After hearing those words, Black Zetsu's heart sank. A powerful sense of unease surged over him like a tidal wave.
He realized clearly that the conspiracy he had so carefully plotted had been completely exposed.
But Black Zetsu refused to admit defeat so easily. Like a beast cornered with nowhere to run, he desperately twisted and struggled, trying to break free of the restraints Shi Xiu had imposed on him. He thrashed with such wild fury that it seemed he wanted to tear the whole world apart.
"You little brat! Don't think you can do anything to me just because of this! Even if you've figured out my entire plan, it won't make a difference! You'll never stop me!"
Black Zetsu roared at the top of his lungs, his voice shrill and piercing, sending a chill down everyone's spine.
Obito silently gazed at Black Zetsu, who was pinned beneath Shi Xiu's foot and looked utterly wretched. A trace of pity crossed his face.
He murmured unconsciously, "The Eye of the Moon Plan, the Infinite Tsukuyomi that would bring peace, a world where Rin existed... So all of it was a lie..." His words were filled with endless grief and despair.
Kushina and Rin stood quietly to the side. Seeing how dejected Obito was, Rin slowly reached out and gently took his hand.
Obito noticed what Rin had done and turned to look at her. Their eyes met.
In that instant, Obito caught a glimmer of warmth deep in Rin's eyes.
Minato and Kushina's gazes darted between Obito, Shi Xiu, and Black Zetsu like bolts of lightning.
Their minds seemed shrouded in thick fog, filled with endless questions and deep unease.
Obito quietly felt Rin's gentle yet steadfast encouragement, like a warm spring breeze softly brushing over his shattered heart.
Obito slowly raised his hand and wiped the tears lingering on his cheek.
At that moment, a blazing resolve rekindled in Obito's eyes.
Obito slowly walked over and took his place beside Shi Xiu. His gaze, sharp as two swords, stabbed straight toward Black Zetsu, who lay on the ground.
"Black Zetsu! I never thought you'd be so cunning and sinister, manipulating us all like pawns! But from now on, you won't get another chance!"
Obito's voice was low, brimming with rage, as if he wanted to tear his loathsome enemy to pieces.
Hearing Obito's words, Black Zetsu showed no fear. Instead, the corner of his mouth curled into a disdainful sneer.
"Hmph, Obito, you're truly an idiot! Wasn't your beloved teacher's death all because you were too weak? Hahahaha..."
Black Zetsu's shrill laughter echoed through the air, making everyone who heard it shudder.
But before he could finish laughing, Shi Xiu suddenly raised his right foot and stomped down on Black Zetsu with all his strength.
Black Zetsu let out a cry of pain and rolled around on the ground. He twisted and struggled desperately, trying to find a chance to escape.
But Shi Xiu's foot was like a towering mountain, so heavy that Black Zetsu couldn't move even an inch.
Black Zetsu slowly raised his head and stared straight at Shi Xiu. His eyes gleamed with a venomous hatred so chilling it seemed he wanted to devour Obito alive.
There was also deep resentment in his gaze, as if he were furious that Obito had learned of his plan.
Black Zetsu ground his teeth and snarled, "You wretched fool! Do you really think that just because you've figured out my plan, I'm out of options?"
Black Zetsu smirked smugly. "Hmph, what a delusion! I've prepared more than just Obito as a pawn to resurrect the great Lady Kaguya!"
"He has another contingency plan?" Shi Xiu frowned in surprise. Clearly, Black Zetsu's words had caught him completely off guard.
At that moment, Obito roared at Black Zetsu, "I won't let you get away with it!"
In response to Obito's rebuke, Black Zetsu only sneered coldly, a mocking glint flashing through his eyes. "Heh, big words from a little brat! Just wait and see!"
Then he turned to Shi Xiu, his voice steeped in malice. "I don't know how you learned so much, but even if you know everything, you still can't stop me!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Black Zetsu turned back to Obito, trying to cloud his judgment with his silver tongue. "Obito, Obito... When the time is right, I'll have Mother bring the real Rin back to life with her own hands! Not a fake like the one here, created with some shoddy ninjutsu!"
When Rin heard Black Zetsu say her name, her body trembled. Anxiety welled up in her heart.
Rin instinctively turned to Obito, her beautiful eyes full of worry and hope. She murmured softly, "Obito..."
Shi Xiu quietly watched Obito like a silent statue, without uttering a sound.
There wasn't the slightest ripple in Shi Xiu's deep eyes. He simply watched Obito in silence, seeming to want to see what Obito would choose.
But Obito didn't respond as quickly as everyone expected.
He seemed to have fallen into a bottomless abyss, his thoughts surging through his mind like a tide.
Memories of the past, painful experiences, and emotions buried deep in his heart all came flooding back like water breaking through a dam.
Before him appeared the sight of Rin lying in a pool of blood, her sweet, lovely face now pale and twisted. At that moment, Obito felt the whole world collapse. Endless despair and fury consumed him.
Then he remembered the days he had spent wandering alone in darkness, his heart full of resentment at the injustice of fate.
But just now, the warmth in Minato-sensei's smile and gentle words, along with Rin's quiet encouragement, had shone a light into the darkest corner of his heart.
In that instant, Obito felt as if he had suddenly seen the truth, and understood so much.
"Black Zetsu." Obito slowly raised his head and fixed his gaze on the shadow before him. His voice was low and powerful, filled with a resolve unlike anything he had shown before.
"You've underestimated me. From today on, I won't keep walking down the wrong path. I'm going back to Konoha, and I'll spend the rest of my life making amends for the sins I've committed."
As he spoke, Obito lowered his head and coldly looked at Black Zetsu beneath Shi Xiu's foot. He abruptly raised the long blade clutched in his hand, its edge glinting with a chilling light.
"And the first step toward atonement is killing you with my own hands, you mastermind behind it all!" Obito snarled, his eyes burning with fury.
Hearing Obito's words, Black Zetsu's face darkened. A flash of unmistakable anger showed in his eyes. Clearly, Obito had now completely broken free of his control.
Shi Xiu nodded at Obito. Then he raised his foot and pressed Black Zetsu firmly into the ground before looking down at him with a cold expression.
"Black Zetsu, your plan ends here. I'll seal you away."
As he spoke, Shi Xiu began to gather chakra, preparing to use Sealing Jutsu.
But just then, Black Zetsu let out a shrill scream. His body rapidly shrank until he became a puddle of liquid, like water, and vanished through a crack in the ground.
!!!
Shi Xiu's expression shifted slightly. "He escaped!"
Obito and the others tensed at the news. Black Zetsu had escaped, but the threat he posed remained. He could return at any time and continue carrying out his terrifying plan.
"We have to find him and seal him away for good!" Obito clenched his fists, determination flashing in his eyes.
Shi Xiu raised a hand to stop Obito and the others from giving chase. "How do you expect to find him? That thing has been hiding behind the scenes for over a thousand years. Do you really think you can track him down?"
Shi Xiu looked up at the sky and said calmly, "Let's return to Konoha first. I'll stop him when the time comes."
Obito and the others sighed. Minato prepared to use the Flying Thunder God to take them back to Konoha.
Shi Xiu turned to look toward a patch of shadow. A virtual arrow had appeared before his eyes, pointing straight at it.