045 Reborn as the Third Kazekage

Nawaki woke up groggily from unconsciousness, only to realize his entire body was submerged in liquid. Panic gripped him instantly. He tried to flail but discovered he couldn't move a muscle, his chest heavy with pain. Glancing down, his eyes widened in horror—there was a massive hole in his chest, covered by a thin, transparent membrane. Through it, he could see a white heart beating steadily inside his chest.

"Mmhh!" Nawaki tried to scream, but a tube inserted into his mouth silenced him. Struggling, he suddenly heard a light tapping sound. Turning his eyes, he saw a familiar figure outside the glass tank—his older sister, Tsunade. She held up a piece of paper with four large words written on it:

Don't Move.

Seeing his sister, Nawaki's panic eased. He managed a slight movement of his right hand to greet her.

Outside the tank, Tsunade looked emotional, covering her mouth as she fought back tears. Quickly, she grabbed a pen and scribbled on another sheet of paper before pressing it against the tank:

You're badly injured. I performed surgery on you. You need to stay in the nutrient solution to recover. Stay calm and relax.

Nawaki read the message and nodded weakly. Tsunade kept writing:

Don't worry, I'll make sure you're completely healed.

Nawaki began to feel drowsy. Even that small movement had drained all his energy. He gave a feeble thumbs-up before drifting back into a deep sleep.

Tsunade watched as her younger brother slipped back into slumber, tears streaming down her face. But now, she felt a glimmer of relief—she had successfully snatched him back from the clutches of death.

"Wow, fascinating! The fusion with my spore organ went so smoothly. This kid's body is quite unique, isn't it?"

"Who's there?!" Tsunade spun around, delivering a devastating punch with her immense strength, but her fist struck nothing but air. The intruder had effortlessly sidestepped her attack, moving with uncanny precision.

A chill ran down Tsunade's spine. This laboratory was hidden in the depths of Sunagakure's hospital basement, its location secret and heavily guarded. She had designed the security measures herself, and without the proper access card, entry was impossible. There was only one route to the lab, guarded by four checkpoints. Yet, this person had infiltrated without a trace and approached her unnoticed. Such infiltration skills were terrifying.

When she saw the intruder's appearance, her unease deepened. The figure resembled the White Zetsu clones she had encountered before, but this one had only half a head. The other half was a swirling, spiral-like structure, and his body was half gray, half white, disturbingly asymmetrical. This must be the "White Zetsu original" that Arashi had mentioned!

"You're quite vicious, aren't you, killing so many of my spore clones? And now you dare attack me? Truly, you deserve a punishment!" White Zetsu raised a hand, and white, cotton-like threads sprouted from Tsunade's body. They grew rapidly, forming grotesque shapes with heads, limbs, and facial features identical to Zetsu's.

Disgusted, Tsunade activated her monstrous strength and began tearing at the growths, but the threads clung to her like glue. The harder she pulled, the more they grew, until they had enveloped her completely. She could feel her chakra being drained rapidly and had no choice but to stop resisting. The growths continued until she was entirely encased.

White Zetsu ignored the trapped Tsunade, his eyes fixated on the tank containing Nawaki.

"Incredible… simply amazing! No rejection whatsoever. Why didn't I think of doing this before? I'll have to bring him back to show Black Zetsu and Lord Madara. They'll definitely be interested." He reached toward the tank.

"I'd advise you to step back unless you want me to cut off that hand of yours."

A cold, menacing voice rang out. White Zetsu froze and looked around but saw no one. Finally, he glanced down—and realized the voice came from a weasel.

It was a sleek, golden-yellow weasel, with a scarred eye hidden behind a fierce black eyepatch. Leaning casually against the glass tank, it lazily sharpened a Damascus steel dagger with its claws. Though small, the creature exuded an oppressive killing intent that forced White Zetsu to take a step back.

At the same time, the white spore growths covering Tsunade began to wither visibly. With a sharp cry, Tsunade tore apart the shriveled remains of the growths, holding a syringe in her hand.

"Looks like mineral-based toxins work on your spores after all. Thanks, Buck-sama."

Tsunade nonchalantly tossed the syringe aside and cracked her knuckles, stepping forward to confront White Zetsu.

...

Meanwhile, Arashi was in a separate location, having just seen Danzo off. He turned around to find Black Zetsu standing behind him.

"How do you always appear so silently? Not even my iron sand can sense you. Teach me that trick, will you?" Arashi asked casually.

"It's a spatial jutsu. You'd need a natural talent for it, so I doubt you could learn it," Black Zetsu replied with unusual seriousness.

"Where's White Zetsu? Didn't he come with you?" Arashi glanced around.

"He's handling something else. I'm here to ask for a favor."

Arashi gestured for Black Zetsu to sit, pouring him a cup of tea.

"No rush, tell me what's on your mind."

Black Zetsu didn't stand on ceremony, sitting cross-legged as he began:

"I just came from the Land of Earth. The fighting there was intense, but suddenly both sides called for a ceasefire. Turns out Hanzo of the Salamander was assassinated, and now the Hokage and Kazekage are both in the Land of Rain for the funeral. The Tsuchikage and Raikage, worried about betrayal, have pulled back their forces. Are you trying to mediate the war?"

Arashi sipped his tea slowly before responding, "That's part of the plan.... but you intend to let the war continue?"

Black Zetsu blinked, surprised by his honesty.

"Exactly."

"Is this Lord Madara's decision?"

Black Zetsu hesitated briefly but then nodded.

"You figured it out?"

Arashi smiled faintly.

"You've placed enough surveillance on me. How could I not know? You don't trust me, do you?"

Caught off guard, Black Zetsu stammered, "Don't take it personally. You're new to the organization, and I had to be cautious."

"Fair enough." Arashi leaned back, his smile inscrutable. "So, what's the deal?"

Black Zetsu sighed. "Alright. I'll convince Hiruzen Sarutobi to stay out of the Iwa-Kumo conflict, but in return, arrange a meeting with Lord Madara for me."

"That's… tricky," Black Zetsu admitted, frowning.

Arashi waited silently.

"Fine, I'll make it happen!" Black Zetsu finally relented.

"Good. Let them fight for another two or three years."