Chapter 78: The Core of the World (Patreon)

"No!"

Obito Uchiha was taken aback, turning to look at Zetsu beside him. No, more accurately, it should be Black Zetsu. Even he hadn't expected the usually silent Black Zetsu to suddenly speak up.

"Reason?" Nagato's tone remained calm.

"..."

Under the questioning, scrutinizing gazes of both Obito and Nagato, Black Zetsu's liquid-like body seemed to churn slightly. After a moment, it finally spoke in a grave tone. "That 'monster' is strong. Exceptionally strong. As the leader of the Akatsuki, you should not put yourself at risk."

This explanation was something not even Nagato could accept, let alone Obito. The Nagato who could now move freely would be able to unleash power far beyond what the Six Paths of Pain could achieve. If Black Zetsu's so-called "monster" was still within the realm of humanity, it stood no chance against Nagato, who possessed the "Eyes of God."

"Enough, Zetsu. I am a God now. You can't possibly believe any mortal could defeat me."

Nagato also rejected Black Zetsu's explanation. However, he paused, then turned his gaze to Obito. "Since Zetsu is so certain... Madara, you will accompany me on this mission."

Hearing this, Obito instinctively opened his mouth to refuse, but he saw Black Zetsu, controlling the body, look over at him. There was no doubt about Black Zetsu's intent: it wanted him to agree.

If possible, Black Zetsu would never let Nagato attempt to contact that entity suspected to be a "Celestial Being," even though the creature was likely no longer in the Land of Hot Water. But Black Zetsu also understood that if it continued to obstruct, it would inevitably arouse Nagato's suspicion. It already regretted the two words it had blurted out in a moment of impulse, as it was completely out of character for its usual silent self. Since it could no longer stop this, the best option now was to have Obito accompany Nagato, ensuring he would not make contact.

At this moment, Obito was unaware of Black Zetsu's true thoughts. In his understanding, Black Zetsu was the will of Madara Uchiha. Therefore, upon seeing the signal from Black Zetsu, his guard immediately went up. His first thought was that the monster must truly be powerful, strong enough to make even Madara wary.

After a moment of silence, Obito nodded, agreeing to Nagato's proposal. No matter what, the Rinnegan could not be allowed to come to harm.

Meanwhile, back in Amegakure, Konan slowly opened her eyes.

"Well?" Hyūga Kumokawa, sitting before her, asked with a smile. Hanzō also looked at her with curiosity.

Konan stared at this man before her, far more enigmatic than "Madara." A flicker of shock and wariness passed through her eyes, but she nodded.

"It happened just as you said. 'Madara' agreed."

Yes, the final outcome unfolded exactly as "Kage" had predicted. Even Zetsu's reaction was within his expectations. "Madara" actually seemed to care about Black Zetsu's opinion.

"What exactly are you trying to do?"

Konan finally couldn't hold back the question. The silent Hanzō also raised his head quietly. Both of them had now realized that everything seemed to be unfolding under "Kage's" guidance. This was precisely why Konan felt such shock and apprehension.

Yet, strangely, she couldn't muster the same hostility toward this "Kage" as she did toward "Madara." Because she couldn't currently discern any clear objective from "Kage," nor could she sense any intent to use the Akatsuki for his own ends. But if Nagato had truly been manipulated as a pawn since childhood, then this person, by exposing the lies and revealing the truth, had undoubtedly saved her, Nagato, and the Akatsuki's future.

So... why?

"Hmm?"

Hyūga Kumokawa looked up, smiling as if puzzled. "Didn't I say? You only need to do everything you wish to do."

"However, if Miss Konan insists on an answer..." He paused here, his voice softening. "I am merely... clearing away insects, pruning branches... while quietly anticipating what kind of flower might bloom."

"That is all."

Konan stared at him, dumbfounded. From his words, she could only hear a sense of genuine sincerity.

Just do everything we wish to do? Simply... pruning branches, awaiting the bloom?

[Ding. Your lie has been judged as [Blatant Deception] [Sweet Talk] [Hypocritical Deceit] [Using Others to Kill]. Hanzō, Nagato, and Konan experience intense emotional fluctuations, reaching the level of [Utter Conviction]. Gained 2000 Realization Points.] [Remaining Realization Points: 14,254]

Hearing the prompt in his mind, a calm smile appeared on Hyūga Kumokawa's face, half-hidden in shadow. He was not without desires, of course. He simply didn't need to voice them aloud, unlike Obito. His method was to subtly transform his own desires into their desires.

"Now that 'Madara' has been lured out, the next step..."

Under the watchful eyes of Hanzō and Konan, Hyūga Kumokawa slowly rose to his feet with a smile. "...I will help Nagato remove that man's mask."

"However, before that, I need to make some preparations. Could you find a room for me?"

Hanzō, hearing this, also stood up. He led Kumokawa to his private chamber, then tactfully withdrew.

Once alone, Hyūga Kumokawa sat cross-legged. First, he retrieved a sealed scroll containing a captured White Zetsu. Then, he took out another piece of flesh, fresh and bloody.

This is Yamato's flesh.

Hyūga Kumokawa had been pondering a question: why, despite possessing Ōtsutsuki lineage, couldn't he awaken those Kekkei Genkai? It likely wasn't due to a lack of mastery over Earth and Water chakra natures. If it were simply a matter of mastering Earth and Water chakra, then Hashirama Senju and Yamato wouldn't be the only ones capable of using Wood Release.

He could, of course, choose to directly devour or transplant abilities like Kakuzu, Obito, or Orochimaru. But in Kumokawa's view, both methods had inherent flaws. With his Ōtsutsuki lineage, he should have a better option.

As his understanding of the Ōtsutsuki bloodline deepened, he gradually realized that the Ōtsutsuki clan's fundamental essence seemed different from that of humans, who are composed of cells.

Why are the Ōtsutsuki born with various abilities? Is it because of their bloodline? Then, what is the essence of the Ōtsutsuki bloodline?

Then, Kumokawa thought about the effects of the "Kāma," the divine techniques of the Ōtsutsuki, and even their names. Isshiki, Kinshiki, Urashiki, Momoshiki... If he viewed his own Ōtsutsuki lineage as an initial "formula," perhaps it required inserting other "formulas" to calculate different results?

Why does Yamato's Wood Release manifest as "wood," while Hashirama's manifests as "trees," and Obito's becomes "thorns"? The manifestations of Wood Release differed, yet there seemed to be a core element. From the fact that the White Zetsu could use Wood Release, the decisive factor appeared to be the Divine Tree. Asura, and Hashirama as his reincarnation, inherited something from the Divine Tree.

In the original narrative, there existed a being named "Shibai Ōtsutsuki," who evolved into a deity by consuming countless Chakra Fruits and gained divine techniques that could be called "rules." Perhaps the Divine Trees and fruits grown in different worlds were different, complex "formulas." Consuming the Divine Tree and its fruit was a way to complete oneself? To formalize or even digitize oneself, thereby grasping the concepts and rules of the world?

It was indeed a wildly speculative hypothesis. If others knew of Hyūga Kumokawa's conjecture, they would undoubtedly deem it pure fantasy. But when everyone thinks you're a madman, it often means you're not far from the truth of the world.

"Let me verify it."

Hyūga Kumokawa narrowed his eyes, silently intoning in his mind: 'Extract the 'core formula' of Wood Release from the White Zetsu and the flesh, and integrate it into my Ōtsutsuki lineage.'

[Cannot Materialize]

"Cannot materialize..." Hyūga Kumokawa frowned. Is my hypothesis incorrect, or is it because I cannot directly act upon myself?

Items could be materialized. Jutsu could be materialized. But bloodlines or similar things could not...

After a long period of contemplation, Hyūga Kumokawa slowly raised his head, a glint of light in his eyes. He thought: 'Materialize, extract the 'underlying formula' of Wood Release from the flesh and White Zetsu, and convert it into a technique.'

He paused here, then added: Point cost not to exceed 4,254.

He only had 14,254 points left and needed to budget carefully. The voice in his mind seemed to stutter for a moment before continuing.

[Cost: 4500 Realization Points. Confirm Materialization?]

"A pity." Hyūga Kumokawa licked his dry lips. Materialize.

Let me see what the true essence of Wood Release is.

[4500 Realization Points deducted. Remaining: 9704]

The moment the prompt sounded, the world before Hyūga Kumokawa changed. In his current vision, countless fine, cold "threads" shimmered with faint glows of different colors.

The world before him shed its conventional forms, transforming into a vast, intricate, and silently operating structure composed of countless flowing, intertwining, constantly forming and dissolving "threads." Feeling the cool sensation of some threads brushing against his face, Hyūga Kumokawa realized they represented the concept of "wind."

Everything was a "phenomenon" produced by the operation of these "threads" under specific rules—phenomena he currently could not touch or alter.

His gaze moved until it settled on a patch of exceptionally vivid green in a crack between walls, and the root extending many times its length downward. It was just a weed, no larger than a pinprick, pitifully small and fragile. Two pale yellow, almost sickly, scrawny leaves clung stubbornly to life in the crevice, struggling with meager nutrients in a fight destined to fail.

"This sensation..."

Hyūga Kumokawa instinctively reached out, gently touching the weed. In the next instant, it was as if he had plucked a string.

Hum...

The previously feeble, pale little weed unfurled its withered cotyledons instantly, shedding their yellow hue and sprouting vibrant, tender green. The slender stem shot upward. More leaves sprouted from the top, unfurling, expanding. The thin roots burrowed downward with frantic speed, branching out!

And Hyūga Kumokawa finally understood what he had obtained. He had acquired a command—a directive to interfere with the "rules." Though currently incredibly weak, it touched the very essence of the world.

『Growth』

It was a divine authority, a primordial divine technique. The core inherited by Wood Release from the Divine Tree... was it truly the "rules" of the world itself?

Just as Hyūga Kumokawa was lost in this revelation, a prompt suddenly sounded in his mind.

[Ding. Your lie has been judged as [Deceiving Heaven and Crossing the Sea]. Fukasaku experiences intense emotional fluctuations, reaching the level of [Shaken and Doubtful]. Gained 8000 Realization Points.] [Remaining Realization Points: 17,754]

Watching the points skyrocket instantly, Hyūga Kumokawa was stunned.

'Huh? What lie did I tell?

Wait... Fukasaku? That old toad who plays at being a deity?'