Starting as a Ninja in the Naruto World

A silent night.

A cold breeze slipped in through the window.

But Emiya Shigen didn't feel the chill.

His Edo Tensei body dulled his senses to that of a corpse, though he still closed the window, as if doing so would make him feel alive again.

Perhaps…

Only by pretending to be alive can one truly feel human?

This house had been arranged by Tobirama.

Though Shigen didn't need a place to rest, he had requested a quiet environment under the pretense of studying this era's medical ninjutsu.

Naturally, there was an Anbu guarding the perimeter.

This Anbu wasn't stationed there to monitor Shigen.

He was there to protect him and fulfill any requests Shigen made to the village.

Tobirama believed that he could control Shigen's body with a thought through Edo Tensei if needed.

However, he maintained a respectful demeanor to avoid making Shigen feel like a puppet.

"Don't stay up too late," Shigen called softly, closing the window.

"Get some rest. And tomorrow morning, bring me a map of the ninja world."

The Anbu hesitated for a moment.

But remembering Tobirama's orders, he vanished in a blur, heading for the Hokage's office to report Shigen's request.

With the Anbu gone,

Emiya Shigen's heart settled into a quiet calm.

"I've left him no choice…"

Shigen adjusted the wick of the oil lamp, speaking softly to himself:

"Why hasn't my old ally come to see me?"

Black Zetsu.

Why hadn't he shown up yet?

If Zetsu's mind had matured over a thousand years, surely he would realize that Shigen was still his best and only choice.

Surely…

Zetsu couldn't still be as naive and gullible as he was a thousand years ago.

Right?

The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows on the walls.

Suddenly—

A pitch-black figure emerged from the shadows.

Just as Shigen began to worry that Zetsu hadn't grown wiser,

the very creature in question silently rose from the ground.

"Long time no see… Lord Shigen."

The sinister voice whispered near his ear.

"Lord Shigen."

A title of respect and familiarity.

It was a title only the slug Katsuyu had ever used for him.

But Zetsu had occasionally used it as well, pretending that they were close.

Of course, in Zetsu's heart, Shigen was merely a pawn.

But he never dared show that openly.

Because, back then…

Their power gap had been too vast.

Zetsu relied on deception.

He never controlled Shigen.

Their relationship had always been a mutual partnership.

Even now, Zetsu addressed him with a respectful title to maintain the illusion of camaraderie.

"...That voice…"

Shigen's body stiffened.

His fingers froze over the lamp's wick.

His voice trembled slightly.

"Is it… really you?"

"It's me."

Zetsu's voice drifted in and out like a phantom.

He sank back into the ground, only to reemerge directly in front of Shigen.

"If you still remember me… the one who once shared your dreams, only to be abandoned in the end."

"I'm… sorry."

A look of guilt crossed Shigen's face.

When Shigen lowered his head to apologize,

Zetsu slowly rose from the ground, finally standing face-to-face with him.

"Didn't expect this, did you, Lord Shigen?"

Zetsu grinned.

His initial nervousness melted away, replaced by satisfaction as he gazed upon Shigen's guilt-ridden, shocked expression.

"I never thought… after living through these long, lonely centuries… that I'd ever see you again."

"Over a thousand years later…"

"It really has been a long time…"

Shigen's gaze softened.

He took in Zetsu's new appearance.

Compared to a thousand years ago, Zetsu looked taller.

His body more fully formed.

"You've grown, Zetsu."

Shigen smiled gently.

It was the same kind smile he used to show Katsuyu and Zetsu in the past.

"..."

Zetsu's smile faltered.

For a moment, his anger and cunning words completely vanished.

This guy…

Why is he still like this?!

Zetsu had prepared an arsenal of harsh words.

Words meant to wound.

To wake Shigen up from his naivety.

But before he could deliver that verbal punch,

Shigen's gentleness defused it.

And worse…

Before Zetsu could recover, Shigen already looked sad.

The Edo Tensei's pale face took on a look of melancholy,

As if Shigen had already accepted blame for some unseen guilt.

He idly poked at the lamp wick with his finger, ignoring the flame as it licked at his skin.

"Isn't it nice?"

"After more than a thousand years…"

"I still get to see an old friend again."

"The Ninja Order of this era…"

"No, they call themselves 'ninjas' now…"

Shigen spoke with wistful nostalgia.

But his face carried unspeakable sorrow.

"Zetsu…"

"The ninjas of this era… they're geniuses."

"They've figured out how to use my body… the very body I left behind for medical study… to resurrect me, a man dead for over a thousand years."

"You're angry, aren't you, Lord Shigen?"

Zetsu's sneer returned.

He couldn't help but mock:

"This must be the worst era ever."

"Is it?"

Shigen's lips curved into a self-deprecating smile.

"They told me… this is the best era the ninja world has ever known."

"Of course it is!"

Zetsu's voice dripped with venom.

"For the descendants of those despicable men, it's the best era imaginable!"

He hissed with contempt:

"Those who abused chakra for their own gain…"

"Those who waged war after war, plunging the world into a thousand years of chaos…"

"Even though I spread your story, Lord Shigen…"

"Even though I told them chakra should be used to ease suffering…"

"They still use it to fight endless wars."

Naturally,

Zetsu omitted his own role in spreading those wars.

"Lord Shigen."

Zetsu's expression turned sinister.

It was time to deliver the decisive blow.

"After seeing all this bloodshed…"

"After hearing about a thousand years of war…"

Zetsu's grin widened.

He could feel the tension in the air.

The moment of truth had come.

"So, Lord Shigen…"

"Do you regret trusting Ashura?"

"..."

Silence.

Shigen lowered his gaze.

To Zetsu, that silence was confirmation.

He's speechless.

He can't deny it.

Zetsu's grin grew wider.

He had won.

"Maybe…"

Shigen suddenly spoke.

"Maybe things aren't set in stone."

His voice was distant.

"I remember Ashura promised me…"

"That he would stop the wars…"

"That he would protect the weak…"

"That he would turn chakra into a force to ease suffering…"

"And today…"

"I met the man carrying Ashura's chakra in this era."

"Senju Hashirama."

"A man who ended the Warring States Period."

"A man who built a village that united the clans."

"He gave them the surname 'Senju'…"

"To symbolize a thousand hands, joined together."

"To end suffering through unity."

Shigen smiled softly.

"I think… Hashirama has fulfilled that promise."

"..."

Zetsu's smile froze.

No way.

No way.

He STILL believes in Ashura?!

He's still that naive?!

Dammit!

Why won't he realize…

He's been deceived?!

Can't he just get fooled by me instead?!