By the end of September 1951, Konoha, having quelled the Amegakure, had restored its pre-war economic state under the rule of Lord Angel.
Although it sounds unbelievable, Kirigakure did secretly give up many requests, and with the Land of Rivers being secretly controlled by Amegakure, Amegakure suddenly entered a period of rapid development.
After the massacre, the remaining Amegakure remained absolutely loyal to the village. Every Amegakure was thrilled by the angel's wisdom.
The ninjas of Small Nations rose to prominence amidst the chaos, and the Amegakure ninjas became even more united under these circumstances, leaving even Jiraiya, who was investigating the situation, dumbfounded.
Sunny days seem to be increasing. Jiraiya, disguised as a Amegakure, arrived at the Anbu base in the afternoon to deliver intelligence.
After ordering a specific set meal at the tavern, Jiraiya casually handed over a note, then picked up his drink and loudly joked with the ninjas beside him, "The angel is really amazing! Our income has been increasing these past few months."
"Speaking of which, does anyone know about the seafood program? It seems there's a new department, but I wonder what the pay is like."
A middle-aged ninja in high spirits, his cheeks flushed from drinking, immediately boasted upon hearing Jiraiya's question, "It's said to be about refining some kind of effective substance, but I don't quite understand the requirements."
"But any project initiated by the Angel will definitely benefit the village. Even Hanzo agreed to relinquish power, which is enough to prove how outstanding the Angel is."
The Amegakure gathered in the tavern were all praising it, Jiraiya secretly made notes.
He has already relayed the news of the alliance between Kirigakure and Amegakure back to the village, and the investigation into the Land of Rivers is still ongoing.
Jiraiya seen that angel several times, and to his surprise, it wasn't the Konan he remembered at all.
Aside from their similar hair color, the girl's aura, voice, and clothing didn't even resemble those of a ninja.
"We hope that the angel can lead us to break free from the control of the great powers!"
"Now even Sunagakure Ninja are coming here to make a living. It seems the Sunagakure has truly fallen on hard times."
"Haha, our mission received special treatment; it's all thanks to the angel."
The Amegakure, thoroughly enjoying their drinks, grew increasingly excited. If things continued this way, they believed they would one day be able to break free from the control of the Konoha Ninja.
With hope for the future, everyone had completely shaken off the self-destructive mood of the previous two years. Jiraiya, and his confusion grew. "If it was a negotiation, how did they leave the village?"
"Does Nagato have the ability to control the Mizukage? Has this child gone astray?"
Jiraiya infiltrated the central metal tower more than once, only to find the top floor empty. Although he didn't want to believe it, after observing for so long and eliminating incorrect answers, he concluded. " Amegakure also has ninjas who have mastered Space-Time Ninjutsu."
The Child of Prophecy will not disappear. Jiraiya believed that the Child of Prophecy could change the world. If problems arise, it is clearly the fault of him, the guide.
As he left the tavern, Jiraiya looked once more at the central metal tower, its facade gleaming in the setting sun. "I'll find time to investigate further and find out who that girl really is."
Late at night, Konan was giving the puppets a final check. She had completely transformed Deva Path Hanzo, adding many summoned weapons to his body.
Not only did the Deva Path become "inhuman," but the other puppets also turned into alternative "artificial humans," with their joints, brains, and so on all modified. The six puppets effectively consumed a lot of resources.
After removing her mask and completing the examination, Konan smiled happily; it was all thanks to her hard work.
Although she couldn't personally avenge Yahiko and her comrades, Nagato's manipulation of these puppets could be considered as her fighting alongside them.
After the laboratory door was pushed open, Nagato, with his red Nagato, looked at Konan with a gentle smile. He took a deep breath and said softly, "The time has come to make the Konoha Ninja feel pain. Don't worry, I'll leave quickly after I've completed the destruction."
" Human Path to gather information from Orochimaru, it seems that the latter has made a deal with Madara Uchiha. This is a good opportunity to learn more about that secretive guy."
Black Zetsu secretly leaked the information, Nagato, upon learning of it, naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity. Having the Rinnegan and the Six Paths Technique, he didn't need the Mangekyō Sharingan.
If this threat can be eliminated, he and Konan can better realize Yahiko's dream.
Konan nodded. She didn't force herself. Although her strength was growing rapidly, it was still too much to break into the Five Great Nations ' attack.
Since the plan had changed, she didn't want to hold anyone back. Looking at her friend, she whispered her advice, "You still need to practice your Six Paths Technique. Leave the testing work to the Asura Path. Those weapons can handle most ninjas."
"It's best not to reveal the abilities of the Naraka Path and the Human Path. Use the Preta Path for defense, and make as much use of the mechanical weapons on the puppets as possible."
"Madara must have left some information unsaid. Nagato, don't be careless. Even if the Hokage isn't here for the time being, the puppets must be prevented from being surrounded."
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Nagato immediately assured him that not only had Madara taught him, but Black Zetsu had also secretly imparted some knowledge to him. He didn't want his friend to worry, so he never mentioned it. "Don't worry, with the Animal Path as backup, even without Madara's help, the puppet can return smoothly."
"These are all your hard work, Konan. I will use them well."
Shu Furukawa's spirit sensed Nagato's confidence; Obito had withheld some of the Six Paths Technique he had previously taught, and Nagato might have learned more about the application of the Rinnegan through other means.
Without an "instruction manual," Nagato doesn't have much time to explore the Rinnegan. Shu Furukawa has already guessed that the technique can destroy a village on a large scale.
The girl watched her friend's departing figure with a worried expression. Madara Uchiha clearly had other intentions, but her power was still too weak to help at all.
Amidst her emotional turmoil, Konan felt a surge of unique Chakra within her. "Give me a few more years, and I will definitely fulfill everyone's dreams."
In early October, Konoha became secretly on edge. Kushina was nearing the end of her term, and the two Hokage, Tsunade and Sarutobi Hiruzen, were quietly busy preparing for the occasion.
Thanks to the secrecy strategy, Jonin the Jonin in the village were unaware of the Jinchuriki, and the direct Anbu were only tasked with inspecting important laboratories.
Only five people knew the production location, and under the protection of the double barrier, the stone wall could be described as "impregnable."
In the evening, Sarutobi Hiruzen arrived at the Hokage Building. Unlike usual, he had changed into combat armor underneath his loose robe.
Tsunade noticed her teacher's attire and, taking advantage of his puffing out of a cigarette, sighed helplessly, "Teacher, you seem to be overreacting! There are still a few days left; there's no need to dress like this every day."
"You felt it too, didn't you, Tsunade? That malice lingering in my heart seems to be growing stronger."
Sarutobi Hiruzen removed his pipe and responded somewhat nervously. The old man looked at his disciple, who seemed hesitant to speak, and solemnly added, "Don't underestimate a ninja's intuition! Although the news won't leak out, there's always an unexpected turn of events."
Tsunade did sense something was wrong before, but after Shu Furukawa's birthday, she stopped feeling anything and ended up buying lottery tickets and losing a lot of money.
All signs indicate that the village should be fine.
Instead, she was caught red-handed by Shu Furukawa when she succumbed to her gambling addiction, and the teacher's authority vanished when the two practiced together every night.
" Teacher Sarutobi, we've taken all necessary precautions."
"With Xiu and Orochimaru here in the village, once the delivery is over, I will assist Kushina in revitalizing parts of her body. With her physique, she will definitely be able to easily suppress the Nine-Tails."
"With Minato's Sealing Jutsu added in, there shouldn't be any problems."
Tsunade her chin on her hand, gave a simple reply. Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen head slightly, she couldn't help but glance at him sideways and retort, " Old Man, don't always be so pessimistic. You were just like that during the Five Kage Summit, and nothing happened!"
Tenten those Sealing Jutsu, spend more time with your family.
Sarutobi Hiruzen struggled to describe his feelings, but Tsunade was right; they had prepared for the worst. Even a powerful Kage would find it difficult to break through the defenses head-on, given the sheer number of techniques they had laid out. "Just consider this Old Man being paranoid. I'll be secretly following the Anbu members these next few days."
"What remains at school are Shadow Clone; if any problems arise, I will react immediately."
Tsunade reluctantly agreed, then immediately got up. It was time to go home and have dinner with her disciple. She glanced at the time and said with a smile, "Time to go home, Old Man!"
"At your age, it's time to learn to enjoy life."
Sarutobi Hiruzen felt that his disciple seemed to have become younger, both physically and mentally. He inexplicably thought of Tsunade and Shu Furukawa's somewhat intimate behavior, took a drag of his cigarette, and sighed inwardly, "Looks like I really am getting old; I'm starting to overthink things."
On October 8th, Obito Uchiha Nagato. When Obito saw that Nagato was also dressed in a black robe and mask, Obito eyes twitched.
Both wore tiger-striped masks, but their exposed eyes were different; at first glance, they appeared to be the same person.
I thought you would manipulate those puppets to meet me.
" Nagato, you seem to have become more confident. Very good. As the reincarnation of the Sage of Six Paths, you should have this kind of magnanimity!"
Although Obito harbored doubts, he still maintained the demeanor of a strongman when he spoke.
The mask concealed Nagato's expression. He pulled two scrolls from his wide black robe, showed them to Nagato, and replied in a deep voice, "These puppets do indeed need your help to deliver to Konoha. Their sensory barrier is very troublesome."
"I will quickly kill the Konoha Ninja. Do you need my help?"
"If nothing unexpected happens, there are three Kage waiting for you. In that situation, how will you release the Nine-Tails?"
Obito Nagato a deep look, then continued to boast about his power in Madara Uchiha's tone, "I've said it before, once I release the Nine-Tails using the Tailed Beast Release Seal, it will revert to being my summoning beast."
"If a few more Kage come, they'll only face death before the Nine-Tails and my power."
Seeing Nagato nod, Obito pondered for a moment before adding, "I must remind you that there is an extremely powerful force within Konoha. I have already given you information about Shu Furukawa."
"Don't be careless. The opponent possesses the same Senjutsu power as Hashirama Senju. Be careful of his Flying Thunder God."
"Unless you intend to abandon these puppets, you must kill him as soon as possible. The secrets of ninjas cannot be easily revealed."
"If you need help, just use White Zetsu to notify me."
Nagato frowned slightly as he recalled the Senjutsu power described in the intelligence report, but he quickly calmed himself down.
He came to make the Konoha Ninja suffer, gather intelligence, fight, and then leave. He had no interest in being Madara's pawn, and he didn't harbor much malice towards the boy who had once helped them.
I hope you really mean what you say!
Nagato muttered something to himself and put the scroll back into his ninja tool pouch. If possible, he didn't want to sacrifice these puppets; they were equipment that Konan had worked hard to create.
Obito vanished in a vortex, while Black Zetsu reappeared on the ground, approached Nagato, and respectfully said, " Nagato, I have selected several locations for you to control the Six Paths Puppet."
"Some spells have already been set up, so even if the puppet is destroyed, we can withdraw calmly."
Nagato nodded. Although he wasn't particularly clever, he had gleaned some information from Black Zetsu: the other party didn't seem to have much faith in his puppet.
This indicated that Black Zetsu and Madara had previously fought against Shu Furukawa. Nagato moved along with them without showing any emotion, but secretly pondered, "This Konoha boy seems to have many secrets, which is why the two of them are so wary."
Late at night on the 9th, Tsunade leaned against Shu Furukawa's side. The two had just finished their daily training and were now talking quietly while looking at the moon in the courtyard.
"Does the teacher want me to protect the village? Looks like Minato- kun is going to be a father!"
"Don't worry, I'll protect everyone."
Upon hearing her disciple's promise, Tsunade immediately turned to look at her profile, seemingly realizing her request was a bit excessive. She then added in a low voice, "This is Teacher Sarutobi's premonition! I haven't sensed anything; in fact, I've lost quite a bit of money these past few days."
"If you really encounter the enemy, just focus on protecting the young people. The Jonin Division is all in the village; you won't need to do a lot of work."
" That Old Man has kept me up these past few nights! I have no idea what he's so worried about."
Shu Furukawa chuckled softly and suddenly hugged his teacher tightly. Tsunade felt the hand on her waist trying to twist, but her body was too weak to exert any strength.
"Teacher, please get some rest tonight. There are important things to do tomorrow."
Just as Tsunade was about to scold him, Shu Furukawa stood up. He tried to get up as well, but his legs gave way and he almost fell into his disciple's arms.
"Put me down, Xiu..."
Shu Furukawa didn't respond, but as usual, carried Tsunade back to the bedroom, covered her with the blanket, and then said softly, "Teacher, don't push yourself. Your body is about to complete its transformation."
"Get a good night's sleep so you can better protect the village. If trouble arises, remember to use your accumulated Chakra; I'll replenish it for you later."
Feeling inexplicably sleepy and her face flushed, Tsunade vaguely saw her disciple's face in the dimly lit room. No longer looking at his concerned gaze, she turned and whispered, "You too. Thank you, Shu!"