Next Bonus, 100PS!!
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Manji's gaze focused slightly, and he understood at once.
Black Zetsu's Sage Art lets him act as a medium, giving someone else temporary power. He was able to refine chakra and control Sage Arts for the host. But this power was just an illusion. Once Black Zetsu left, everything went back to normal.
Black Zetsu's Sage Art was neither too strong nor too weak.
The main factor was the host—
If the host was weak, they became strong.
If the host was strong, they became even stronger.
Black Zetsu was basically a low-budget version of Manji's Six Paths power.
"Interesting... Perhaps this could..." Manji looked at Black Zetsu, one brow lifting slightly.
The idea in his mind slowly became clear, but he hesitated, knowing it would once again interfere with fate.
"Grand Sage, Black Zetsu's Sage Arts are all support techniques. He has no direct offensive ability. How should his Sage examination be judged?" Fukasaku crouched on the blue stone, his round frog eyes full of confusion. This was exactly why he had come to ask.
Black Zetsu looked up too, hope glowing in his eyes. After a year of hard training, he was waiting for Manji to announce his trial.
Once he passed, he could call himself Sage Black Zetsu.
Manji raised one hand lightly. "Black Zetsu, your Sage examination will be different from everyone else's."
Black Zetsu immediately gathered in the scattered Sage power around him and bowed. "Please instruct me, Grand Sage. Black Zetsu will give everything he has."
Manji put his hands behind his back as the mountain wind caught the edges of his robe. "I want you to leave the mountain and assist someone..."
"Who does the Grand Sage mean?" Black Zetsu asked, puzzled. He genuinely could not think of anyone in the Shinobi world who was worth Manji personally assigning to assist.
"The current reincarnation of Asura—Senju Tsuru."
As soon as Manji spoke, Black Zetsu froze. He trembled a little, clearly caught off guard by the answer.
Fukasaku's eyes widened as well, his frog mouth parting as he froze in place.
Neither of them was shocked that Manji was getting involved in Indra and Asura's fate. He had already interfered in their reincarnation feud more than once, so it was nothing new.
They just didn't expect him to be so open about it this time.
Manji seemed to see through their thoughts and smiled faintly. "You don't need to overthink it. I'm not interfering out of favoritism. I simply want this destined confrontation to proceed normally..."
"...This generation's Asura reincarnation was born unable to improve chakra. He has become a civilian and no longer qualifies to enter the game. If things stay this way, the confrontation loses all meaning."
Manji was the referee of this destined duel.
Of course, he had to step in when needed. If fate drifted too far, he would quietly guide it back so the game could go on.
Besides, giving a small advantage wasn't really cheating.
Even if Indra found out, he would probably agree with Manji's decision.
Indra wouldn't want to win so easily. He would prefer a real, fair fight.
Manji looked back at Black Zetsu, his tone certain. "Your Sage examination has not begun yet, so I might as well combine the two matters."
"Your examination this time is to descend the mountain and assist Senju Tsuru. You do not need to force victory or defeat. Once this final battle between Indra and Asura reaches its conclusion, I will judge whether you pass based on your performance."
Then Manji explained what he expected. "Remember two things. First, you are not allowed to teach him Mount Myōboku Sage Arts. Second, you may not use the Mayfly Technique to escape at a critical moment. Your role is to advise him and guide him into refining and training chakra on his own."
"AS YOU COMMAND!"
Black Zetsu bowed right away. Then, looking uncertain, he asked carefully, "Grand Sage, deep down... do you want him to win or lose?"
Manji's lips curved with an unreadable smile.
He only said, "That, too, is part of your examination. Understand it on your own."
Plain English: I'm not telling you. You have to figure it out yourself.
Before his words had fully faded, the Sage mist around him surged and swallowed his figure. He vanished in an instant.
After Manji left, Fukasaku hopped forward with a warm grin on his frog face and cupped his frog hands. "Congratulations, Brother Black Zetsu!"
"With your brains, this examination should be easy. And this time, you even get to leave the mountain and see the Shinobi world for yourself. At least you won't be stuck in Mount Myōboku anymore. Let me congratulate you on becoming a Sage in advance!"
Black Zetsu let out a helpless sigh, his body swaying slightly. "Fukasaku, I'm surprised and happy, but honestly, I'm more nervous than anything."
"If I misread the Grand Sage's intention, I might ruin the whole examination."
Black Zetsu felt completely lost. Manji always spoke in riddles and never gave a straight answer. Should he help Senju Tsuru win, or just let things happen? He didn't know.
"Hey, don't twist yourself in knots over it." Fukasaku waved his frog hand with a smile. "The Grand Sage is gentle by nature. Even if you make a small mistake, he won't tear into you. Just follow your own judgment."
Black Zetsu slowly nodded, then cupped his hands toward Fukasaku with formal respect. "In that case, I'll leave the mountain immediately."
"During this period, I'll trouble you, or Tōbi, to handle Mount Myōboku's historical records in my place."
[Note: I clearly remembered White Zetsu being called Uzumaki Shiromaki, Tobi, or Tōbi when I watched Naruto before, but now I can't find "Uzumaki Shiromaki" anywhere. Sorry, I've been calling him Uzumaki Shiromaki for the last few chapters. I'll fix those parts when I have time.]
"Done!"
Fukasaku agreed at once, then picked up a cup of clear wine from the stone platform beside him. The liquor glowed with a faint luster as he offered it to Black Zetsu. "Here. Drink this farewell wine. May your examination go smoothly."
"Perfect. I was thirsty anyway!"
Black Zetsu took the cup, tilted his head back, and drained it in one go. The wine burned down his throat, washing away some of the hesitation in his heart.
They looked at each other and started laughing together.
"Hahahahahaha..."
..............
Afterward, Manji went to visit Gamamaru.
The man and the toad spoke at length about technology. More specifically, Manji proposed ideas, and Gamamaru worked out the plans.
Suddenly, Manji sensed a signal.
"Oh? The Tailed Beasts are calling." Manji smiled faintly. It seemed the Tailed Beasts wanted a video call.
"Hehe. At least those little beasts still remember their master," Gamamaru said with a smile. He still thought fondly of the days when he used to play with them.
"Come on. Answer it with me. You can see them too." Manji smiled at Gamamaru.
Gamamaru nodded.
The Sage and the toad entered the video call. When the call connected, they found only the Nine-Tails on the other end.
"Oh? Kurama, why are you alone?" Manji asked, puzzled.
Kurama's face looked grave, though his tone stayed respectful. "Master, I started a private call. There are some things I want to say to you."
Gamamaru's brow lifted.
Manji's gaze tightened slightly. He noticed the shift, but still asked, "What things?"
A trace of reservation appeared between Kurama's brows. Then, almost immediately, he seemed to make a firm decision.
"It's about the human world..." Kurama's voice was low.
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