The Truth: A Full Explanation for Itachi
"I've seen this before? This..." Itachi kept recalling people he had met, but after a long thought, he still couldn't remember who it was. He shook his head and said, "Grandpa, I can't guess who this person is..."
"It's normal that you can't guess. This person has been hiding for too long. No one in the entire Shinobi World except me knows his true identity. You know Akatsuki Genbu, right?"
"Genbu? You mean the ultimate mastermind behind it all is Zetsu from Kusagakure?" Upon hearing that it was Zetsu, the one who specialized in gathering intelligence, Itachi's eyes widened in astonishment.
"What Zetsu from Kusagakure? That twin guy, White Zetsu was always your great-grandfather's subordinate, while that little Black Zetsu was always the mastermind behind your great-grandfather's manipulation. Your great-grandfather even thought that it was his own consciousness. How laughable! Heh..." Thinking of his poor old father who had been manipulated all along, Tianqi gave a self-deprecating laugh.
"I never expected it to be him. Who exactly is he?" Even if it were beaten to death, Itachi would never have imagined that it would be Zetsu, who seemed to have little presence. However, Itachi was also very puzzled about his identity.
"His identity is too far removed from the past; if we're really going to talk about it, he must have lived a thousand years ago. This matter..."
"What do you two mean, people from a thousand years ago? What are you talking about?" Just as Tianqi and Itachi were talking, Karura also came over with some snacks.
"Oh, we were talking about your father and brother. Would you like to come and listen?"
"My father's younger brother? My father doesn't have any younger brother. Tianqi, you must be mistaken?" Karura asked with a puzzled look.
"How could I be wrong? Your Uncle Shuanghai's death back then was related to this guy! How could I be wrong!" Tianqi was speechless at being Black Zetsu back then. He was truly the most wronged person in history to be burdened with such a huge blame for no reason.
"What exactly happened? Tianqi, tell me in detail!"
"Yes, Grandpa, please continue!"
"Alright, I'll continue from where I left off. So, when Ōtsutsuki Kaguya, the progenitor of Chakra, first descended upon this world... For the sake of world peace and to prevent further tragic deaths, the progenitor of ninjas, the Sage of Six Paths Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, along with his brother Ōtsutsuki Hamura, sealed their mother. However, at the very moment of sealing, their third son Black Zetsu, was born at this crucial moment. This third son completely inherited Kaguya's will and is single-mindedly fighting to rescue his mother!"
"I never imagined there was such a person in this world. But how did you know about something as secret as Tianqi?" Karura looked at Tianqi with a puzzled expression.
"Hehe, my eyes can see things that others can't. There's nothing I don't know about the past three thousand years and the future three thousand years, hahaha..." Tianqi laughed at the question, but he wasn't lying. He could indeed see things that others couldn't by controlling the power of time, except that he couldn't see his own future.
"If you don't want to talk about it, then don't. What are you bragging about? Three thousand years ago and three years later, do you really think you're a god?" Karura rolled her eyes at Tianqi, clearly not believing him at all.
"I'm bragging? I'm not bragging. If I said I was a true god in this world, probably no one could refute me. Anyway, words are useless. Today I'll show you!" With that, Tianqi stood up and placed his hands on the heads of the two men.
After merging with Urashiki's power, Tianqi's development and control over his own power reached a new level. However, as he became more and more adept at using the Time Force, Tianqi began to doubt whether such power could be controlled by humans. For some reason, he always felt that something was amiss.
"Close your eyes and look carefully!" With that, Tianqi began to manipulate the power of time, and through the power of time reversal, all the scenes of Black Zetsu's past were released.
As they watched everything Black Zetsu did, Itachi and Karura's expressions of shock never ceased.
Itachi and Karura were thoroughly enjoying themselves, but Tianqi was sweating profusely. It was clear that the project of rewinding time and showing it to others was no ordinary undertaking, especially considering it involved rewinding events from a thousand years ago.
After recounting the events involving Madara and Black Zetsu, Tianqi abruptly interrupted his control, collapsing into a chair and panting heavily.
Itachi and Karura remained in shock for a long time, still immersed in the events, until Tianqi spoke.
"My God, I'm in this state and nobody cares! Is there no justice in this world? This is outrageous!"
"Grandpa, are you alright?" Itachi, who had come to his senses, saw that his grandfather was covered in sweat and quickly asked him.
"I'm in trouble. My whole body aches and my limbs feel weak. I'm doomed, I might not make it!" Tianqi looked like he was about to die.
"No, no, Grandpa, you were fine just now, how could you suddenly be like this? This is impossible, this is impossible!" Seeing that his grandfather seemed to be really about to die, Itachi immediately became anxious. Besides Sasuke, this former grandfather of his was the one he cared about the most.
However, unlike Itachi, Karura, who understood Tianqi, saw through everything. She said speechlessly, "Stop pretending! If this were going to kill you, you wouldn't be doing this. Your acting is terrible!"
"Even after all this, you still say I'm faking it? Why is my life so miserable!"
"Yes, Grandma Karura, please don't say that. Grandpa must have suffered great damage using such a heaven-defying ability. Grandpa is getting old, please help him quickly!" Itachi said anxiously.
"Hmph! He won't die no matter who dies, Tianqi, you're getting addicted to pretending, aren't you!" Karura grabbed Tianqi's ear.
"Ouch! Let go! Let go! That's too rude!" Tianqi kept slapping Karura's hand.
"Oh, stop pretending. Didn't you say you couldn't do it anymore? How come you're so energetic all of a sudden?" Karura crossed his arms, looking on with amusement.
"Ahem... well, I won't die right away, I can handle it!" Tianqi coughed to cover up his embarrassment.
Itachi looked at his grandfather speechlessly. This grandfather was so unpredictable. One moment he was a serious and well-behaved old man, and the next he was a carefree and roguish person. Itachi really couldn't figure out which one was his grandfather's true personality.
"Grandpa! This is really too reckless! You're too old to joke like this. What if something really happens!"
"I just wanted to experience your care, but who knew you, Grandma Karura, would be so heartless. Sigh... it's truly disheartening!" Tianqi sighed as he glanced at Karura.