A New Snake In The Shinobi World-Chapter 375:

There is a feeling in this world called a roller coaster ride.

And right now, that was exactly what Black Zetsu was experiencing.

Black and White, two halves of the same being.

White Zetsu was a byproduct of those who fell under the Infinite Tsukuyomi in ancient times.

Black Zetsu, on the other hand, was the will of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.

His ultimate goal had always been to resurrect his mother, Kaguya.

Everything he had done, every scheme, every manipulation was for this purpose.

He orchestrated the conflict between Asura and Indra.

He incited the final battle between Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama.

He helped Madara implant Hashirama's cells to awaken the Rinnegan.

He altered the stone tablet left by the Sage of Six Paths, misleading the Uchiha into pursuing the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

He assisted Obito in reviving Uchiha Madara.

All of it was preparation to bring Kaguya back.

---

When Obito had suddenly turned on him just now, he had sensed that something was wrong.

But he still held onto a sliver of hope.

After all, who in this world could possibly know about his connection to Kaguya?

He had assumed that Obito was simply trying to gain control over him for Madara's sake.

But then... Orochimaru spoke.

When Orochimaru casually mentioned Kaguya's resurrection, all of Zetsu's hopes were crushed.

Yet, just as he was sinking into despair.

Orochimaru said something shocking.

He offered to help resurrect Kaguya.

What was this?

Despair turning into hope? A flower blooming in the ashes?

Was this what it meant to escape death and find new life?

This... this was truly a roller coaster ride.

Life had never fluctuated this wildly for him before.

It was... exhilarating.

---

"Do you have anything else to say, Zetsu?"

Hearing Black Zetsu suddenly call out to stop him, Orochimaru smirked.

His victory was certain.

Zetsu's reaction was exactly what he had expected.

Inside Obito's dimension, without a way to connect to another space, Zetsu was completely trapped.

He wouldn't die from hunger. He wasn't afraid of solitude.

But what he feared most... was never being able to save his mother.

No matter what, he would have to agree to Orochimaru's terms.

Even if it was only temporary.

---

Black Zetsu slumped slightly, like a withered plant.

"...Orochimaru," he muttered. "How do you know about my connection to my mother?"

Since the secret had been exposed, there was no point in hiding it anymore.

He had no other options.

Even after existing for a thousand years, he was completely powerless against Orochimaru, a man who seemed to know everything.

"Mother?"

Obito looked at Zetsu in shock.

"Zetsu... you... you're really the son of the Chakra Ancestor, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki?"

"It seems you knew something about this already, Obito," Black Zetsu said hoarsely. "Yes. My mother is the great Chakra Ancestor, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki."

"...I thought you were Uchiha Madara's will?"

Obito frowned.

When Orochimaru had first promised to resurrect Rin, he had also revealed certain hidden truths to Obito.

One of those truths was Black Zetsu's connection to Kaguya.

But at the time, Obito had refused to believe it.

So he had been secretly observing.

And now...

Black Zetsu sighed.

"It doesn't matter anymore," he muttered in resignation. "At this point, there's no point in lying. Orochimaru... how much do you actually know?"

Orochimaru smirked.

"Not much," he said casually.

Then, he proceeded to list two major events:

The battle between Hagoromo and Hamura vs. Kaguya.

The battle at the Valley of the End between Madara and Hashirama.

The latter was common knowledge among older Konoha shinobi.

But the former...

Very few knew that the Ten-Tails was actually Kaguya herself.

Most only knew that the Sage of Six Paths had sealed the Ten-Tails.

"...That's about it," Orochimaru finished.

"Now, it's your turn to talk, isn't it?"

Black Zetsu hesitated for a moment.

But then, his gaze sharpened.

"I have one question first," he said.

"Go ahead."

"If you know that I exist solely to resurrect my mother... why don't you just leave me here or seal me away?"

Zetsu's very existence was immortal in a sense.

Even the power of the Six Paths couldn't kill him.

But sealing him?

That was a different story.

Orochimaru had more than enough ability to seal him away for hundreds of years.

So why hadn't he done that?

"You're right," Orochimaru admitted. "I do have a plan."

Zetsu's eyes narrowed.

"Why?"

"Because I am someone who pursues the truth."

Orochimaru's voice was smooth, almost hypnotic.

"In my research, I've discovered something... perhaps Kaguya isn't actually the real problem."

Both Obito and Black Zetsu froze.

Obito's reaction was one of shock.

Black Zetsu's reaction was something far deeper.

It was a mix of awe and disbelief.

For a millennium, he had believed that his mother was right.

And he had assumed that no one else would ever believe in her innocence.

But now—

For the first time ever—

Someone else had spoken the words he had longed to hear.

"Perhaps the real problem... isn't Kaguya?"

It was ridiculous.

It shouldn't have mattered.

But in that moment.

Black Zetsu wanted to fall to his knees and embrace Orochimaru's legs in gratitude.

Orochimaru chuckled softly.

"Quite the reaction," he mused.

"Now," he continued, "tell me everything you know. I'll decide for myself whether or not you're lying."

Black Zetsu didn't hesitate.

"Understood," he said respectfully.

He didn't dare to conceal anything.

Because he had no idea how much Orochimaru already knew.

If he tried to lie and was caught...

It would be the end.

And so, for the first time.

The full truth was revealed.

The original story had been crafted by Madara and perfected by Zetsu.

But now, it was being told by Zetsu alone.

A thousand years ago, Kaguya descended upon this world.

She ate the divine fruit.

She bore two children, Hagoromo and Hamura.

She created the White Zetsu.

The Sage of Six Paths and his brother sealed their mother to protect humanity.

The conflict passed from Indra and Asura to the Uchiha and Senju.

Madara and Zetsu manipulated Lin, using her to break Obito.

Obito was then used to manipulate Nagato.

A conspiracy spanning a millennium... finally laid bare.

Obito stood there, stunned.

"...Rin... was part of your plan, too?"

"...Even Uchiha Madara was just a pawn?"

"...Everyone was your victim?"

Black Zetsu lowered his head.

"Orochimaru," he said solemnly, "if you help me resurrect my mother."

"I swear, both White Zetsu and I will serve you without hesitation."

***

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