Chapter 248
Kaguya was an undeniably powerful opponent—terrifyingly so—but she lacked the cunning of the outside world. Deceiving her wasn't difficult. That was, in fact, part of the reason she'd been sealed in the first place. She simply didn't understand human nature.
Holding a black orb that looked oddly like a Pac-Man in his hand, Zixu stared at Black Zetsu, who was still trying to devour him even now. Without hesitation, Zixu slapped him across the face.
"Settle down. You don't want anything to happen to your mother."
Chinano had only just grasped the use of the Light Gate and still struggled with its control. It had taken Zixu and the others considerable time to stabilize the portal and leave.
Black Zetsu slowly stopped thrashing. He had been so overwhelmed with joy at his mother's resurrection that he'd lost all sense of control. That lapse gave Zixu the opening he needed. Kaguya's simplicity, while not stupidity, made her vulnerable without someone like Black Zetsu by her side.
"I can tell you a secret," Black Zetsu muttered, "but in exchange, you'll have to let me go—"
Before he could finish, Zixu slapped him again, harder this time.
"Still trying to negotiate? You're a hostage, dumbass. Get some self-awareness."
Black Zetsu hadn't expected Zixu to be so ruthless. If he wasn't still useful, Zixu would've eliminated him already. He opened his mouth to speak again, but the casual wave of Zixu's hand made his body tense in fear. Finally, he blurted out:
"Orochimaru! He's the mastermind behind all this. His ambitions are enormous. And you? You're part of his plan too. But in his eyes, you're safest dead..."
Zixu froze, lowering the hand that was mid-slap. Before he could fully process what he'd just heard, the Light Gate shimmered and pulled them back to their original world.