Naruto: The Hyuga Mastermind

Chapter 105: Black Zetsu: Madara, You Betrayed Me!

"Where's the money? Hand it over. From now on, I'll manage Tsunade's finances!"

Hearing this, Hyuga Fuji shifted his gaze to Tobirama. "Technically, you have no standing to manage her funds."

"Just remove whoever's currently in charge of her gambling money and replace them with someone under my command," Tobirama snorted coldly. "I'm her elder. It's only natural for me to manage her finances!"

Though he currently lacked the authority to intervene directly, inserting someone as a middleman solved the issue neatly.

One way or another, Tsunade's money was his to control.

"Fine," Hyuga Fuji replied after a moment of thought, nodding reluctantly. "But don't go spending it all yourself."

A new scapegoat had presented itself, and Fuji was more than willing to oblige.

"I understand," Tobirama responded indifferently.

Of course, he planned to set aside a portion for research immediately. Allowing Tsunade to squander Konoha's funds on gambling? Absolutely unacceptable!

"By the way, how much are we talking about?"

"Her basic monthly gambling fund is one million ryō, though it increases depending on the situation."

"One million? Are you sure about that?"

Fuji nodded, and Tobirama's expression turned stormy.

One million ryō—equivalent to the total reward for an S-rank mission, with no deductions, and it could even increase?

That much money could last an ordinary person a lifetime if spent wisely.

And you're letting Tsunade gamble it all away?

Tobirama suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to march into the Hokage's office and have a serious talk with the Fourth Hokage.

These people treated money as if it were nothing. Back in his day, every penny of Konoha's budget had to be spent where it counted. When had the village become so extravagant?

As he mulled this over, Tobirama's gaze gradually settled on Hyuga Fuji.

It seemed this sinister kid was to blame…

He sighed heavily and changed the subject. "What do you know about the changes in the black market? Don't tell me you're clueless—after all, you were the first to make a move against it."

Hyuga Fuji turned to look at Tobirama and said calmly, "This has nothing to do with a research consultant, and you're not my subordinate."

"You—"

Tobirama's breath caught, and an unspoken fury rose within him. With a huff, he turned on his heel and strode toward the Technology Development Bureau.

This brat was just waiting for him to lower his head—no way was he giving him the satisfaction! Not even verbally!

"How's the research on me coming along?" Fuji called after him.

Tobirama paused mid-step and replied evenly, "There's progress. What, eager to test it now?"

"No need. Keeping up the suspense is better."

With a cold snort, Tobirama resumed walking.

You arrogant little Hyuga brat—don't get too confident. Those forbidden techniques you use as trump cards? They were my creations to begin with!

Watching Tobirama leave, Fuji turned and walked toward a house near the Hokage's office.

This was where he handled financial matters.

Inside, an unremarkable ninja sat quietly, waiting for him.

"I've investigated. The daimyo orchestrated this, but many factions are involved."

As he spoke, his appearance began to shift, transforming into White Zetsu.

A black, tar-like substance slid off his body, taking shape as Black Zetsu, who regarded Fuji with an eerie expression.

He hadn't expected it—this Hokage advisor truly wasn't on the same side as the Hokage.

Ever since obtaining intelligence from Deisonas, Black Zetsu had arranged for White Zetsu to infiltrate Konoha and make contact with Fuji.

To his surprise, Fuji hadn't been fazed at all by their arrival.

This wasn't entirely unexpected. After all, Fuji had been attacked by White Zetsu before and, as a high-ranking Konoha official, was likely briefed by the Fourth Hokage about Madara and his plans.

But what happened next was beyond Black Zetsu's expectations.

Despite the leverage they held over Fuji, he showed no concern, remaining unafraid of their threats.

Instead, he willingly deepened their relationship, engaging in intelligence exchanges and even forging cooperative agreements—essentially handing them more leverage over him.

This guy… Wasn't he worried that his secrets might be exposed, rendering him unable to stay in Konoha?

Suppressing his confusion, Black Zetsu spoke in a low voice, "The intelligence you requested is all in this scroll. Now, where's the information we need?"

He handed Fuji a scroll, waiting for the other to do the same. But Fuji handed his scroll directly to White Zetsu instead.

As Black Zetsu watched in stunned silence, Fuji smiled and asked, "May I claim my reward now?"

White Zetsu grinned. "Of course."

The moment those words left his mouth, sealing symbols appeared across the room. The scroll Black Zetsu held reacted as if triggered, unfurling to reveal intricate sealing patterns that began to bind him.

Black Zetsu stared at the unfolding scene in disbelief, then turned to White Zetsu and demanded, "You betrayed Lord Madara?!"

White Zetsu wasn't supposed to be capable of betrayal, but the current situation seemed to suggest otherwise.

"Of course not," White Zetsu replied with a chuckle, raising the scroll in his hand. "Lord Madara instructed this himself. In exchange for learning the Edo Tensei technique, you're to serve as Hyuga Fuji's research subject for a while. It's all for Lord Madara's sake—please don't resist."

Edo Tensei?

Looking at the scroll in White Zetsu's hand, Black Zetsu—who had thought this was just another intelligence exchange—was utterly dumbfounded.

So this time, the traded items were… the Edo Tensei technique and me?

Madara, did you even ask for my opinion before making this deal?!

Wait—technically, as Madara's will, he didn't really have a say in the matter.

If Madara agreed, that was all that mattered.

Realizing this, Black Zetsu felt as though his heart were bleeding.

He didn't want to be anyone's lab rat!

Madara, you bastard! You're willing to sacrifice even your own will just to resurrect yourself?!

The absurd yet logical reality hit Black Zetsu hard, sending his thoughts spiraling.

For over a thousand years, he had acted to free his mother, Kaguya, meticulously sowing discord and hatred across the ninja world. Decades ago, he had finally found the perfect candidate for her resurrection—Uchiha Madara.

To convince Madara of the Moon's Eye Plan, he had altered the Stone Tablet and tirelessly masqueraded as Madara's will.

After a millennium of effort, the dawn of success was within reach. And now, this?

The person he was supposed to betray had betrayed him first!

The mental scars this left on Black Zetsu were immeasurable.

Was it too much to ask for a little trust between people?

They were one step away from collecting all the tailed beasts—some of the Three-Tails' and Six-Tails' chakra had already been absorbed into the Gedo Statue. And yet, this was how it ended?

All because Madara wanted Edo Tensei and decided to hand him over to Hyuga Fuji… How was he supposed to betray Madara later?!

After mentally cursing Madara, Black Zetsu looked at the sealing formations tightening around him and felt despair.

What now? Should he run?

As Kaguya's third son, his combat abilities naturally paled in comparison to his two brothers, but his escape and survival skills were top-notch.

If he acted now, before the seal fully formed, he was confident he could flee.

But…

If he ran, what would Madara think? Could an insubordinate will ever regain Madara's trust?

Running would mean failure. Without Madara's trust, he'd never have the chance to manipulate him once he became the Ten-Tails' jinchuriki.

But staying meant risking the complete loss of freedom.

As Black Zetsu wrestled with his dilemma, Fuji's calm voice cut through the tension.

"Don't worry. Cooperate with my research, and in about six months, you'll be back at Madara's side."

Fuji chuckled lightly. "I'm only interested in Yin-Yang Release—not in you."

(Chapter End)

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