"That's right!"
Shinji gave Madara Uchiha an affirming look, then said, "Now that you've worked out where the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path came from, Lord Madara, I imagine you've also formed some suspicions about Black Zetsu—the 'Kaguya's Child' who hasn't appeared in my story yet?"
"Black... Zetsu...!" Madara clenched his teeth. For the first time in ages, the usually composed schemer felt a fury unlike anything else.
How long had it been?
How long had it been since he'd felt pure anger, an emotion that had no business surfacing in him?!
He...
He'd been played from start to finish. Played for a complete fool!
And by some unknown man-made blob! It was an utter humiliation!
"..."
Hashirama looked at Madara's furious face, then at Shinji's broad smile. He scratched his head, completely lost...
Oh, great!
So this is how close you two have gotten?
I've heard the whole story and I'm still lost, but you two are already speaking in riddles? Black Zetsu? Who's that? Didn't Kaguya Ōtsutsuki have two sons?
Where did this Black Zetsu come from? Who is he?!
You're leaving me out on purpose, aren't you?!
"Kid... what's going on?"
"Ah..."
Shinji sighed.
He patted Madara's arm. "Lord Madara, there's no need to be angry. After all... he worked so hard at it. He spent a thousand years plotting to revive his mother, while you were only human, with a lifespan of barely a century..."
"How could you possibly avoid being taken in by someone with a thousand years of knowledge and experience?"
"You had no way to tell whether anything he said was true. It was only natural to be deceived... Well, even if it was only natural..."
"You still have to settle the score!"
Shinji nodded earnestly.
He was trying to console Madara.