Tōka and Black Zetsu's secret plot

In May, Tsunade, who had just become Hokage, was troubled by the disappearance of the Mizukage when she suddenly received a letter, or more accurately, a State Letter from the government.

State Letter from Kirigakure of the Land of Water!

The Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumī, meant very well: she wanted to personally lead a squad of Genin to Konoha to participate in the Chunin Ninja Exams.

Tsunade's first reaction after reading the letter was simply, "This is utter nonsense!"

While the relationship between the two countries isn't exactly tense, it's certainly not easy, let alone an alliance. If Kirigakure, another of the Five Great Nations, were to send Genin to Konoha to participate in the Chunin Ninja Exams...

This is tantamount to acknowledging Konoha's status as superior to Kirigakure's.

Unlike the friendly relationship between Sunagakure and Konoha, ninjas from both villages would travel between the two countries to participate in the Chunin Ninja Exams.

Unlike the Small Nation surrounding the Land of Fire, which would go to Konoha to participate in the Chunin Ninja Exams as a show of goodwill, or even with a hint of submission, they did not.

"Notify Jiraiya and the others to come back." Tsunade frowned and tapped the table. Since the Mizukage had personally sent State Letter, there was no longer any question of them being "missing."

As soon as she finished speaking, Tsunade added.

"Summon Kakashi and Asuma to see me."

The two Anbu quickly left, silently, as if Tsunade were talking to herself and receiving no response.

A Messenger Hawk across the sky, and the instructors in charge of the teams throughout Konoha received the news: the Chunin Ninja Exams were approaching!

On this very day, Jonin, the Jonin instructor of Kirigakure, led the most elite Kirigakure Genin squad from the Land of Water to Konoha.

Meanwhile, Jonin Sunagakure Baki the most Land of Wind Sunagakure Genin squad to Konoha.

Various Small Nation that were allies of the Land of Fire also dispatched small teams to Konoha.

The Chunin Ninja Exams are an acknowledgment of the organizers' strength and a microcosm of how the Great Nations avoid conflict, making them extremely significant.

It was for this reason that Tōka decided to use Orochimaru's Konoha Crush Plan as a prototype, and improve upon it to set up Heaven-and-Earth Net Plan.

Ostensibly, they intend to attack Konoha, but secretly they plan to seize the Tailed Beast!

In the Forest outside Konoha, two Phantom stood beneath the tree canopy, their faces obscured by the dim light.

"Whether this battle succeeds or fails, Nagato will find out about you, or at least suspect you." Black Zetsu understand why Tōka, who had been hiding behind the scenes, would suddenly appear in everyone's sight this time.

This clearly contradicts their original plan. Black Zetsu has waited for a thousand years, and he doesn't want to wait another thousand years.

Tōka simply laughed off Black Zetsu's anxieties and uncertainties.

"What do you think is the use of Nagato as a piece?" Tōka asked meaningfully.

Nagato? Black Zetsu paused slightly, then his eyelids narrowed as he lowered his head in thought, "Collect the Tailed Beast, summon the Ten-Tails, and revive Uchiha Madara."

"This time in Konoha, we've acquired the One-Tail and Nine-Tails Beasts, and the Three-Tails Beast in the wild is no longer a concern." Tōka neither directly confirmed nor denied Black Zetsu's answer.

He then changed the subject, "As for the Seven-Tails, Kimimaro Squad is gathering intelligence, and I've also sent Haku and Pakura to the Land of Waterfalls to provide support."

"So, the only one missing from the Nine Tailed Beasts is the Eight-Tails from Kumogakure?" A hint of barely concealed excitement flashed in Black Zetsu's eyes.

"If the plan succeeds..." Tōka paused, then gave a definite answer, "That's right!"

"Then what does this have to do with Nagato..." Black Zetsu couldn't understand Tōka, nor did he understand what this had to do with Nagato.

"If successful, Nagato will only have one purpose left!" Therefore, whether Tōka appears in the open is no longer important.

Summon the Ten-Tails, revive Uchiha Madara, and make him the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, thus reviving him as Otsutsuki Kaguya's vessel.

This kind of thing can't be hidden, and Tōka doesn't need to hide it either.

The premise is that everything proceeds as Tōka envisioned.

After a moment of contemplation, Black Zetsu suddenly looked up and asked the most crucial question, "What if you fail?"

"Failed? Heh..."

Tōka sneered incessantly, a strange light flickering in his eyes. Black Zetsu stood Budong to the side, completely unable to guess Tōka's thoughts.

It's okay if you fail...

Black Zetsu didn't press the issue if he didn't get an answer.

Because the entire plan had nothing to do with Black Zetsu, he remained hidden behind the scenes, shrouded in darkness and mist, and no one except Tōka knew Black Zetsu's identity.

A moment later, Black Zetsu broke the silence, "What should we do next?"

"Your job is to monitor Nagato and keep all information from Konoha." Tōka estimated that the Akatsuki Organization would be very busy in the coming period.

The Four-Tails Jinchuriki was successfully captured and needs to be sealed. The Three-Tails was captured but failed, and Nagato will not leave it unattended.

Furthermore, the Six-Tails Jinchuriki is trapped in the Land of Rain. Before the One-Tail, Three-Tails, and Four-Tails are sealed, it is impossible to seal him, so it is necessary to leave forces behind to guard him.

Itachi and Kisame, core members of Akatsuki, are far away in the Land of Earth, awaiting the sealing ceremony.

The only people capable of mobilizing the Land of Water to capture the Three-Tails are Sasori and Deidara, and Nagato and Konan's two groups.

Sasori and Deidara have already failed once. If Nagato wants to play it Nagato this time, he will send in a portion of the Pain's Six Paths.

Most importantly, Akatsuki's intelligence largely comes from Black Zetsu. As long as Black Zetsu intentionally conceals information, Akatsuki, in its current state, will have no time to attend to Konoha's Chunin Ninja Exams.

A chilly wind blew through the woods, scattering their conversation.

After the matter was settled, Black Zetsu fled far away.

Think of defeat before you think of victory.

I've already planned my escape route!

Sensing the departing aura of Black Zetsu, Tōka flicked his Ape Arm, and a black Coat was pulled over his body, the wide brim of the hood covering his unforgettable face.

As night fell, a giant black curtain descended from the sky, making it the perfect time to infiltrate Konoha and investigate.

Konoha was brightly lit.

With the Chunin Ninja Exams approaching, Genin various villages have entered Konoha, resulting in a noticeable increase in the number of guard ninja in the village.

Every now and then, a few dark figures would swiftly flash across the shadowy parts of the rooftops, adding a touch of eeriness to the tranquil village.

Standing in a corner where the roof lights couldn't reach, Tōka looked down at the street below.

The lights were on, and people were coming and going.

Even with more ninja patrols at night and a heavier atmosphere of tension, the prosperity and stability of the world's leading nation could not be concealed.

It seems the people here firmly believe that their Lord Hokage can protect everything.

"It seems Konoha has been peaceful for far too long," Tōka said slowly, his face expressionless.

"It's been peaceful for a while now, but it will remain peaceful here forever." A sudden voice rang out from the rooftop, and also from behind Tōka.

A figure leaned against the wall, the cool moonlight illuminating half of his body.

Tōka had already sensed someone approaching. The newcomer's movements were incredibly strange, like a ghostly shadow lurking in the darkness.

Originally unaware of who the visitor was, upon hearing the voice, a figure immediately flashed through Tōka's mind.

"Oh, it's Lord Jiraiya! It's been so many years. How have you been?"

Tōka tilted his head and looked at Jiraiya with a smile, showing no sign of nervousness at being discovered.

Jiraiya's brow twitched almost imperceptibly before returning to calm, but his gaze towards Tōka held not only wariness but also considerable regret.

Looking at all the generations of people in Konoha, only Tōka is the most outstanding.

With both exceptional skill and cunning, such a person is fine as a friend, but truly terrifying as an enemy.

In Jiraiya's heart, at least for a time, he considered Tōka to be a member of Konoha.

"You shouldn't be in Konoha." Jiraiya ignored Tōka's attempts to get close to him, staring intently at Tōka as if trying to see through him.

Unfortunately, whether it was their first meeting more than ten years ago or their reunion more than ten years later, Jiraiya still couldn't see through Tōka.

Tōka is like a shadow hidden in the mist, even her outline is blurred, so how can one see her true face?

"I know, that's why I'm dressed like this!"

Tōka raised his arm and turned his body, as if to tell Jiraiya that he was wearing a black Coat to disguise himself.

Jiraiya had deliberately created was somewhat lessened by Tōka's witty remarks.

Jiraiya had been tense, suddenly burst into laughter, completely shattering the tense atmosphere. "You really haven't changed at all!"

Tōka narrowed his eyes noncommittally, a faint smile always playing on his lips.

The reason he was so calm and composed when facing Jiraiya was because he was strong enough and held the initiative.

"Climbing up to the roof in the middle of the night, you wouldn't happen to be here to admire the moon, would you?" Jiraiya leaned lazily against the wall, gazing at the sky.

A bright, clear moon hung in the night sky, its cool light spilling into the village.

Tōka, who was about to speak, twitched his ears and swallowed the words back down. No wonder Jiraiya noticed him but didn't rush to take action; he had already notified the Konoha Anbu.

Tōka noticed figures moving in the darkness; at least four squads of Anbu were rapidly approaching the area.

Noticing the unusual expression on Tōka's face, Jiraiya also sensed the approach of the Anbu. "Tell me, what is your purpose in coming to Konoha?"

"Do you think I'd tell? Even if I did, would you believe me?" Tōka rolled her eyes. Asking such a stupid question was no better than just taking action!

Swish swish swish!!

In the darkness, several dark figures stopped a hundred paces away. Four of them stopped on four rooftops, forming a square.

"Do it!"

With a low shout, the four people stretched out their hands and Hand Seals in unison.

"A barrier?" Tōka raised an eyebrow. Under those Eternal Tenseigan, even the darkness of night couldn't conceal the actions of the Anbu.

Trying to trap him with a barrier? What a pipe dream.

Knowing the other party's plan, Tōka actually relaxed. Apart from a handful of people who could pose a threat to him, Tōka really didn't take anyone else in the entire Ninja World seriously.

However, rather than resorting to brute force to solve problems, Tōka prefers to use his brain, or rather, a combination of strategy and force.

Tonight, Tōka sneaks into Konoha with only one purpose: to find someone, someone who is quite important.

The upcoming battle is too unpredictable; taking that guy away as soon as possible is the best course of action.

Unfortunately, in the most bustling area of Konoha, Tōka didn't meet the gluttonous guy, but Jiraiya and a group of Konoha's Anbu.

"Now that we've been discovered, it means the mission is impossible to complete." Tōka raised his hand, which had been hidden in the cuff of his oversized Coat, and simply shrugged helplessly.

A simple action made Jiraiya and his Anbu feel as if they were facing a formidable enemy.

Konoha S-Rank Rogue Ninja, Ōtsutsuki Tōka, is an extremely dangerous individual whose ability is the Kekkei Genkai: All-Killing Ash Bones, possessing the characteristic of being able to kill with a single blow.

From Captain-Commander Hatake Kakashi down to the newly joined rookies, every Anbu Konoha's Anbu has memorized Tōka's information.

In a short while, the barrier was completed.

Jiraiya secretly made a hand gesture, signaling everyone not to get too close, as Tōka's ability was a mid-to-close range attack.

To perform a long-range, wide-area Secret Technique, the movements are very obvious.

"This is a busy downtown area. Are you really going to start a fight here?" Tōka's feigned surprise caused everyone to slow down their movements.

Seizing this brief pause, Tōka's figure flickered, avoiding Jiraiya's gaze and getting close to an Anbu member to his side and rear.

"Watch out!" Jiraiya was the first to react and quickly followed.

Unfortunately, Jiraiya was a step too late.

Few could keep up with Tōka's speed; all they heard was a cracking sound of bones breaking.

A chilling aura wafted over me.

"Don't worry, he won't die now, but I don't know what will happen later!" Tōka stood behind the Anbu, his hand forming a claw as he pierced the Anbu Guard's body from behind.

An Explosive Tag was then affixed to the heart of the Anbu.

This is not an ordinary Explosive Tag, but a Time-Delay Explosive Tag!

"So here's the question: are you chasing me or saving him?" A strange Black Vortex appeared beside Tōka, and his body was gradually sucked into it like an ink painting.

The barrier set up by Konoha's Anbu became useless at this moment, as Tōka's Space-Time Ninjutsu was completely unaffected by it.

The Anbu squad lying in ambush on the outskirts was about to give chase Jiraiya immediately raised his hand to stop them, "No need to chase! Saving lives is the priority!"

Hokage Building Hokage's Office was brightly lit.

Tsunade, Jiraiya, Kakashi, and Yamato, Jonin who participated in the operation to eliminate the invaders, along with Asuma, the Anbu Squad Captain.

The atmosphere inside the room was heavy; no one could guess Tōka's purpose in suddenly infiltrating Konoha.

"Tonight wasn't entirely fruitless; at least we've confirmed that Tōka has mastered Space-Time Ninjutsu," Jiraiya concluded, taking a deep breath.

Tōka's ability to disappear directly from the barrier indicates that the "speed" he has mastered is Space-Time Ninjutsu.

This is the second ability that Dongge has revealed in Konoha Village in the past ten years. Apart from the Bloodline Limit Killing Ash Bones, Konoha knows very little about Dongge.

"As expected, the teacher's decision was correct." Kakashi was Fourth Hokage's Disciple and had once carried out the Fourth Hokage's order to monitor Tōka.

At the time, Kakashi strictly followed the Fourth Hokage's orders, but he didn't take them seriously and even firmly believed that Tōka could pass the Fourth Hokage's test and truly become a member of Konoha.

Only now does Kakashi realize how terribly wrong he was.

Perhaps, Tōka was a spy sent to Konoha from another country's village from the very beginning.