Chapter 218: Tobirama's Reprimand, Deva Path Ashina Uzumaki Appears

The contrast between Tobirama and Danzo's expressions at this moment was stark.

One was dark to the extreme, while the other's lips unconsciously curled upward.

Tobirama's face was grim because he always chose incredibly concealed locations to place his Flying Raijin marks.

And it wasn't just one or two.

Instead, he deployed a massive array of marks on the frontlines to form a matrix, creating an "escape rope" that could be triggered continuously...

Ever since Tobirama developed the Flying Raijin jutsu, his marks had never been erased on such a massive scale by anyone else—or rather, only one person had ever managed to do it.

To erase a Flying Raijin mark required exceptionally profound expertise in sealing jutsu, coupled with sensory abilities even stronger than his own, in order to shift from passive to active and locate them one by one...

"Who is it?!"

A feeling of unease surged in Tobirama's heart.

The sudden failure of the Flying Raijin jutsu, his infallible life-saving trump card, instilled a strong sense of insecurity even in him.

This was different from when Kinkaku and Ginkaku had ambushed him.

At that time, he simply hadn't anticipated that Kumogakure's internal situation was so unstable, leading to him being severely injured by the Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths and having his chakra sealed...

However, sensing the Flying Raijin marks wasn't an issue back then; it was just difficult to activate the jutsu. Thus, unable to evacuate his entire Escort Guard, he was forced to stay behind alone to cover their retreat.

"The last time I found my deployed Flying Raijin marks uprooted entirely..."

"That was fifty years ago!"

Back then, Tobirama felt that Ashina Uzumaki's kinjutsu, the "Ten Thousand Seals Body Integration," was too dangerous. He believed it was necessary to dissect its underlying principles and then seal it away. During negotiations with Hashirama, Mito, and Uzushiogakure, he secretly planted numerous Flying Raijin marks, planning to sneak in one day and steal the old man's ancient texts...

But just a few days after returning to Konoha, when Tobirama finally found an opportunity and was ready to execute his plan, he was shocked to discover that almost all the Flying Raijin marks he had planted had been rendered ineffective...

Only one Flying Raijin mark in a remote area remained.

And when Tobirama teleported to it, he found a sign erected by Ashina Uzumaki waiting for him:

"Uzushiogakure: Dogs and Tobirama Senju Are Not Allowed Inside!"

Tobirama's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot at the time, and he gained a deeper understanding of just how powerful the Uzumaki Clan's sensory abilities and comprehension of sealing jutsu truly were...

And that was only because of his connections to Hashirama and Mito. Otherwise, Ashina Uzumaki wouldn't have just left a sign; he would have grabbed his Adamantine Sealing Chains and whipped Tobirama until his face was ruined!

The scene before him now was exactly the same as back then.

Tobirama rubbed his temples, the feeling of unease growing increasingly distinct.

His Sharingan pulsed with cold, sinister visual prowess, as if warning him that something terrible was about to happen...

"Over on Hiruzen's side, he encountered the enhanced Edo Tensei versions of Gengetsu Hozuki and Mu. Could that mysterious Warring States powerhouse actually be Ashina Uzumaki?"

"It makes sense that he would fake his death to research kinjutsu. After all, his Ten Thousand Seals Body Integration was rejected by everyone in both Konoha and Uzushiogakure..."

"It wouldn't be difficult for Ashina Uzumaki to cultivate the 'Yin Seal', allowing him to maintain his condition to a certain extent. Dismantling my Edo Tensei is also possible, and he certainly has the experience of erasing Flying Raijin marks..."

Tobirama's heart tightened.

Who else would this old madman resurrect with Edo Tensei?

With his supreme sensory abilities, finding the tombs of the Kage from the various villages wouldn't be difficult.

So, Kirigakure and Iwagakure were accounted for. That left Sunagakure and Kumogakure...

"He couldn't have resurrected Kinkaku and Ginkaku too, could he?"

Tobirama felt a heavy aura of targeted hostility, and one shinobi after another flashed rapidly through his mind.

However, he didn't think Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju would be resurrected.

Because one of them was buried by his older brother's own hands, and although his brother was usually easygoing, when he got serious, no one could match him... And his brother was already lying in his coffin, serving as Konoha's ultimate anchor.

Even if someone else tried to use Edo Tensei on him, it would be impossible to break through Mito Uzumaki's seal...

It could only be said that, just as everyone always assumed bad things were Tobirama's doing, as the Senju who considered himself the foremost expert on the Uchiha, Tobirama also viewed Madara through heavily tinted glasses.

That guy wouldn't stoop to being a so-called mastermind operating in the shadows, nor could he possibly fake his death to escape his older brother's eyes.

"What is this guy's goal?"

"Trapping me and Danzo behind Iwagakure's lines. Judging from the fact that he knew the intelligence regarding my Flying Raijin deployment, he clearly possesses the ability to monitor vast areas..."

"Then transmitting that intelligence to Iwagakure and Kumogakure is also a possibility."

"Is his goal to have the enemy capture us? That must be it. Capture me and Danzo to force Hiruzen into peace talks with these two villages, thereby delaying Konoha's continued progress in the shinobi world..."

"Fortunately, he didn't seize the opportunity sooner. Konoha's forces have already completed a cycle of tempering and have clashed with the shinobi from the Kirigakure and Amegakure regions..."

Tobirama's gaze turned dark.

He absolutely could not be a burden to Hiruzen!

Even though he was surrounded now, he was not in the severely injured state caused by the Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths.

He was still highly combat-capable.

Moreover, he had Izuna inside him.

"Ao, there's no need to panic!"

"With you and me here, plus Danzo's Wind Style Chakra Mode, Yashiro, Shikuro, and the other Root members, our elite squad can hold out until reinforcements arrive..."

Izuna's gaze was just as dark as Tobirama's.

"That bastard Tobirama Senju must have seen that you are an Uchiha who mastered the Flying Raijin and got pissed! After all, you and I have similar faces; I can understand what he's thinking..."

"I actually understand why he chose this timing. He probably feels that Konoha has no need to continue fighting and should retreat to focus on internal development..."

"He doesn't want to fight a massive war; he wants to use this opportunity to teach you a lesson, while simultaneously utilizing the Edo Tensei Kage under his control to take over Kumogakure and Iwagakure..."

"So you don't need to worry. No matter what, he is still a Hokage of Konoha. Even though he increased the stakes against you because you're an Uchiha, he won't push you to the brink of death; he'll leave a sliver of hope for survival..."

Izuna's analysis was completely different from Tobirama's.

But strangely enough, if you swapped "Tobirama" for "Madara" in his context, he had basically guessed the truth!

"Not only that..."

Izuna's gaze deepened: "This is a test from him, an experienced Flying Raijin user, to you, a young man. He wants you to understand that this jutsu isn't invincible either."

"He's suffered losses because of it..."

"And with Danzo by your side, a man who harbored internal demons regarding acting as a rear guard in the past... presenting him with the opportunity to make the choice again is another test from Tobirama Senju for his second disciple."

"Then there's Obito..."

"That brat is definitely not dead. He must have been taken in by Tobirama Senju. This grand spectacle is probably meant to serve as Obito's trial for awakening his eyes!"

"Finally, there's Hiruzen."

"Up until today, things have been smooth sailing for Konoha. So if an unexpected event acting as a force majeure suddenly occurs, can he, as the Hokage, handle it properly? This is sounding the alarm..."

Izuna couldn't help but sigh:

"What a brilliant move by Tobirama Senju! Creating a single scenario that tests four different aspects..."

"Even I have to praise him; he truly is worthy of being my lifelong rival!"

Tobirama listened in silence.

Wait, this actually makes a lot of sense...

So that's how it's interpreted? He was a bit too impulsive just now!

Tobirama himself agreed with this logic.

Whether it concerned the Flying Raijin, Danzo, Obito, or Hiruzen and Konoha, every aspect aligned perfectly with his habits.

But the problem was...

It wasn't him!

Tobirama quickly adjusted his mindset of feeling targeted. This appeared to be a classic Warring States-style test.

Had Ashina Uzumaki actually become this clever?

Tobirama reconsidered and narrowed his eyes.

Mito was still alive, and Hiruzen had cultivated the Ten Thousand Seals Body Integration. As the leader of the Uzumaki Clan—whose symbol was engraved on Konoha's forehead protectors—it was perfectly logical for Ashina Uzumaki to subject the village to this kind of test.

"Damn it, typical Warring States shinobi mindset!"

Tobirama couldn't help but curse.

He was now Ao Uchiha, a new-era shinobi of Konoha...

He didn't know this 'Tobirama Senju' guy very well.

Or rather, even if he wanted to know him, he couldn't; he had to strictly cut ties!

"Hey, hey, who are you talking about? What did Warring States shinobi ever do to you..." Izuna said, looking displeased.

"It's certainly not very aligned with the Will of Fire, but the returns it brings are also massive! Let me tell you, this is still pushing Hiruzen to take action, forcing him to proactively reduce Iwagakure and Kumogakure's military strength..."

"Just watch. Iwagakure and Kumogakure definitely know our intelligence by now, and they will absolutely dispatch their core combatants to ensure they capture us."

"But correspondingly, they will also have to dispatch a portion of their elites and a massive amount of line-filling troops to delay the village's reinforcements from reaching the shinobi assigned to capture us. Given the scale of Iwagakure's forces, combined with Kumogakure's, there could be tens of thousands of them!"

"Once these shinobi are devoured by Hiruzen, Iwagakure and Kumogakure's vitality will be severely crippled. From then on, they will only be reduced to serving as Konoha's background decoration."

"Acting as harmless 'threats of enemy nations without'!" Izuna even used a phrase from Hiruzen Sarutobi's meetings.

Izuna's tastes were very similar to his brother Madara Uchiha's.

They both liked quoting the exact same passages from Hiruzen's speeches...

"Therefore, what we need to do now is hold out until Hiruzen finds us..."

Tobirama and Izuna agreed on a plan.

But right at this moment, Danzo, who had been unable to suppress his smile, began to pour out his emotions.

He slowly turned around, staring at Tobirama with a look of absolute resolve in his eyes.

"Ao, I will cover your retreat!"

"Yashiro, Shikuro, you leave with Ao! As the Hokage Advisor, I am the biggest target. With my Wind Style Chakra Mode, I can delay them for a long time!"

"Ao..."

Danzo looked at Tobirama, his emotions turbulent, his years of obsession seemingly echoing at this very moment:

"Every time I look at your face, I am reminded of my teacher, Tobirama Senju. You two look so much alike."

"The great Lord Second Hokage!"

The corner of Izuna's mouth twitched; he couldn't hold it back anymore.

This second disciple of Tobirama's was truly a marvel of a man!

Even if there was a slight resemblance in bone structure, overall, Ao was the spitting image of himself. How could Danzo look at his face and think of Tobirama?!

He could use anyone as a substitute, couldn't he!

Yashiro Uchiha was completely dumbfounded.

He felt as though the Advisor had fallen under a terrifying genjutsu, unable to even distinguish between Young Clan Head Izuna and the Second Hokage...

"For all these years, I have felt boundless remorse! Why couldn't I have been the one to cover Teacher's retreat?!"

"You were right. Even if I had raised my hand before Hiruzen did, Teacher wouldn't have chosen me to be Hokage. But I still want to do this."

Danzo's tone carried a profound sense of release:

"I am inferior to Hiruzen; I fall far short of him! I could be an ordinary Hokage, but I could never become a Hokage like Hiruzen..."

"Even if I performed beyond my capabilities, my absolute ceiling would only be at the level of Teacher Tobirama..."

Tobirama was slightly moved when he first started listening.

Danzo had finally enlightened; he was able to evaluate himself with calm logic and was no longer emotional...

But what was the meaning of that last sentence?

Trying to drive a wedge into the unbreakable master-disciple bond between him and Hiruzen, huh!

"He actually dares to slander Tobirama?"

Even Izuna laughed: "That's a bit insulting to Tobirama! Rationally speaking, he is definitely inferior to Tobirama..."

"So I've figured it out."

"I will no longer chase Hiruzen's shadow. He is Konoha's absolute pillar now. On a grander scale, if something happens to him, the entire shinobi world will plunge into terrifying chaos..."

Danzo stared intently at Ao:

"My advantage is that I can serve as Hiruzen's legal justification! I can burn myself to contribute to Konoha's future generations. For example, by covering your retreat, Ao..."

"You guys go. I will hold out until the Third Raikage and Onoki arrive, and then find an opportunity to use the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing jutsu against them, sealing both Kage in one breath!"

"This is the best curtain call for me. To be honest, I'm thrilled to be given such a stage..."

In this moment, Danzo seemed to have grown younger.

The way the other Root shinobi looked at him also changed slightly...

Such nobility from the Lord Advisor!

But Tobirama's face grew increasingly dark as he listened.

"First of all, I must acknowledge your progress, Danzo. You are far stronger than the version of yourself who lacked the courage to sacrifice himself thirty years ago."

Danzo ignored Tobirama's dark expression and was just about to add a few more sentimental words.

Tobirama sharply changed his tune, his tone becoming low and stern. In Danzo's eyes, it was as if his teacher had possessed him, the blood-red Sharingan illuminating his figure:

"But you are truly an absolute fool!"

"Can you use your brain for a second? Just because you hesitated once in the past, whenever you encounter a situation now, you immediately think of handling it in extreme ways instead of acting according to the actual circumstances!"

"I can guess exactly what you're thinking..."

Tobirama scrutinized Danzo and smiled coldly: "Just like some Uchiha clansmen, chasing after the so-called 'a man's life is a grand curtain call'!"

"But they chose the right timing, whereas you are merely trying to use death to escape life. You're thinking of using this definitive conclusion to mask your own lack of inner drive."

"Don't you just feel that by continuing to live, the gap between you and the Lord Hokage will only grow wider?"

"Did you think I couldn't see it? You've been constantly thinking about going to the frontlines recently. Even though you've already had your rotation, you deliberately took on missions behind enemy lines, expanding the boundaries of the controllable war."

"In Root, you've been researching the 'Reverse Four Symbols Sealing' jutsu, and even attempted to master the Tsuchigumo clan's Natural Energy kinjutsu 'Fury', only you failed."

Danzo's newly established lyrical state was ruthlessly punctured in an instant by Tobirama's coldest, most heartless, most objectively neutral, and most unabashed words!

This wasn't a manifestation of the Will of Fire at all...

This was escapism!

"You say you're going to take out the Third Raikage and Onoki..."

"Stop joking. How could you possibly achieve that by yourself? Whether it's Onoki's erupting Particle Style or the Third Raikage's speed, the speed of the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing jutsu is only fast enough to seal half a dirt pit."

"Besides, do you think you'll be fighting them one-on-one?"

"Are the other shinobi of the Iwagakure and Kumogakure allied forces dead? And even if the Third Raikage and Onoki were to die right now, does Konoha have the capacity to govern the Land of Lightning and the Land of Earth?"

"These organized shinobi would turn into wandering rogues, their resolve hardened beyond measure by the deaths of their Kage. As they harbor hatred towards Konoha, it would be like a cesspit exploding everywhere..."

Tobirama fired off his points like a machine gun, leaving Danzo completely stunned.

The turbulent emotions within the Shinobi of Darkness rapidly dissipated, replaced by sweaty palms and a cold sweat down his back.

He suddenly realized that he had merely fallen out of one obsession and straight into another.

He had lost the calmness a Konoha intelligence chief should possess!

"I know you want to do something out of the ordinary..."

"But just Onoki and the Third Raikage are not enough for you, a Hokage Advisor of Konoha, to plunge into this self-destructive mindset."

"Focus on surviving and holding out until the Lord Hokage arrives to back us up."

"Once we return to the village, humble yourself before Orochimaru and have him figure out a way to help you learn the Tsuchigumo clan's kinjutsu, Fury..."

"Using the kinjutsu you envisioned—combining the eye of the storm with Natural Energy—as a trump card to protect Konoha, that is something of true value."

"What you need to do is provide assistance to the Lord Hokage when he encounters formidable enemies that are difficult to defeat, not slack off and look for shortcuts!"

"You are the disciple of the Second Hokage, so your hypothetical enemy should at least be someone on the level of Madara Uchiha or stronger. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

"And the shinobi world currently harbors exactly such an enemy. If he attacks Konoha, that will be the time for you to take the stage and protect the village!" Tobirama said with profound earnestness.

He was truly pouring his heart out for Danzo...

Danzo looked at Tobirama, his entire body trembling.

He felt as though the Ao before him perfectly overlapped with his teacher. Whether it was his tone, his way of thinking, or his broader vision, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he was possessed.

Izuna sighed. He finally understood why Danzo kept mistaking his face for someone else's...

Ao truly was "wearing his skin, but harboring Tobirama's bones"!

The core was exactly the same as that bastard...

"Well said..."

At this moment, Ashina Uzumaki suddenly emerged from the ground, tilting his head and looking at Tobirama with his Rinnegan, saying with a mischievous grin: "Trying to self-destruct with the Reverse Four Symbols Sealing jutsu in front of me is a bit humorous."

"Bandaged young man, I will stand right here and swear upon the name of the Uzumaki that I won't dodge. You can try and see if you can seal me. I'm very much looking forward to your performance..."

"How interesting. To think that an Uchiha's words would remind me of that thief."

Tobirama and Izuna's hearts skipped a beat!

'So Ashina Uzumaki really is the mastermind!'

'Why did Tobirama Senju resurrect him as well? Isn't he afraid of a backlash?!'

Danzo's reaction, however, was extremely fast. Although he knew the relationship between Ashina Uzumaki and Konoha, his appearance in this specific context marked him definitively as an enemy.

"Wind Style: Vacuum Great Sphere"!

Intensely compressed Wind Style chakra formed a razor-sharp blade of wind, instantly slashing toward Ashina Uzumaki!

"Not bad..."

Ashina Uzumaki lazily lifted an eyelid and raised his hand: "Almighty Push!"

An invisible, powerful repulsive force instantly deflected Danzo's wind blade, carving deep fissures across the earth, yet failing to harm Ashina Uzumaki in the slightest.

This was the power of the Deva Path!

"The exact same kinjutsu as that mysterious Warring States powerhouse!" Danzo reacted instantly, but his mind grew slightly chaotic.

Wasn't the mysterious person Teacher Tobirama?

This old fossil should just be a pawn; how could he have also mastered Teacher Tobirama's kinjutsu!

Danzo, Tobirama, and Izuna each had their own thoughts.

But after being reprimanded by Tobirama, Danzo had also caught on. His thinking rapidly aligned with Izuna's, believing this was an even more complex test devised by Teacher Tobirama.

Ashina Uzumaki sighed.

He had no other options left...

"Damn you, Tobirama Senju. Giving me this ability... isn't this just to make me take the fall for you?!"

"How disgusting! Back in Uzushiogakure, saying 'Dogs and Tobirama Senju Are Not Allowed Inside' was actually letting him off easy..." Ashina Uzumaki felt the control over him grow even stronger, rendering him utterly speechless.

But there was nothing he could do...

When you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head!

"According to the plan, I need to drive them deeper into the heart of the Land of Earth..."

"I need to force Hiruzen to dispatch troops as reinforcements. Once Iwagakure and Kumogakure's forces gradually surround them, I will retreat. This will also provide the stage for Obito to misunderstand 'the Hokage's death'..."

"This kid is going to be heartbroken! It looks like another pair of Mangekyo is about to debut in the world..."

"He's probably still cultivating at home right now!"

As Ashina Uzumaki thought this, he made a grasping motion toward Shikuro Aburame with one hand: "Universal Pull!"

A powerful gravitational force pulled Shikuro Aburame toward him uncontrollably, but the Aburame clan's venomous insect user also reacted swiftly.

Nano-sized venomous insects covered his body. Riding Ashina Uzumaki's offensive, he grabbed the old man's arm, his chakra flaring as he attempted to inject the venomous insects directly into his opponent's body...

But the usually infallible nano-sized venomous insects completely failed at this moment!

Ashina Uzumaki grabbed Shikuro Aburame by the neck and smiled.

If this were when he was alive, even with his mastery of body-closing sealing jutsu, he would have had to be wary of the Aburame clan's venomous insects...

But now, he was a Six Paths Edo Tensei puppet body. Biological toxin attacks were drastically weakened against him, relegated to a level he could simply ignore.

"An Edo Tensei body?"

Tobirama and Izuna watched as Ashina Uzumaki's arm continuously repaired itself after being damaged, their hearts trembling.

'The mastermind isn't Ashina Uzumaki?'

'It really is Tobirama Senju!'

"The goal has been achieved, but don't actually think this old man wants to deal with the shinobi of Hiruzen's village..." A sharp glint flashed in Ashina Uzumaki's eyes.

Although Madara Uchiha's control over him had strengthened, as a powerhouse, there was always a way to convey subtle information during combat.

Ashina Uzumaki deliberately chose to attack Shikuro Aburame to expose his Edo Tensei body.

"Begone!"

A burst of repulsive force sent Shikuro Aburame flying, though he wasn't severely injured.

Danzo's eyes turned sharp.

Tobirama took a deep breath. With Izuna's power possessing him, he and Yashiro attacked from the left and right!

But Ashina Uzumaki smirked crookedly. Formidable Adamantine Sealing Chains erupted from his back, easily parrying Tobirama and Yashiro's kenjutsu: "Brat, don't think you truly are Tobirama just because you look like him!"

"You are ultimately a fake. Summoning that radish, Izuna Uchiha, won't help you either..."

"People often call me muddle-headed, but I see that you guys are even more muddle-headed than me."

Ashina Uzumaki spoke while easily neutralizing their offensive.

The clever combination of repulsion and gravitational pull, coupled with the defense of the Adamantine Sealing Chains and sealing jutsu, along with the sensory perception of the Mind's Eye of the Kagura, compositely demonstrated the overwhelming might of the "Uzumaki Iron Barrel Formation."

It couldn't be broken!

"In the shinobi world, a shinobi on the same tier as Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha hasn't appeared yet. The Hokage might count as most of one, but as for anyone who could beat the three of them... I don't see a single one currently..."

"Aside from those in that tier who can beat me, other shinobi aren't on my level. Whether from the Senju or the Uchiha clan, it's all the same. The second place is just second place..."

"Unless they play dirty tricks..." Ashina Uzumaki muttered softly, then spread his arms wide:

"Enhanced: Almighty Push!"

A further expanded repulsive force violently sent Tobirama, Yashiro, and Danzo flying in an instant!

"I'm doing this for your own good. Don't try to break out from my direction..."

"The encirclement of Iwagakure and Kumogakure is closing in on this area. Both Onoki and the Third Raikage are present. You guys need to figure out a way to hold on. Don't go getting yourselves captured by someone else before the Hokage arrives..."

Ashina Uzumaki said, half-truthfully:

"Let me give you a hint: do not use the Flying Raijin jutsu! The marks might just disappear again..."

His mission was to continue driving Tobirama and Danzo deeper, but also to prevent them from immediately crashing into the main forces of Iwagakure and Kumogakure, maintaining a delicate balance.

The key was that right as Konoha was about to clash with Kumogakure and Iwagakure, Madara Uchiha would have his Edo Tensei Kage puppets make an appearance to mediate this war.

To give him face!

Because if this continued, the trial of Konoha's Will of Fire would be over...

The intensity was too lacking!

Madara Uchiha had decided to use his "Akatsuki" organization to take over Kumogakure and Iwagakure, splitting the shinobi world in two!

"Let's go, Ao!"

"This old man was a stubborn turtle in the past, and now he's practically invulnerable!"

Tobirama and Izuna shared the same thought and stopped wasting time with Ashina Uzumaki.

Without further intelligence, making accurate analyses was impossible.

Their only option now was to fight a guerrilla war and wait for allied reinforcements.

But it was visibly apparent that this would drag on for a long time...

Because, having lost contact, it would take time for Konoha to notice the anomaly, and the village's reinforcements wouldn't arrive instantly.

The Iwagakure and Kumogakure allied forces were the defenders, possessing absolute geographical advantage.

Even though Konoha was currently very strong, if the enemy Jinchuriki had regained their combat capability, a reckless, all-out assault would result in heavy casualties...

Judging from Ashina Uzumaki's performance.

The Iwagakure and Kumogakure allied forces would definitely deploy troops in advance to block Konoha's main army...

Therefore, this was a difficult trial.

"Damn Ashina Uzumaki, he even interfered with the 'telepathic communication system'? It must be some sort of large-scale jamming barrier. It seems he has many accomplices..."

Although Tobirama didn't yet know about Konoha's plans to promote informatization.

Ashina Uzumaki had just given him an early lesson: "Information Security" required exceptional vigilance!

Tobirama, Danzo, and the others formed a formation.

Using a tactic of "maintaining a cohesive core while fighting a guerrilla war on the periphery," they plunged deeper and deeper in the opposite direction of Konoha. A single squad now had to face the combined pursuit of the Third Raikage and Onoki...

They had to be prepared to hold out for a very long time!

After all, Hiruzen was the Hokage.

Even with the deep bonds between them, he couldn't possibly launch a forceful assault that would cause excessive damage to Konoha's military strength, executing a rescue mission that defied battlefield logic.

Their lives were lives...

But the lives of other Konoha shinobi were also lives.

Konoha.

Hokage Building.

Two hours after losing contact with Tobirama and Danzo.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, who was currently pondering how to absorb the chakra of nine different Tailed Beasts, was feeling somewhat frustrated at the moment, because this project was proving to be quite difficult even for him.

He not only had to stabilize them within his body but also fuse them into one.

"Doing this outside the body is even more difficult. Although Tailed Beast chakra share commonalities, there are also barriers to fusion. It seems it absolutely must be done internally..."

"I have to use my own body as the outer shell to prevent dissipation, forcibly using sealing jutsu and chakra as an external thrust to fuse them together, piecing them together one by one..."

"It's only because my physical strength is high that I can tentatively attempt this. If it were anyone else, the energy generated just by the compression of Tailed Beast chakra would be enough to cause massive internal hemorrhaging..."

Black Zetsu's method for fusing the "Chakra of the Nine Tailed Beasts," inscribed on the Sage Monument, had been seen by the Sage of Six Paths. He had snuck in some of his own personal biases, denying the validity of this cultivation method.

But Hiruzen Sarutobi didn't listen to everything the Sage of Six Paths said...

Because, possessing Spirit Release, he was highly sensitive to the structure of chakra.

Having touched upon a certain fundamental structure, Hiruzen Sarutobi discovered that Tailed Beast chakras indeed shared commonalities.

Fusing them into one would highly likely benefit the cultivation of the chakra palace within his body.

What those benefits were exactly, even Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't clearly articulate. He just had a vague feeling that there was some connection between the unification of kekkei threads and Tailed Beast chakra...

So there was no harm in trying!

The Sage of Six Paths never imagined that a shinobi would actually attempt to use his physical body as a substitute for the Gedo Statue!

After offering his fair guidance, Hiruzen hadn't blindly followed his instructions and was still experimenting with his own ideas...

But right at this moment.

Orochimaru rushed in with a grave expression, Hizashi following closely behind.

"Teacher, something's happened!"

"Ao and Danzo have lost contact, and the telepathic communication system is failing as well. Our aerial units have observed massive, unusual troop movements in the Iwagakure and Kumogakure formations."

"They've amassed a massive number of defenders on the frontlines!"

"I estimate Ao and the others were ambushed, and the Flying Raijin jutsu cannot be used normally. Kumogakure and Iwagakure have been itching to secure bargaining chips to force us to retreat, which explains this massive maneuver..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi abruptly stood up!

Danzo... Teacher Tobirama...

These two were both incredibly important bonds to him...

He absolutely could not allow them to be lost!

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