A cold wind swept across the platform, blowing snow onto Chiya's shoulders, where the intense heat surrounding him instantly melted it.
He held Black Zetsu aloft by the neck with one hand, allowing the tens of thousands of Allied Shinobi Forces below to see him clearly.
The entire crowd fell silent. Every gaze settled on Black Zetsu, then returned to Chiya, filled with confusion and bewilderment.
They knew Obito, knew Madara, and even knew every notorious rogue ninja in the shinobi world.
But they had never seen this pitch-black, faceless monster called Black Zetsu.
No one knew where this thing dangling from Chiya's hand had come from.
Still less did anyone know why Chiya intended to deal with him in public.
Finally, some people in the crowd could no longer hold back and began murmuring.
"What is that pitch-black thing? It looks creepy."
"No idea. Never seen it before. Is it some monster Obito created?"
"Didn't you hear what Lord Chiya just said? He called him a poisonous snake hiding in the sewers, and said he'd instigated wars for over a thousand years."
"Over a thousand years? You're kidding. That thing can live that long?"
"Quiet. Listen to Lord Chiya. Don't interrupt."
The murmurs quickly died down, and silence returned.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for Chiya to speak.
Even Madara temporarily suppressed his fury. He hovered in midair, staring coldly at the platform, wanting to hear what Chiya had to say.
He, too, wanted to know what secrets Black Zetsu, whom he had always trusted, was hiding.
Chiya swept his gaze over the crowd below before returning it to Black Zetsu in his hand.
His icy voice carried clearly across the entire battlefield, each word making the atmosphere grow heavier.
"Every one of you has lived inside a conspiracy