Tsunade's heart sank.
"Does he have any specific suspects?"
"Yes." A hesitated, "But I'm not sure whether I should say it or not."
"Say!"
"The object of his suspicion is..." A took a deep breath, "Third Hokage's son, Asuma."
"What?"
Tsunade eyes widened.
Asuma is the son of the Third Hokage and the Jonin squad leader of Konoha.
If he is possessed by Black Zetsu, the consequences will be disastrous.
"What evidence does Danzo have?" Kakashi asked hurriedly.
"There is no conclusive evidence." A shook his head, "Just some abnormal behavior. For example, Asuma often goes out alone recently, and every time he comes back, he brings some strange things."
"What?"
"Some ancient scrolls, and some Chakra crystals of unknown origin."
Tsunade and Kakashi looked at each other.
"We have to check it out." Tsunade said.
"But be careful." A reminded, "If Asuma is really possessed by Black Zetsu, he will definitely be on guard. A rash investigation may alert the enemy."
"I know."
Tsunade took three scrolls and left the secret base.
Returning to Hokage's Office, she immediately summoned the core members.
Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Ino, Shikamaru, and Kakashi.
"This is the situation." Tsunade briefly explained the information about Danzo, "We now suspect that Asuma is possessed by Black Zetsu."
"Teacher Asuma?" Shikamaru was stunned.
He is a student of Asuma and has a deep affection for his teacher.
"It's just suspicion." Tsunade said, "There is no conclusive evidence yet."
"Then how do we confirm?" Sakura asked.
"Ino." Tsunade looked at her, "Can you check Asuma's mental state?"
"You can try." Ino said, "But if he is really possessed by Black Zetsu, Black Zetsu may be aware of my spiritual perception."
"Then hurry." Sasuke said, "Complete the inspection before Black Zetsu reacts."
"I understand."
"Shikamaru." Tsunade turned to him, "You know Asuma best. Do you think there is anything unusual about him recently?"
Shikamaru was silent for a long time.
"Yes." He finally said, "Asuma Teacher does have something wrong recently."
"What's wrong?"
"He has become very silent." Shikamaru said, "He used to like to chat and joke with us. But recently he rarely talks and is often alone in a daze."
"Any more?"
"His fighting style has also changed." Shikamaru said, "He used to use melee combat, but recently he prefers to use long-range attacks. Moreover, his Chakra Wave movements are also a bit strange, and sometimes he suddenly becomes very cold."
Tsunade feels increasingly heavy.
These symptoms are indeed very similar to being possessed by Black Zetsu.
"Then when will we take action?" Naruto asked.
"Tomorrow." Tsunade said, "Tomorrow Asuma will go on a mission. We stopped him when he left the village and checked him."
"What if he is really possessed?" Sakura asked worriedly.
"Then find a way to force Black Zetsu out." Sasuke said.
"How?"
"Use Six Paths Power." Sasuke looked at Naruto, "Black Zetsu is afraid of Six Paths Power. If we use Six Paths Chakra to suppress it, it may leave the host on its own initiative."
"But I still can't fully control Six Paths Power." Naruto scratched his head.
"Then try your best." Sasuke said, "It's better than doing nothing."
Early the next morning.
Konoha East Gate.
Asuma is carrying a mission bag and is preparing to leave the village.
"Asuma teacher!"
Shikamaru suddenly appeared and stopped him.
"Shikamaru?" Asuma was stunned for a moment, "Why are you here?"
"I'm here to see you off." Shikamaru smiled, "I heard that you are going on a mission, so I wanted to come and see you off."
"You don't have to be so polite." Asuma patted his shoulder, "I'll be back soon."
"Then I have to give it as a gift." Shikamaru said, "After all, you are my teacher."
Asuma smiled.
But that smile was a little stiff.
"Okay, thank you then." After he said that, he turned around and prepared to leave.
"Wait." Shikamaru called him again.
"What else?"
"I have a question to ask you." Shikamaru said, "Have you encountered any trouble recently?"
Asuma's body stiffened slightly.
"No," he said, "I'm fine."
"Really?" Shikamaru stared into his eyes, "But I think something is wrong with you recently."
"What's wrong?"
"You have become very silent and often stay alone." Shikamaru said, "You were not like this before."
Asuma was silent.
"People always change." He finally said, "You will understand too."
"I don't want to understand." Shikamaru said, "I just want to know if you are in any trouble. If so, please tell me. I can help you."
Asuma looked at Shikamaru with complicated eyes.
"Shikamaru." He said, "There are some things that you can't help with."
"Why?"
"Because it's too dangerous."
"Then let me face it with you!" Shikamaru said, "I am your student, and I can't just watch you bear it alone."
Asuma smiled.
But that smile was very bitter.
"You're still the same," he said, "Always so stubborn."
"I learned that from you."
"Really?" Asuma turned around, "Then come with me."
He left the village with Shikamaru.
The two walked into the woods, going deeper and deeper.
Shikamaru sensed something was wrong.
"Teacher Asuma, where are we going?"
"Go to a safe place." Asuma said, "No one will disturb us there."
"What do you mean?"
Asuma did not answer.
He continued to walk forward, faster and faster.
Shikamaru followed, feeling increasingly uneasy.
Finally, they came to a clearing.
There is a huge rock in the middle of the clearing.
Asuma stopped and turned around.
"Shikamaru." he said, "Do you really want to know what trouble I'm in?"
"Of course."
"Then let me tell you." Asuma's eyes suddenly turned cold, "I am possessed by a monster."
Shikamaru's pupils shrank.
"What?"
"You heard it right." Asuma said, "There is a monster inside me. It controls my body and makes me do a lot of things I don't want to do."
"Then let's go back to the village quickly!" Shikamaru said, "Lord Hokage must have a way to save you!"
"It's too late." Asuma shook his head, "That monster has completely controlled me. If I go back to the village, it will use my body to hurt more people."
"What should we do?"
"Kill me." Asuma said calmly.
"What?" Shikamaru's eyes widened.
"Kill me." Asuma repeated, "This is the only way."
"I can't do it!" Shikamaru shouted, "You are my teacher! How could I kill you?"
"Then you just wait to see me kill other people." Asuma said, "Including Ino, Choji, and your father."
Shikamaru was shaking all over.
"No..."
"Let's do it."
Asuma Close your eyes.
"While I can still suppress it."