Starting as a Ninja in the Naruto World

"Where is this place?"

Black Zetsu couldn't quite figure out the location.

"When is this?"

He was struggling to grasp the timeline.

"Am I really in the ninja world… a thousand years later?"

A hint of self-doubt crept into Black Zetsu's mind as he stood hidden in the shadows, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.

It's supposed to be a joyous occasion when you encounter a long-lost friend.

But meeting someone who should be long dead, at a time when they absolutely shouldn't exist, causes more confusion than happiness.

This was the exact situation Black Zetsu found himself in.

He stared at the man walking alongside Tobirama on the streets of Konoha, a man who shouldn't be alive.

His mind spiraled into confusion.

Emiya Shigen.

A name that shouldn't exist in this timeline.

"How…"

"How is he here?"

Black Zetsu felt his worldview shatter.

He knew he hadn't made any mistakes.

He had lived through over a thousand years of careful planning, spreading war and manipulating key figures in ninja history, all while never losing track of time.

There was no way he could have miscalculated by a thousand years.

Then…

Was he hallucinating?

"Am I going insane from living too long?"

Zetsu questioned himself, feeling as if he was losing grip on reality.

But no matter how much he questioned it…

The man standing there was undeniably Emiya Shigen.

The same Emiya Shigen who had lived over a thousand years ago.

"Impossible…"

"That man… died long ago."

Emiya Shigen, a man whose name was revered in ancient times.

A legendary medical ninja whose innovations laid the foundation for the entire medical ninja system.

He was kind-hearted, brilliant, and naively idealistic.

And yet, there he was—

Alive.

Walking beside Senju Tobirama in this modern ninja world.

"Am I seeing things?"

"Is this… some spirit from the past?"

No.

Zetsu wasn't seeing things.

It wasn't a spirit.

It was really Emiya Shigen.

And he looked very much alive.

"Damn it…"

Zetsu was utterly confused by the sight before him.

For Black Zetsu, the death of Emiya Shigen had been one of his greatest regrets.

Back in ancient times, Zetsu had almost succeeded in using Emiya as a pawn to fulfill Kaguya's revival plan.

But Emiya had betrayed him.

Back then, Emiya Shigen had allied with Ashura.

He believed in peace through mutual understanding and hoped to heal the world with his medical ninjutsu.

Zetsu, however, saw him as a naive fool.

"Why…"

"Why is this man still alive?"

Zetsu remained hidden, staring at Emiya's every move from the shadows, still unable to comprehend the situation.

In the distance, Emiya Shigen was completely unaware of Black Zetsu's presence.

He continued walking alongside Tobirama, discussing Senju Hashirama's recovery.

"Let's shift the patient's focus for now," Emiya suggested gently.

His voice was calm and composed, as if he wasn't the slightest bit aware of the two figures lurking in the shadows—Uchiha Madara and Black Zetsu.

"As his family member, you should try to give him something new to focus on," Emiya continued.

"Killing his friend… has taken a heavy toll on him."

Black Zetsu observed how Emiya Shigen effortlessly guided Tobirama in addressing Hashirama's emotional state.

"Still… the fact that he's here…"

"I need to know what's going on."

As Zetsu continued to watch, he noticed that Tobirama didn't seem to detect anything unusual.

Despite being known for his sharp perception and mastery of sensory techniques, Tobirama seemed completely oblivious to both Madara and Black Zetsu's presence.

It made sense—

Tobirama was currently restraining his chakra use due to the curse mark that Emiya had placed on him earlier.

"Let me think…"

Tobirama muttered to himself, deep in thought.

"How can I get my brother to stop obsessing over Madara?"

Tobirama quickly came up with an idea.

"I'll have him spend time with the children in the village.

That's what my brother truly cares about—

The future of this village."

"That's a good idea."

Emiya Shigen nodded approvingly.

"I'll continue searching for a way to extend his lifespan in the meantime."

"Thank you," Tobirama replied, visibly relieved.

Still, Tobirama couldn't fully relax.

He always prepared for the worst-case scenario.

After a moment, he spoke again:

"I didn't ask earlier in the hospital… because it wasn't appropriate."

"But now I must know…"

Tobirama crossed his arms, his expression grave.

"If you can't find a way to save him…"

"How much time does my brother have left?"

The night air around them grew eerily still.

Even Madara, hidden in the shadows, held his breath.

For Madara, Hashirama's life mattered.

Madara wanted to show Hashirama that he had found the true path to peace.

For Tobirama, Hashirama's survival was essential for the stability of both Konoha and the entire ninja world.

Without Hashirama, the fragile peace they had built could collapse overnight.

After a long pause, Emiya Shigen finally gave his answer:

"Ten years."

"If I can't find any solutions, and if he doesn't exert himself further,

He'll have no more than ten years left."

"Ten years…"

Tobirama's expression darkened.

For someone as young and powerful as Hashirama, ten years was far too short.

Tobirama quickly calculated the implications—

In just ten years, Konoha could fall apart.

"The other clans in Konoha haven't fully committed to the village yet," he thought.

They were still proud of their own clans and names.

If Hashirama were to die…

There was no guarantee that these clans would remain loyal to Konoha.

Tobirama's mind hardened with resolve.

He had to find a way to ensure Konoha's survival before his brother passed away.

"I understand."

With that, Tobirama quickened his pace, heading toward the Hokage Building as he discussed Emiya's accommodations.

Meanwhile, Madara watched them from afar.

"Ten years…"

Madara's eyes narrowed before he melted back into the shadows, heading toward the Konoha Hospital.

But Black Zetsu didn't follow Madara.

Instead, he remained where he was—

Staring intently in the direction where Tobirama and Emiya Shigen had disappeared.

His heart pounding.

"This can't be…"

"That man…"

"Why does he look exactly like Emiya Shigen?"

"A man who's been dead for over a thousand years!"