The Mysterious Black and White Zetsu!

Lin Hai raced in the direction indicated by the village elder.

The scenery around him was beautiful.

A vast lake was surrounded by lush primeval forest.

It was nearing dusk, and specks of golden afterglow spilled across the sky. The lake surface shimmered with rippling light, tranquil and peaceful.

Lin Hai leaped onto a towering tree and surveyed the area from above.

There was no cave in sight, but he did spot a waterfall plunging straight down.

With a flash, Lin Hai arrived at the edge of the waterfall.

He activated his Three-Tomoe Sharingan and carefully examined the area, but found no trace of chakra flow.

He picked up a stone from the ground and hurled it toward the waterfall.

The stone passed through the curtain of water and instantly fell silent.

There's empty space behind the waterfall.

Lin Hai thought, Judging by the moss-covered terrain around here, that old man who gave me directions probably hasn't come here in a very long time.

To be safe, Lin Hai formed hand seals with both hands.

Bang!

He created a Shadow Clone, which rushed into the waterfall first to scout the situation.

The capital of the Land of Fire, Review Hall.

The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, sat at the head of the guest seats, his gaze sweeping over the clan heads below, who had mostly arrived.

From the corner of his eye, he glanced at Hatake Sakutsuki and understood everything.

The messenger would never have dared defy his orders and leak news of his presence here. It had to be that old fox, Hatake Sakutsuki.

That cunning fox. Looks like I won't be able to eliminate all these hidden threats in one go today.

Tobirama calculated inwardly, Once your Hatake Clan officially joins Konoha, I'll make sure to train your clan's genius mercilessly!

Tobirama knew perfectly well that he could not kill all the nobles of the Land of Fire in a single day.

But if no blood was spilled today, there was no way to keep the situation under control.

He turned to the young daimyo and asked in a deep voice, "How should those who failed to attend be dealt with? Please give your orders, my lord."

Though Tobirama's tone was calm, there was not the slightest hint of an actual request for instruction.

The young daimyo understood Tobirama's unspoken meaning perfectly and immediately answered with confidence.

"Hokage-sama may act according to Konoha's rules. This king places his full trust in you!"

Tobirama rose to his feet and faced the clan leaders below.

"Put away your petty schemes. Do not try any more tricks in front of me!"

Tobirama's voice was icy. "I summoned you here today to discuss only one matter. A nation cannot go a day without its ruler. Today is the day the new daimyo takes the throne. Does anyone object?"

The hall was silent as a grave.

The clan leaders present trembled in fear.

The tangible killing intent emanating from Tobirama weighed down on everyone, making it difficult for them to breathe.

Forget standing up to object—simply not being frightened out of their wits by that killing intent was already proof of strong nerves.

Seeing that no one spoke, Tobirama continued, "Since no one objects, let us first pay respects to the new daimyo today!"

"As for the formal enthronement ceremony, we can select another day to hold it. What say you?"

The hall remained deathly silent.

A moment later, Hatake Sakutsuki was the first to rise.

He walked to the center of the hall and respectfully knelt before the young daimyo. "This subject pays respects to Your Highness the Daimyo!"

Seeing this, the leaders of the other clans knew the matter was settled and beyond reversal.

One by one, they could only rise and unwillingly kneel before the new daimyo in formal obeisance.

Cold sweat beaded on the foreheads of a few of them, and none dared show the slightest defiance.

Only then did Tobirama nod in satisfaction. "Since you have all made your positions clear, you must wholeheartedly assist the daimyo from now on!"

"As for the clans that failed to attend today, all of them will be stripped of their names!"

"Half of the land and population under those clans will be turned over to the national treasury. The remaining half will be divided equally among everyone present."

In just a few words, he determined the life and death of several major clans.

After speaking, Tobirama cupped his hands toward the young daimyo and took his leave.

Once permission was granted, he turned and strode out of the council hall.

Inside the cave behind the waterfall.

Lin Hai's main body followed his Shadow Clone through the dim passage for several hundred meters.

A glimmer of light suddenly appeared ahead.

Lin Hai quickened his pace and walked out of the passage.

What came into view was an enormous wooden pavilion, as grand as a palace.

It stood six or seven stories tall, hidden within a massive underground cavern.

Filled with shock, Lin Hai walked forward.

The main entrance of the enormous building bore the carved fan crest of the Uchiha Clan.

As it had been uninhabited and neglected for many years, the entire building was covered in dust and carried the weathered air of ages past.

Pushing open the heavy doors, Lin Hai stepped inside.

Many wooden posts stood on both sides of the hall.

The floor of the main path was covered in sword marks of varying depths, as well as traces of battles caused by ninjutsu bombardment.

It seems the first floor used to be the Uchiha Clan's indoor training ground.

Lin Hai considered this as he headed toward the second floor.

At the same time, he kept his Sharingan activated at all times.

This was, after all, a secret Uchiha stronghold. He could not let down his guard. A defensive barrier or trap might be triggered at any moment.

Outside the Uchiha Ruins, beside the enormous building.

"My, my, my! He went inside!"

"The old man hates it most when people damage this house. What should we do now?"

The earth churned, and a strange figure with a completely white body slowly rose from the ground.

Immediately afterward, another figure, completely black and with a face identical to White Zetsu's, emerged from the soil.

His voice was hoarse and cold. "It's just talk. Killing him outright would be such a waste. Let's play with the kid first."

Black Zetsu pressed one hand to the ground, and chakra erupted instantly.

Earth Release: Heaven-Dropping Lid!

The dimensional space above the building suddenly tore open, and a massive lid-shaped rock appeared out of thin air.

Carrying the force of ten thousand tons, the rock crashed viciously toward the Uchiha wooden pavilion.

Just as the pavilion was about to be smashed to pieces—

Boom!

A dazzling bolt of lightning shot skyward from the roof, instantly shattering the enormous stone lid.

A translucent Lightning Release barrier tightly enveloped the entire pavilion.

Fragments of rock slid down one after another, causing no damage whatsoever to the building.

Lin Hai heard the massive crash outside and sensed a powerful chakra fluctuation. He immediately rushed out of the pavilion.

Seeing the black and white freaks before him, then the rocky debris scattered all over the ground, Lin Hai's expression darkened.

"Which village are you shinobi from? Why are you destroying my Uchiha Clan's building?"

White Zetsu answered with a cheeky grin, "We came specifically to see you!"

Black Zetsu continued in a hoarse voice, "Uchiha Linhai, a rare genius of the Uchiha Clan."

"I just wonder what your true strength is."

Lin Hai's gaze turned icy as he gripped his short blade. "You're welcome to find out."

The moment he finished speaking, White Zetsu's arm transformed into a sharp wooden spike and thrust toward Lin Hai!

Lin Hai was greatly shocked.

Wood Release?! That's impossible!

As he rapidly retreated, Lin Hai formed hand seals at high speed and spat out a blazing fireball to meet the wooden spike head-on.

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!

The flames instantly burned the wooden spike to ash.

Lin Hai's expression grew solemn.

Hashirama-sensei and the Second Hokage had both personally confirmed that, in the shinobi world, no one apart from those with the specific bloodline of the Senju Clan could use Wood Release.

Just what kind of monsters were these two?

I can't let them escape! I have to capture them and take them back to Konoha for the Second Hokage to interrogate!

With that thought, Lin Hai assumed an attacking stance. "What are your names? What do you want with me?"

White Zetsu grinned. "We can't tell you that. It's a secret!"

Just then, an aged and imposing voice suddenly echoed in the minds of Black Zetsu and White Zetsu.

"Tell him your names. Beat him half to death."

Receiving the order, Black Zetsu spoke hoarsely. "Listen carefully. I am Black Zetsu. He is White Zetsu."

"Zetsu?" Lin Hai shouted coldly. "Now, you two are coming with me to Konoha!"

Lin Hai charged at them with his blade drawn.

Seeing Lin Hai attack, Black Zetsu and White Zetsu instantly sank into the soil and vanished.

Lin Hai stopped, his Sharingan rapidly scanning the area as he remained fully alert.

Suddenly, the ground beneath his feet split apart!

Several thick vines shot out like venomous snakes, instantly wrapping around Lin Hai's limbs.

Wood Release: Tree Binding Eternal Burial!

Lin Hai recognized the technique at a glance. Hashirama-sensei had personally used it against him before.

Bang!

Lin Hai's body transformed into a wooden log, while his true body had already used the Substitution Technique to appear several meters away.

They're hiding underground. If I don't force them out, fighting on land puts me at too much of a disadvantage!

Lin Hai made his decision in an instant.

He turned and rushed into the cave, sprinting toward the great lake outside.

White Zetsu poked his head out of the earth and watched Lin Hai's retreating figure. "My, he ran away!"

Black Zetsu's voice was cold. "Chase him!"

The two burrowed underground and pursued him relentlessly.

The capital of the Land of Fire.

The Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, looked over the cleaned-up scene and felt somewhat reassured.

After purging those troublemakers, the upper ranks of the Land of Fire should behave themselves for a while.

Once I've trained the Monkey and Danzo's generation, I can leave these troublesome matters to them.

At that moment, Shimura Danzo hurried into Tobirama's sight.

Danzo walked before Tobirama, dropped to one knee, and respectfully saluted.

"Hokage-sama, you urgently summoned your subordinate. What mission do you have for me?"

Looking at the ever-meticulous Danzo, Tobirama sighed faintly inwardly.

"Danzo, you are the disciple I value most at my side, and you possess exceptional talent in political maneuvering."

"The daimyo has only just taken office, and his foundation is unstable."

"For the time being, you will represent Konoha in stationing yourself in the capital and assist the daimyo in stabilizing the situation."

Danzo lowered his head deeply once more. "I will obey Hokage-sama's orders! This subordinate will certainly give his all!"

Tobirama was helpless when faced with Danzo's rigid manner.

He said no more, instead taking Danzo to the tenshu tower and introducing him to the young daimyo.

Outside the Uchiha Ruins, at the enormous lake.

Lin Hai stood firmly atop the lake surface, his Sharingan fixed on the ripples beneath his feet.

The lake is a hundred meters deep.

If they want to launch a Wood Release attack from the lakebed, they'll have to pass through such a deep layer of water. I'll have more than enough time to react.

Now, all I have to do is wait for them to show themselves!

The water rippled.

White Zetsu emerged from the mud at the lakeshore. Looking at Lin Hai standing in the middle of the lake, he could not help but praise him.

"What a clever little brat! He actually knows how to use the terrain to limit our escape techniques!"

Black Zetsu also surfaced nearby and said hoarsely, "This kid's battle instincts are far superior to that old man's when he was the same age."

White Zetsu tilted his head. "How do we attack now? There's water everywhere. Any attack launched from the ground is completely useless!"

At that moment, the aged and imposing voice once again echoed in White Zetsu's mind.

"Release control of your body. Let me do it!"

Black Zetsu froze for a moment and hurriedly said, "Madara-sama, there's no need for you to act personally! I was only casually praising him a little."

However, White Zetsu's aura had already undergone a heaven-shaking transformation.

An incomparably terrifying pressure erupted with a bang.

"White Zetsu" turned to glance at Black Zetsu. "Keep watch on the surroundings. Do not let anyone approach this place."

With that, he stepped on the water and charged straight toward Lin Hai in the center of the lake.

As Black Zetsu watched "White Zetsu" rush across the lake surface, he muttered inwardly.

That old man really is jealous. He can't stand hearing that someone else is stronger than him.

Afterward, Black Zetsu sank into the earth to keep watch.

Seeing his opponent charge across the water's surface, Lin Hai formed hand seals.

A puff of white smoke flashed, and a Shadow Clone Technique appeared.

The original body leaped high into the air.

The Shadow Clone pressed both hands against the lake's surface, Lightning-natured chakra surging wildly!

"Lightning Release: Earth Flow!"

Blinding lightning slithered across the lake like spiritual serpents, racing toward the charging "White Zetsu."

"White Zetsu" lightly tapped the water with the tip of his foot and leaped gracefully into the air.

He easily avoided the lightning's paralyzing range, raising his head to stare directly at Lin Hai in midair.

Lin Hai took a deep breath in the air, gathering chakra in his throat and unleashing the strongest Fire Release he currently possessed.

"Fire Release: Great Fire Dragon Dance Technique!"

Scorching flames burst forth, transforming into a gigantic, clawing fire dragon that roared as it lunged at "White Zetsu" in midair.

Facing such an imposing Fire Release, "White Zetsu" remained calm and rapidly formed hand seals before him.

"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Song Technique!"

Several more solid, hotter dragon-head-shaped flames erupted fiercely from "White Zetsu's" mouth.

The two powerful Fire Releases collided explosively in midair.

To Lin Hai's shock, the Dragon Flame Song Technique unleashed by his opponent completely overwhelmed his Great Fire Dragon!

The remaining flames even continued rushing back at him!

Lin Hai swiftly landed on the lake's surface, sliding more than ten meters before steadying himself. He stared ahead, his face full of shock.

"You... actually mastered Fire Release?!"