Infiltration

People's prejudices were a towering mountain.

The general view was that White Zetsu were sinister, cunning, evil creatures that would stop at nothing to achieve their illusory goals. But what if one observed White Zetsu without prejudice?

Could they not become good people belonging solely to Yuzhen, noble beings who devoted themselves selflessly to him?

Although all the White Zetsu of this era had been brainwashed into servants of the Divine Tree, their core essence came from the ninjas of ancient times. After experiencing Infinite Tsukuyomi and hanging from the Divine Tree to dry for a long time, they had only then become what they were now... This was what Yuzhen believed to be the truth.

In a sense, although they could not be compared to actual "fruit," they were still things that had grown on the Divine Tree.

The Divine Tree was also a tree. Since they were things that had grown on a tree, squeezing them for juice might produce some nutrient-rich liquid.

Having obtained corresponding benefits, Yuzhen had set his sights on White Zetsu despite once suffering severe stomach discomfort because of them.

He had seen in White Zetsu a hope that ordinary ninjas could transcend the shackles of their bloodlines.

It was regrettable and tragic, but there was nothing that could be done about it.

As everyone knew, ordinary ninjas and ninjas with Otsutsuki blood were two different species.

Unless one went to extremes and crazily modified their own body, the ceiling of an ordinary ninja was within reach yet impossible to surpass.

If Yuzhen's guess about the White Zetsu "Experience Pack" really proved correct, then he would possess the possibility of breaking through that ceiling... White Zetsu were not born great, but they could die gloriously.

To verify his conjecture, the first thing Yuzhen had to do was capture another White Zetsu.

However, White Zetsu were elusive, and capturing one alive was extremely difficult.

Black Zetsu and White Zetsu had remained hidden for a thousand years, secretly manipulating the course of the ninja world.

Under their instigation, the ninja world had never truly known peace. Yet despite committing so many evil deeds and serving as the hidden masterminds for so many years, they had never been discovered. This showed just how well they could hide.

Fortunately, Yuzhen was different. He was now "White Zetsu-Man," and to a certain extent, he could be considered one of the White Zetsu.

In fact, he really could sense his "kind." As long as another White Zetsu appeared within a certain range of him, they would detect each other immediately.

The prerequisite was that Yuzhen's body had to remain partially transformed into White Zetsu when they met.

"White Zetsu, White Zetsu... Where can I find a White Zetsu?"

Yuzhen was somewhat impatient to verify his conjecture. Along the path to becoming stronger that he had envisioned, there was a clear division of labor...

White Zetsu would be responsible for spending their lives, while he would be responsible for leveling up. It was a win-win situation—a win within a win.

Unfortunately, there were no White Zetsu in these remote mountains and old forests. White Zetsu were busy monitoring the entire ninja world.

Just as Yuzhen was fretting over how to get a fresh White Zetsu, good luck found him once again.

On the fifth day after settling into the camp, while Yuzhen was practicing the Mayfly Technique, his "White Zetsu Transformation" body seemed to receive some kind of information.

He immediately "whitened" his brain, and the information was decoded... It was a gathering signal, requesting that all White Zetsu within a certain range gather at a particular location as quickly as possible.

Speak of the devil, and it appeared. The Experience Pack... Ahem, White Zetsu were about to appear, and they would most likely show up in groups.

This opportunity could not be missed. Yuzhen barely hesitated before deciding to attend the gathering.

Even if he mingled among the White Zetsu, the possibility of his identity being exposed was extremely low.

Considering the risks and comparing them with the potential gains, there was nothing for him to hesitate over.

Yuzhen immediately summoned his two deputies.

Hagane Kenshin had already changed his name to Morinaga Kenshin, while Hagane Ryunosuke had become Hayasaka Ryunosuke.

"The camp has more or less been settled, but that doesn't mean we can waste too much time. Next, I plan to scout the surroundings carefully. Ideally, I want to figure out the Tsugawa Clan's movements...

"Besides, we need supplies. If possible, I'll bring back some grain. We can't keep relying on fishing and hunting for food."

This was an ordinary, routine, and correct course of action. Kenshin and Ryunosuke had no reason to object.

"Captain, what about your injuries?" Ryunosuke asked.

"They're completely fine now."

"I understand. We'll take care of the camp. Please make sure you stay safe."

"Good. I'll leave this place to you... I'm not sure how long this operation will take, but I'll definitely return as soon as possible."

Yuzhen made a simple inspection of his ninja tools, then quickly left the camp.

"The Clan Leader really has changed," Kenshin could not help remarking as he watched Yuzhen's departing figure.

"It's Captain..." Ryunosuke immediately corrected him, then sighed as well. "Responsibility makes people grow."

At first, Yuzhen had been nothing more than an ordinary ninja of mediocre strength, but he had now become the spiritual pillar of everyone here.

The information White Zetsu transmitted to Yuzhen through some instinct or secret technique was actually difficult to interpret in the form of written words, language, or logic. Yuzhen only knew that he was supposed to go to the gathering.

This information could not provide the specific coordinates of a location, either. It could only serve as a guide, telling Yuzhen the direction of his destination and whether he was getting closer or farther away from it, higher or lower.

He would follow this guidance and make his way to the gathering point in a relatively clumsy manner.

Yuzhen's figure burst through the morning mist. The early sun cast cold patches of light through the clouds, while a forest stream wound along its rocky bed. Everything was lush and green.

The scenery was like this, and so was his mood.

At that moment, Yuzhen's heart was faintly restless with anticipation.

Following the guidance, he reached the gathering point about two days later.

Before moving any closer, he transformed his entire body into White Zetsu.

After carefully distinguishing the surrounding environment, he soon found a cave hidden among the trees.

Yuzhen did not enter through the cave entrance. He used the Mayfly Technique, silently passing through the layers of rock.

His face soon emerged from the inner wall of the cave. After observing the area openly and without concealment for a while, he passed through the rock wall and entered the cave.

More than a dozen White Zetsu had already gathered inside, making it look like a meeting of radishes.

Aside from transforming his entire body into White Zetsu, Yuzhen had not even changed his appearance. But he did not think this was a problem and was confident it would not arouse suspicion.

"Why do you look like this?"

Sure enough, after noticing him, a White Zetsu beside him asked the question.

There was only curiosity in this White Zetsu's voice, not suspicion. What did they have to be suspicious of? Yuzhen now looked exactly like a White Zetsu.

"Bad luck. I was caught in a ninja's area-of-effect technique and nearly died. Fortunately, I managed to parasitize this ninja in time and barely saved my life by using his chakra," Yuzhen said.

"That really is unfortunate."

The White Zetsu's tone was casual. It neither considered the "companion's" survival something worth celebrating nor believed the "companion's" death was worth mourning. White Zetsu were, after all, not human. One could not expect them to truly possess human empathy.

Caring about their companions? That was not part of the White Zetsu's thought process. They merely devoted themselves single-mindedly to Mother, producing disasters, monitoring the world, and caring about the Rinnegan and vegetables.