Looking at Zetsu's half-smiling face, Keiko was instead thinking about how to kill him. This guy was absolutely the biggest reactionary in the entire manga. If he could finish him off now, Kaguya Otsutsuki could rest in peace, and Madara Uchiha could slowly grow old and die out in the open, before the Demonic Statue. All conspiracies and accidents would never happen again. Maybe even the Third Shinobi World War and Fourth Shinobi World War could be avoided, and so many innocent people would not have to die...
Black Zetsu was merely Kaguya's will. He excelled at scouting, stealth, and had some ability to control minds. He was not powerful himself, but killing him was extremely difficult. A moment of carelessness, and he would slip away.
This White Zetsu, on the other hand, was a ruthless one. He had originally been an ancient human imprisoned by the previous Infinite Tsukuyomi. This one before him had also fused with Hashirama's cells and was proficient in chakra of all seven attributes: wind, fire, lightning, water, earth, yin, and yang. There was also that troublesome Spore Technique. He was unquestionably strong, and Keiko might not necessarily be able to take him down himself.
Keiko was still calculating.
"What immense killing intent from a stranger."
"Don't be nervous. I mean no harm."
Black Zetsu and White Zetsu spoke separately, each minding his own business. It looked rather strange.
"This place is too small. It is not suitable for talking. Shall we speak outside? I'll wait for you at the mountaintop, stranger."
Having said that, Zetsu sank stiffly into the mountain itself.
Keiko gave a self-mocking smile. What am I thinking? I actually wanted to kill him? Naruto and Sasuke, those two absurdly overpowered bastards, had to awaken Yin-Yang Release and use Planetary Devastation just to seal this guy! How could I possibly kill him? He was, after all, an old monster born in Kaguya's era who had lived in this world for thousands of years. My little bit of ability really was nothing worth mentioning.
He should first worry about how not to get killed by Zetsu.
"The Hidden Stone Village army has already retreated across the board. Within my field of vision, there are no ambushers." Renga Hyuga activated his Byakugan and scanned the surroundings.
"Look more carefully. If Torifu Akimichi had not been so reckless last time and had scouted ahead, we would not have suffered such heavy losses." Danzo spoke irritably.
"There truly are none. I stake these eyes of mine on it." Renga Hyuga spoke confidently.
"Very well. Take a squad and continue scouting ahead. If you reach the border of the Land of Rain and still find no trace of Hidden Stone Village, return. If you encounter them, return as well. Understood?"
"Understood!"
"It seems Keiko's plan worked." Danzo let out a sigh of relief.
"Send a letter to the Third Hokage. We are withdrawing our forces in full."
"Yes."
Danzo thought for a moment.
"Have the shinobi sent to carry out missions in Earth Country and Lightning Country returned?"
"Not yet."
"Very well. Report to me immediately when there is news. There are still two days until the original deadline. Keep a close watch on Kumogakure's movements!"
"Yes!"
"Oh, right. How is Torifu Akimichi?"
"I asked Lady Tsunade just now. Lord Torifu's life has been saved, but..."
"But what?" A rare trace of tension appeared on Danzo's face. After all, Torifu was a brother who had shed blood alongside him under the Second Hokage, Tobirama.
"Lady Tsunade said Lord Torifu was struck by Dust Release and also took a secret medicine. One of his spleens was removed, half his stomach was cut away, and his right hand was severely damaged. He will never be able to fight again."
Danzo waved weakly, signaling for the reporter to leave. A trace of desolation showed on his face.
"One less man again..."
"You mean permanent peace?" Keiko wore an astonished expression, like an elementary school student listening attentively after hearing something incredible.
"Yes, true and permanent peace. Once this great technique is completed, there will no longer be wars between nations, nor disputes between people. There will be no more pain, no more illness, no more hunger. Everyone can realize their dreams within this technique. It will be exactly like reality. No! It will be reality itself. Young man, are you willing to lend me a hand? Are you willing to join us?" Zetsu stretched out both hands toward Keiko. Under the glow of the setting sun, his half-white, half-black face somehow looked almost sacred.
"You mean everyone's dreams can come true within this technique?"
"They can!"
"Then I can eat whenever I want, drink whenever I want, and whichever woman I like will obediently... Hehe."
"Hehe, of course."
"Damn, that awesome? I could live like some good-for-nothing bum. Of course I'm joining you! How do I join?" Keiko suddenly looked extremely excited.
"You already have."
"I already have?"
"Yes!"
"That's great! What is our organization called?"
"Uh, it does not have a name yet."
"Oh, no problem, no problem. Then how many people are in our organization?"
"Uh, well... including you, there are four right now."
"Oh, so few? No matter. Running scams—ah, ptooey! Running an organization always starts small and grows like a snowball."
"Hehe, yes." White Zetsu was the first one unable to hold back his laughter.
"How about we swear brotherhood?"
"Hm?!"
Keiko pulled out a kunai and slashed his palm. Blood immediately flowed out. He then dropped to one knee.
"With Heaven above and Earth below, I... Oh, right. What was your name again, sir?"
"Zetsu."
"How old are you?"
"Uh, probably older than you?"
"Fine. Zetsu and I shall become sworn brothers of different surnames. From this day forward, we shall share blessings and shoulder hardships together. Let blood be the pledge, and Heaven and Earth the witnesses." Keiko then handed the kunai in his hand to Zetsu.
Zetsu lowered his head and looked at the kunai, then at his own hand. Suddenly, the black half raised a hand and cut open the white half's hand! Quite a bit of white... fluid flowed out. Keiko secretly regretted that it had not been Black Zetsu who used the blade. White Zetsu? White Zetsu was fine too. This seemed to be the only powerful White Zetsu. Though Keiko's thoughts raced, his hands did not slow. He immediately pulled out a handkerchief and eagerly wiped Zetsu's hand. After a while, he put away the handkerchief and took out a strip of bandage.
"Oh, big brother, you are too sincere. Look, even the handkerchief cannot stop it. Let's use bandages instead."
"Hehe, little brother, you are too modest. How could I not be sincere when I have the honor of becoming sworn brothers with the dignified Third Kazekage?"
At those words, Keiko stopped bandaging him. He looked at Zetsu in astonishment.
"Also, little brother, everything I said was true. And I am not a scammer."
On the twelfth, A, the Third Raikage, declared that Hidden Stone Village had launched an unprovoked attack on Hidden Cloud border outposts. Their methods had been cruel, their conduct despicable. It was an open trampling of the peace between the two nations and an absolute desecration of the dignity of every Hidden Cloud shinobi. Therefore, Kumogakure officially declared war on Iwagakure!
Two hours later, fifteen thousand Hidden Cloud shinobi brazenly invaded Earth Country. Four hours later, at Grey Crow Crossing, the Hidden Cloud army encountered the fierce resistance of Iwagakure shinobi who had long been prepared. Thus, the Second Shinobi World War entered an even crueler third phase. The Shinobi World was plunged into devastation.
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