CHAPTER 152: CHAPTER 152: BLACK ZETSU RUN

Chapter 152: Black Zetsu Run

Under the moonlit sky, Konoha once again stirred with unrest.

This time, however, the commotion was far subtler than before—barely noticed by most of the village. Only a handful of ANBU responded, and the identity of the intruders had yet to even reach the central command. Let alone a full-scale mobilization.

Konoha was, after all, a military village. Intrusions were not uncommon. Depending on the rank and threat level of the invader, specialized units were dispatched accordingly—to eliminate threats while minimizing collateral damage.

The last two incidents, when the Nine-Tails’ Jinchūriki lost control, were rare exceptions. Those moments had forced the entire village into action. Not since Konoha’s founding had such large-scale alerts been triggered.

Now, in this quieter night, Ryosuke crouched atop a rooftop, overlooking the entire village, his expression grim.

After the deaths of Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo, he had assumed there was little left in the village worth his attention. But clearly, he’d miscalculated.

From his vantage point, Ryosuke identified two active battle zones: one near the outer perimeter of the village, and one close to the center.

The outer skirmish was loud—explosions of chakra, shattered rooftops, and firelit skies. It had already drawn in several ANBU units. High-level ninjutsu was being exchanged, and structures were crumbling under the force of it.

Fortunately, the ANBU had acted quickly, evacuating civilians in time.

The battle near the village center, in contrast, was eerily quiet—more like a sparring session at the ninja academy than a real confrontation.

But silence didn’t mean weakness.

It was simply Uchiha Itachi’s power—refined and absolute—that masked the chaos unfolding between him, Naruto, and Sasuke.

Ryosuke barely glanced in their direction.

He knew Itachi well enough to be certain the man wouldn’t kill either of them. No, Ryosuke’s attention was focused on something far worse:

Black Zetsu.

Beneath their feet, far below the surface, a twisted humanoid figure lurked. Its body was pitch black, like ink, shapeless save for a vaguely human form. It had no clothing, no clear anatomy—just a grotesque face resting on an otherwise formless body.

It radiated darkness.

Filth. Depravity. Malice.

It was as if every vile emotion in the world had been given a physical form.

So the Akatsuki still didn’t trust Itachi.

Even though Itachi was feared and revered—even within Akatsuki—Black Zetsu had been sent to monitor him directly. It made sense. He wasn’t just a threat. He was a wildcard.

And their suspicions weren’t misplaced.

Itachi truly was a double agent. A mole planted by Konoha’s top brass—one of the few secrets Ryosuke had known since arriving in this world.

Besides Hiruzen, only a select few even knew the truth.

Perhaps Itachi’s sudden return to the village wasn’t for Naruto at all. Perhaps it was a silent reminder to those remaining higher-ups: I’m still watching. Keep your promises regarding Sasuke.

But Ryosuke wasn’t interested in confirming Itachi’s motives.

No, his eyes narrowed, focused on the crawling black shape underground.

Should I kill Black Zetsu now?

The thought crossed his mind. But he quickly dismissed it.

Black Zetsu wasn’t like Kaguya’s two sons. He didn’t possess divine power. But he was a master of Yin-Yang Release and had existed for over a thousand years.

Long life didn’t necessarily mean strength—but it always meant cunning.

There was a reason that, in the original timeline, only sealing techniques could truly stop him. Ryosuke didn’t have such methods yet. Without a guaranteed way to restrain or destroy him, attacking now would be reckless.

"Hmm?"

His glowing Byakugan eyes narrowed further.

From beneath the earth, Black Zetsu slowly turned—his grotesque face locking eyes with Ryosuke’s position.

He noticed me.

A moment later, the shadow shot away underground, fleeing Konoha at blinding speed.

Ryosuke watched it go, his expression unchanged.

Tricky bastard... but this is better. At least I don’t have to make that choice now.

He stood slowly and leapt from the rooftop, landing softly on the ground below without a sound.

He wasn’t surprised Zetsu had sensed his gaze. Though Ryosuke could avoid the detection of even seasoned sensory-nin, monsters like Zetsu were different.

Fortunately, the Byakugan had its own advantages.

Zetsu might have sensed he was being watched, but he wouldn’t know who—or from where.

Even if he did, Ryosuke wasn’t worried.

He began walking back toward the Hyuga compound, not bothering to involve himself in the village’s affairs.

On Naruto’s side, Jiraiya had already arrived.

As for Kisame—despite his monstrous chakra reserves and his specialized sword that made him a powerhouse in prolonged fights—this was Konoha.

The Leaf was not to be underestimated.

After just three minutes of combat, Kisame was already showing signs of exhaustion. His retreat had been cut off. If Itachi hadn’t provided cover, he would’ve been captured by now.

Ryosuke hadn’t physically gone to the scene—but that didn’t matter. Through his Byakugan, he already understood the situation.

Fights between humans...

I’ve had enough of those.

He’d seen enough battles. Lived through enough of them. They no longer excited him.

It was like watching a max-level player stomp through a beginner’s zone.

Even Tsukuyomi—Itachi’s most terrifying genjutsu—wouldn’t have the desired effect on Ryosuke. Not with his enhanced Byakugan and mental resistance.

And Itachi? Without the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, even maintaining the third form of Susanoo was difficult for him.

Let alone trying to stand against someone like Ryosuke.

Battles between ordinary ninjas no longer meant much to Ryosuke.

To grow stronger, he would eventually have to face beings far beyond human—those who transcended conventional power. That was the only way forward.

Yet this desire stirred a contradiction within him.

A part of him still leaned toward caution. His personality urged him to deal with threats before they could fester—to remain steady, measured, safe. But ever since arriving in this world, Ryosuke had tasted the wonders of training. The thrill of it. The endless possibilities. The sense of freedom and control.

And that part of him craved more.

It wasn’t just about defeating enemies—it was about understanding, evolving, transcending himself.

Killing Black Zetsu was one question.

But stopping him would also mean stopping certain events in the future. Events that might lead to Kaguya Otsutsuki’s revival.

And strangely... Ryosuke didn’t want that.

Without Black Zetsu, the odds of Kaguya breaking free from her seal dropped dramatically. But Ryosuke—deep down—wanted to see her with his own eyes. To face her. To learn from her. To glimpse the true depth of the Otsutsuki clan’s power.

Right now, he possessed their physique and potential, but without a proper inheritance, he was stumbling through the dark. Coercion, illusions, techniques with structure—those he could figure out.

But the vague, almost divine abilities?

Prophetic dreams. Mind-reading. Sensing fate.

He could only trigger those through passive dreaming, unable to fully understand or master them. But if he stood before someone like Kaguya—if he fought her, even for a moment—he might finally grasp those things.

And then, with the limiter in his body continuing to temper him, he could break past every boundary.

Practice, comprehension, breakthroughs... it was no wonder people in his previous life longed for cultivation. It wasn’t just strength—it was beauty, a path more intoxicating than wealth, women, or fame.

---

The Next Morning

In the main residence of the Hyuga clan, the family gathered for breakfast beneath the rising sun.

Ryosuke sat at the table with his father Hiashi, Hinata, and Hanabi. As always, their breakfast was abundant—enough for ten, though only four were present. Each of them had a steaming bowl of white rice, elegantly paired with the finest dishes of the household.

Despite the variety, they ate in silence, graceful and unhurried. Even Hanabi, once a wide-eyed child, now carried herself with composed dignity. Having grown into her role at the ninja academy, she showed clear signs of stepping into Hinata’s once timid shoes.

Their pace was calm, but their efficiency was impressive. A glance away and the dishes were nearly gone. A second glance, and they were sipping hot miso soup, finishing the meal with quiet satisfaction.

For a long time, this peaceful rhythm had been impossible.

There was always someone who had to eat early, or late, or not at all—swallowed by duty. But with responsibilities now more evenly shared, even Hiashi had space to enjoy these simple moments. It had taken time, but this family was now moving as one.

---

After breakfast, the quiet atmosphere shifted as Hiashi finally broke the silence.

"Ryosuke," he said, placing down his teacup. "You went out again last night, didn’t you?"

He wasn’t accusatory—just calmly observant. "Was it because of the two intrusions?"

Ryosuke smiled faintly. "Just took a walk. Nothing serious."

He didn’t mention Black Zetsu. Explaining that would require revealing far more—about the ninja world’s secrets, and about himself. It wasn’t time for that yet.

Hiashi didn’t press. Instead, he pushed a small scroll across the table.

"I received this from one of our clansmen this morning. It confirms the identities of the intruders—Uchiha Itachi, the traitor of the Uchiha clan, and Hoshigaki Kisame, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist."

He continued, "They’ve retreated now, but not without cost. Judging by their coordinated attire and movements, this was clearly an organized operation. And their target... appears to be Naruto."

"Naruto?" Hinata blinked. "Their real target must be the Nine-Tails. But... why? Are they trying to create their own village?"

Her voice was thoughtful, her analysis sharp. Since stepping down as an elder, her insight had grown. She was no longer just the gentle heiress—she was becoming a leader.

Hiashi nodded. "It’s possible. Judging by their identities, it looks like a group formed by rogue ninjas from different villages. But this isn’t some ragtag gang. Their strength is real."

"If they find a nation willing to back them—and secure control of a Jinchūriki—they could become a genuine threat. A new hidden village, perhaps."

Hinata fell silent, then offered a bold thought. "If they’re trying to form a village... maybe we Hyuga should too."

She turned to Ryosuke.

"Your bond with Naruto is strong. If it came to a choice between the village and you... I think he’d stand with us."

The suggestion hung in the air.

"A ninja village of our own..." Hiashi murmured, his eyes gleaming with sudden ambition. "It’s worth considering."

Even Hanabi, who had remained silent until now, didn’t object.

Hiashi’s gaze settled back on Ryosuke.

"What do you think?"

Ryosuke sighed lightly. "I saw them last night. That organization—Akatsuki—is far more dangerous than you realize."

He leaned forward, his voice calm, but serious.

"And I don’t think their goal is just to build a new country. They’re after something far greater—something that could reshape the entire ninja world."

Hiashi and Hinata exchanged glances, then looked at him again. It was clear in their eyes:

You know more.

"What do you think they’ll do next?" Hiashi asked, no longer bothering to hide his curiosity.

Ryosuke exhaled softly.

"No matter what comes... I’m ready."

They didn’t question his confidence. Not anymore.

Over time, the bonds between them had deepened. Their thoughts had begun to align. They could read him now—see the subtle shifts in his words and posture.

And the old mask Ryosuke once wore so well?

It no longer worked on the people closest to him.

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