Enemies of the Future

Just a moment ago, Shi Xiu truly believed that Black Zetsu had successfully escaped. However, to his surprise, a virtual arrow suddenly appeared before his eyes, pointing directly at Black Zetsu, who had thought his concealment was flawless.

He hadn't expected that this fellow Black Zetsu would actually employ a "darkness under the lamp" tactic, attempting to deceive everyone by hiding in plain sight.

Unfortunately for him, this little trick of his could never escape Shi Xiu's cheat.

However, Shi Xiu was in no hurry to expose Black Zetsu's petty scheme.

The reason was simple: he was filled with intense curiosity regarding the other hidden trump card Black Zetsu possessed.

One must know that in the original story, no one had ever mentioned even a trace of this backup plan. Now that such a mysterious and unknown factor was laid out before him, how could Shi Xiu not be intrigued?

At this very moment, the situation had become extremely favorable for Shi Xiu. Being able to grasp Black Zetsu's every move at any time meant he held the absolute initiative.

The enemy was exposed in the light, while he remained hidden in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to strike.

Coupled with his current formidable strength—where, barring the Six Paths, almost no one could contend with him—he could be called the undisputed peak of combat power!

As Minato Namikaze and Shi Xiu utilized the Flying Thunder God technique to quickly depart the scene with the others, Black Zetsu, who had been hiding in a dark corner, finally breathed a slight sigh of relief.

"You detestable little brats! Just you wait and see; no one, absolutely no one, will stop me from resurrecting the great Mother!"

Black Zetsu cursed through gritted teeth, his eyes flashing with resentment and determination.

Inside Konoha, sunlight spilled onto the path in front of Shi Xiu's house, reflecting the mottled shadows of the trees on the ground. Shi Xiu, Minato, and the others returned to Shi Xiu's home together.

Obito stood quietly in place, his gaze cast toward the distant Hokage Rock of Konoha.

Shi Xiu's eyes were deep and complex, as if he were traveling through time, seeing the bits and pieces of what had once happened here. A faint trace of reminiscence flashed quietly across the bottom of his eyes.

Noticing Obito's expression, Shi Xiu shook his head slightly before leading Minato and Kushina into the house first.

At this moment, the gentle Rin walked to Obito's side with light steps. She reached out her fair, slender hand and gently took hold of Obito's slightly rough, large hand.

"Obito, are you alright?" Rin asked softly, her eyes filled with concern for him.

Obito turned his head and gazed into Rin's clear, water-like eyes; a surge of indescribable emotion welled up in his heart.

Obito held Rin's hand with a slight tremor and replied softly, "I'm fine, Rin... I just didn't expect that I would still have the chance to return to Konoha with this identity."

Having said that, Obito once again cast his gaze toward the towering Hokage Rock, his thoughts swirling.

"Rin!" Obito turned his head abruptly, his eyes landing straight on her, the depths of his gaze filled with unspeakable tenderness.

Rin had been staring quietly into the distance, but upon hearing Obito's call, she turned her head instinctively and instantly collided with his gaze, which was brimming with deep affection.

For some reason, a sudden panic surged in Rin's heart. Like a startled little deer, she hurriedly turned her head away, not daring to meet his eyes again.

At the same time, she stammered, "W-what is it, Obito?" Her voice carried a trace of imperceptible trembling.

Obito took in Rin's slightly nervous expression, a flash of helplessness crossing his heart, though he quickly masked it.

He saw the corners of Obito's mouth lift slightly as he feigned a relaxed smile. "I was just wondering what kind of expression Kakashi will have when he sees me. Will he still make that sour face like he used to? Haha!" He even let out a few exaggerated laughs as he spoke.

Hearing Obito's words, Rin began to think seriously. After a while, a brilliant smile gradually bloomed on her face, as beautiful and moving as flowers in spring.

"Hmm... I think Kakashi will be very shocked to see us. Maybe he'll even come running over to hug us while crying!" At this, even Rin couldn't help but laugh out loud.

However, as Obito looked at Rin's warm, sunshine-like smile, the helplessness in his heart grew heavier.

In the face of these feelings, he always lacked the courage, choosing to retreat time and time again.

Outside the house, a gentle breeze blew, stirring their hair. The soft wind seemed to be silently witnessing the subtle and complex emotions between Obito and Rin.

Rin and Obito stood there quietly, their thoughts drifting back to the beautiful times they had once spent together, letting memories surge into their hearts like a tide.

Inside the house, Minato wore a solemn expression, his deep eyes fixed directly on Shi Xiu.

Finally, after a long silence and intense internal struggle, Minato could no longer suppress the doubts that were surging in his heart like a tide.

Minato took a deep breath and asked slowly, "Lord Shi Xiu, could you tell me more details about that Black Zetsu?"

Just then, Kushina, who had been sitting quietly to the side, focused on nursing Naruto, seemed to sense the tense atmosphere permeating the air.

Kushina's gentle and beautiful face turned slightly of its own accord, diverting some of her attention from Naruto in her arms to quietly listen to the conversation between Minato and Shi Xiu.

Shi Xiu met Minato's inquisitive gaze, sighed softly, and then said in a heavy tone, "Actually, I have already explained it very clearly. Minato, as Jiraiya's prized student, you must have heard of the legend of the Child of Prophecy, right?"

Upon hearing Shi Xiu mention Master Jiraiya, Minato's body couldn't help but tremble slightly; a trace of surprise appeared on his face, but it quickly returned to calm.

Minato nodded slightly and replied, "That is true. In the past, Master Jiraiya once believed that I was that Child of Prophecy, but..."

Stopping there, Minato paused, his originally serious expression suddenly becoming somewhat awkward.

He scratched his head sheepishly and continued, "But then I died..." After saying this, he offered a self-deprecating smile.

Shi Xiu simply nodded silently at Minato's reaction to show his understanding, then continued to look at Minato earnestly.

"There are many things that, if you were to know too early, would not help you but might instead become a burden. So for now, you only need to understand one thing: the enemies you will face in the future are all at the Six Paths level!"

After hearing Shi Xiu's words, Minato's complexion shifted repeatedly, eventually settling into a look of profound gravity.

Minato frowned tightly, lowered his head, and fell into deep contemplation, as if struggling to digest this shocking information.

Shi Xiu stood up slowly, patted Minato's slightly heavy shoulder, and comforted him earnestly.

"Minato, don't push yourself too hard! Relax, it's no big deal. I'm going to go find the Monkey to take care of some business now; no need to be so tense."

As soon as the words left his lips, Shi Xiu's figure flickered, vanishing from the room in the blink of an eye like a ghost.

Seeing this, Kushina hurriedly stood up and walked over to sit beside Minato, gently stroking his arm as she whispered soothingly.

"Lord Shi Xiu is right, Minato. You really don't need to put so much pressure on yourself. We are all in this together, and no matter what difficulties or challenges we face, as long as we work as one, we will surely overcome them."

Minato silently raised his head, his gaze falling first upon Kushina's beautiful, concerned face, then shifting to Naruto, who was sleeping peacefully in her arms.

Watching this heartwarming scene, his heart, which had been tightly coiled with tension, finally relaxed just a little.

After a slight nod, Minato reached out a hand to gently wrap his arm around Kushina's slender waist, pulling her tightly into his embrace.

Feeling the love between them, Minato said to Kushina with deep affection, "Thank you, Kushina. It's so good to have you by my side..."