Peace * Black Zetsu

"Gentlemen, I am Uchiha Izuna, the current Minister of the Foreign Affairs Department of the Konoha Special Administrative Region. Next, I will announce the future foreign policy of the Land of Fire and the Konoha Special Administrative Region."

"First, good neighborliness and friendship. We respect the existing territories and sovereignty of all countries. We will not provoke disputes or be the first to use force. The Land of Fire is willing to establish equal dialogue diplomatic relations with all countries, exchange permanent ambassadors, and maintain open channels of communication."

"Second, openness and cooperation. We welcome merchants from all countries to do business in Konoha, and we welcome Ninjas and civilians from all countries to come and exchange ideas, learn, and visit."

"We are in discussions with the authorities of the Land of Fire to simplify customs procedures and facilitate entry for travelers with valid identification."

"At the same time, the Land of Fire respects the laws and customs of all countries and requires all persons entering its territory to abide by its laws. Violators will be dealt with in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Land of Fire."

"Third, trade. We are open to businessmen from all countries to do business in our country, and we welcome you to visit our Capital and conduct trade with us."

"A dedicated foreign trade zone will also be added within the Konoha Special District. For Merchants from abroad, we will provide the same tax relief policies as local Merchants and guarantee their personal and property safety within Konoha."

"At the same time, we encourage Merchants from all ethnic groups to expand overseas and bring Konoha's specialties to other countries. Konoha's mission system will also accept international commissions in the future, but only for non-military missions. Specific details will be announced later."

Fourth, common development. We are willing to share the benefits of the civilian application of Ninjutsu.

"Sealing Jutsu fresh food storage, Earth Release infrastructure engineering technology, and Medical Ninjutsu for treating external injuries—these are all technologies that can benefit everyone."

"If other countries are interested, we can gradually carry out technical exchanges. We also welcome other Shinobi Villages to jointly explore more possibilities of Ninjutsu."

"Konoha is willing to provide a platform for exchange with any Ninja or research institution that is interested in this."

"We specifically stated that, at an appropriate time in the future, Konoha is willing to cooperate with other Shinobi Villages to carry out transnational joint missions, multi-village joint training, and multi-attribute joint technology research and development, and establish a regular educational exchange mechanism."

"This includes exchanging students, mutually recognizing examination results, and sharing basic teaching materials. At the same time, the Konoha Special Administrative Region is willing to consult with all countries and Shinobi Villages to establish a dispute resolution mechanism, replacing confrontation with dialogue and violence with rules, to avoid unnecessary conflicts caused by misunderstandings or accidental incidents."

After White Zetsu finished repeating these words, he tilted his head.

"International students? What are international students? Can you eat them?"

Black Zetsu didn't answer, or rather, he couldn't get a word in edgewise.

Because his body was so small that it would take too much energy to even produce a mouth, and there was no need to pay attention to this idiot's words right now.

Izuna's words were filled with too many new words that he had never heard before.

International students, textbooks, dispute resolution mechanisms, and multi-attribute joint technology research and development—each word needs to be broken down and repeatedly considered before one can piece together the specific things it refers to in their mind.

After piecing the puzzle pieces together, he came to a conclusion.

This person is promoting peace.

This is not the kind of peace that lasts for several years, nor is it the kind of peace where everyone sharpens their swords after signing a treaty.

He attempted to tie all the Shinobi Villages to the same war machine.

Let them permeate each other to the point where they can no longer easily turn against each other through student exchanges, technology sharing, and joint research and development.

Once this mechanism is in operation, hatred will be diluted, suspicion will be worn away, and the conflicts of interest that have driven them to fight each other for thousands of years will be replaced by common interests.

This is not good news for him.

He needs war, he needs hatred.

The Ninjas would have to tear each other apart in the mud until the giant tree deep underground reopened its eyes. If this man continued on this path, his plans would be completely disrupted.

But he is now at a loss.

Last time, he was almost pinned to the ground by that Chakra Blade that glowed with blue light.

That energy still lingers in his body, like countless tiny hooks piercing deep inside, impossible to pull out or contain.

He has been recuperating for a long time, but he has not fully recovered to this day.

At this moment, he was curled up in a crevice deep underground, unable to even solidify into a physical form. He could only barely rely on the White Zetsu's ability to freely travel underground and use its eyes to see the surface.

This was his only informant.

Awakening this White Zetsu had exhausted his remaining power.

He could no longer awaken a second one, nor could he command this White Zetsu to carry out any orders that carried even the slightest risk.

Once it is discovered and destroyed, it will completely lose all sources of intelligence and become utterly blind.

So now he can only listen to that bastard's peace policy from who-knows-where, and can't do anything about it.

How hateful! How hateful!

If he had known this would happen, he shouldn't have been hanging around that guy in the first place.

They were all in the Capital of the Land of Fire at the time. Even if the effect wasn't good, it would be good to stir up hatred between the Senju and Uchiha in Konoha.

All it takes is a rumor, an assassination attempt, and a clan crest left behind at the scene.

He had done something this simple thousands of times without ever failing. But back then, he chose to tamper with it right under his nose, simply because that was the most effective way to break up the alliance.

Why didn't I consider this person, this outsider, who might possess powers I was unaware of?

Such a suspicious place, and I never even considered it, assuming that there couldn't possibly be anyone in this world who could sense its existence...

I deeply regret it.

Now their strength has begun to gather, and even deep-seated hatred cannot stop their advance.

The gathering of Delegations from Four Nations in Konoha this time is his best opportunity, and also his last chance, to interrupt this momentum.

Once this critical juncture passes, and all systems are implemented and operational, the interests of all ethnic groups are firmly tied to the village. If he tries to provoke conflict again, it will no longer have much effect.

But what can he do with this body now? He can't even solidify into a physical form.

The White Zetsu was poking at a beetle with a leaf nearby, muttering something like, "It's going to rain."

This useless piece of trash! He's utterly incapable of any great use! Yet he's now my only informant, my only pawn, and all he can do with him is observe!

No way! We absolutely cannot miss this opportunity!

Even if he ultimately fails to achieve his goal, he's determined to stir things up and create an opportunity!

Black Zetsu's expression was gloomy.

It seems we have no choice but to seek cooperation from him.

Ōtsutsuki, Isshiki!

An hour ago, after finishing his speech, Izuna glanced at the map again.

A distinct white dot moved in his field of vision, leaving the Hokage Building, crossing the Commercial Street, and disappearing underground along the drainage ditch.

That's the White Zetsu on whom Black Zetsu placed such high hopes.

Izuna snorted coldly. This Black Zetsu really hasn't changed his ways.

After escaping last time, they actually dared to send White Zetsu to scout out the situation.

He looked away from the map.

But now is not the time to alert them.

He had no memory of his rampage in the Capital City, and he still hadn't found a way to completely crush Black Zetsu.

That thing existed in a way completely different from ordinary Ninjas; it had no internal organs, no bones, and not even a fixed form.

Physical attacks and Ninjutsu damage are effective against him, but to a limited extent. The best approach is still Senjutsu, Yin-Yang Release, or Sealing Jutsu.

But even putting aside whether he can learn these three skills, he has so many things to do right now and doesn't have time to learn them.

He tried to awaken the Sharingan that Madara and Hashirama had mentioned, but he couldn't even get the Mitsudomoe to come out, let alone the Mangekyō Sharingan. He might as well just give up and go to sleep.

There are also Senjutsu.

Hashirama had previously taken some time to create a Wood Release clone and teach him.

When teaching him, I unusually put away my usual joking expression, sat cross-legged in front of him, and explained the principles of Natural Energy in detail.

He listened attentively, took two full pages of notes, and then sat on the grass by the Naka River to meditate.

Hashirama said that to perceive Natural Energy, one must empty one's mind and not try to capture it, but rather let it flow in on its own.

He tried to empty his mind, trying not to exert any force.

Then I tried my best to fall asleep.

When he woke up, the sun was already setting. Hashirama's clone was still sitting next to him, teasing an ant with a blade of grass. Seeing him open his eyes, the clone grinned and said, "It's alright, it's alright. I was like that too."

He buried his face in his knees, his ears burning.

He sat on the ground, recalling those experiences, and scratched his face somewhat awkwardly.

Honestly, did I really use that power? Did Madara and Hashirama really not see things correctly?

But judging from the fact that Black Zetsu only sent White Zetsu to gather information, it must be true.

But how exactly can these powers be unlocked?

Ugh, my head hurts.