A hidden danger

At the Black Water Mountain, Black Zetsu emerged from a hidden cave entrance, carrying Hanabi, and then quickly headed down the mountain.

"The matter here is settled, you can go back now." Tōka sensed Black Zetsu's presence, said this to Itachi and the others, and then turned to leave.

A giant dragon descended from the sky, and Deidara and Sasori leaped down together, landing to the side.

"Brother Sasori, he..." Deidara was furious and pointed at Tōka's back, Mirai speak, he was met with a cold glare from Sasori.

"We're not far from Konoha. The previous battle may have already alarmed the Konoha ninjas. Let's leave here first," Itachi calmly analyzed.

Although no one spoke, they all agreed with Itachi's words.

Six Paths figures flashed into the dense Forest and quickly disappeared from the Black Water Mountain area.

Meanwhile, Tōka and Black Zetsu met at the Black Water Stream at the foot of the mountain.

"She's not dead?" Tōka asked, looking at the little girl on Black Zetsu's back.

"Her life is not in danger, but she has lost her eyes." Black Zetsu handed Hanabi to Tōka. Toneri took Hanabi's eyes, and Hanabi is still in a coma.

A crystal-clear green ball of light lit up in Tōka's palm. He held Hanabi in one hand and injected the power of Yang Release into her pupils with the other.

Hanabi, who had fallen into a deep sleep with her eyes closed, frowned, and the faint look of pain on her face gradually subsided.

Black Zetsu knew that Tōka was healing Hanabi's injuries, so he used the power of Yang Release to create a pair of Byakugan for her.

Although he didn't understand why Tōka did this, Black Zetsu wouldn't ask too many questions about such trivial matters.

"Your eyes..." Black Zetsu knew he shouldn't ask, but the probing look in his eyes was too blatant.

"It's alright, as long as everything goes smoothly." Tōka remembered that the only time Nagato used the Outer Path: Reanimation Jutsu was during that time in Konoha.

Star-Shifting Rotation, the Six Paths' Pure Land Reversal was transferred back to the eyes of the Toneri.

Although Tōka's Tenseigan Eternal Tenseigan is of a higher level, both are Tenseigan, Pure Land Reversal is just a technique and cannot distinguish the difference between the two.

This is merely a temporary solution and does not truly resolve the Pure Land Reversal; it only applies a temporary change to the process of Star-Shifting Rotation in the Pure Land Reversal.

Tōka's eyes are fine now, but once the Star-Shifting Rotation is broken, the power residing in the Eternal Tenseigan will be sealed again.

To fully unravel the Pure Land Reversal, the power of the Rinnegan is required.

In the silence, Black Zetsu knew Tōka wouldn't say more, so he spoke up to change the subject, "By the way, there's one more thing you might want to know."

"What is it?" Tōka picked up Hanabi and was about to leave when he heard Black Zetsu say this, so he stopped in his tracks.

"Kakashi has returned to Konoha." Black Zetsu's eyes flickered slightly, revealing a mysterious look.

"Kakashi? He's back from the Land of Earth?" Tōka remembered that Kakashi and Ibiki had led a large group of Anbu members to infiltrate the Land of Earth to gather intelligence.

Did they bring back any important news?

Black Zetsu wouldn't have brought this up intentionally unless he brought back some important information.

"Iwagakure is facing a funding problem, and the Daimyo of the Land of Earth is discussing with his ministers about allocating funds to Iwagakure," Black Zetsu said.

"Oh? You're short of money?" Tōka nodded.

That makes sense. Over the years, there have been constant conflicts, both large and small, between Iwagakure and Kumogakure. It would be strange if they weren't short of money.

Black Zetsu deliberately brought this up; could it be that the Third Hokage is planning to rob someone?

"That's harder to manage than funds, right? Iwagakure will definitely send a high-ranking Jonin handle this." Money is good, but you have to be alive to spend it.

Xiao isn't exactly short of money right now, Tōka doesn't intend to expose himself for funds that might not even be in his hands.

Black Zetsu's lips curled into a strange, wicked smile, his eerie pupils gleaming with a chilling light. His deep voice rang out, "The money isn't the point; the point is the person who withdrew it!"

"Who?" Tōka raised an eyebrow and asked in a deep voice.

"The Five-Tails Jinchuriki, Han!" Black Zetsu uttered a name.

"It's him?" Tōka remembered that he had met this guy once when he took Deidara away.

At the time, considering Nagato's plans and the trajectory of history, Tōka did not kill Han, but chose to let him go.

If Nagato intends to make a move, it seems that the Five-Tails Jinchuriki is doomed this time!

"The Five-Tails Jinchuriki is very strong; I believe you should know something about it," Black Zetsu said, seeing that Tōka was interested.

The Five-Tails Jinchuriki is quite strong, ranking in the upper-middle range even among Kage-level.

"What do you want to say?" Tōka disliked Black Zetsu's cryptic way of leaving things unsaid, so he frowned slightly and looked at Black Zetsu coldly.

"Nagato, send your Ice-Fire Unit to deal with that guy, and while you're at it, seize the funds that the Daimyo of the Land of Earth is allocating to Iwagakure," Black Zetsu said immediately upon seeing Tōka's displeasure.

Ice-Fire Unit?

Pakura and Shiro?

Over the years, both of their strengths have steadily increased. Their Kekkei Genkai limits of Scorch Release and Ice Release are limitless, and Pakura has already reached the strength of Kage-level.

However, Bai is a kind-hearted girl with the talent to become strong, but she doesn't have the heart to become strong.

In other words, Nagato sent two inexperienced youngsters to fight a seasoned, Kage-level? And the Five-Tails Jinchuriki at that?

The answer is no, it's impossible!

"Pakura and Haku strong enough to deal with the Five-Tails Kokuō?" Tōka had already sensed something unusual.

"Or did Nagato do this on purpose?"

"We were too hasty in dealing with the Immortal Unit last time, and it seems Nagato noticed something." Black Zetsu shrugged, indicating that he didn't know either.

However, it's true that Pakura and Haku were overly Five-Tails Jinchuriki.

"Understood, you can leave now." Tōka lowered his head in deep thought, then suddenly looked up at Black Zetsu, who was preparing to leave, and asked, "Wait, what was Konoha's reaction?"

"Konoha seems to be quiet, but just because the Third Hokage Budong doesn't mean that the other one Budong..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Black Zetsu's figure gradually sank into the earth.

That person... refers to Danzo, right?

That treacherous and despicable old man, Danzo should know about this without much effort on his part.

Having already formed an idea, Tōka's thoughts One Flash, and she drew a circle in front of her with her palm.

A mysterious spatial force emerged, and a jet -Black Vortex gradually tore through space. Tōka, carrying Hanabi on his back, slowly walked in, only to be completely engulfed by darkness.

Danzo is a cunning Fox comparable to the Third Hokage; Toneri's scheming is far too naive.

In the gloomy and dimly lit hall, a man wrapped in bandages sat in the main seat with a sinister expression.

The moment the Shadow Clone was killed by Toneri, Danzo knew he had been tricked; Toneri didn't have what he wanted at all.

"Hmph, do you think you've won? Naive brat!" Danzo snorted coldly, then turned and stared coldly at a dimly lit corner.

"How is the situation at the Black Water Mountain base?"

As Danzo's voice rang out, a ghostly shadow emerged from the darkness.

He was a ninja from the Root!

"The scouts have sent back intelligence: no one in the base survived, and the mountainside of Black Water Mountain has been razed to the ground, suggesting a major battle has taken place."

"Do you know who it is?" Danzo was already 80% sure who the person fighting Toneri was, but he still asked one more question to be sure.

"The reconnaissance team saw Tōka carrying Hyuga Hanabi towards Konoha."

"It really was him! What on earth is this kid up to!" Danzo's sinister eyes narrowed slightly, revealing a thoughtful expression.

The dimly lit hall fell into a deathly silence once again.

Tick-tock...

Cold water droplets fell from the sharp stones, making a dull thud as they hit the uneven floor.

A short while later, about fifteen minutes had passed.

Danzo's voice rang out again from the darkness, "Let's leave this matter aside for now. Has anything unusual happened in Konoha lately?"

"Kakashi, the Anbu Captain, has returned from the Land of Earth with his men," the shadowy figure in the darkness replied after a moment's thought.

Kakashi?

Over the years, Kakashi has inherited the will of White Fang and become the Third Hokage's most capable assistant, possessing not only great strength but also a sharp mind.

Danzo knew Kakashi's purpose in going to the Land of Earth, and he even brought along Ibiki, the commander of the Konoha Torture and Interrogation Force, which means he has found very important information!

"Go and find out exactly what message Kakashi brought back!"

"Yes!" The shadow in the darkness finished speaking, its figure lightly merging into the darkness, disappearing completely into the dimly lit hall as its aura faded away.

After traveling for half a day, Tōka, carrying Hanabi on her back, appeared in the Forest outside Konoha.

On the way back, Tōka kept pondering a question: how exactly should he send Hanabi Hyuga Clan?

The easiest way is to use Space Secret Technique to send it to the Hyūga Estate without anyone noticing.

But I still feel like I'm losing out!

If Tōka didn't do something about "rescuing" the second young lady of the Hyuga Clan, he would feel very unwilling.

"No, we can't send it back like this!"

Tōka, who was about to head towards the village, suddenly stopped, turned around, and used a Body Flicker Technique to disappear back into the depths of the Forest.

As darkness fell, the light illuminating the forest was gradually replaced by the night.

Tōka leaned against the tree trunk, closing her eyes to rest, while Hanabi was placed in the shade of the old tree's gnarled roots.

As the cool evening breeze wafted through the air, predators lurking deep in the Forest began to venture out, sniffing the lingering sunlight as they searched for their prey.

Every now and then, a scream would echo from the woods, accompanied by the low growl of Beast.

But the poor little guy became someone else's meal.

The powerful aura that Tōka deliberately exuded created a Vacuum Zone in the vicinity, deterring both ferocious Beast and weak animals from approaching.

Animals are more acute in their perception of danger!

Sudden!

A soft murmur echoed from the forest, which was shrouded in a golden hue.

Tōka, who had been resting with his eyes closed, twitched his ears and then opened them, his cool gaze falling on Hanabi's small face.

Suddenly a gentle breeze brushed her face, and as Hanabi rubbed her eyes, she felt a dark shadow loom over her.

"Awake?" Tōka had a warm smile on his face, like the spring sun, so warm and humble that people naturally wanted to get close to him.

With a face more beautiful than any woman's, even little Hanabi, who was only a few years old, couldn't help but stare in amazement.

However, Hanabi's first words instantly froze the smile on Tōka's lips.

"What a beautiful older sister, she's like a figure from a painting..."

A heartfelt exclamation, sincere without a trace of hypocrisy or flattery.

That's why Tōka's face turned even darker!

Thump!

Tōka flicked her finger on Hanabi's forehead, causing the little girl's face to stiffen in pain, before her entire face scrunched up in agony.

"Ouch! That hurts!" Hanabi clutched her head, bent over, and buried her face in her knees.

"Nice to meet you. I am Tōka, Konoha Chunin." Tōka had a gentle smile on his lips, but he gritted his teeth and deliberately emphasized his tone.

"Also, you can call me handsome big brother!"

Tōka didn't hit hard, but the sudden movement startled Hanabi, and the little girl's fair skin left a red mark with just a light touch.

Upon hearing this, Hanabi realized why she had been flicked on the head.

"Where is this?" Based on the principle that a wise man doesn't fight a losing battle, Hanabi knew from Tōka's speed that she was no match for him, so she immediately changed the subject and asked.

"The Small Woods outside Konoha." Tōka straightened up and gestured for Hanabi to stand up and look around as well.

Sure enough, the lush green Big Tree stood in clusters, like giant Big Tree guarding and surrounding the village.

Hanabi had hardly ever left Konoha, but she knew that a large Forest surrounded the village, and the name Konoha itself held a certain meaning.

"Did you remember something?" Tōka asked hesitantly.

He planted the Six Harmonies Divine Technique in Hanabi's mind, altering Hanabi memories, but why is there no reaction after all this time?

Finally, Tōka added one more sentence.

Do you remember why you fainted here?

Upon hearing this, Hanabi frowned, recalling everything that had happened that day.

After school in the afternoon, she walked straight home. As she passed a secluded path, two ninjas suddenly jumped out.

They are quite strong, at least at the Jonin.

The fight was a foregone conclusion; he was captured by the enemy in a single move and knocked unconscious.

Next...

"Big... brother, how did you find out about me?" Under Tōka's ambiguous smile, Hanabi immediately changed her address, quickly replacing "sister" with "brother".

"This Forest is where I cultivate, and that's how I found you!" Tōka didn't want to explain too much; the more he said, the more mistakes he would make, and the more people would suspect him.

As for whether this Forest is actually his place of cultivation, it would be quite easy for someone to hide in such a large forest.

Even if the Hyuga Clan wanted to investigate, they wouldn't be able to find out anything.

The memories that Tōka left in Hanabi's mind are vague, yet they inspire endless imagination.

Seeing Hanabi's shrewd little face, a faint smile flashed in Tōka's eyes, fleeting like a gentle breeze, invisible and elusive.

"Let me take you home first!" Tōka suggested, then suddenly seemed to remember something.

"You must be from the Hyuga Clan, right? I still don't know your name!"

Her gentle words carried a hypnotic quality, making her incredibly approachable and infectious, irresistibly drawing people in to believe her.

Hanabi was no exception; no matter how shrewd and mature she was, she was still just a little girl not even ten years old.

At this point, Tōka had already risen from a "little Fox" to an "Fox"!

"My name is Hanabi, thank you!" With a soft, sweet child's voice, the two figures, one tall and one short, gradually disappeared into the shade of the trees...