The black figure used its unique underground movement technique and fled a thousand miles in an instant. As it traveled, it couldn't help wondering: what the hell had just happened?
Even against the Third Raikage, it was confident it could kill him with a single strike. How had Senju Nawaki, a mere Genin, managed to withstand two of its attacks? Damn it!
In a flash, it reached a secluded treehouse in the Land of Water. After a long silence, it finally knocked on the door.
"Did you succeed, my incarnation?" a stern, icy voice asked from within.
Black Zetsu gritted his teeth, composed himself, and said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Lord Madara. The mission failed. Senju Hashirama's grandson, Senju Nawaki, seems to have some sort of protective ability. I couldn't take the opportunity to hollow out his body."
Silence fell for a while. Then a torrent of violent chakra erupted, destroying the treehouse outright. A figure slowly walked out.
He wore red Warring States Armor and carried a Gunbai on his back. His eyes were Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and a powerful pressure bore down on Black Zetsu.
"Useless! You can't even manage something this simple! Sometimes I really wonder if you're even my incarnation." Madara Uchiha glared coldly at Black Zetsu.
Black Zetsu cursed inwardly. If we didn't need your Rinnegan and the Tailed Beasts, I'd really like to give you a piece of my mind!
But he looked a little sheepish as he said, "Lord Madara, please calm down. Even if we can't get that boy's body cells, we can still use your—"
Before Black Zetsu could finish, Madara Uchiha pulled out his scythe and hurled it at him, murder in his eyes. "I won't let Hashirama rest in peace!" His expression twisted into a savage grimace, like a fiend crawling