. Now, I'll just control your body and finish what you couldn't."
Nagato watched all of this unfold with cold indifference—clearly, he had known about Bayakushi's preparations in advance.
But just as he believed nothing unexpected would happen—
Kaguya suddenly turned to him with an unnervingly calm expression.
She whispered,
"All-Killing Ash Bones. Yomi Hirasaka."
A gray bone blade appeared in her hand.
A space-time portal silently opened behind Bayakushi.
And then—
Shnk!
The bone impaled Bayakushi's chest from behind.
At first, Bayakushi didn't react—assuming it was just a desperate, meaningless attack.
But then—he realized with horror—his entire body was disintegrating into ash.
"Wh-what kind of technique is this?!"
Panic filled his voice as he desperately tried to pull the bone from his body—but it was too late.
The moment he touched it…
His entire existence was erased.
Watching this unfold, Nagato instinctively stepped back—a rare look of genuine shock crossing his face.
"What… are you?"
Kaguya stood calmly, an unshakable force towering before them all.
"Kaguya Otsutsuki—the true master of the Ten-Tails."
Before she could speak further, Black Zetsu let out a sinister chuckle.
"Nagato… the power you've been searching for? It comes from her."
Nagato's expression darkened. "…Black Zetsu? Since when were you allied with Kaguya?"
Hearing this, Black Zetsu laughed even harder.
"Allied? Hah! She is my mother!"
"I orchestrated every war in the shinobi world. The Akatsuki? Just my pawns. Even Uchiha Madara—he was my—"
Mid-sentence, Black Zetsu abruptly stopped.
Wait.
Was Madara really his pawn?
Thinking back, what had Madara actually done for him?
Basically, just created the Rinnegan.
And in return, he had been sent to Hyuga Fuji, tortured beyond belief, forced to run errands, stepped on by his own clones, and wasn't even recognized as Madara's will anymore.
…Who was really the pawn here?
Black Zetsu suddenly realized—he had been nothing but a simp for Madara all along.
And now, he couldn't even betray Madara to get back at him.
How frustrating.
(End of Chapter)