Chapter 178: Black Zetsu’s Research—The Depravity of Human Desires

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"A Lightning Release Shinobi, while training his son Storm Release, accidentally collided with a—bodybuilder, resulting in the child's death. How should we handle this?" one elder asked.

"We can't—repeat Kirigakure's mistakes. Bloodline limit clans require special consideration. We can't—alienate them."

"Issue a verbal warning to the father. As for the bodybuilder, a thousand ryō fine and ten days' confinement."

Periods of large-scale cultural integration often coincided with—war. The larger the war, the greater the integration.

Like the destruction of Uzushiogakure before the First Shinobi World War, scattering the Uzumaki clan. Or Konoha's near-destruction in the Third War, potentially scattering its clans throughout the Shinobi World.

And these periods of integration and migration were always turbulent.

Unseen currents flowed beneath the surface.

The conflict between Konoha and Kumogakure had driven many from the Land of Lightning to seek refuge in the Land of Fire, their pockets filled with cash.

They'd chosen the winning side.

This influx of refugees, however, created problems. The Land of Fire's local—entrepreneurs saw an opportunity.

But Konoha, under Gojo Kaigetsu's influence, was a village of laws.

The old ways masked robberies—no longer worked. Konoha had issued long-term bounties on such activities. Even if successful, the perpetrators would be caught. They'd be enriching Konoha's coffers, not their own.

But against these newly arrived immigrants, there were—other methods.

First, gambling.

A legitimate business in Konoha. Establish casinos, hire attractive—hostesses, and lure the wealthy into—spending their fortunes.

But gambling had its limits. And the Land of Lightning had its own casinos. This was a—short-term solution.

Then, there were drugs.

Strictly forbidden in Konoha. Even influencing people's minds was frowned upon, let alone using substances.

Such activities earned a place on Konoha's "Most Wanted" list.

Finally, there was sex work.

Konoha's stance was—ambiguous. Forbidden within the village itself, but outside—as long as there were no reports of forced participation or coercion, Konoha turned a blind eye. Otherwise, it was on the "Most Wanted" list.

The entrepreneurs focused on this avenue.

They established "underground clubs," recruiting—willing participants, offering exclusive services. But Kumogakure's refugees, accustomed to such—establishments, weren't easily impressed.

And so, in the shadows, Konan and Black Zetsu infiltrated the Land of Fire.

"The Land of Fire is—my responsibility. Why are you here?" Konan asked, her voice flat, her gaze fixed on Black Zetsu.

"Market research. I need materials," Black Zetsu replied casually. "You should establish a presence here. You'll handle the organization's operations in the Land of Fire."

"Once I've completed my research, I'll deliver the necessary components. You can then—distribute them to your clients."

Konan's expression remained neutral. She didn't respond, a tacit agreement.

Black Zetsu sank into the earth, his network of informants quickly leading him to several underground clubs.

His research methods were direct. He used genjutsu to—extract information, to uncover their deepest desires.

...

He then used a Transformation Jutsu, assuming the forms of a Land of Fire noble, a wealthy merchant, and a Kumogakure refugee.

"If you had an indestructible toy, a—plaything you could control completely, what would it be?"

"The evils of capitalism!" the noble declared.

"The decadence of feudalism!" the merchant shouted.

"Iwagakure mud!" the refugee grumbled.

Black Zetsu was—confused. Had humanity evolved beyond his comprehension?

"No, no. Not abstract concepts. Something—tangible. A living being. From history, perhaps."

"The evils of capitalism, personified!"

"The decadence of feudalism, embodied!"

"A Kirigakure—octopus."

Black Zetsu's patience snapped. Years of careful planning ruined by these idiots.

Was this what he wanted?

Konan had been right.

If he didn't get the answers he wanted, he'd simply—rephrase the question.

"If you had a plaything, a person you could control completely, who would it be? A historical figure, perhaps. No—monsters or animals."

"Tell me your—deepest desires."

"A woman!" the noble and the merchant declared. "A powerful woman, like—Elder Koharu Utatane."

"A man!" the refugee shouted. "Uchiha Madara. The strongest!"

Black Zetsu felt a chill. Weren't they supposed to desire someone like his mother, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki?

Why Koharu Utatane?

The thought of that woman made his—leaves curl.

And the Kumogakure refugee? Though he understood their obsession with strength—Uchiha Madara? Really?

Black Zetsu made a note: "Female. Old. Powerful. Rooster. Bamboo. Submissive." He then released them from the genjutsu and sank into the earth.

He continued his—research.

...

Hours later, he emerged in a forest, his notebook filled with—disturbing entries.

[Female. Old. Powerful. Rooster. Bamboo. Submissive. Hermaphrodite. Smelly female…]

He was horrified.

He'd specifically requested human preferences. And yet…

'I just like animals.'

"...."

He stared at the list, a collection of—fetishes that could fuel a horror film.

"An old bamboo shoot? A dominant rooster?"

"Why are human preferences so rare? Have they grown tired of humans?"

'Perhaps I should extract their chakra when Mother is revived.'

'Such impure chakra—it would taint her.'

"This is problematic."

Black Zetsu, a dutiful son, couldn't allow such—impurities to—touch his mother.

He'd—exclude them from the Infinite Tsukuyomi, let them find their own entertainment in a—frozen World.

"Konan." He emerged from the ground.

"So what did you find?" she asked, her voice cold.

"They don't seem to like humans."

"What…?" Konan stared at him, bewildered.

She was only eighteen, after all. She couldn't comprehend such—depravity.

After a lengthy explanation, her face paled. "These people—they've seen too much, haven't they?"

Even she, a seasoned Shinobi, found it disturbing.

They'd been given a chance at unlimited pleasure, and they'd chosen—that?

"Can the Edo Tensei resurrect animals?" she asked, her mind reeling.

"Theoretically. It's even easier than resurrecting humans. I'll collect some samples on my way back."

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