"Kid, come with me. I'll teach you new powers and help you change your destiny."
If Kakuzu were to say something like this, it'd undoubtedly turn into a comedy of public humiliation. Even a three-year-old knows not to go with strangers, let alone elite ninja like Sakumo Hatake and the others. They'd never trust someone they'd never met before.
When it comes to winning over children, it's better to take a page from the adult Orochimaru's playbook: appear at their lowest moment when they most "need" you. That way, the odds of luring them to your side increase significantly.
For now, the best approach is to let things unfold naturally. When their fates reach a turning point, they'll find new choices waiting for them.
Still, if Kakuzu intends to change their destinies, he can't just sit idly by. While Sakumo was training in swordsmanship, Kakuzu gave him a few pointers. As expected of a genius, Sakumo grasped the concepts immediately, infusing his White Fang short blade with Lightning Release. With one slash, its power surpassed anything he had achieved before.
Though Kakuzu's advice was offhand, his effortless, masterful demeanor left a lasting impression on Sakumo.
Then came the matter of Might Duy. Kakuzu had little to offer him directly but instructed Maruboshi Kosuke to look out for him whenever possible. Duy was sunny, disciplined, and driven—qualities that required no strict guidance.
As for Hiruko, Kakuzu already had a plan for him. But before that, it was necessary to let him endure some hardship to awaken his hunger for power—an essential form of training in itself.
...
A few days later,
Kakuzu returned to White Tree Town.
In a spacious room, he sat cross-legged, staring at a test tube in front of him. Taking a deep breath, he remembered the last time he diluted Hashirama's cells by 260 times before his body could adapt.
This time, after countless experiments, he settled on a final concentration: 120 times. While it was a significant improvement, there was still a long way to go. Progress would have to come step by step.
Just as Kakuzu prepared to inject the cells, a commotion erupted outside.
Hanabusa swiftly formed hand seals, casting a genjutsu on the intruder. Heisei Rokuno swung his blade in a powerful slash. Yet, to their surprise, no matter how hard they attacked, they couldn't drive the unwelcome guest away.
Kakuzu slowly stepped out.
The intruder, upon seeing Kakuzu, chuckled darkly.
"I told you, I'm not an enemy. I've come to assist Lord Kakuzu."
Kakuzu waved his hand, signaling Hanabusa and Rokuno to stand down.
He crossed his arms, his gaze cold as he regarded the man before him.
"Say what you have to say. If it's nonsense, I can't kill you, but I can beat you senseless and toss you in the latrine."
"Haha, Lord Kakuzu, still as icy as ever," Black Zetsu said, unfazed by the hostility. He was, after all, the greatest manipulator behind the scenes. Dealing with him rarely ended well.
"I brought a gift this time," Black Zetsu said with a sly grin.
"Oh?" Kakuzu raised an eyebrow and took a step forward. Black Zetsu's reminder brought back memories of their last encounter. Back then, Zetsu had tried to enlist Kakuzu's help without offering anything in return—a bold attempt to get something for nothing.
Now that he was back, Kakuzu wasn't about to let him off so easily.
"Last time, I made it clear: whether I help or not, you'll need to fork over at least one billion. Can't pay up? Then you'd better prepare to clean my toilet with your face," Kakuzu said, pointing toward the backyard.
Black Zetsu laughed nervously.
"Let's not go there. A billion is impossible for me."
He wasn't lying. Though Black Zetsu possessed the strength of a Jōnin, earning a billion ryo in the black market would take years of backbreaking work. And as a being with a unique identity, he couldn't easily reveal himself to the world.
"So, you're broke but still dare to show up?" Kakuzu gestured toward the backyard.
"Do it yourself, or shall I help you?"
"Lord Kakuzu, wait! I've prepared something better for you this time. I know how to awaken Wood Release more efficiently."
"Oh? Do tell," Kakuzu said, lifting Black Zetsu by the neck with a faint smile.
"If you're lying, you'll be scrubbing toilets with your face."
Without giving Zetsu a chance to explain, Kakuzu dragged him into the house. He instructed Hanabusa and Rokuno to stand guard outside, ready to drag Zetsu off to the latrine if necessary.
Though Kakuzu didn't mind beating Black Zetsu to a pulp again, he had to admit the guy was crafty.
"Lord Kakuzu, the power of Hashirama's Wood Release comes from the God Tree. Since the God Tree is the source of this world's energy, why not integrate its essence through meditation and incorporate it into Wood Release?"
As he spoke, Black Zetsu dragged out a white figure from the ground.
This figure could only be White Zetsu.
During the Fourth Great Ninja War, the 100,000 White Zetsu used as cannon fodder were created later on. However, the initial few dozen White Zetsu were born directly from the Divine Tree. They could be explained as remnants of people from the previous era who had been absorbed by the Divine Tree.
Following Black Zetsu's instructions, Kakuzu remained seated, meditating quietly on the nature of the world. Meanwhile, White Zetsu stood nearby, radiating his unique aura.
Then, something remarkable occurred.
The energy White Zetsu released, combined with the Hashirama cells within him, formed a perfect synergy. What would normally take eleven or twelve years to fully assimilate was happening at an accelerated pace. Not only did the Hashirama cells rapidly enhance Kakuzu's growth, but they also fused seamlessly with his Earth Grudge Fear technique.
...
In the blink of an eye, seven years passed.
On this day, Kakuzu opened his eyes.
His deep, shadowed pupils gazed ahead, and the index finger resting on his knee twitched slightly.
Creak.
A piece of wood extended from his finger, growing forward continuously.
"So, this is the essence of life," Kakuzu murmured, raising his hand to inspect it.
Life itself was endless and ever-replenishing. No matter how the wood was broken, it regenerated swiftly, growing again without pause. This unending vitality felt akin to a single drop of water confronting the vastness of the ocean.
At this moment, Kakuzu finally grasped the essence of Senju Hashirama's power.
To be honest, had Hashirama not exhausted his life force during the Battle of the Final Valley when he unleashed his godlike power, he might have remained the eternal "god" of the ninja world.
It was then that Black Zetsu emerged from the ground once more.
"Kakuzu-sama, it seems this round of Hashirama cell fusion was a success," Black Zetsu remarked.
Kakuzu didn't even glance at him.
"Get lost."
He hadn't forgotten that Black Zetsu was more a rival than an ally. The foundation of their collaboration was mutual exploitation, and nothing more.
Seeing this, Black Zetsu shrugged. "You're as cold as ever. But it seems the time has come for me to share a little secret with you. Uchiha Madara... isn't dead."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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