Inside the cave.
A strange, cackling laugh rang out.
The Venus Flytrap Monster doubled over laughing. Just as Kabuto Yakushi clenched his fists and took a fighting stance, the monster slowly stopped.
His tone turned almost wistful. "Ah... I only wanted you to know the whole truth. A kind child like you, so talented yet burdened with such a tragic past, has been deceived by the same person from beginning to end. And you've accepted it gladly, never realizing you were being kept in the dark."
"How... pitiful!"
"..."
Kabuto's face darkened. "What are you trying to say?"
Zetsu grinned. "Don't you want to know the whole truth?"
Kabuto's expression wavered.
If Shinji Uchiha had never appeared, he would have killed this bizarre thing in front of him without hesitation!
But now...
"..."
He fell silent for a long moment, then held up his hand like a blade. A brilliant blue Chakra Blade flickered along its edge. "You have ten minutes. If you waste any more time talking nonsense..."
"Oh, I understand! I understand!"
Zetsu chuckled. "Now, where should I begin? Ah! Why don't we start with how you became an orphan during the war..."
Land of Hot Water.
Shinji sat on the sofa, leafing through the Red Book in his hands—Ninjutsu and Kekkei Genkai Research and Analysis.
He couldn't help marveling at it.
By now,
his Fire Release, Lightning Release, Water Release, and Yin-Yang Release had all reached at least SS rank. That left enormous room to develop the Storm Release, Boil Release, and Blaze Release Kekkei Genkai derived from them.
As he delved deeper into the Red Book, ideas for strange but terrifyingly powerful Ninjutsu kept taking shape in Shinji's mind.
After all, what good was sitting on a mountain of treasure if he never mined it?