Naruto: I'm in Konoha, my name is Uzumaki Menma

Chapter 353 The Deal of a Thousand White Zetsu

The Kingdom of Stars, the County of Wind, the Great Desert.

Two years ago, this place was a desolate land known locally as the "Death Sand Sea".

Once upon a time, this place consisted only of rolling sand dunes, wind-eroded rocks, and the occasional dead poplars, like the parched skeleton of the earth, silently telling the story of the cruelty of this land under the scorching sun.

But now, everything is different.

A wide green corridor, like the arm of a giant, extends from the core area of ​​the Star Kingdom, traversing this former desert.

Neatly arranged windbreaks line both sides of the corridor, where various drought-resistant plants thrive under special soil improvement techniques and regular artificial rainfall, forming a green belt stretching for hundreds of kilometers.

Deeper still, the desert has been transformed into an oasis.

Not just a small patch, but entire oases.

The artificial lake shimmered in the sunlight, and neat irrigation canals lined its shores, delivering precious water resources to every inch of land that needed nourishment.

In the newly built farm, improved sandy soil crops are sprouting and growing, their tender green leaves standing out against the yellow sand.

In the distance, there are even rows of new solar panel arrays, providing a continuous source of power for the entire renovation project under the abundant sunshine of the desert.

But that's not the most shocking part.

In the middle of the Oasis Corridor, a brand new city is rising.

The city's layout follows the ancient Bagua diagram, with streets arranged in a circular radial pattern. At the center is a vast urban park, and at the heart of the park are two artificial lakes shaped like yin and yang fish eyes.

At the position of the yin-yang fish's eyes, a modern high-rise building stands on each side.

To the east stands a 30-story administrative building, its light blue glass curtain wall reflecting the colors of the sky in the sunlight. At the top is the flag of the Land of Stars, a red star against a dark blue background, symbolizing the Land of Stars' grand goal of unifying the ninja world.

To the west is a research building of the same height, its silver-white exterior giving it a more austere and professional appearance. Various observation equipment and signal towers are installed on the roof, and occasionally people in white research coats can be seen walking on the open-air platform on the top floor.

Between the two buildings is a group of ancillary buildings connected by an aerial walkway, forming a complete scientific research and administrative complex.

In various parts of the city, more buildings are rising from the ground.

The steel arms of the cranes swung back and forth in the sky, and the roar of construction vehicles mingled with the shouts of ninjas and workers, creating a symphony of construction.

This is the newest technology city in the Star Kingdom.

With the rapid development of science and technology in the Star Kingdom, the original experimental area of ​​the Star Capital can no longer meet the growing scientific research needs.

A large number of researchers, experimental equipment, and research projects need more specialized and concentrated spaces.

Therefore, after the desert transformation project achieved phased results, Mianma decided to build a city on this newly born oasis specifically for scientific research and technological development.

Besides top scientists like Orochimaru, Hiruko, and Katasuke Tono under his command, scientists from all over the ninja world, attracted by the research environment and resources of the Land of Stars, have also settled here.

A large amount of manpower, material resources, and other resources have been poured into this place, giving this city, which was born in the desert, an amazing vitality and dynamism.

It is located in a mountain range on the outskirts of the science and technology city, at the edge of the oasis corridor.

The renovation project here has not yet been fully completed, and some original landform features used in large-scale earth-escape ninjutsu are still preserved.

Scattered drought-resistant plants grow among the rugged rocks, and a few old trees that have survived tenaciously stretch out their twisted branches, casting dappled shadows in the afternoon sun.

On one of the thicker old trees, a slight ripple suddenly appeared on the surface of the trunk.

Like a drop of water falling into a calm lake.

At the center of the ripples, a strange figure slowly "grew" out from the tree trunk.

The figure resembled a giant pitcher plant, divided into black and white halves.

On the left is pure white, with an exaggerated and stiff smile on its face; on the right is deep black, with a gloomy and indifferent expression.

The two halves of the body share a common seam in the middle, as if they were roughly sewn together.

What's even more striking is that this strange creature is wearing a long robe with a black background and red clouds.

"Wow--"

The white half spoke first, its voice high-pitched and exaggerated, its white arm extending from the sleeve of its robe, pointing to the rising city in the distance.

"I remember just two years ago, this was still a vast desert!" Bai Jue's exaggerated tone echoed through the mountains.

"It hasn't been long at all, and it's already become such a huge oasis! And look over there, the forest coverage is still expanding!"

Its gesticulating manner seemed out of place in this serious scene, but genuine surprise did indeed flicker in its eyes.

Black Zetsu did not respond immediately.

Its little yellow eyes scanned everything in front of it.

The windbreaks are neatly arranged, like green walls, blocking the raging sandstorms.

Under the sunlight, the artificial lake is like a series of mirrors embedded in the earth, reflecting the sky and clouds.

Further away, the outline of the science and technology city trembled slightly in the heat wave, and the glass curtain walls of the high-rise buildings reflected dazzling light.

All of this is the result of human intervention.

It wasn't a miracle like Hashirama Senju creating a forest with a single Wood Release technique, but rather the land that thousands upon thousands of ordinary people, ninjas, and scientists reclaimed from the desert bit by bit through planning, calculation, and labor.

Black Zetsu remained silent for a long time.

It has lived for too long.

Over the course of two thousand years, it has witnessed the rise and fall of countless human races, the rise and fall of countless nations, and the glory and demise of countless ninjas.

But it had never seen such a sight before.

In its understanding, when the environment deteriorates, humans will migrate.

When the water source dries up, we go to find a new one.

If the land becomes desertified, then abandon that land.

This is how humans in the ninja world have lived for thousands of years.

Adapt to the environment, or be eliminated by it.

Why spend such a huge amount of money to transform the environment?
Why would you use so much chakra, manpower, and resources to do something that seems meaningless to it?
Shouldn't ninjas be a profession dedicated to combat?

Shouldn't their power be used on the battlefield, to fight for resources, expand territory, and realize their ambitions?
"This is really... inexplicable."

Black Zetsu finally spoke, his voice low and hoarse, like two rough stones rubbing against each other.

"This immense power to change nature was actually achieved by a group of ninjas whose strength was like that of ants, through 'cooperation' and 'technology'."

It paused, its black half leaning forward slightly, as if observing this newly born land more closely.

If it were Hashirama Senju, or Madara Uchiha... or even Shura himself, Black Zetsu wouldn't be surprised if they could create a forest in a short time with their world-destroying power.

That is the power that a 'strong' should possess.

But everything here...

Black Zetsu's gaze swept over the ordinary people working in the fields, the engineers operating the machinery, and the humans who were unsure whether they should be called ninjas...

"It is not the power of one person, nor a miracle of a moment, but the result of the joint efforts of countless people over a long period of time and with a plan."

Its voice carried a complex mix of emotions: surprise, confusion, and a hint of wariness.

Bai Jue tilted his head, a puzzled expression on one side of his face: "You seem to care a lot about this?"

"Care?" Black Zetsu sneered. "I just don't understand why Shura would have those Star Country ninjas do all this. Is it simply because he hates the desert? Or... does he have some other purpose?"

Black Zetsu pondered this question for a long time.

In its more than two thousand years of life, it has seen far too many rulers.

Some of those people were after power, some after wealth, some after ambition, and some after ideals.

But whatever their purpose, they will ultimately focus their efforts on "war" and "conquest".

Because only through war and conquest can resources be acquired quickly, rule be consolidated, and ambitions be realized.

But Shura is different.

After the Land of Stars annexed the Land of Wind and made it an annex of the Land of Earth, it did not continue to expand, but instead began large-scale internal construction.

Desert transformation, agricultural development, urban construction, scientific and technological research and development, public education... These are things that traditional rulers would consider "slow to produce results" and "low to yield returns," but Shura has invested huge resources in them.

why?
Black Zetsu couldn't understand it.

But it knew there must be some scheme behind this that it was unaware of.

"Never mind." Black Zetsu snapped out of his thoughts, his voice regaining its composure: "Now is not the time to think about these things."

It turned to the White Zetsu: "Have someone take the item to the agreed location."

"Alright!" White Zetsu replied immediately, his white arm wriggling inside the tree trunk, transmitting information through the network of tree roots hidden deep underground.

Black Zetsu came this time to make a deal with Shura.

Back in the ruins of the ancient city of Loulan, the White Zetsu clone sent by Black Zetsu finally found an opportunity to "encounter" Shura and convey a message.

A method for "obtaining the power of the Sage of Six Paths".

By collecting the nine tailed beasts, creating the ten-tailed beast, and becoming its jinchūriki, one can obtain power comparable to the Sage of Six Paths.

Black Zetsu believed that no one in the ninja world could resist this temptation.

And Shura's reaction was exactly what it expected.

Greedy and covetous, yet also full of vigilance.

Shura did not agree immediately, but instead put forward a condition: Black Zetsu must first deliver a thousand White Zetsu "materials" to show his sincerity.

This condition was exactly what Black Zetsu wanted.

It's not afraid of Shura making exorbitant demands, it's just afraid that Shura won't take the bait!

As long as Shura becomes interested in the "power of the Sage of Six Paths", as long as Shura begins to collect the tailed beasts, as long as Shura wants to become the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki...

Then, its plan was half successful.

When the time comes, it will be able to inject the mother's will through the 'backdoor' left by these White Zetsu materials when Shura becomes the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, allowing the mother to descend into this world again using Shura's body as a medium!
Thinking of this, a barely perceptible hint of excitement flashed across Black Zetsu's gloomy expression.

After two thousand years of waiting, we are finally about to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

“It’s all arranged.” White Zetsu’s voice interrupted Black Zetsu’s thoughts: “A White Zetsu carrying a sealing scroll is heading to the agreed location.”

"Mm." Black Zetsu nodded.

The pitcher plant-like figure slowly sank into the tree trunk and disappeared, leaving only the gradually calming ripples on the bark and a few lizards that had climbed back onto the rocks to bask in the sun.

The Science and Technology City has three underground floors in the Research Building.

The space here is completely different from the bright, modern style of the ground floor.

The walls, floors, and ceilings were made of thick chakra metal, with a faint silvery-white glow emanating from their surfaces.

There is a peculiar sense of silence in the air, as if even the propagation of sound is hindered by some invisible force.

This is a specially designed isolation research room.

It is specifically designed for research that requires a high degree of confidentiality or may involve uncontrollable risks.

In the center of the research room, various sophisticated instruments and equipment are displayed.

Flashing indicator lights, fluctuating data screens, and slowly rotating robotic arms create a scene brimming with technological sophistication.

In the innermost part of the research room, two huge cylindrical culture containers stand.

The container is made of a transparent special material and is filled with a light green nutrient solution.

In the container on the left, a clone of a blond man is suspended.

His eyes were closed, his expression serene, his figure slender and well-proportioned, and his skin had a healthy luster from being immersed in the nutrient solution.

The container on the right contains a clone of a red-haired woman.

Her eyes were also closed, and her long red hair swayed gently in the nutrient solution, like red seaweed in the water.

These two clones were secretly cultivated by Menma using cell samples obtained from Orochimaru and combined with the latest cloning technology from the Land of Stars.

At this moment, Menma was standing in front of the culture container, her hands behind her back, calmly watching the clone inside.

He was wearing a black research suit unique to his true form, without a mask, revealing his young but overly composed face.

His short black hair was neatly combed, and there was no headband on his forehead. Only a pair of calm, almost indifferent black eyes reflected the pale green light in the culture container.

Suddenly, his brow twitched slightly.

The chakra network's 'sensory' response was triggered.

This research lab is not only physically isolated, but also connected to the Star Kingdom's unique chakra network technology.

Any creature that enters this room, as long as there is chakra flowing within its body, will leave a "trace" on the network, which will be sensed by Menma.

Now, a "trace" has appeared.

Faint, but very special, like a plant.

Mianma slowly turned around.

As he turned around, a slight ripple appeared on the chakra metal floor in the corner of the research room.

It's like the calm of water being broken by a pebble.

A white figure slowly "grew" out from the center of the ripples.

It's a White Zetsu.

Its body slowly unfolded like a flower bud, revealing an empty interior where a palm-sized sealing scroll lay.

As soon as Bai Jue fully appeared, he sensed something was wrong.

Its connection with the outside world... has been severed.

It's not a physical severance, but a perceptual "shield." It can no longer sense the presence of other White Zetsu through its underground root network, cannot receive commands from Black Zetsu, and cannot even accurately determine its current location.

It's like being locked in a completely sealed box.

On White Zetsu's face, the stiff smile turned into tension and fear.

It raised its head and looked towards the center of the research room.

Then, it saw those eyes.

Calm, indifferent, and profound, as if it can see through all pretenses and reach the depths of the soul.

Under the gaze of those eyes, Bai Jue felt a tremor that came from instinct.

Although it was just a White Zetsu created by the Divine Tree and only capable of obeying commands, it still felt fear in the face of this overwhelming aura.

"Have you brought anything?"

Mianma spoke, his voice calm, but exceptionally clear in the silent research room, like an icicle hitting the ground.

White Zetsu's body trembled slightly.

It quickly stretched out its body completely, picked up the sealed scroll with its white hands, and tremblingly raised it above its head.

"I...I brought..." it stammered, speaking cautiously, "This is...the boss prepared...a thousand White Zetsu..."

It paused, secretly raised its eyelids to observe Mianma's expression, and added, "Our boss hopes... you can see his sincerity."

Mianma did not respond immediately.

He stood still, his gaze fixed on the sealed scroll, his eyes devoid of any emotion.

A few seconds of silence.

For White Zetsu, those few seconds felt like centuries.

It felt an organ it didn't have throbbing violently. Was this the feeling of "heart pounding"?
The oppressive feeling of being watched by a powerful being made it almost want to burrow back underground immediately.

Then, Menma raised his right hand, palm facing the scroll in Bai Jue's hand.

The next moment, an invisible force of attraction emanated from the palm.

The sealing scroll instantly detached from White Zetsu's hands, traced a straight line in the air, and landed steadily in Menma's hands.

All things are attracted by heaven!

Simple, direct, yet powerful in its application.

Menma took the scroll but did not open it immediately. Instead, he poured chakra into it.

The sealing incantation glowed with a dark red light on the surface of the scroll, and the complex runes seemed to come alive as they flowed and rearranged.

He could sense that within the sealed space of this scroll, a thousand White Zetsu were densely packed together.

They are as if they have been paused, maintaining various postures, but all in a special dormant state.

Each one was a pure white body, all the same, like dolls mass-produced in a factory.

Mianma's senses swept across the space, confirming that the quantity was correct.

One thousand.

no more, no less.

The corners of his mouth slowly turned up, forming a subtle arc.

"very good."

When Mianma spoke, his voice held a hint of satisfaction.

“I saw his sincerity.”

He put away the scroll and casually placed it on the control panel of a nearby instrument, then looked at Bai Jue again.

“Well then,” Menma put his hands back behind his back, his posture casual but imposing, “tell me his plan.”

Bai Jue breathed a sigh of relief.

Although the pressure remains, at least the first part of the deal is complete.

It carefully stood up completely from the ground.

"Our boss's original plan..." White Zetsu began to repeat Black Zetsu's words, his voice still cautious but much smoother: "was to use the 'Eye of the Moon Plan' as bait to lure 'Uchiha Madara' and Nagato, to collect the nine tailed beasts, create the ultimate weapon Ten-Tails, and achieve the so-called 'world peace'..."

It paused, secretly observing Mianma's expression.

Mianma didn't react at all, just stared at it calmly, as if listening to a story that had nothing to do with her.

White Zetsu continued, "However... due to your overwhelming strength, the plan to collect the Tailed Beasts is likely to fail. After all, the One-Tailed Jinchuriki is under your command, and the Four-Tailed and Five-Tailed Jinchuriki are within your sphere of influence... If we insist on collecting them, we will inevitably face a direct confrontation with you."

That was said very skillfully.

It not only points out that Shura's existence is the biggest obstacle for the Akatsuki to collect the Tailed Beasts, but also subtly expresses the attitude that "Black Zetsu does not want to be your enemy."

Mianma nodded slightly without interrupting.

His brain was analyzing rapidly.

The information Black Zetsu knows, the lies Black Zetsu might have fabricated, Black Zetsu's true purpose...

From the current perspective, Black Zetsu clearly does not know about Isshiki Otsutsuki, nor does he know about the existence of the "second Ten-Tails".

It is still using the original "Eye of the Moon Plan" as bait, trying to guide him toward becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki.

So, what reasons would Black Zetsu use to explain his motives?
Why would a mysterious person who has lived for countless years push for the "Eye of the Moon Project"?
Why help someone become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki?
Mianma already had a few guesses in mind.

What Bai Jue said next confirmed one of the guesses.

"Our boss's purpose..." Bai Jue lowered his voice, making it sound even more mysterious, "is actually to remove the seal that the Sage of Six Paths left on him."

His pockmarked eyebrows twitched slightly.

"A seal?" His voice carried just the right amount of doubt, showing interest without being overly eager.

“Yes, a seal.” Bai Jue quickly explained, trying to put on a “sincere” expression on his white face: “Our boss… is actually a descendant of the Sage of Six Paths era. For some reason, he was sealed by the Sage of Six Paths and trapped in this body, unable to gain true freedom.”

It paused, observing Mianma's reaction, and continued weaving its lies:

"This seal can only be broken with the power of the Sage of Six Paths. So, the boss's goal is actually to have someone become the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki, obtain the power of the Sage of Six Paths, and then... help him break the seal."

After saying that, Bai Jue stared nervously at Mianma.

This is a lie meticulously crafted by Black Zetsu.

Half truths and half lies.

Black Zetsu was indeed from the era of the Sage of Six Paths, but it wasn't him who was "sealed" by the Sage of Six Paths; it was Kaguya Otsutsuki.

It does indeed need someone to become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki like the Sage of Six Paths, but not to break "their own seal," but to revive their mother, Kaguya Otsutsuki.

But this lie seems reasonably plausible.

An being that has lived for over a thousand years is trapped in a restricted body and longs for liberation...

This motivation is enough to explain why Black Zetsu promoted the "Eye of the Moon Plan" and why he was willing to help others become Ten-Tails Jinchuriki.

Moreover, this lie has another advantage: it makes Black Zetsu's "needs" specific and limited.

I just want to break the seal and gain my freedom.

As for the power of the Ten-Tails and the power of the Sage of Six Paths, those are all yours.

We each get what we need, and there is no fundamental conflict of interest.

It might even incite greed in the other party...

But that's exactly what Black Zetsu wants!

After listening, Menma remained silent for a few seconds, as if he were thinking or examining something.

Then, he slowly spoke:
"Does the Ten-Tails require the chakra of all nine tailed beasts? What is the relationship between the Ten-Tails and the God Tree?"

White Zetsu was stunned for a moment, but quickly reacted and answered according to Black Zetsu's instructions:
"The Ten-Tails is the Divine Tree, which was created by the Ten-Tails absorbing the natural energy of the ninja world. To create the Ten-Tails, the Gedo Mazo must absorb the chakra of the nine tailed beasts; none of them can be missing."

"And the Gedo Mazo is now in the hands of the Akatsuki leader."

It paused, then cautiously asked, "By the way, I wonder... how did you learn of the existence of the Divine Tree?"

The existence of the divine tree is an absolute secret.

Aside from the Otsutsuki clan on the moon who might have written records, there are also those three ancient beings in the three holy lands who have lived for thousands of years; probably no one knows about them at all.

Why would Shura know about the "Divine Tree"?
How much does he actually know?

Mianma did not give a direct answer.

His gaze shifted from White Zetsu to the sealing scroll on the control panel beside him, as if he were picking it up casually:

"Back then, that guy named Isshiki kept saying things like 'Kaguya stole his Divine Tree'."

His voice was soft, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet research room.

"I suppose you all have some connection to the 'Kaguya' he mentioned."

These words caused Bai Jue's body to visibly stiffen.

Kaguya Otsutsuki...

It remained silent, not daring to say a word.

Black Zetsu had instructed that if Shura mentioned information about his mother Kaguya, he should neither explain, deny, nor admit it.

Remain silent, then bring the intelligence back.

Seeing Bai Jue's stiff expression, Mianma's smile deepened.

He knew he had hit a nerve.

Black Zetsu indeed didn't know Isshiki, nor did he know Isshiki's second Ten-Tails.

Mianma sneered inwardly.

Did they intend to use lies to lure me into becoming the Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki, and then take the opportunity to "open my heart" so that Kaguya could possess my body?
Do you think I'm Madara Uchiha or Obito Uchiha?!
However, he doesn't intend to expose it now.

Black Zetsu has his own plans, and so does he.

Sometimes, however, the best strategy is to turn the tables on someone else.

Mianma waved his hand casually, as if he were swatting away an annoying fly.

"okay."

"Tell that guy a message."

Bai Jue quickly raised his head, pricked up his ears, and listened attentively.

"I can't give you the One-Tailed Jinchuriki." Menma's voice was cold, leaving no room for negotiation: "However, it's still possible to spare some of the One-Tailed Chakra."

He paused, his gaze returning to Bai Jue, his dark eyes so deep they seemed to devour all light.

"I hope he won't let me down."

These words were spoken softly, but the threat they carried was so heavy that Bai Jue almost trembled again.

"Yes...yes!" Bai Jue quickly replied, "I will definitely deliver the message!"

As if granted a pardon, it immediately began to sink, trying to burrow underground and escape this suffocating place.

But just before its body completely sank into the ground, Menma added:
"besides."

White Zetsu froze, half of his body still exposed, and nervously raised his head.

Mianma looked at it, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips:

"I hope he can come in person next time we meet."

"after all……"

"Always sending clones to deliver messages shows a lack of sincerity."

White Zetsu dared not utter another word, his body quickly sinking into the chakra metal floor and disappearing from sight.

The ripples subsided.

The lab fell silent once more.

Mianma stood still, without making any immediate move.

He closed his eyes, sensing the feedback from the chakra network. White Zetsu had indeed left; its chakra traces quickly receded after leaving the research lab, moving towards the mountains at the edge of the Oasis Corridor.

No trace of Black Jue was found within 50 kilometers of the Science and Technology City, so it seems that guy is still very cautious.

A few seconds later, Mianma opened his eyes.

He turned around, his gaze falling once again on the sealing scroll on the control panel.

A thousand white Zetsu.

These products from the Divine Tree possess extremely strong vitality and chakra compatibility, making them excellent "scientific research materials".

Whether used for experimental research related to chakra or for the development of certain special techniques, it is an invaluable resource.

The corners of Mianma's mouth slowly turned up, forming a pleasant arc.

"The Ten-Tails' Jinchūriki..."

His voice echoed in the quiet research room, soft but full of an air of complete control.

"The script for the Fourth Shinobi World War always needs some villains to make it interesting..."

(End of this chapter)