This was Black Zetsu's moment of triumph.
Its long-awaited moment of glory.
Compared to its betrayal of Madara, Black Zetsu felt even more euphoric now—because this was when it could finally reveal the thousand-year-old lie it had crafted to deceive Shigen.
"The real show's about to start... but no candy for you."
Black Zetsu sneered, and its tone shifted—no more pretended affection or reverence.
"Shigen, even though you lived in the ancient era, you were still born too late. You never understood the truth behind that ancient war."
"The war didn't begin because of the Sage of Six Paths…"
"It started because Mother was caught farming humans to make White Zetsu as weapons. She initiated the war herself to reclaim the chakra she had given to the Sage and his brother. It was never about some philosophical debate over dispersing chakra."
"Mother always wanted all chakra back. She would never waste time 'selecting worthy humans' like you imagined. Humans never deserved chakra."
"You humans…"
Black Zetsu's voice turned darker, its laughter more twisted.
"In Mother's eyes, you're all the same—just fuel to sacrifice to the God Tree and make more White Zetsu."
"Even you…"
It sneered, twisting the knife.
"Even though you're the most outstanding human I've ever met, someone I once respected…"
That part, strangely, was true.
Before Kaguya's resurrection, Black Zetsu had indeed respected Shigen—trusted in his strength.
"I won't deny it…"
"You're brilliant."
"You stole the Sage's power. But that brilliance—that power—made you arrogant, made you believe you could shoulder divine responsibilities. And that arrogance made you mine."
"..."
Shigen stayed silent.
Because how could he argue?
Humans always search for purpose—something to justify the power within them.
"Funny how fate works…"
"My original pawn was Indra. But while manipulating him, I stumbled upon a jackpot even I couldn't predict—your emergence. I missed my chance when you destroyed the Shinobi Sect, but…"
"Destiny corrected itself."
"I thought you were a failure. But a thousand years later, you returned to the board."
"I dropped Madara in an instant."
"Because there has never been a more exceptional human than you."
"Being born in the ancient era was a curse for you…"
"Everyone back then knew of Mother. I couldn't hide my identity from you—had to use 'Kaguya's will' as my front."
Black Zetsu sounded almost regretful—but it quickly perked up again.
"But that ancient era was also my luck."
"Back then, humanity worshipped the God Tree—and the goddess Kaguya. Even you, for all your wisdom, were no exception. I merely dressed Mother up in some mythos, and you returned to worshiping her."
"Originally, I wanted you as the sacrifice."
It chuckled grimly.
"That way you wouldn't have to see the cruel truth and feel regret…"
"Too bad…"
"You were too soft on Madara."
"No—not just Madara."
"You were too soft on anyone you considered your peer. That's why I had to use Madara as the vessel, and why now, just like back when you failed to destroy the Shinobi Sect, you'll once again watch everything collapse."
"Shigen…"
Naruto couldn't see his expression.
But he could imagine what Shigen felt.
The Great Toad Sage had spoken of him—a man who realized too late the road he walked was wrong. A man crushed under the weight of misplaced faith.
"..."
Sasuke didn't know what to say.
He, too, had walked a path of mistaken vengeance.
But what was the "right" path?
No one could say for sure.
"Why so quiet?"
Black Zetsu pressed on, voice dripping with mockery.
"Come on, Shigen. Show a little pain, a little regret."
"Like back then—decades ago—when we reunited after a thousand years."
"You wept over trusting Asura. You were lost, broken… That was a moment of sheer bliss for me."
"Since then, I've dreamed of this."
Black Zetsu slithered out of Kaguya's sleeve, that bizarre face twisted in triumph.
"I've always wanted to see your face—right at this moment."
"This bastard…"
Naruto clenched his fists in frustration.
At this point, Shigen was the vulnerable one.
Humans naturally pity the vulnerable—and Shigen, for all his power, had simply been manipulated by evil.
"He brought this on himself."
Came a new voice—Obito.
But nobody was looking at him.
Naruto turned to see Kakashi beside Obito, eyes lighting up.
"Kakashi-sensei!"
In that moment—
Naruto felt like he was back in Team 7.
Kakashi arriving in their darkest moment, like always.
But…
The others didn't share that optimism.
Black Zetsu noticed the matching Mangekyō Sharingan in Obito's eyes. It quickly assessed the threat.
"Mother!"
"They have dangerous space-time jutsu! Send them away—we'll drain Shigen and those two brats first!"
Without hesitation—
Kaguya opened a portal and banished Obito and Kakashi to another dimension.
At this point…
Absorbing chakra was top priority.
"Too bad…"
"No more reminiscing."
"You're too dangerous to keep around."
"Time to drain you dry…"
Black Zetsu shot toward Shigen, morphing into a black fluid to coat him and leech away his chakra.
This was the end.
Black Zetsu approached Shigen's body with regret—it wished it could have used him for research to make Kaguya stronger.
But he was too strong.
If he broke free, he'd be a threat.
"Tch…"
It sighed, fluid form inching closer.
"That resigned look—so dull…"
"Shigen!"
Naruto shouted, terrified.
If Shigen was consumed—and his chakra given to Kaguya—the ninja world might be doomed.
But—
Just as Black Zetsu reached him—
Shigen's hand rose.
He grabbed Black Zetsu by the throat!
At the same moment—
His other hand lunged forward—
And caught Kaguya by the throat!
"!!!"
Black Zetsu's eyes widened in horror!
"!!!"
Kaguya reeled, startled, jerking away in retreat—abandoning Black Zetsu in Shigen's grasp!
None of them expected this.
Not Naruto.
Not Sasuke.
Not even Kaguya.
Shigen had somehow broken the seal of the Rabbit Hair Needle.
It all happened in an instant.
Even Naruto and Sasuke didn't fully process it.
"Black Zetsu…"
Shigen raised his head, blind eyes blank but focused—his voice filled with unshakable resolve.
"When did I ever say I gave up?"