To be honest…

  Bck Zetsu was surprisingly good at telling stories.

  In his version of the tale, Kaguya became a compassionate deity, the Rabbit Goddess who deeply cared for humanity, only to suffer betrayal at the hands of her closest kin.

  Despite her tragic fate…

  She still made sacrifices for the greater good.

  The story painted Kaguya as a noble, misunderstood figure—a divine being who bore the world's burden with grace. For someone like Emiya Shigen, who had always revered the Divine Tree and Kaguya, it was the kind of narrative that resonated deeply.

  "…"

  Shigen sat in silence, lost in thought.

  Was this still the same ninja world he once knew?

  Was this really the world of shinobi?

  If someone other than Bck Zetsu had told him this story, Shigen might have actually believed it. From a logical standpoint, it was fwless, with only a single, tiny fw.

  And that fw…

  Was Bck Zetsu himself.

  Back in the ancient era, Bck Zetsu had always been obsessed with revenge against the Sage of Six Paths.

  But if Bck Zetsu was truly the manifestation of Kaguya's will, it didn't make sense.

  Could a loving, gentle mother—one who chose to retreat from conflict rather than hurt her sons—leave behind an entity consumed by vengeance against her own children?

  It didn't add up.

  Clearly, Bck Zetsu didn't fully understand human emotions.

  And as a kind-hearted man, Shigen felt obligated to help cover up that gring hole in Bck Zetsu's story. After all, doing so might even ease his own lingering guilt toward his old companion.

  "What a…"

  Shigen let out a long sigh, his tone filled with admiration and sympathy.

  "…truly noble goddess."

  "I can't even imagine the depth of her pain."

  "She was walking the right path, yet she was betrayed and sealed away by her own beloved children…"

  "…"

  Bck Zetsu froze for a moment.

  He hadn't expected this.

  The story had worked better than he imagined!

  Shigen's reverence for Kaguya was growing by the second.

  He had even started sympathizing with the pain Kaguya must have felt when her sons betrayed her.

  In truth, Kaguya hadn't just felt pain—she had also been enraged and vengeful.

  But Shigen's words sparked an idea in Bck Zetsu's mind.

  Yes…

  A new narrative to expin my existence.

  "Yes…"

  "That kind of pain is… unbearable."

  "Even for the Rabbit Goddess."

  Bck Zetsu's voice grew heavier, weaving more of the tale.

  "And it was that very pain… that gave birth to me."

  "I am the manifestation of Kaguya's sorrow."

  "The grief she couldn't bear to hold inside… was torn from her heart and became me."

  Bck Zetsu lowered his gaze, as if ashamed.

  "That's why I've always hidden my true identity."

  "Because I was born from her pain, I feared I wasn't worthy of her name…"

  "…"

  Shigen stared at Bck Zetsu with a newfound understanding.

  "Bck Zetsu…"

  His voice softened with compassion.

  At that moment, it seemed as if he had fully accepted Bck Zetsu's identity.

  Even more than that—he seemed to forgive Bck Zetsu for all its past lies and felt genuine sympathy for its existence.

  "You are the will of the Rabbit Goddess."

  "That's… something to be proud of."

  Shigen's voice carried a gentle warmth as he offered words of comfort.

  "Gods devote themselves to saving others from suffering…"

  "But who will save the gods from their own pain?"

  "Shigen-sama…"

  Bck Zetsu was genuinely moved.

  From this moment on, he thought to himself, Shigen was no longer a mere pawn.

  No…

  Shigen was now his true companion, someone who would walk alongside him on the path to reviving Kaguya.

  Though…

  Bck Zetsu couldn't help but imagine a future scenario where Shigen might discover the truth and explode with rage upon realizing he had been deceived.

  Still, Bck Zetsu decided to deal with that ter.

  In fact…

  It might be best if Shigen never saw Kaguya's resurrection at all.

  After all, Bck Zetsu pnned to use Shigen as the perfect sacrificial vessel for Kaguya's return.

  He was, after all, the most trustworthy pawn Bck Zetsu had ever found.

  As for Uchiha Madara?

  Forget him.

  Bck Zetsu's mind was now fully focused on Shigen.

  The thought of plunging a bde into Shigen's heart to bring Kaguya back filled Bck Zetsu with both dread and anticipation.

  Would he do it with tears of sorrow on his face?

  Or would he be grinning triumphantly as he revealed his long-running scheme?

  Why not both?

  A mix of sorrow and smugness seemed like the perfect bance.

  In his mind, Bck Zetsu was already rehearsing the scene—apologizing to Shigen, then gloating about how thoroughly he had maniputed him.

  But deep down, there was a flicker of guilt.

  Shigen was too genuine.

  That sincerity made Bck Zetsu feel… a little bad.

  But then again, he was doing all of this for Kaguya.

  That justified everything, right?

  "Shigen…"

  "…"

  Hearing that casual name, Shigen's expression froze.

  Bck Zetsu… had crossed a line.

  Was this thing really calling him "Shigen" now?

  Did Bck Zetsu think that, just because he cimed to be Kaguya's will, he no longer needed to show respect?

  The name Shigen wasn't just any name.

  It was a name that only true friends could use—those he trusted with his life and legacy.

  In ancient times, only Slug Princess Katsuyu had ever called him by that name. And even she had added the respectful title "-sama."

  But Bck Zetsu?

  Now he wasn't even bothering with "Shigen-sama."

  He'd dropped the honorific altogether!

  Did he think his newfound "divine status" gave him the right to address Shigen as an equal?

  To be fair…

  Shigen was a patient man.

  He didn't mind small slights, and he wasn't one to get hung up on titles.

  But this…

  This felt a little too arrogant.

  Bck Zetsu hadn't even achieved anything yet, and he was already acting like he was above everyone else!

  A little success, and he was already getting cocky.

  Shigen couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

  Typical.

  Bck Zetsu was acting like he had Shigen completely under his control.

  "Shigen…"

  Bck Zetsu called again, with a tone of warmth and familiarity.

  To Bck Zetsu, it was a sign of how close they had become.

  He truly believed Shigen had accepted him completely.

  "Reviving Kaguya won't be easy."

  Bck Zetsu began to speak more seriously, expining the challenges ahead.

  "When Mother was sealed a thousand years ago, it was easier to bring her back. But now, her chakra has scattered over the centuries…"

  Bck Zetsu paused dramatically, then added:

  "…Only her consciousness remains."

  "She continues to watch over the world she once loved."

  "What a noble being…"

  Shigen couldn't help but murmur, pying along.

  But as he listened, his sharp senses picked up something—someone approaching rapidly.

  Bck Zetsu noticed it too.

  The two of them fell silent.

  "Someone's coming."

  "…Wait."

  Bck Zetsu narrowed his eyes in confusion.

  He sensed the approaching figure and couldn't help but frown.

  "Why is he coming here?"