Just a moment ago, Shi Xiu had truly thought Black Zetsu had managed to escape. But to his surprise, a virtual arrow suddenly appeared before his eyes, pointing toward Black Zetsu, who thought he was perfectly hidden.
It turned out Black Zetsu had used the old trick of hiding in plain sight, trying to deceive everyone.
Unfortunately for him, his little trick still couldn't escape Shi Xiu's cheat ability.
Even so, Shi Xiu didn't rush to expose Black Zetsu's ruse.
The reason was simple: he was intensely curious about the other hidden contingency Black Zetsu had up his sleeve.
After all, in the original story, no one had ever mentioned even the slightest hint of this contingency. Now that such an unknown and mysterious factor had appeared before him, how could Shi Xiu not be puzzled?
At that moment, the situation had become extremely favorable to Shi Xiu. Since he could keep track of Black Zetsu's every move at any time, he effectively held the absolute initiative.
His enemy was exposed in the open, while he himself remained concealed in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to act.
On top of that, with the tremendous strength he currently possessed, there was almost no one who could stand against him unless they were at the Six Paths level. He was, without a doubt, at the very peak of combat power!
After Minato Namikaze and Shi Xiu used the Flying Thunder God Technique to whisk the others away from the scene, Black Zetsu, who had been hiding in a shadowy corner the whole time, finally breathed a slight sigh of relief.
"Damn those brats! Just you wait! No one will stop me from resurrecting my great Mother!"
Black Zetsu muttered through gritted teeth, his eyes glinting with resentment and determination.
In Konoha, sunlight fell across the path in front of Shi Xiu's home, casting mottled shadows from the trees onto the ground. Shi Xiu, Minato, and the others returned to his house together.
Obito stood quietly where he was, his gaze fixed on Kage Rock in the distance.
Shi Xiu's gaze was deep and complex, as if he had crossed time and space to see all the things that had once happened here. A trace of wistfulness passed silently through his eyes.
Noticing Obito's expression, Shi Xiu shook his head gently, then led Minato and Kushina inside.
Just then, gentle Rin walked over to Obito with light steps. She reached out her pale, slender hand and gently took Obito's slightly rough hand in hers.
"Obito, are you all right?" Rin asked softly, her eyes full of concern for him.
Obito turned to look at Rin's clear, limpid eyes, and a wave of indescribable emotion surged through him.
Obito clasped her hand with a slight tremor and answered quietly, "I'm all right, Rin... I just never thought I'd have the chance to return to Konoha like this."
With that, Obito turned his gaze once more toward the towering Kage Rock, his thoughts in turmoil.
"Rin!" Obito abruptly turned back, his eyes fixed on her, filled with a tenderness he couldn't put into words.
Rin had been gazing quietly into the distance. Hearing Obito call her, she instinctively turned around and met his intensely affectionate gaze.
For some reason, panic suddenly welled up inside Rin. Like a startled fawn, she hurriedly turned her face away, unable to meet Obito's eyes.
Then, stammering, she asked, "W-what is it, Obito?" Her voice carried a faint, barely perceptible tremble.
Obito took in Rin's slightly nervous expression, and a hint of helplessness crossed his heart, though he quickly concealed it.
The corners of Obito's mouth lifted slightly, and he laughed as if it were nothing. "I was just wondering what kind of expression Kakashi will have when he sees me. Will he make that same sour face as before? Haha!" He even let out a few exaggerated laughs.
After hearing Obito's words, Rin began to think about it too. A moment later, a bright smile gradually spread across her face, as lovely as a flower blooming in spring.
"Hmm... I think Kakashi will be really shocked to see us. Maybe he'll come running over in tears and hug us!" As she said this, Rin couldn't help laughing herself.
But as Obito looked at Rin's sun-warmed smile, the helplessness in his heart grew heavier.
When it came to these feelings, he had never found the courage. Again and again, he had chosen to retreat.
Outside, a gentle breeze stirred, brushing through their hair. The soft wind seemed to bear quiet witness to the subtle, complicated feelings between Obito and Rin.
Rin and Obito stood there in silence, their thoughts drifting back to the wonderful times they had once shared, as memories washed over them like a tide.
Inside the house, Minato's expression was grave as he looked straight at Shi Xiu with his deep-set eyes.
At last, after a long silence and fierce inner struggle, Minato could no longer hold back the questions churning inside him like a rising tide.
Minato took a deep breath and slowly asked, "Lord Shi Xiu, could you tell me a little more about that Black Zetsu?"
Just then, Kushina, who had been sitting quietly nearby and concentrating on feeding Naruto, seemed to sense the tension in the air.
Kushina's gentle, beautiful face turned slightly toward them. She drew some of her attention away from the Naruto in her arms and quietly listened to Minato and Shi Xiu's conversation.
Shi Xiu met Minato's searching gaze and sighed softly before speaking in a heavy tone. "Actually, I've already explained it quite clearly. Minato, as Jiraiya's prized disciple, you must have heard the legend of the Child of Prophecy."
At the mention of his teacher Jiraiya, Minato's body gave a slight jolt. Surprise flickered across his face, but he quickly composed himself.
Minato nodded slightly and replied, "That's true. Teacher Jiraiya once thought I was the Child of Prophecy, but..."
Minato suddenly stopped speaking. His stern expression turned a little awkward.
He scratched his head sheepishly and continued, "But then I died..." He gave a faint, self-mocking smile.
Shi Xiu simply nodded silently in understanding, then continued speaking to Minato in a serious tone.
"There are many things that, if you learn about them too soon, won't help you at all. They might even become a burden. So for now, you only need to understand one thing: the enemies you'll face in the future will all be at the Six Paths level!"
Minato's expression changed several times after hearing Shi Xiu's words, before finally settling into a grave look.
Minato furrowed his brows and lowered his head, sinking into deep thought as if trying to process the shocking news.
Shi Xiu slowly rose to his feet and gently patted Minato's heavy-looking shoulder, offering comfort with earnest concern.
"Minato, don't push yourself so hard! Relax. It's nothing to worry about. I'm going to see Monkey about something. There's no need to be so tense."
As soon as he finished speaking, Shi Xiu's figure blurred, and in the blink of an eye he vanished from the room like a ghost.
Seeing this, Kushina quickly stood and sat down beside Minato. She gently stroked his arm and softly reassured him.
"Lord Shi Xiu is right, Minato. You really don't need to put so much pressure on yourself. We're all together. No matter what difficulties or challenges we face, we'll overcome them as long as we work together."
Minato quietly lifted his head. His gaze first fell on Kushina's beautiful, caring face, then shifted to Naruto, who was sleeping peacefully in her arms.
Looking at this warm scene, he finally felt the tension in his heart ease a little.
He nodded slightly, then gently slipped an arm around Kushina's slender waist and drew her close.
Feeling their love for each other, Minato said tenderly, "Thank you, Kushina. It's good to have you by my side..."