Mother and Son Meet

Black Zetsu himself had not expected his threat just now to work so well. The people who had been about to drag him away had suddenly frozen awkwardly in place, with no intention of taking the next step for quite a while.

That meant this group really did know about his mother, Otsutsuki Kaguya. They had even likely met her already; otherwise, they would not have acted so wary.

At that thought, the corner of Black Zetsu's mouth curled up, and he said, "You had best release me right now, then take me to see my mother. As for what happened just now, I can pretend it never happened."

Hearing Black Zetsu's words, all the ninja present were so angry they cursed inwardly. Black Zetsu had clearly been the one to attack first on their territory, yet now he was acting as if he were the victim.

Still, staying deadlocked like this was no solution. Onoki looked toward Hiruzen Sarutobi and said, "How about you send someone to invite Saint Gigue over? Though I do wonder whether you Konoha can actually get him to come."

The corner of Hiruzen Sarutobi's mouth twitched at that. Before he could reply, Onoki seemed to suddenly remember something and abruptly turned to Kurotsuchi beside him, asking, "Wait a minute. Didn't I send you today to... er, why are you here?"

Kurotsuchi's expression stiffened. She stuck out her tongue, lowered her head, and said nothing. Onoki knew his granddaughter far too well. One look at her like this, and he understood what had happened. Still, he merely sighed helplessly. She was his granddaughter, after all. If she truly did not want to carry out that kind of mission, then so be it.

A also caught on at this point. So that old brat Onoki had