Sasuke was confused.

Naruto was confused.

Tobirama was confused.

Hashirama was also confused.

But the one most baffled of all was Madara.

Was Black Zetsu really this strong?

Even he hadn't sensed how Black Zetsu slipped into Orochimaru's body and managed to turn around and rip out his heart.

But after the shock passed, his mood flipped instantly. He bolted out from under Sasuke's Susanoo without a word.

That talk earlier about working together to deal with Orochimaru? Yeah, that was pure nonsense.

He was the only one who could become the Sage of Six Paths and cast Infinite Tsukuyomi.

"Great job, Black!"

"Get the Rinnegan back right now, don't waste time fighting!"

Madara didn't care about appearances anymore, sprinting over while shouting at Black Zetsu and Orochimaru.

…Except Black Zetsu didn't care about him at all. Still clutching Orochimaru's heart, he sneered.

Orochimaru's eyes moved with difficulty. His chakra felt like it had been sealed by a Yin-Yang black rod, completely unusable.

"Orochimaru, Yami is too strong," Black Zetsu's hoarse voice echoed in his ears.

"He's a heretic in this world, an existence beyond common sense. You're still far from being able to handle him. What we need is a true god… the Rabbit Goddess."

"Only she can erase this unstable factor."

Madara slowed, frowning.

"The Rabbit Goddess?"

"Black Zetsu, what the hell are you talking about? Who's the Rabbit Goddess?"

Even if you were talking about me… wouldn't I be the Rabbit God instead???

"Madara, you're such a disappointment."

Black Zetsu's form spread, covering half of Orochimaru's body. His voice now came from Orochimaru's mouth. "Not only was the pawn I chose a waste, but you're also a waste. You can't even handle Yami."

Madara's fists tightened. "Do you even know what you're saying? Black Zetsu… you're my creation. I could turn you into sludge with a thought."

"Hahaha!"

Black Zetsu laughed using Orochimaru's body, shaking his head. "Madara, you want the whole world immersed in an illusion, but you don't even realize you're the first one living in one. The dream you've been chasing? I painted it for you."

His voice sharpened. "I've never been your will. I am Kaguya's will!"

…

Hearing that name, Sasuke's heart skipped, his pupils shrinking.

"Sasuke, you know who that is?" Naruto asked quickly, and the others turned to look.

"It's Yami-sensei," Sasuke said seriously. "Yami mentioned that name once."

Naruto scratched his head. "Why don't I remember that?"

"You weren't there."

Sasuke took a breath. "That time Yami took Yuichi and me to get a foot massage, he said the most beautiful woman in the world was Kaguya, Ōtsutsuki Kaguya. But I'm not sure if it's the same Kaguya Black Zetsu is talking about."

The moment the words left his mouth, a faint voice slid into Sasuke's ear, startling everyone.

"Going for a pedicure again? When was this?"

Hikari and Izumi appeared out of nowhere, Hikari looking at Sasuke with a hint of hostility.

Sasuke forced a smile. "Not long ago. Did you two ever hear Yami-sensei talk about this Kaguya?"

Unlike Tsunade's baffled, shocked reaction, Hikari and Izumi were calm, showing no surprise at this twist.

Izumi nodded slightly. "You'll understand soon enough. Yami's been working toward bringing the Rabbit Goddess here."

In truth, they were also curious to see what the "most beautiful woman in the ninja world" that Yami spoke of looked like.

Just earlier, a shadow had briefly passed across the moon, too quick and blurred for anyone to see clearly.

Not far away, Yami appeared beside Madara, patting his shoulder with a sigh.

"Look at you… after all this, you got played by a lump of black mud. Pitiful, really."

"But honestly, you should be thanking Orochimaru. If he hadn't taken the Rinnegan, you'd be the one getting your heart ripped out."

…

Black Zetsu had been about to keep mocking Madara, maybe smack him around a bit, but the moment he saw Yami coming, he didn't dare stall any longer. He unleashed Devouring Jutsu at full force.

"Ahhhhhhhhhh!"

Orochimaru screamed as chakra burst from his body.

Black Zetsu's form melted into liquid, spreading from the heart outward, flooding the rest of Orochimaru's body.

At the same time, massive amounts of materialized chakra erupted from the earth like a fountain, tearing the ground apart. Along with the chakra absorbed from the God Tree, it surged into Orochimaru at terrifying speed.

In the next instant, Orochimaru's body began to swell.

Like a balloon, it expanded rapidly.

"Stop him now!"

Madara snapped out of his shock. Ignoring Yami's jab, he quickly formed seals.

"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Song Technique!"

Naruto and Sasuke followed up with their own long-range attacks.

"Lightning Style: Chidori Sharp Spear!"

"Sage Art: Super Rasenshuriken!"

The three attacks of wind, fire, and lightning blended perfectly, growing more destructive as they collided but Orochimaru's hair suddenly grew wildly, whipping around like tentacles and easily dispersing the combined blast.

He couldn't control the chakra flooding him. His body kept swelling, lifting into the air.

Black Zetsu's form was now completely white.

With only one eye left, he looked at Yami. Even now, his smile was calm. When he noticed his gaze, he smiled and waved at him.

It was like he was saying goodbye.

Yami… is this part of your plan too?

What exactly are you trying to do?

Rip—!

[Host and Orochimaru have reached the third stage of the Regret Bond. Reward: Ten Tails Chakra (90%).]

(To be continued.)