Starting as a Ninja in the Naruto World

Emiya Shigen finally agreed to learn how to lie.

Black Zetsu let out a deep sigh of relief. It knew that once Emiya Shigen started deceiving others, he would inevitably weave more lies to cover the first.

What a…

Marvelous development!

Black Zetsu felt a perverse sense of anticipation. It wanted to see what Emiya Shigen would be like when he resorted to deception—like watching a once-pristine, beautiful object fall into the mire and become covered in filth.

The thought alone…

Filled Black Zetsu with an almost wicked joy!

"Shigen," Black Zetsu said, no longer holding back. It immediately began divulging all the information about Uchiha Madara, hoping that Shigen could prepare himself in advance. "Right now, Uchiha Madara is eager to meet you."

"Based on the Sage of Six Paths' stone tablet, Madara is attempting to awaken the Rinnegan. The tablet mentions that the interaction of opposing forces brings forth the power of 'creation and destruction.'"

"The tablet refers to the chakra of Indra and Asura."

"Madara doesn't yet know that 'creation and destruction' actually refers to the Rinnegan. He tried combining his chakra with Hashirama Senju's, but his attempt to awaken the power of 'creation and destruction' has failed. That's why he wants to consult you about the secrets of ancient times…"

"I understand," Emiya Shigen said, nodding as he carefully organized the scrolls before him. "I'm almost done dealing with the patients at Konoha Hospital. Once I finish, I'll go see him."

"Alright," Black Zetsu said, though with a tinge of helplessness.

It knew there was no changing Emiya Shigen's priorities in matters like this.

"By the way, Black Zetsu," Emiya Shigen said, noticing that Black Zetsu seemed to have forgotten something important. He reminded it once again, "What did the Sage of Six Paths say about the method to revive the Rabbit Goddess?"

"It's… the Infinite Tsukuyomi," Black Zetsu replied through gritted teeth. There was no way it could lie about something this crucial, so it instead wove more deception around its original falsehoods. "The final message on the Sage's stone tablet refers to the power of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, an ultimate genjutsu that envelops the world."

"When the light of the Infinite Tsukuyomi bathes the land, humanity can immerse itself in a dream world where their deepest desires are fulfilled, free from the pain of reality."

"Is that so?"

Emiya Shigen furrowed his brow, seeming troubled by the idea. "So the Infinite Tsukuyomi allows humanity to indulge in eternal dreams—a dream world that shields them from the suffering of reality while fulfilling their greed and desires…"

"If that's the case…"

"Humanity might be destroyed by the Infinite Tsukuyomi… but at least in their final moments, they'll achieve true peace."

"What a pity…"

Ultimately, Emiya Shigen shook his head. He couldn't bring himself to make a choice that went against his principles, especially in front of Black Zetsu. "This isn't the future we want."

"Indeed…"

Black Zetsu nodded, silently relieved that it hadn't tried to use the Infinite Tsukuyomi as bait to deceive Emiya Shigen. Instead, it sighed softly and said, "The true purpose of the Infinite Tsukuyomi is merely to awaken Kaguya. This is the truth the Sage of Six Paths never shared with his descendants…"

"When humanity falls into slumber…"

"Kaguya's shadow will silently reappear…"

"When humanity's chakra converges…"

"The progenitor of chakra will once again descend upon this world…"

"When humanity wakes from their dreams…"

"The world will enter an era of eternal peace under Kaguya's protection."

"Exactly."

Emiya Shigen finally nodded in satisfaction. "That's the future we desire. Only under the Rabbit Goddess' guardianship can the world achieve everlasting peace…"

"…"

Black Zetsu found it increasingly difficult to deceive someone as virtuous as Emiya Shigen. It had to craft its lies with painstaking care, ensuring they aligned with Shigen's ideals.

"But…"

"For someone like Madara…"

"He might prefer the Infinite Tsukuyomi instead."

Black Zetsu sighed, reluctantly reminding Emiya Shigen to avoid exposing any flaws in their plan. "Compared to your willingness to work tirelessly for genuine peace, the Infinite Tsukuyomi offers a much simpler solution by immersing humanity in dreams."

"For someone like Uchiha Madara, who has experienced the pain and suffering of war, the Infinite Tsukuyomi is likely the method he values most. Humans often shy away from the arduous journey of creating a better future, opting instead to lose themselves in pleasant illusions."

"I see," Emiya Shigen murmured, as though grasping Black Zetsu's reasoning. He nodded and said, "So we'll use the Infinite Tsukuyomi to deceive Uchiha Madara."

His expression was calm—perhaps even resigned—as if accepting the reality that he must lie to others. "When I meet Madara, I'll tell him what he wants to hear and guide him into our plan."

"…"

Black Zetsu was thoroughly pleased with the outcome.

At this moment, it revealed its full plan to Emiya Shigen. "We need Madara to awaken the Rinnegan. Only with the Rinnegan can the plan proceed. I've named this plan the 'Eye of the Moon.'"

"According to the Sage of Six Paths' stone tablet…"

"Executing the Infinite Tsukuyomi involves a series of complex steps."

Black Zetsu elaborated on the plan: "First, we must use the Rinnegan's power to summon the husk of the God Tree. Then, we'll use the God Tree's husk to collect all the Tailed Beasts and revive the God Tree. Afterward, the God Tree must be merged into your body…"

"Once you've obtained the God Tree's power, you'll activate the 'Eye of the Moon' by aligning with the moon. At that moment, the Infinite Tsukuyomi can be cast, plunging the entire world into peace and awakening the Rabbit Goddess to protect it."

"It seems…"

Emiya Shigen frowned slightly, raising a curious point. "This plan only requires the Rinnegan's power. It doesn't seem to require me. If I simply help Madara awaken the Rinnegan, that should be enough…"

"…"

Black Zetsu was momentarily at a loss for words.

It was true…

This plan didn't actually require Emiya Shigen.

But every time Black Zetsu thought of Emiya Shigen's terrifying effectiveness in ancient times, it felt uneasy relying solely on Madara. It trusted Shigen far more than Madara.

After all…

Madara couldn't even defeat Hashirama Senju.

How could he possibly gather all the Tailed Beasts while Hashirama was alive? Emiya Shigen, on the other hand, had personally crushed Asura and the entire shinobi sect!

Black Zetsu's true intention was to use Madara to awaken the Rinnegan and then take control of his body to fully revive Emiya Shigen. It believed that only Shigen could flawlessly execute the 'Eye of the Moon' plan, regardless of how complicated it was.

Moreover…

Leaving Shigen out of the plan…

Would be a waste of all the effort Black Zetsu had spent deceiving him.

Black Zetsu also couldn't resist the allure of seeing Shigen's face when he realized he'd been tricked—the moment of regret, despair, and disillusionment.

That would be truly intoxicating.

"Shigen."

"You're the most suitable candidate for the 'Eye of the Moon.'"

Black Zetsu grew increasingly excited, fervently persuading Emiya Shigen. "No one else in this world is more qualified to witness its transformation with their own eyes…"

It urged Shigen to accept. "Neither Madara nor anyone else could ever match your worth as the cornerstone of the 'Eye of the Moon' plan."

"Only you…"

"Are the one Kaguya most wants to see."

"Shigen," Black Zetsu said with a sinister grin, its words carrying a strange undertone. "You wouldn't want the Rabbit Goddess to awaken only to be disappointed by having to deal with an arrogant Madara, would you?"

"…"

Emiya Shigen fell silent.

Black Zetsu…

This thing clearly intended to sacrifice him as part of Kaguya's revival, yet it spoke as if he would actually get to meet Kaguya face-to-face.

"Alright," Emiya Shigen sighed deeply, finally relenting. "I just hope that when Kaguya-sama awakens, she won't be displeased with what we've done. Let's not regret this decision when the time comes…"

"How could we?"

Black Zetsu's voice was brimming with excitement as it sank back into the ground. "I'll return to keep an eye on Madara. He's near Konoha, searching for a chance to meet you…"