White Zetsu possessed a terrifying ability: he could transform into another person down to the finest detail. Even the flow of chakra he mimicked so perfectly that not even the most seasoned sensory ninja could tell the difference.
But every technique had its flaws. And White Zetsu's biggest flaw was his mind.
He could copy appearances and chakra, but he couldn't fake a soul matter how perfect the mask; he stumbled when it came to replicating inner personality and behavior. That was the key to exposing him.
Kaguya Kaito knew this well. Having worked with Kirigakure's ninjas for years, he understood them better than most.
Those raised under the Bloody Mist's brutal rule were bloodthirsty, solitary, and fiercely obedient. Strict adherence to the chain of command was the only thing keeping squads from tearing themselves apart.
That's why Yamashita Tetsuya's behavior moments ago immediately put Kaito on edge. The man's hesitation, his subtle defiance it didn't fit. A lone Anbu operative ignoring direct orders? Unthinkable.
Kaito sharpened his focus, activating his Byakugan. Chakra flowed as he studied Yamashita's every twitch and flicker of emotion. White Zetsu, for all his talents, couldn't hide real agitation. Not from the Byakugan.
Kaito raised his chin slightly, his cold gaze sweeping the gathered Kirigakure ninjas.
"Yamashita Tetsuya," he said, voice cutting through the tense air like a blade.
"In the absence of any Anbu comrades to vouch for you, you dare ignore my orders?"
A pause, heavy and deliberate.
"Are you not afraid I'll brand you a spy?"
The atmosphere turned ice-cold. Everyone stiffened.
Before Yamashita could respond, Kaito moved.
Slap!
The sound rang out sharp and merciless. Kaito's palm connected squarely with Yamashita's face, leaving no room for debate.
"If there's a next time," Kaito said, his voice low and lethal, "I will kill you."
His gaze swept the group, a silent warning."No one here can stop me."
Without waiting for a reply, Kaito turned and walked toward Rin Nohara, his strides confident and unhurried.
Behind him, under the mask, Yamashita's face twisted—not in anger, but in something far worse.Hatred.Malice.
And then, under the relentless scrutiny of the Byakugan, Kaito saw it.The mask wavered.The skin beneath it began to bleach and lose form.White Zetsu's true identity revealed itself.
Kaito allowed himself the ghost of a smile.He had been right.
But satisfaction was short-lived.
Sweeping his Byakugan over the squad, Kaito caught his breath.Eight more grotesque faces subtle but unmistakable, hiding behind familiar masks.Eight more White Zetsu.
Madara's eyes.Madara's blades.
They weren't just observing. They were waiting. Waiting for the right moment to strike.
Kaito's hand slid to his ribcage, fingertips brushing the bones beneath. He was ready.
Though most White Zetsu were weak, there were exceptions. Monsters like Tobi, wielders of the Wood Release, are capable of devastating entire squads.
History had shown that even elite teams could fall before them.
But this time was different. Kaito had an advantage.
He had the Byakugan. He could see through their lies. They didn't know they had been exposed.
And with his Shikotsumyaku bloodline, Kaito wasn't some helpless prey. He was a predator.
He swallowed hard, pushing down the tremor in his chest. Confidence returned.
Reaching Rin Nohara, he tightened the scroll containing the Three-Tails and hoisted her over his shoulder.
Then, a voice broke the moment.
"Lord Kaito," someone said.
Kaito's Byakugan snapped toward the speaker. One of the grotesque ones, another White Zetsu.
"According to orders, the Three-Tails should be sealed into Rin Nohara immediately."
Kaito's eyes narrowed.
He didn't even blink.
"No," he said.
The time wasn't right.If he sealed the Three-Tails now, Rin would die.He hadn't yet replaced her with his bone clone.Patience was critical.
Kaito's voice turned icy.
"Oh?"
The squad leaned in, expecting violence.But instead of a slap, Kaito spoke with sharp logic.
"Thousands of miles from the village, facing unknown variables, you think the Third Mizukage's orders remain absolute?"He paused, letting the words sink in."The Three-Tails is stable inside the scroll. Premature sealing is reckless. We're not at Konoha yet."
The Kirigakure ninjas exchanged uneasy glances.Even those expecting brute force found themselves nodding at the reasoning.
Then Yamashita, still posing as a sealing specialist, spoke.
"Lord Kaito, I must remind you… The scroll has a time limit."
Kaito laughed coldly.
"The time limit is meaningless."
He stepped closer to Yamashita.
"We planned for an eight-day journey. Now we'll reach Konoha in two."
He leaned in, his words like a dagger to the throat.
"Is time an issue?"
Silence.Yamashita stiffly backed down.
"No more objections," Kaito ordered."Move out."
Without hesitation, the squad dispersed into the trees, heading toward Konoha.
Far away, deep within a silent, lightless cave—
Crack!
The sound of stone shattering echoed through the darkness.
Madara Uchiha, white-haired and red-eyed, crushed a bench beneath his hand.His face twisted with fury.
"Kaguya Kaito…"
His voice, usually so calm, vibrated with rare anger.And underneath that anger, a colder, deadlier intent.
Kaito, once so obedient, was now thinking for himself. It didn't matter why. It only mattered that it ended.
Madara had no intention of relying on White Zetsu any longer. He had planted another weapon in the squad—a hidden ninja with a transplanted Sharingan.A contingency.And now, a necessity.
The Kaguya clan excelled at killing. They collapsed the moment they faced genjutsu.
Helpless.Lambs before the butcher.
Madara's lips curled into a smile devoid of warmth.
"It ends here," he whispered.
And the darkness around him seemed to pulse in agreement.