Chương 53: Meeting With Zetsu
A/N: You guys hit the target for a Triple Release, so there will be one on Tomorrow. For a Double Release next week, let's hit 500 powerstones. This story's continuation depends on your support—so don't forget to give the story powerstones! Goal: 500 Powerstones!
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Goro sat behind his large wooden desk, his head resting on his fist, tilted to the side, lost in thought. His mind was occupied with the recent encounter with the Great Monkey Sage.
'What would I do when I gain power?'
Goro repeated the Sage's question in his mind. He leaned back in his new office chair, crossing his arms as he sank deeper into his thoughts. The question was harder to answer than he had anticipated. After spending some time pondering his answer, Goro failed to come up with anything.
'That takes summoning out of the question for now…'
It was clear to him that until he had a solid answer for them, or something stronger to bargain with, relying on the monkeys would only complicate his plans. "I'll eventually come up with something…" he muttered, pushing the matter aside for the moment.
Just as his mind was about to wander to the next topic, a knock at the door pulled him from his daydream.
"Enter," Goro said, waiting for the person knocking to come inside.
The door opened to reveal Aika, one of his aides. Behind her was a girl about Goro's age, with short green hair and a reserved posture. The moment Goro saw her, he immediately recognized her.
'Fū…'
Aika bowed before speaking. "Lord Takikage, this is the girl you asked for." She gestured to Fū, who stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
Goro nodded and leaned forward slightly. "Thank you, Aika. You're dismissed," he said. Aika bowed again and swiftly left the room, the door closing softly behind her.
'She's become a lot more obedient after she's seen the effort I've put into improving this village. That, and I've helped build the leaders' new luxurious homes, with my newly unlocked Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu. To put it simply, I'm taking care of everyone.'
His attention shifted back to Fū, who stood before him, still hesitant but watching him with a mixture of curiosity and caution. Goro's voice broke the silence.
"You're Fū, correct?" he asked, starting the conversation smoothly.
Fū nodded, her green hair swaying slightly. She didn't say anything, keeping her gaze low.
Goro continued, his voice dropping just a hint. "You're also the Jinchuriki of the Seven-Tailed Beast."
At the mention of the beast within her, Fū flinched. Her eyes widened slightly, and her body stiffened. Goro could tell she was uncomfortable. Though she was skeptical of why he would bring up the tailed beast, she nodded once again, this time slower.
Goro smiled beneath his mask. His tone softened. "You'll receive personal training from me every day," Goro announced. "You need to grow stronger, and I will help you do that. With every step you take, I'll be by your side. How does that sound?"
Fū's eyes lit up in surprise. The sudden offer of support, especially from someone in a position of power like Goro, seemed to spark something in her. "Y-yes, Lord Takikage!" she exclaimed, her grin wide and genuine. Her excitement was evident.
"Calm down," Goro said, raising both hands in a gesture to slow her enthusiasm.
'My words had the exact effect I expected them to. She's lonely.'
Fū quickly composed herself, bowing her head slightly in embarrassment. "Sorry, sir," she mumbled, clearly still eager but trying to restrain her emotions.
Goro stood up from his chair and stepped around the desk. He created a clone with a simple hand sign, the clone materializing beside him in a puff of smoke. He pulled out a kunai from his pouch, which had a seal wrapped around the handle and inserted the kunai into the back of the clone's head.
"A clone of mine will be accompanying you at all times," Goro said firmly. Pulling open a drawer in his desk, Goro took out a wad of cash.
'I wonder when my order for a new table is going to arrive. This one is far too big.'
He handed the cash to the clone before continuing. "If you need anything, just say so. I'll take care of you," Goro said, looking directly at Fū. "It's lunchtime. Are you hungry?"
Fū opened her mouth to respond but hesitated. She shook her head no, but the loud growl from her stomach betrayed her attempt to deny it. She smiled sheepishly, her face reddening.
Goro switched his consciousness to the clone immediately. "They've recently opened a meat place nearby. Let's go," the clone spoke.
With that, Goro switched back to his real body, standing calmly as the clone prepared to take Fū out of the office. Fū bowed to Goro once more, gratitude and excitement evident in her eyes before she left the room with the clone by her side.
As the door closed behind her, Goro leaned back in his chair once again, resting his arms behind his head.
'I don't know what the Akatsuki might do after hearing of a new leader in the Hidden Waterfall. I need to keep her guarded at all times.'
Goro knew that with Fū's status as a Jinchuriki, she was a prime target, and the Akatsuki were not the type to stay still when their target became harder to acquire.
Before Goro could delve deeper into his plans, a strange presence interrupted his thoughts. The floor at the center of the room began to shift. Zetsu slowly emerged, his black and white form rising from the ground.
"He's given the girl a guard? Perhaps he knows of our intentions? Or maybe he's just trying to keep the Leaf from taking her…" Black Zetsu mused quietly.
"Hello there, Takikage," White Zetsu said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"So soon?" Goro thought, narrowing his eyes. "Word spreads quickly…" He watched as Zetsu fully emerged from the floor.
Zetsu now stood completely upright, his eyes locked onto Goro. Goro, meanwhile, fully relaxed into his chair, finally sitting down completely. He gave no indication of surprise or worry as he leaned forward, meeting Zetsu's eyes.
"I don't recall giving you permission to enter my office," Goro said sternly, his voice full of authority.
White Zetsu raised his hand and shrugged, his expression playful. "Sorry, it's urgent," he replied, waving one hand dismissively.
"He hasn't even bothered to become hostile or on-guard," Black Zetsu thought, observing Goro with a hint of suspicion. "He's confident…"
"Speak," Goro commanded, his eyes still fixed on the strange figure before him.
Zetsu lowered his hand, ready to speak, but before he could begin, a knock echoed through the room. Goro's eyes shifted toward the door.
"Come in," he answered.
The door creaked open, and Aika entered, her arms full of papers. "Lord Takikage, these are th—" She froze mid-sentence, her gaze locking onto Zetsu's strange form. Her body stiffened, and an involuntary shudder passed through her.
"What is that?" Aika thought, trying to keep her composure.
"Don't mind me," Zetsu said, his white half grinning at Aika.
Goro gestured for Aika to continue. "These are the reports of yesterday's trade," she said, her voice a bit shakier than usual as she avoided looking directly at Zetsu.
Goro nodded, looking at the papers Aika was carrying. "Put them on my desk. I'll go through them later."
Aika quickly complied, placing the stack of papers on the desk before bowing and making a swift exit, clearly relieved to be away from Zetsu.
Once the door closed, Goro looked back up, his expression unchanged. "Continue," he said, flipping through the top few pages of the reports as though Zetsu's presence was nothing more than a minor distraction.
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Reminder: For a Double Release next week, let's hit 500 powerstones. This story's continuation depends on your support—so don't forget to give the story powerstones! Goal: 500 Powerstones!
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