Konoha: The thirty-year-old Uchiha lacks motivation.

Chapter 503 The Making of a Virtuous Wife: Black Zetsu

Black Zetsu, carrying Madara Uchiha, was in a complete mess. The situation was now out of his control, but since things had come to this, he could only take it one step at a time.

"Sigh~"

With a deep sigh, Black Zetsu, possessing the body of Number Six, looked helpless as he carefully pulled out the black rods stuck in Madara Uchiha's back one by one.

"I didn't expect this guy to have awakened Wood Release."

Watching Madara Uchiha's breathing gradually calm down, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at his own feat.

Previously, when Black Zetsu was hiding in the battlefield observing, he intended to stand aside and watch. However, when he saw Madara Uchiha use Wood Release, this cunning old fox who had been lying low for over a thousand years almost jumped up in excitement.

Indra's reincarnation has awakened the Wood Release technique!

This is a sign of the fusion of the power of all things in the universe; Mom is saved!

However, with his own strength alone, he was simply no match for this supermodel battle. Fortunately, Madara Uchiha proved himself capable, and even after abandoning the power of the Tailed Beast Rider, he was still able to defeat the group of enhanced clones.

Just when Black Zetsu thought everything was in the bag, a sudden change occurred. A strange man forcefully entered the battlefield, instantly reversing the entire situation.

Not only did he fight Madara Uchiha to a standstill, but after absorbing a defeated clone, he evolved into a form that inexplicably terrified Black Zetsu, allowing him to completely manipulate the incredibly powerful Madara Uchiha.

After several rounds, Madara Uchiha was completely overwhelmed and unable to fight back. His muscular back was covered with black rods, making him look like a giant black hedgehog.

Black Zetsu was getting anxious.

For a thousand years, Black Zetsu has witnessed the deaths of many incarnations of Indra, and each time he has chosen to ignore them.

In his view, reincarnated beings unable to fuse with the power of all things in the universe were of no use, but this time was different.

Madara Uchiha proved with his outstanding performance that he was the most likely reincarnation to awaken the Rinnegan so far, and Black Zetsu could not bear to watch him die at Isshiki's hands.

But he also knew that he was only a few years older, and his strength was insignificant compared to the others present. Forget saving Uchiha Madara from his predicament; he'd probably be instantly killed the moment he showed his face to that terrifying man.

Just as Black Zetsu was at his wit's end, he suddenly remembered that Madara Uchiha still had teammates. Although Tobirama Senju's strength was only average, he had many tricks up his sleeve and could probably offer some help.

However, Tobirama Senju's situation wasn't much better. Having just fought tooth and nail to defeat a clone, an even stronger one suddenly appeared, treating the white-haired guy like a football.

When Black Zetsu saw that the other party was in dire straits, his heart sank. He could not rely on anyone now. Did he really have to wait for decades?

"Damn it, relying on others is worse than relying on yourself, let's give it our all!"

After much hesitation, Black Zetsu, not wanting to miss the chance to save his mother, finally decided to take action himself. However, before that, he needed to strengthen himself.

His first target was the exhausted and unconscious Mirror. Thinking he was familiar with the process, Black Zetsu wanted to possess the Uchiha again. However, upon seeing the curly hair on the other's head, he instinctively felt a sense of resistance.

I feel like possessing this Uchiha would be a lot of trouble.

Just then, he discovered Number Six, who had been defeated by Tobirama Senju. Seeing the clone on the verge of death, Black Zetsu didn't hesitate much and immediately chose to steal the account.

[Spiritual possession]

The possession process was seamless; Black Zetsu quickly took over Android 6's body and discovered the clone's flaws at the soul level.

"Such a fragile soul."

The clones created by technology do not have the robust souls of normal humans. It is possible that Jigen deliberately did not enhance their souls in order to better control these weapons.

Having learned a painful lesson from possessing Uchiha Tajima, Black Zetsu extinguished Number Six's flickering consciousness, turning him into a complete vegetable, and naturally became the new master of this body.

Before he could even get used to his new body, Black Zetsu unleashed his signature move, instantly merging into the ground and speeding towards Madara Uchiha.

On the battlefield, Isshiki stood before Madara Uchiha, whose back was covered in black rods. He noticed the tenacious man was unconscious. Recalling Madara's formidable strength, Isshiki felt a surge of desire to collect his weapon. He slowly lowered the black rods he had been holding high.

"This body is also quite valuable for collection."

In the instant he hesitated, Black Zetsu, who had been lying in wait, seized the opportunity to burst forth from the ground, grabbed the unconscious Uchiha Madara, and dragged him into the ground.

"ha?"

Seeing this, Isshiki immediately snapped back to reality and hurled his black staff, but it was too late. Black Zetsu, using the Ephemeral Technique, had already carried Madara Uchiha more than a hundred meters away.

"Such a bizarre ability to hide."

Isshiki frowned. Even the Otsutsuki clan's prized sensory abilities could falter.

He couldn't accept being taken away right in front of him; he had to make them pay the price.

With this in mind, he soared into the sky, his Byakugan locking onto the fleeing Black Zetsu, unleashing a torrent of profound power.

Spicy Scorpio

"puff!"

As Black Zetsu fled, a chill ran down his spine. The next second, he felt a heavy pressure bearing down on him, as if he had been slammed into the back by a thousand-pound hammer. Blood spurted from his mouth.

Seeing that the repulsive force had accurately hit its target, Ichimoku prepared to use gravity to pull the fleeing Black Zetsu back.

As soon as he raised his hand, an unhealthy crimson flush appeared on his face, his pale skin quickly faded, and the pointed horns on the top of his head began to wither.

"Tsk! Is it time yet?"

A few seconds later, the aloof Otsutsuki transformed back into an ordinary monk.

The elixir made from clones could only temporarily restore Yi Shi's former glory. Torn by uncertainty, he reverted to Ci Xian and lost the will to continue his pursuit.

After all, Madara Uchiha had already abandoned the Tailed Beast Cards, losing his qualification to become fruit nourishment, and could only be considered a human with collectible value.

"Tap~!"

Just then, Number Nine, who had successfully implanted the Divine Tree spores into Tobirama Senju's body, returned victorious, which greatly eased Jigen's previously bad mood.

He left orders for him to clean up the battlefield and retrieve the damaged clones one by one, while he himself opened a portal and continued to savor the red wine from the Land of Waves.

"That was Mother's power just now! Damn it, who is he?!"

Having taken a direct hit from a genuine Shinra Tensei, Black Zetsu endured the excruciating pain of his internal organs shifting, and sprinted across the ground without looking back, recalling the skill he had just unleashed as he ran.

As a wedge left by Kaguya Otsutsuki just before her sealing, Black Zetsu possesses information about all of Kaguya's abilities.

He knew better than anyone the meaning of the blow he had just received; it was a Rinnegan skill that only his mother and that rebellious son, Hamura Otsutsuki, could use.

Shinra Tensei.

A thick gloom settled over Black Zetsu's heart. This man's appearance had shattered his plans that he had cultivated for many years.

The thought that Isshiki was also secretly gathering the power of the Tailed Beasts filled Black Zetsu with panic.

Possessing the Rinnegan ability and the ability to collect tailed beasts,

Is that man trying to steal my mother away?

"This destabilizing factor must be eliminated."

With this thought in mind, Black Zetsu carried the unconscious Uchiha Madara all the way to the farthest corner of the ninja world before stopping.

"What should I say when this guy wakes up?"

After resting for a while, the fatigue from the journey vanished thanks to Hashirama Senju's powerful physique. Black Zetsu stroked his chin, pondering how he should deceive Madara Uchiha, the reincarnated being who had fused with the power of all things in the universe, once he woke up.

Having witnessed such a terrifying technique, Black Zetsu had long since lost any desire to remain the mastermind behind the scenes.

In his heart, the suddenly appearing figure of Ichishiki had become someone vying with him for his mother's affections. How could Black Zetsu, the most filial son in the ninja world, allow anyone else to lay a finger on his mother?

The only thing that can rival the Rinnegan is the Rinnegan itself.

Thinking of this, Black Zetsu's gaze involuntarily fell on the unconscious Uchiha Madara in front of him, his eyes filled with determination.

We must keep him under control.

Madara Uchiha, who is about to awaken the Rinnegan, is Black Zetsu's biggest trump card.

Mind control?

Black Zetsu wanted to use the old method, but the previous failure was a thorn in his side, and he immediately abandoned the idea of ​​forcibly controlling Uchiha Madara.

"Looks like I'll have to resort to deception."

Stroking his chin, Black Zetsu prepared to weave a grand lie to make Madara Uchiha willingly become a weapon in his hand.

"But before that, let's build a secret base first."

Looking up at the desolate surroundings, Black Zetsu decided to first make a nest for himself, and also provide a relatively comfortable environment for the seriously injured Uchiha Madara.

"Let me think... This is it!"

Reaching the center of the open space, Black Zetsu strained his extensive knowledge base and quickly found the relevant ninjutsu. He then slammed the clone's hands onto the ground, causing the ground to rumble and tremble.

[Earth Escape - Earthquake Core]

With a sudden, earth-shaking tremor, a dark entrance slowly unfolded beneath Black Zetsu's feet.

"call"

After withdrawing his hand, Black Zetsu's face showed a hint of realization. This was the first time he had ever used such a large-scale ninjutsu.

As a living wedge, he did not have a physical body. Only after possessing a clone did he experience what it felt like to become human for the first time.

Before he could dwell on it any longer, Black Zetsu carried the unconscious Uchiha Madara into the underground base. Beneath the surface lay a vast, hollow space, its rooms arranged in a staggered, organized manner thanks to Black Zetsu's Earth Release techniques.

It not only has a huge training ground, exquisite conference rooms, and cozy lounges, but also a huge secret chamber large enough to house a demonic statue of the Outer Path.

After settling Madara Uchiha in the rest room, Black Zetsu began to examine his physical condition, but the result made him frown deeply.

Madara Uchiha's body was completely ravaged by the Isshiki Chakra Rod; all his meridians were destroyed, and various organs suffered varying degrees of damage.

"Such severe injuries, how could he still be alive?"

Black Zetsu removed his hand from Madara Uchiha's pounding heart, his face filled with confusion.

Such injuries would be fatal, let alone for an ordinary person; even Hashirama Senju would have had a hard time escaping death.

"Huh? What's this?"

Suddenly, a faint glow emanating from Madara Uchiha's chest caught Black Zetsu's attention. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a blue pendant shaped like a sharp claw.

Reaching out to touch the shimmering pendant, a hint of surprise appeared on Black Zetsu's face.

"Such a strong life force, no wonder they're still alive."

He could clearly sense the terrifying life force contained within this unassuming pendant, and he found the reason why Madara Uchiha had managed to survive.

"This is really a good thing."

Black Zetsu couldn't help but nod, but he wasn't particularly interested in this kind of life-boosting item.

As a product of Yin-Yang Escape, he is an immortal being.

"Then now we just need to wait."

Thanks to this item, Madara Uchiha's injuries were quickly healed within a few days, and Black Zetsu's worries were relieved.

Over the next period of time, Black Zetsu began to manage his newly established secret base, adding many furnishings and some daily necessities that humans needed.

"Gurgle~ gurgle~"

As a rumbling sound came from his stomach, Black Zetsu, who was holding a pile of clothes that emitted a pungent odor, frowned.

"What a hassle, I have to cook again."

His previous form didn't need to eat, but now that he's possessed this clone, he needs to eat, drink, and eliminate everything that humans need.

To this end, he specifically added toilets and a kitchen to the base to meet the body's daily needs.

"Splash splash~ Splash splash~"

In the kitchen, Black Zetsu clumsily tossed the wok around. Only after half the pot of food had turned a charred black did he scoop it onto a plate and begin chewing it expressionlessly.

"Crunch~ Crunch~"

"Glug~"

"It tastes awful."

Even though Black Zetsu had never tasted human food before, after gaining a body, his taste buds awakened, and he developed his own judgment about the quality of food.

"That food called hot pot looks pretty delicious."

With his stomach protesting as he ate the barely edible food, Black Zetsu recalled that night many years ago when he squatted beside Uchiha Gin and Uchiha Tajima, watching them enjoy a steaming hot pot.

That taste was still etched in his memory. Relying on that memory, he forced a bowl of pig feed down his throat, wiped his mouth, and stood up.

"Hiccup~ I should go change his pants."

Inside the rest room, Madara Uchiha, having undergone a period of self-repair, lay on the bed, covered with a thin blanket. His face had regained some color, and his bodily functions had returned to normal, with the possibility of a full recovery at any moment.

After Black Zetsu entered, he first performed a basic check-up to confirm that Madara Uchiha's body was unharmed. Then, he reached out and yanked back the thin blanket covering Madara.

Under the covers, Madara Uchiha was dressed in a plain-colored hospital gown. Black Zetsu skillfully turned him over.

"really."

Black Zetsu touched the slightly damp sheets, his brow furrowing slightly. He then reached for Madara Uchiha's belt.

"Sigh~ I should have put a tube in him."

This time I'll learn my lesson. Next time I'll definitely give this guy a good beating with a few tubes, and they'll have to be big ones.

(End of this chapter)