Chapter 108: Black Zetsu Rescues His Mother

On Earth, Orochimaru, Madara Uchiha, and Kimimaro lived in seclusion within a hidden base of the Snake Organization.

Orochimaru busied himself endlessly in the laboratory, absorbed in some unknown research.

Kimimaro appeared listless and despondent; without assisting Orochimaru, life seemed utterly meaningless to him. His existence was reduced to mere decay.

Madara Uchiha, too, lay bored on his bed, hands clasped behind his head. He found himself wishing that Hashirama was here with him.

Hashirama should currently be on another continent, spreading his training methods. News of Madara’s resurrection had likely reached him by now. Madara missed Hashirama, but would never be the one to seek him out. Yet Hashirama, fully aware of his return, still hadn’t come to find him, which only fueled his irritation.

Suddenly, Madara sat up, eyes fixed ahead. Though nothing was physically there, his Sharingan revealed an underground scene.

“Finally moving?” he murmured.

In the vision, a shadow darted through the earth—Kurozetsu.

Madara watched Kurozetsu intently. Seeing him take action brought an immediate sense of relief.

“It’s time to deal with you,” Madara said coldly.

He intended to close the chapter on his past life with a perfect ending.

***

Kurozetsu sped through the underground tunnels—soon, he would rescue his mother!

Since Orochimaru had revealed the three secret training methods, Kurozetsu set his sights on the lord of a minor country.

The five great nations’ lords were off-limits: as the highest-ranking individuals among ordinary people, they were under strict surveillance by Orochimaru’s faction, too risky to approach. Likewise, those with great renown or connections to Orochimaru were untouchable.

After much consideration, Kurozetsu settled on the Lord of the Land of Grass.

The Land of Grass had long aspired to become a major power and had covertly acted against the other great nations, making it a suitable target.

Slipping into the lord’s bedchamber, Kurozetsu extended a shadowy head from the wall, addressing the figure on the bed with a somber voice: “Lord of the Land of Grass, have my orders been accomplished?”

The figure on the bed suddenly sat up, startled and panting heavily beneath the curtains.

“It’s you, Kurozetsu. The task is done,” the lord said with relief.

Only Kurozetsu could enter this chamber without a sound.

Composing himself, the lord drew back the curtains and stepped out, clad only in white pajamas, joy evident in his features.

A broad smile split Kurozetsu’s lips. “Then hand them over quickly.”

The lord sat down, pouring himself tea as he asked, “What about your promise to me?”

Earlier, Kurozetsu had pledged to help the Land of Grass become a superpower on par with the great nations, in exchange for assistance gathering Orochimaru’s three secret training methods.

Kurozetsu suddenly laughed—a ploy to trick the lord, never intending to help him.

“My promise? Hah. You’d better hand over the training methods now.”

The lord’s expression twisted with disbelief and fury. “You lied to me? Then you’ll never get the three methods!”

Kurozetsu laughed menacingly, revealing his true intentions. “That’s out of your hands now!”

He became a black shadow and infiltrated the lord’s body.

Staggering, the lord tried to flee, knocking over a tea table, but Kurozetsu succeeded.

Possessing the lord’s body, he activated a “spiritual fusion” technique.

His black form began merging with the lord’s spirit, which was originally transparent but now darkened by Kurozetsu’s influence.

This technique was formidable; even powerful ninja could fall victim, so an ordinary person like the lord stood no chance.

During the fusion, Kurozetsu gained access to the lord’s memories and effortlessly controlled his body, making it easy to seize Orochimaru’s three secret training methods.

***

Outside the capital of the Land of Grass, in a dark forest, lay a pitch-black cave.

Inside, five remaining members of the Akatsuki hid.

After the battle at War Castle, Itachi Uchiha, Naruto, Sasuke, Rock Lee, and others had been captured, their fate unknown.

Only White Zetsu, Kakuzu, Hidan, Sasori, and Deidara remained.

The cave was damp and shadowy, an unbearable environment for Deidara, who felt utterly miserable.

“I’m done. I’m quitting the Akatsuki,” Deidara declared.

With the organization now fragmented, and the new leader Itachi’s fate uncertain, leaderless and chaotic, should they blindly follow Kurozetsu’s arrangements?

“Do whatever you want. I’m done. If you think I’m a traitor, then so be it!” Deidara stood, ready to leave.

Resolved to quit.

Kakuzu interjected, “But if you quit, Orochimaru won’t let you go. Staying together lets us watch each other’s backs.”

He was genuinely terrified—afraid of death above all else.

Now that Akatsuki had crossed Orochimaru, who was at the height of his power and invincible, their fate was grim.

Deidara sneered coldly, “It’s just death. What’s to fear?”

Suddenly, his face lit with fanatic zeal. “I pursue ultimate art! I’m done playing with you. I’m going to find that Itachi guy and settle our accounts...”

Deidara left.

Sasori, who had long teamed with Deidara, thought a moment and said to Kakuzu and the others, “I’m leaving too. I’ll go with Deidara. He won’t be used to it without me. When Kurozetsu returns, tell him for me.”

Kakuzu watched them leave and sighed deeply.

“It’s dangerous out there. If Orochimaru catches us, we’re dead,” he said, voice thick with fear.

At that moment, Hidan slapped Kakuzu on the shoulder, startling him.

“What?” Kakuzu asked.

“I’ve thought about it. Maybe being immortal isn’t so great after all.”

Indeed, being the only immortal in the world was impressive, but with many around, immortality lost its luster.

Even dull-witted Hidan had a rare moment of reflection.

“What are you planning? You’re not thinking of leaving, too?” Kakuzu asked.

Hidan nodded. “Yes. I don’t know what my future holds, and with this headache, I might as well go work at a hospital.”

Kakuzu panicked. “What hospital job? If you go openly, won’t Orochimaru find you? Even with your immortality, you’ll die!”

Hidan shrugged. “If I die, so be it. Maybe I’ll even thank Orochimaru for letting me experience ultimate pleasure.”

Kakuzu was speechless.

Hidan left but insisted Kakuzu come along.

“Come with me. Without you, who’ll sew up my neck when it’s cut?”

“I won’t!”

“No buts. Staying here will just let your money rot. Are you sure your stash is still safe?”

“What?! Then let’s check on my money!”

Kakuzu feared two things most: death and losing his money—the latter far worse.

“White Zetsu, I leave the mission of informing Kurozetsu to you.”

White Zetsu nodded; only he remained.

***

When Kurozetsu returned and saw only White Zetsu in the cave, he blinked in surprise.

“Where is everyone?”

“They left. They quit the Akatsuki,” White Zetsu replied.

Kurozetsu was silent for a moment.

“Good.”

Whether they stayed or left no longer mattered; he was about to rescue his mother, and having only White Zetsu left was preferable.

From his black form, he produced over a hundred training serums.

“Drink these quickly, White Zetsu. You will become the next Orochimaru, the new leader of the Akatsuki. Reviving the organization depends on you!”

White Zetsu nodded without suspicion and began to drink the serums.

***

Back in the Snake Organization’s base, Madara’s eyes gleamed brightly.

Kaguya Otsutsuki was finally about to be resurrected.

He had been waiting for this moment with uncontainable anticipation.