Black Zetsu remained coiled within Kaguya's ivory-pale sleeve. Feeling her body go almost rigid with cold in that instant, his heart lurched.
"Mother, you... what's wrong?"
He asked quietly, his voice filled with an eerie terror.
But what answered him was not Kaguya's usual indifference, majesty, or composure, but a... rare tremor.
Black Zetsu's pitch-black body abruptly stiffened. Hesitantly, he raised his eyes toward Kaguya's flawless, godlike face.
That face, which had never betrayed emotion since her descent into this world-
Now wore a deep frown. Turmoil surged within her Rinne Sharingan, and a trace of... cold sweat even seeped from her temple!
She was trembling.
She... was afraid.
Black Zetsu almost thought he was dreaming.
"Mother... you're afraid of him?"
Black Zetsu's voice shook with disbelief.
Impossible!
She was the origin of chakra, the deity who had devoured the God Tree, conquered countless nations, and driven the Sage of Six Paths and his brother into a corner!
Even when Hagoromo and Hamura had joined forces to unleash their Six Paths sealing technique, Kaguya had never wavered like this!
Yet now, the appearance of a single human had frightened her into retreating?!
That figure's name was-Yemu!
"No!" Black Zetsu hurriedly whispered, almost pleading as he tried to reassure her. "Mother! Please don't waver! He's nothing but a youngster! He's not one of the divine clan! He can't possibly be stronger than you!"
"You are the true god!!"
His voice was shrill and twisted, as though even he scarcely believed those words.
Kaguya did not answer.
She simply stared at the young man standing at the center of the fractured earth-silver hair falling over his shoulders, silver eyes fathomless, his solitary figure as aloof as an abyss, a Silver Dragon Blade in his hand.
His gaze held no killing intent, no