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Black Zetsu is a filial child, and when reminded by Kitahara Hitoshi, he reacts immediately.
Although Shinobu was with Kitahara Hitoshi, Shinobu himself admitted he couldn't understand why he appeared here.
Because the current ninja has lost his power.
Then there are more possibilities.
Kitahara Hitoshi's ninja is the main body of Kaguya.
Maybe she broke free of the seal with her own strength but also paid a price for it, so although she broke the seal, she lost her power and turned into a ninja.
Another possibility references the method used to create Black Zetsu, utilizing yin and yang release while being sealed, and then separating consciousness.
The reason is very straightforward. Black Zetsu has been carrying out Kaguya's unsealing plan for a thousand years, yet it has proven ineffective.
So the sealed Kaguya no longer had hope in that plan and decided to save herself. She recreated a fourth child on her own. This time, when creating the ninja rabbit, her consciousness was mixed in as well.
Thinking about it this way, Black Zetsu felt overwhelmed.
Because it means being denied.
He had worked so hard over the years, tirelessly and persistently.
But the result was failure, and Kaguya gave up hope in him.
Lord Kaguya, don't give up on me…
Just thinking about this, Black Zetsu felt like going insane.
Because its entire existence would become meaningless.
Having spent thousands of years overseeing the history of the ninja world, standing aloof and treating everyone as tools.
But if abandoned by Kaguya, it would become nothing, even lower than Uchiha Madara who had been deceived.
So…
Black Zetsu couldn't accept the second possibility.
But Black Zetsu is still a loyal servant.
Even if the ninja rabbit who accepts only Kitahara Hitoshi is the real Kaguya, it still has to consider—if Kitahara Hitoshi's ninja is not the main body of Kaguya, then he can't hand over the tailed beasts yet.
If the tailed beasts are devoured now, only to later confirm that Kaguya's true body is still sealed on the moon…
Then how could the seal be lifted?
Black Zetsu slapped its forehead. Truly, it had become foolish in its thousand-year pursuit of unsealing her.
It almost ruined everything due to momentary negligence.
Yes.
Black Zetsu left quickly after speaking with Kitahara Hitoshi.
The first priority now is to confirm whether there are traces of Mother Kaguya on the moon.
Therefore, if the tailed beast is not the tailed beast, it will be set aside for now.
Watching Black Zetsu sink into the ground and vanish, Kitahara Hitoshi stroked his chin.
Then he stepped onto Shukaku's hand and made his way to the beast's shoulder. Despite Shukaku being bulky, he was still a massive tailed beast.
Shukaku stared at Kitahara Hitoshi, stunned and holding its breath.
Because the conversation between Kitahara Hitoshi and Black Zetsu revealed far too much—and it was terrifying.
So you're the one behind the tailed beasts' capture? Shukaku blurted out.
But it realized that was too dangerous.
So it quickly rephrased itself.
Well... I mean... I didn't see anything. I didn't hear anything.
Seeing Kitahara Hitoshi already on its shoulder, Shukaku's survival instincts kicked in.
It already knew that Kitahara Hitoshi's ninja white rabbit was none other than the mother of the Sage of Six Paths—Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
It also knew that Ōtsutsuki Kaguya was sealed by the Sage of Six Paths.
When it first realized the white rabbit was Kaguya, it hadn't fully reacted.
But after eavesdropping just now, everything became clear.
Ōtsutsuki Kaguya requires Chakra and collects Chakra. And who possesses Chakra more directly than the tailed beasts?
Therefore, the tailed beasts have become extremely endangered.
And what did it do?
Kaguya wants Chakra. It is Chakra. That makes Kaguya its natural predator.
Yet it had proactively joined Konoha.
Isn't this just like... walking into a hot pot restaurant and lying on the plate?
Volunteering to be eaten… how dumb.
The Sage of Six Paths once said that if they, the tailed beasts, waited patiently, one day someone would come to gather them again and build a world where humans and tailed beasts could coexist in peace.
But what's in front of them now is Kaguya—the terrifying devourer of tailed beasts.
Why are you panicking? Kitahara Hitoshi noticed Shukaku's trembling.
Even if my ninja rabbit really needs Chakra, Kitahara Hitoshi said.
It won't take you.
None of you have even a tenth of the Nine Tails' Chakra, Kitahara Hitoshi continued. Taking you would be useless.
Shukaku froze.
As the majestic One-Tail Shukaku, was it truly not even a tenth of the Nine Tails?
It felt deeply insulted.
Normally it would be furious to hear such disrespect, especially from the Nine Tails.
But now...
Indeed, that stupid fox has far more Chakra than I do.
You know that we tailed beasts are actually just pure Chakra entities.
After we gained consciousness, we were lodged into the body of the Sage of Six Paths. Then, before the Sage died, he divided the Chakra.
But maybe the Sage of Six Paths was bad at math.
One portion for me, then one for the Nine Tails. One for the Two Tails, then one for the Nine Tails. One for the Three Tails, then again for the Nine Tails…
In the end, the Nine Tails just somehow got the most Chakra.
As a supposed alliance of tailed beasts, Shukaku immediately betrayed the Nine Tails.
Because...
Right now, it is the most vulnerable. With no Jinchūriki, it's practically disarmed.
It can be caught and devoured outright.
This isn't Shukaku's paranoid fantasy. It's already happened.
It heard that during the First Ninja War, the Nine Tails was consumed by the Gold and Silver Brothers and had part of its Chakra stolen.
That proves even the mighty Nine Tails can be food.
For the first time, Shukaku realized that being sealed up was actually a form of protection.
I don't lack Chakra, Kitahara Hitoshi said.
And even if I needed it, I would start with the Nine Tails. More efficient, more Chakra.
You really don't have to worry.
Just join Konoha with peace of mind.
Well...
Shukaku hesitated. I'll feel at ease only if you write a formal guarantee...
Huh? Kitahara Hitoshi looked over.
No—I get it.
Shukaku immediately pulled back its long limbs, terrified.
Still, it really wanted a written promise.
Because for a tailed beast, leaving Konoha means exposing itself to extreme danger.
Terrifying.
It had to wonder if Kitahara Hitoshi was just raising tailed beasts to fatten up his ninja rabbit.
Can I not go back to Konoha? Shukaku asked quickly.
It had been sealed in Gaara before, who returned to the Sand Village, and so naturally it followed.
But now that it's completely free from Gaara, it should have the freedom to avoid Konoha—and Kitahara Hitoshi's ninja rabbit.
Seeing that face every day while being eyed as prey—how mentally taxing would that be?
Sure, Kitahara Hitoshi replied.
The Sand Village doesn't have the power to manage you, so I was planning to station you here anyway.
Yeah—is that so? Shukaku sighed in relief.
The sandy environment in the Land of Wind suits it perfectly.
And as long as it stays far away from Konoha and that terrifying white rabbit, it should be safe.
But before that, you need to do one more thing, Kitahara Hitoshi said.
Hmm?
Shukaku blinked as Kitahara Hitoshi looked toward the distant shore where Sasuke and Naruto were working together to attack Sasori.
Sasuke and Naruto were still inexperienced in battle, but Naruto's relentless attacks and massive Shadow Clone technique seriously disrupted Sasori's movements.
Sasuke didn't miss the opportunity. He and Naruto's movements were very coordinated, applying great pressure on Sasori.
Seeing Sasori take off his cloak, Kitahara Hitoshi knew the real battle was about to begin.
He commented,
"Sasori's strength is like that."
"Another introduction to Kage-level."
"Why do you keep running away?" Kitahara Hitoshi asked.
The question was directed at Morizuru.
Shukaku, a tailed beast, although many village Kage can handle such creatures — like the Raikage fighting the Eight Tails head-on — still, Shukaku's strength was formidable enough to battle Sasori directly.
Tailed beasts have their own unique advantages.
But Shukaku didn't engage.
"The leader of Akatsuki's organization, Sasori, has the Rinnegan," Shukaku said hesitantly.
"And I was defeated before…"
Was it really defeat?
"Wait a minute…" Morizuru suddenly remembered. "Sasori and Deidara said that if their group failed to capture me, their leader Pain would come in person."
"Don't worry about that," Kitahara Hitoshi replied.
"Oh…" Shukaku seemed to agree.
He also felt Kitahara Hitoshi was incredibly capable.
After all, this was the man who raised the mother of the Sage of Six Paths like a rabbit.
That alone was enough to give anyone confidence.
But he didn't yet realize that when it came to stopping Pain, Kitahara Hitoshi wouldn't need to act — Black Zetsu would handle it.
In fact, this was originally Black Zetsu's job. And if it couldn't even handle a subordinate properly, it was far from being the true mastermind behind the scenes.
Kitahara Hitoshi and Morizuru arrived at the shore.
He helped Naruto and Sasuke, both collapsed from exhaustion, while across from them lay a motionless body.
Sasori, the top puppet master — the higher the puppet master's level, the more unique their abilities.
Sasori hadn't just turned others into puppets. He had turned himself into one.
His true form was completely controlled by a single green core.
Shukaku noticed Sasori's core. As a thousand-year-old tailed beast, his experience and knowledge were immense. He immediately realized Naruto and Sasuke had only defeated Sasori, not destroyed him. So he prepared to unleash a Wind Style technique.
"Don't destroy it yet," Kitahara Hitoshi said.
"Huh? Do you want Sasori to return to Sand Shinobi Village?" Morizuru asked.
"No," Kitahara Hitoshi replied. "Sasori is a member of Akatsuki. We'll notify them through the Rain Village to bring money and ransom him."
"Sand Shinobi Village has already become a subordinate village of Konoha, but they are still extremely poor. So we'll help them."
"In other words, the first move a new leader makes is to hand out money."
"To win people's hearts," Kitahara Hitoshi said.
"And the poorer Sand Shinobi Village is, the more leverage we'll have."
"Ah this…" Shukaku was speechless.
"Lying-trough…"
Morizuru realized the money used to win hearts wasn't even coming from Kitahara Hitoshi himself.
As expected of him.
Shukaku's jaw dropped, then he quickly nodded.
Absolutely convincing.
Naruto, thanks to his Uzumaki clan physique, recovered rapidly. But Sasuke still needed time.
This battle against Sasori had been a grueling one for both of them.
But only in such near-death struggles could one grow stronger, especially when facing Kage-level foes.
It was admirable. Two open-hanging teenagers — both evolving.
By evening, both had recovered.
"Sharingan!"
Sasuke revealed his eyes, no longer the familiar single tomoe — they had evolved into double tomoe.
He was clearly progressing.
"Now that the mission is complete, should we return to the village?" Naruto asked. He was fully recovered.
"No. Since we're already in Sand Shinobi Village, let's complete another hidden mission while we're here," Kitahara Hitoshi said.
"Hidden mission?"
The next morning.
Sand Shinobi Village.
The environment here, in the Land of Wind, was brutal. Remote, full of yellow sand, with scarce water resources. Even access to drinking water for survival was a struggle, let alone any luxuries.
But water wasn't the only problem. Since a few years ago — to be precise, after the Third Ninja World War — the Five Great Ninja Villages re-signed a peace treaty.
However, for the higher-ups of the Land of Wind, Sand Shinobi Village had become too weak. As a result, the Wind Daimyo was no longer willing to financially support the village.
Unlike Konoha, whose ninjas were in high demand and had numerous missions, Sand Shinobi Village lacked both reputation and favorable living conditions.
Few people commissioned them.
This led to the Land of Wind cutting funds, and with no missions, Sand Village spiraled into extreme poverty.
But this wasn't just regular poverty anymore.
"Temari…"
"What do we do now?"
"Not only has Shukaku disappeared, but although Gaara was resurrected… everyone else is lost."
"And Grandma Chiyo…"
"Grandma Chiyo is gone."
Kankuro paced the council hall of Sand Shinobi Village.
Since last night, the upper echelons had been holding a meeting. But it ended prematurely.
Because of despair.
Some time ago, Kaze planned to take advantage of the Chūnin Exams to launch an attack on Konoha while showcasing the strength of the Sand Shinobi Village. One reason was to advertise their military power, and the other was that if the operation succeeded, they could plunder supplies and funds to alleviate the economic crisis plaguing the village.
It would also demonstrate strength to the Daimyō of the Wind Country, encouraging increased financial support from the nation.
But the plan fell apart. Baki, who was sent on an external mission, was captured, and 80% of the village's Jōnin and Chūnin were ambushed at the Fire Country border.
These ambushed shinobi couldn't return.
So, what's left of the Sand Shinobi Village?
There was only Chiyo.
But now Chiyo had sacrificed herself, using forbidden techniques to revive Gaara.
And Gaara… he was once the One-Tail Jinchūriki, but now Shukaku was gone. What could he contribute now?
It all felt hopeless.
When the few remaining high-ranking officials in the village tried to convene a strategy meeting, they couldn't come up with a plan.
Because the truth was — there were no options left.
They had also received the letter from Kitahara Hitoshi.
It revealed the identity of the one who had assassinated the Third Kazekage — Chiyo's own grandson.
Sasori.
That revelation shocked the council.
The massive loss suffered during the Third Great Ninja War had been caused, ultimately, by the betrayal of someone from their own bloodline.
The enemy had been within their own ranks.
For the Sand Shinobi Village, it was a complete disaster.
"There's no other choice," Temari stated. "We must join Konoha, just as planned."
"Even if Chiyo is gone…"
"Or rather, because she's gone, we must proceed."
"As cruel as it is, her absence makes this easier. Fewer people will resist merging with Konoha."
"This is our only way to preserve what remains of the village," Temari concluded.
The Sand Village was already poor and weak. It had lost the Fourth Kazekage — and though Temari felt no strong affection toward her father, his presence had been a pillar of the village's authority.
Now, another pillar had fallen.
Was this tragedy piling upon tragedy?
The village was in shambles — and things were only getting worse.
Bang!
A deep rumble shook the ground beneath them.
"What was that?" Kankuro flinched.
They rushed to the window, and from the east side of the village, a massive figure appeared in the distance.
Soon after, panic erupted outside.
"Shukaku…"
"Shukaku is back…"
"He's going to wreak havoc in the Sand Shinobi Village!"
Kankuro stared in shock as Shukaku's colossal hand reached toward the Kazekage's office.
He's gone!
There was no Kazekage present. What was Shukaku doing here?
"Hurry up! Prepare for battle!" Temari ordered. "I'll organize the evacuation of civilians."
"Eh?"
"I…"
"Battle?" Kankuro was startled.
Temari turned to him.
"There's no one left in the village who can act. It's just us."
"We'll draw Shukaku away first, then escort the civilians to safety."
"But… me?" Kankuro stammered. "Can't I be the one who handles the evacuation?"
Temari fell silent.
Clearly, Kankuro was afraid.
Gaara, meanwhile, was still weakened, mentally and physically drained from the loss of his Tailed Beast and Chiyo's revival technique.
So now…
"Who's afraid of who…" Temari muttered, psyching herself up.
"Alright, you evacuate the civilians. I'll engage Shukaku."
"I'll try to gather any remaining shinobi to help buy time."
"Um… alright."
Kankuro exhaled in relief, but also felt humiliated. This meant Temari was heading into danger.
Boom!
Suddenly, the office window shattered as a massive hand crashed through it.
It was Shukaku's claw.
"What…" Kankuro's eyes widened as he reflexively stepped back, raising an arm in defense.
His survival instincts kicked in.
"Kitahara Hitoshi?" Temari gasped.
"Yeah, it's me."
The claw of Shukaku opened to reveal Kitahara Hitoshi standing calmly on its palm.
Sasuke and Naruto dropped down from Shukaku's shoulder, descending along his arm.
"So this is the Sand Shinobi Village's office?" Naruto asked, looking around. "It kinda feels like Konoha… but without any greenery."
"…" Sasuke remained silent, though a faint sense of superiority lingered in his expression.
"You're…" Temari was still processing the scene.
"Send the order," Kitahara Hitoshi said. "Konoha has come to claim the Sand Shinobi Village."
"Huh…"
"Accept the wrath of Shukaku, imprisoned all these years," he added coldly.
Hum—
As soon as Kitahara spoke, Shukaku withdrew his hand, not to scratch himself or fidget, but to form a seal.
"Wind Style: Air Bullet—"
Shukaku was preparing to obliterate the village buildings.
Kankuro was paralyzed. He'd seen Shukaku rampage before — when Gaara lost control — but this was nothing like that.
Gaara's berserk moments were still within limits.
But now the real Shukaku was here — unrestrained, free.
Back then, Gaara could suppress Shukaku. But now, without a host, the Tailed Beast was operating on his own.
And the only ones capable of sealing him had been the Kazekage and Grandma Chiyo.
Both were gone.
With Baki also missing, the Sand Shinobi Village had no one left to defend itself.
The situation was hopeless.
Half an hour later—
Beep!
Today's update from the Children and Grandchildren Group chat appeared.
@ Senju Hashirama, @ Senju Tobirama, @ Granny Chiyo, @ Namikaze Minato, @ Kakashi, @ Might Guy, @ Uchiha Izuna, @ Nine Tails, @ One Tail, @ Onoki, @ Terumi Mei
[Children and Grandchildren Group]
Big Pillar Hanhan: The small group is finally open.
[Big Bamboo Hanhan]: Sasori went offline before seeing Naruto and Sasuke's duel yesterday.
Big Pillar Hanhan: That's unfortunate.
[Big Bamboo Hanhan]: What's wrong, Tobirama?
Senju Tobirama: I was going through reports yesterday, got held up a bit.
[Big Bamboo Hanhan]: Tough work, huh?
Senju Tobirama: But rest assured, Naruto and Sasuke are still rookies, but their strength has reached Jōnin-level.
[Namikaze Minato]: That's great news. My Naruto and Sasuke did well then.
[Namikaze Minato]: They defeated Sasori.
Senju Tobirama: Just the two of them?
[Namikaze Minato]: Yes, only Naruto and Sasuke.
Senju Tobirama: Two Jōnin-level shinobi defeated a Kage-level Sasori? Their growth is astounding.
Tobirama's record: Although I am also very surprised, this result is still recognized.
Senju Tobirama: Of course you agree, because Sasuke looks the same as you. So Sasuke finally doesn't have to lose face anymore, and you don't have to be accidentally injured.
Tobirama's record: I want you to take care of it.
Senju Tobirama: But this means that they have completed the task of rescuing Shukaku.
Namikaze Minato: Yes, even the Sand Shinobi Village is completely subdued now.
Senju Tobirama: Oh, Sand Shinobi Village also subdued? Eh? Exceeded the mission?
Senju Tobirama: Wait a minute, Minato, how do you know everything?
Namikaze Minato: Eh?
Namikaze Minato: Because it's live streaming right now.
Senju Tobirama: Lying trough!
Tobirama groaned for a moment.
Senju Tobirama: Didn't Kitahara Hitoshi and the others go to help One-Tail?
Shukaku: Yes, I have been rescued.
Shukaku: And now it's Sand Shinobi Village's ownership change.
Namikaze Minato: Well, Sand Shinobi Village has chosen a new Kazekage. Then the new Wind Shadow took the lead and replaced the Konoha forehead protector.
Namikaze Minato: So it means that Sand Shinobi Village belongs completely to Konoha. Chiyo died, and Sand Shinobi Village completely resigned.
Chiyo: Eh…
Hearing Minato's voice, Granny Chiyo sighed.
In fact, she also knew that Sand Shinobi Village had no choice, and it would eventually turn into this situation.
And if she didn't die, then she would have to bear the guilt that the Third Kazekage was actually murdered by her grandson.
And once this is announced, Sand Shinobi Village will become demoralized and even chaotic.
So it's better to use this way of sacrificing herself, to protect Gaara, and hide the truth.
The end result is, although Sand Shinobi Village belongs to Konoha, the ninjas can still survive.
This is her last hope.
In the video, the newly selected Fifth Kazekage signed the paperwork and then removed the forehead protector of Sand Shinobi Village from his forehead under the gaze of all the villagers.
Kitahara Hitoshi and the others stood beside the new Fifth Kazekage. Kitahara Hitoshi took off his Konoha forehead protector and handed it over.
The new Wind Shadow looked at Kitahara Hitoshi without the forehead protector and seemed to be stunned for a while, but quickly took the forehead protector and put it on.
The Wind Shadow of Sand Shinobi Village wears a Konoha forehead protector.
This shows what?
From today onwards, Sand Shinobi Village is not Sand Shinobi Village, but the village next door to Konoha.
Therefore, it can also be called a small Leaf.
Big Pillar Hanhan: But isn't the new Wind Shadow Gaara?
Big Pillar Hanhan: This girl named Temari is not as strong as Gaara.
Dazhuzi's eyes were fixed on the live broadcast in the small group. The person who put on the cloak of the Wind Shadow was Temari, the older sister of the previous Sand Shinobi trio.
Senju Tobirama: Probably because Shukaku was stripped out, so Gaara got weaker.
Chiyo: If Sand Shinobi Village was still Sand Shinobi Village, then the Fifth Kazekage should be Gaara. But now Sand Shinobi Village belongs to Konoha, so it cannot be Gaara.
Senju Tobirama: Oh? What's the reasoning?
Chiyo: Gaara has potential and talent. He can reach the point where he is stronger than his father, achieving real Kage-level strength.
Chiyo: But the current situation is that no one can call the Sand Shinobi Village independent. Kitahara Hitoshi believes that to take control immediately, they need a leader who is accepted by the villagers.
Chiyo: Gaara's strength is strong, but the people in the village are afraid of him. If he makes decisions as Kazekage, no one will follow them.
Senju Tobirama: Is that why Kitahara Hitoshi chose Temari? Yes, if it were me, I would choose her too. She's the Kazekage's daughter and Gaara's older sister, so she's still connected to Gaara.
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: Well… I misunderstood earlier.
Chiyo: I also misunderstood.
Senju Tobirama: Huh?
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: Huh?
Big Pillar Hanhan: Huh?
Namikaze Minato: Ah this…
Tobirama's record: What are you guys doing?
Izuna also joined, eh?
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: Nothing.
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: But it stung a little. That way I'm not the only female figure.
Fifth Mizukage Terumi Mei: Damn, are young girls that good? So what's the reason for rejecting me?
Senju Tobirama: Huh?
Chiyo: Eh… I feel for Temari.
Chiyo brought the topic back.
Chiyo: Temari's Wind Shadow is just a puppet.
Senju Tobirama: Of course. After joining Konoha, do you still want to call yourself Kazekage in Sand Shinobi Village?
Having said that, Tobirama also understood that Temari was likely to be the last Kazekage.
Choosing a new Wind Shadow is a move to win the hearts of the Sand Shinobi. Once the Wind Shadow is controlled, the village is controlled.
And when full control is achieved, there's no need for a Wind Shadow.
Starting today…
Temari has already put on Konoha's forehead protector. Even though she already knows this truth, saying it out loud still feels heavy.
Sand Shinobi Village is officially owned by Konoha.
It becomes Konoha's sub-village in the Land of Wind.
One hour passed.
Every villager in Sand Shinobi Village knows that their village no longer exists.
The ninja responsible for crafting and distributing forehead protectors has been ordered to replace the Sand Shinobi emblem with Konoha's leaf symbol.
All Sand Shinobi must wear the Konoha forehead protector within one day.
Kitahara Hitoshi asked Temari to send someone to Rain Shinobi Village to report the news.
In other words, it's a straightforward transaction.
Let the other side prepare funds and come to redeem Sasori.
Sasori's puppet shell and heart are separated, but everyone knows that once reassembled, he can move again.
This is puppet art.
But puppet art isn't the most important thing now. Kankuro has it, but it's currently unusable.
As for Sasuke and Naruto, they were assigned to organize records of past Sand Shinobi Jonin and above.
And after confirming the information…
The two of them had another important task—digging a grave.
Big Pillar Hanhan: Digging graves?
Senju Tobirama: Big brother, you don't understand.
Senju Tobirama: Sand Shinobi Village doesn't have many good ninjas left, but some can still be used.
Senju Tobirama: So this is to use Impure World Reincarnation to summon those barely qualified Sand Shinobi.
Big Pillar Hanhan: That's right.
Senju Tobirama: But he thought faster and moved sooner than I expected.
Big Pillar Hanhan: What?
Senju Tobirama: I had considered this plan before, but I hesitated out of concern that it would be rejected, so I didn't act on it.
Senju Tobirama: But now, he's already started a pilot version.
Senju Tobirama: In other words, Kitahara Hitoshi is testing the integration of the Impure World Reincarnated with the living populace in the Sand Shinobi Village.
Big Pillar Hanhan: Huh?
Senju Tobirama: Big brother, please use your brain for a moment.
Senju Tobirama: After sixty years in the ninja world, what do you think we have the most of?
Senju Tobirama: Countless shinobi have died in the wars.
Senju Tobirama: It's the same for every village.
Senju Tobirama: And Konoha… Konoha has had the most talented and outstanding individuals.
Senju Tobirama: So...
Senju Tobirama: Kitahara Hitoshi thought deeply about those who died for Konoha.
Senju Tobirama: Let me ask you, big brother, if I used the Impure World Reincarnation to bring you back to protect Konoha, would you do it?
Big Pillar Hanhan: If it were me, I'd come back without hesitation to help Konoha.
Hanhan responded immediately.
Senju Tobirama: I see.
Senju Tobirama: Yes, and I believe that ninety percent of Konoha's other deceased shinobi would feel the same.
Senju Tobirama: Even if the Third Hokage didn't do well in many areas, he still spread the Will of Fire effectively.
Senju Tobirama: Like Kakashi's father… he took his own life…
Senju Tobirama: Because he didn't want to hurt others.
Senju Tobirama: Konoha's White Fang was definitely a true believer in the Will of Fire. What a pity.
Big Pillar Hanhan: Huh?
Senju Tobirama: I came to the conclusion that Sarutobi should never have been Hokage. He's more suited to teaching at the ninja academy.
Namikaze Minato: Ah, I see...
Because Naruto had grown stronger and more mature, Minato finally sighed in relief.
Even though he still had some reservations about the Third Hokage, he also saw that Konoha seemed to be falling apart.
Based on the Second Hokage's proposal and Kitahara Hitoshi's pilot plan...
If the Sand Shinobi Village accepts a large number of Impure World Reincarnated shinobi… then it would mean that Konoha could push forward without restraint.
And over the past decades, what Konoha has lost most… are Jōnin.
If this force is accepted and normalized…
Konoha can reclaim its position as the strongest hidden village in the ninja world.
Three thousand strong!
Kakashi: So that's what it was all for...
What Kakashi thought about was the time when Danzo was executed.
Kitahara Hitoshi had specifically told him to take pictures of Danzo's corpse and preserve the arm filled with Sharingan as well as the one embedded in his right eye.
All of it… was to dig out the truth about the Uchiha Clan one day.
The Uchiha... were naive, easily misled.
By exposing Danzo's secrets and giving the clan justice…
All that's left is to throw Utatane Koharu or Mitokado Homura under the bus.
That way, Konoha could reintegrate the Uchiha.
The accumulated legacy of the Uchiha for decades would flow back to the village.
Konoha would then become more prosperous and stronger than ever before.
This kind of accumulation… can only be achieved in this period of instability.
No wonder… no wonder…
Kakashi realized it was a heavy and complex operation. No wonder the Second Hokage said Kitahara Hitoshi had refused the Hokage nomination several times.
The Hokage's presence was necessary to manage the situation.
The responsibilities were vast, and the tasks endless.
Choosing such a path on one's own… is exhausting.
Few shadows could shoulder it. There is no joy in it.
On the other side—
The Sand Shinobi Village had already sent people to the Rain Shinobi Village, attempting to contact the Akatsuki to broker a redemption transaction.
And this kind of move—
"How is that even possible!"
Kakuzu, returning from a mission near the Rain Shinobi Village's entrance, was the first to object.
"How could we give up money just like that?
"If they failed to capture the tailed beasts, that's their own problem.
"I won't hand over a single coin."
Kakuzu had been specially invited back by Konan to serve as the Akatsuki's financial director.
Payne assigns tasks and leaves the money-related matters to Kakuzu.
So he is the money bag in the organization.
But his identity is not ordinary. He is a living fossil of the ninja world. When he was young, his village ordered him to assassinate Senju Hashirama. The assassination failed, and he was blamed by the village, so he retaliated by burning down the village and stealing its secret techniques.
He survives by taking other people's hearts.
Now, he possesses five hearts and has lived into his nineties.
So what has kept him from growing tired of living so long?
One thing.
That is money.
He participated in the black market, became a bounty hunter, assassinated targets, and exchanged the corpses for rewards.
Money money money, little money money... hehe... money money...
He only wants money, so now that they want to spend money to exchange for Sasori, he refuses.
But then.
Give me the money.
However, Black Zetsu, who had returned, suddenly spoke. The matter of the Tailed Beasts will be put aside for now. Don't go after them again.
As the members of the Akatsuki organization turned to look at him, Black Zetsu continued, This is what Ah Fei told me.
Right, Fei.
Hooligan.
Obito.
Ah Fei and Obito both looked at Black Zetsu with suspicion.
Was this Black Zetsu's problem or was it their own issue?
Just a moment ago, they had declared the Tailed Beasts would be captured and had initiated the Eye of the Moon Plan. Now, someone had been sent to catch one, and suddenly it was all being denied.
What the hell.
Has the plan changed that drastically?
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