Uzumaki Rieko's Death, Danzo Takes the Blame

"Who is this guy?"

Black Zetsu stared at the figure, and even though it had no physical body, he felt a chill run down his spine.

When did this guy arrive?

Did he do anything?

Did he know about Eye of the Moon Plan?

Several questions flashed through Black Zetsu's mind in an instant.

The next moment, the horror in his heart reached a new peak.

"That's... the Byakugan?"

Black Zetsu stared in disbelief at the figure's sudden change in expression, almost letting out a cry of surprise.

Hyūga Clan?

No, this is Ōtsutsuki!

Black Zetsu froze, not daring to move an inch.

Although the Hyuga Clan had produced some skilled individuals who caught his eye, they were only fleeting talents.

Furthermore, given that he possesses White Zetsu and is being targeted by them, what else could this be but Ōtsutsuki?

He... he's Hand Seals?

Seeing the figure's movements, Black Zetsu felt as if he were facing a formidable enemy, and even felt utterly hopeless.

He knew perfectly well that the Ōtsutsuki were invincible, so why were they Hand Seals now?

What are you doing? Are you trying to eliminate him?

'Damn it, I haven't rescued my mother yet!'

Watching the figure forming Hand Seals, Black Zetsu felt only regret.

He had no regrets, except that he hadn't yet rescued his mother!

He has traversed a millennium, and his closest attempt at the Eye of the Moon Plan has yet to be realized!

Black Zetsu closed his eyes in despair, quietly awaiting death.

However, Black Zetsu did not receive any attacks until the Hand Seals were completed.

'Did I make a mistake?'

A ridiculous thought flashed through Black Zetsu's mind, but he quickly dismissed it.

How could Ōtsutsuki make such a basic mistake!

Do they really think every Ōtsutsuki is Otsutsuki Kaguya?

So, who is His real target?

Under Black Zetsu's gaze, the figure exploded—it was a clone.

"Hey, Black Zetsu, what should we do next?"

The sound of White Zetsu's idiotic voice brought Black Zetsu's attention back to reality.

"Let's go back first!"

Black Zetsu suppressed his doubts and decided to take a bold step.

'Since He didn't attack me, there shouldn't be any danger... right?'

"This is Black Zetsu, one of the masterminds who has dominated the Shinobi World for two thousand years?"

"One of the key figures who instigated the two-thousand-year-long conflict between the Uchiha and Senju Clan?"

Deep underground in the Land of Rain, Uchiha Makoto received a message from his clone, feeling somewhat... disappointed?

This was just a cautious probe, but it frightened Black Zetsu so much that he dared not move.

This is... somewhat beyond my expectations.

"Black Zetsu doesn't seem that powerful after all?"

Uchiha Makoto thought about it and suddenly felt a little funny about himself.

The so-called Black Zetsu is nothing more than a crude product of Yin–Yang Release; it is not impossible for me to create it after some study.

I've been afraid of this guy for seventeen years!

"It can be considered as breaking through my inner demons."

Uchiha Makoto chuckled, his attitude towards Madara Uchiha and the others subtly shifting.

We're all at the Six Paths level, so who's weaker than whom?

The true heroes are those of today!

"Something terrible has happened, Danzo!"

A Root member suddenly shouted, startling Danzo, who was rushing forward.

"What's wrong now?"

Danzo looked at his trusted confidant with a sinister gaze. He was now reacting to these so-called unexpected events with a kind of stress response!

The previous unexpected event was that Nagato, despite being severely injured, still had the strength to fight and swept them away, leaving them still on the run.

What is the unexpected event now?

"That Rinnegan has caught up with us again?"

Danzo spoke, his eyes filled with doubt and uncertainty.

The Rinnegan can extract the souls of ninjas, so it seems reasonable that it could also heal leg injuries?

Seeing Danzo's fearful yet inquisitive expression, the Root first shook his head, reassuring Danzo.

"No."

"Then what are you afraid of!"

Danzo's expression changed, and he reprimanded the Root member.

"You are 'Root'! You are the knight who guards Konoha in the darkness!"

How could you be afraid!

"How can you protect Konoha like this?!"

Danzo angrily rebuked them, as if he wasn't the one who had been afraid just moments before.

Danzo didn't stop until he was hoarse from Danzo.

"Tell me, what is it?"

The Root member, still bewildered by Danzo's scolding, knelt on one knee and respectfully said, "That woman from the Uzumaki Clan is dead."

"?"

A question mark suddenly popped into Danzo's mind.

When I have a question, it's not that I have a problem, it's that you have a problem!

Before he could speak, Danzo strode over to the Root responsible for carrying the seal on Rieko's back.

With trembling hands, Danzo channeled Chakra into Rieko's body, only to find it deathly still.

Dead, utterly dead!

This seemingly absolute result left Danzo speechless.

This familiar feeling... is it you, Sarutobi?

You've come to the Land of Rain too?

By the time Danzo, all that remained was—oh no, I've become the scapegoat!

This surviving member of the Uzumaki clan, Uzumaki was clearly closely connected to the Rinnegan, died here. When that Rinnegan this corpse, would he, Shimura Danzō, still be able to explain the truth?

Or rather, will Shimura Danzō even survive?

Just kidding!

It's sealed!

That dragon-shaped attack was so big, so long, and so invincible...

Danzo silently retreated into seclusion.

"Sir, what's next..."

Then the Root members asked carefully.

What should they do next? Return to Konoha, return to the Rock Ninja front, or...?

He thought to himself, secretly observing Danzo's expression.

Danzo's decline in the power of the Rinnegan was obvious to everyone. They were "tools," but they weren't fools!

They won't do anything that's a death sentence!

His question also made Danzo ponder. Yes, what should he do next?

Should he return to the Rock Ninja front to maintain the fighting situation in Konoha, or go back to Konoha and enjoy a peaceful life?

'If I had no regrets, perhaps I would have chosen a different option?'

This situation seemed familiar, but the same choice made Danzo somewhat despise himself.

In order to survive, they've abandoned all moral principles!

But at least I survived!

'As long as I'm alive, anything can still happen! Everything in this world still has meaning!'

Having made his choice, Danzo looked towards the Land of Fire.

That was the place where he abandoned everything, and where his unfinished work remained!

He will definitely get that position!

Must!

Danzo thought about many things, but it was only for a moment. Coming to his senses, Danzo looked at the somewhat disheveled crowd and raised his arm.

"Back to Konoha!"