In early August of Konoha Year 54, Konoha held a memorial ceremony for the ninjas who sacrificed their lives in the Fourth Shinobi World War.
Danzo in all black, did not appear in everyone's sight; he stood alone atop Kage Rock, squinting as he gazed into the distance.
As the sun set, Danzo watching for a long time until Aburame Ryoma came to his side. Only then did he ask in a deep voice, " Ryoma, were you rejected by the Ninja Clans? It seems the Fourth Hokage has already given the order."
Aburame Ryoma immediately lowered his head, feeling guilty for failing to complete the mission: "I'm sorry, Danzo, most Ninja Clans use the excuse of too many casualties. This time, the Root ninjas may not be able to replenish their ranks in time."
After saying this, Aburame Ryoma showed a look of resentment. For more than two years, the Root ninjas had given their all in the war, but after peace was restored, their ranks were reduced.
Training a qualified Anbu takes a lot of time. When the Hokage's Direct Anbu suffered heavy casualties, it was thanks to the Root ninjas that they survived the difficult period.
Danzo seemed to see through his subordinate's thoughts. He felt no anger or betrayal; if he were in his subordinate's shoes, he would have made the same decision. "It's alright. Some ninjas are destined to be drawn to darkness."
"These special people are not suited to living in the sunlight. As long as the Root remain, we can always find replacements."
"After the war ends, the most important things are developing the Tailed Beast and hunting down the enemy. The village will still need Root ninjas."
"What we need to do is wait patiently for the right opportunity, and correct it promptly when the Hokage makes a wrong decision."
Upon hearing Danzo's words, Aburame Ryoma nodded solemnly in response. After hesitating for a moment, he finally asked in a low voice, " Danzo, why did the previous Tailed Beast Plan fail?"
"It seems the Jinchuriki of Takigakure received the news in advance."
The plan was originally proposed by Root, and the intelligence agents in Takigakure were also Root ninjas. With the Anbu unable to intervene much, they could only watch Jinchuriki disappeared without a trace.
When this matter was mentioned, Danzo's eyes twitched slightly. The reason the mission failed was actually because of him; Madara Uchiha obtained the information from him.
Danzo had no intention of sharing this unspeakable secret. He turned to his deputy and simply replied, " The Root ninjas won't be the problem; the temporarily promoted Anbu most likely leaked the information."
"This is precisely the meaning of our existence; some missions can only be accomplished by Root ninjas."
"Our mission is to protect the village in secret!"
Anbu Ninja need to undergo about three months of training to become new members, but this step was omitted during wartime. Although Aburame Ryoma still had some objections, he swallowed the question he wanted to ask.
"Yes, Danzo."
"What arrangements should Party A make? Should the Jinchuriki Plan continue?"
The improved Hashirama Cells he obtained from Orochimaru increased the power of Kou's Wood Release. At 13 years old, he entered a period of rapid physical development, and the boy had already been noticed by the Hokage.
Danzo didn't want to hand over the armor. Although the modified Hashirama Cells enhanced the Root ninjas' strength, the Wood Release Project had failed, and he still needed the armor to serve him. "I will discuss this with the Hokage."
" The Tailed Beast Plan will not stop; Kyo is Root's chance to rise again."
"The nature of war has changed; controlling the power of the Tailed Beast can even change the world..."
Aburame Ryoma was deeply moved. Although Danzo's magnanimity had declined, his strategic vision remained. The Tailed Beast could indeed become the core of the war, and in the coming decades, all the major ninja villages would devote all their efforts to developing them.
If A becomes Jinchuriki and Root gains control of the core power, the Hokage will make some compromises instead of simply "using and discarding" him as they do now.
"I will urge A to continue learning!"
" The Tailed Beast Plan — the Root ninjas will not disappoint Danzo."
Seeing his capable assistant's solemn statement, Danzo his eyes and nodded slightly. When he looked at his right arm, a hint of longing flashed in his eyes. He hoped that Orochimaru would keep his promise.
He can regain his freedom once the Cursed Seal on his heart is removed!
For the sake of the village, Danzo felt he couldn't die yet. He hoped his will could guide the world, and if necessary, even unify the Shinobi World —that was what he wanted to do.
As the memorial service ended, many young Konoha Ninja shed tears. The war had taken away their loved ones, and although it was the legacy of the Will of Fire, everyone still felt sad and heartbroken.
Kurenai Yuhi, dressed in black mourning clothes, cried until her eyes were red. The girl didn't even get to see her father's intact body. The impact of the Tailed Beast Bomb took away many of her seniors, and some were even completely destroyed.
" Shinku- senpai will definitely be watching over you from the Pure Land; your future will only get better and better."
"Cheer up! Your senior definitely doesn't want to see you sad."
Shizune and Rin Nohara whispered words of comfort beside her. Kurenai Yuhi finally buried her face in Rin Nohara's arms, the girl sobbing as she said, "Thank you. Father sacrificed everything for the village. I will live on."
Kakashi wasn't standing with his Peer. He went alone to Obito Uchiha's grave to change the flowers. Thinking of the deaths brought by war, a somber look appeared in his eyes. "How wonderful it would be if there were no hatred, Obito. If everyone were as kind as you, perhaps there would be no conflict in the Shinobi World."
"Our predecessors sacrificed their lives for peace; we hope these agreements can last for several more years."
Kakashi gave a wry smile at the end, explaining that the village had begun searching for the attackers, clearly intending to take revenge. With the Tailed Beast Plan also underway, true peace seemed unlikely.
"Lin and I plan to get engaged next year. Like our predecessors, I will also take on more responsibility."
"If I have children in the future, I will tell them about your help..."
"Um?"
There seemed to be Chakra fluctuations in the ground. Kakashi's deadpan expression vanished instantly, and he ducked low, immediately using the Summoning Jutsu.
" Kakashi? Why did you summon me at this time?"
"Is there a peculiar scent? Pakkun, I just sensed a fleeting Chakra fluctuation nearby."
Kakashi asked earnestly, Pakkun sniffed carefully. After the dog repeated this several times, it finally shook its head and replied, "There's nothing there, Kakashi. You're too tense."
Kakashi stood up, a look of doubt appearing on his face, but he quickly composed himself. He couldn't have sensed wrong, and silently walked towards Minato Namikaze and the others. At this moment, he had to be extra careful.
Obito, who had just been hiding underground, had now returned to his own space. His Kamui were becoming more and more proficient, and he was activating it faster and faster.
However, Obito was not pleased by his overwhelming strength. When he heard that Kakashi and Rin Nohara were planning to have a child, a feeling of pain welled up in his heart.
"Humans seem to prefer procreation around the age of 20, and it seems Kakashi is no exception!"
" Lord Madara, they still remember you! Perhaps that child will even use your name."
White Zetsu removed his mask and continued to fantasize about the future in a comical tone. Sensing the cold Chakra, the tentacles around his neck wiggled merrily.
"Ah!"
Obito knelt on the ground, screaming in pain. Even though it was a good thing that his best friends were happy, he still felt pain.
After catching his breath, Obito finally calmed his turbulent emotions. Recalling the newly erected tombstones, his crimson eyes regained their usual coldness. "Another false peace!"
"If any ninja village declines in a few years, war will break out again."
"The ninja village that controls the power of the Tailed Beast will dominate the war, and after the war ends, a new cycle will begin until the next conflict breaks out."
" Kakashi is still so naive, what a disappointment!"
"Only by ending the ninja world can we truly usher in peace, and only then can... the next generation grow up better."
Obito paused at the end, a wave of pain washing over him, but he forced himself not to think about that image and continued firmly, adding, "This Kakashi can't make Rin happy, but I will protect them and let them live happily in this false and distorted world."
"The real Rin will be watching me. Only true peace is worthy of the real Rin..."
White Zetsu's tentacles turned into question marks. It only wanted Lord Madara to increase his eye power, but now it discovered that Madara's "schizophrenia" had become even more severe.
White Zetsu, but fortunately the stimulation was effective. As long as it happened a few times every few months, his strength steadily increased!
" Lord Madara, what about the Tailed Beast Alliance Treaty? If this continues, all the major ninja villages will strengthen their defenses."
Upon hearing White Zetsu's question, Obito immediately pointed to his eyes and confidently replied, "I only need to consider the Nine-Tails. The other Tailed Beast have no power to resist the Mangekyō Sharingan."
"If our plan succeeds, you can collect the Tailed Beast in my place, and I'll secretly deal with those troublemakers."
Obito knew that the path to true peace would be difficult, and that ambitious figures like Shu Furukawa, Madara Uchiha, Black Zetsu, and Nagato would all try to thwart his plans, but he would never give up.
It was precisely because he overcame these difficulties that the real Rin was able to feel happy. Obito believed that the girl would definitely support him. "Rin, keep watching me!"
Because of the appearance of unfamiliar Chakra, the village fell into a state of tension again after the memorial ceremony, with the Anbu and the Police Force secretly increasing the scope of their search.
As night fell, inside the Hokage Building, Tsunade frowned as she listened to the reports from the Anbu members. Knowing she couldn't blame her subordinates for their incompetence, she could only continue to encourage them, saying, "Thank you all for your hard work! Be extra careful during the night's shift changes."
"One of the hidden locations in Kumogakure has also been invaded. No one can let their guard down until true peace is achieved."
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
The Anbu members responded loudly, still reminiscing about the invasion of Kumogakure as they left; the Shinobi World was clearly still in turmoil.
Shu Furukawa appeared from behind Tsunade and looked down at the report.
The Kumogakure discovered the invasion of Turtle Island so quickly; the enemy's reaction speed was even faster than he had expected. "It seems we really need to expand the search area. Teacher, don't worry, the village's important facilities have already been upgraded with sensory barriers."
"I'll take charge of the search mission for now. After all, he was my former disciple, and there's no need to make things difficult for Lord Jiraiya on the mission in the Land of Rivers."
Tsunade turned to look at her disciple, and realizing she was being watched, quickly lowered her head, feeling a pang of reluctance. Finally, she softly agreed, "Then I'll trouble you. Once we confirm the attacker, we can join forces with the other major ninja villages."
"The existing order cannot be broken; this is a consensus among everyone."
"I don't know what the Mizukage is up to. I've tried contacting him several times but haven't received a response. Ōnoki is starting to suspect that it's a covert attack launched by Kirigakure..."
Speaking of the stubborn Old Man, the Third Tsuchikage, Tsunade chuckled, noticing that it was already quite late, before getting up to organize the documents with Shu Furukawa.
As the lights in the room went out, Tsunade suddenly grabbed her disciple. Shu Furukawa was slightly taken aback at first, then turned around and hugged his teacher. "Teacher, don't worry, these tasks are not difficult for me."
"The attackers must pay the price, but what we should be more worried about is them hiding and secretly planning another attack."
"I'm almost done with the training of the Strength of a Hundred Seal. Although I have very little Senjutsu Chakra, I can sense that once my body reaches balance, the power can slowly accumulate."
Tsunade leaned against her disciple's chest, and subconsciously looked up when she heard the Strength of a Hundred Seal.
Shu Furukawa lowered his head and gently kissed the spot where the mark was about to form. A portion of his spirit instantly entered Tsunade's body, actively absorbing Natural Energy while simultaneously mobilizing Tsunade's spiritual body to control her physical state.
"This is Sage Mode, teacher, remember this feeling."
"Your Senjutsu Chakra is too low. The power of the Katsuyu will affect you. My spirit form can only do this much."
With her senses amplified several times, Tsunade instantly sensed the entire village. As her Senjutsu Chakra formed within her, power surged forth, accompanied by a strange sense of pleasure.
Tsunade widened, and she was about to speak when she noticed Shu Furukawa holding her tighter. She instinctively closed her eyes, but the expected thing didn't happen.
"Teacher, we're home."
"Thank you, Xiu..."
Seeing the familiar courtyard, Tsunade whispered her thanks. In Sage Mode, she could clearly sense her disciple's inhuman Chakra, and at the same time, she felt a strange sense of loss.
Shu Furukawa pulled Tsunade back into the room. The spirit was still carefully sensing that the modified body had fully adapted to Senjutsu Chakra, and continuing the next stage of training would be no problem at all.
While enjoying a late-night snack, Tsunade took out her treasured sake and regained her cheerful demeanor, her face flushed. Having just experienced Sage Mode, she was in high spirits. "I never imagined Senjutsu Mode could be so powerful!"
"This enhancement truly surpasses that of ordinary ninjas; I really want to master this power as soon as possible."
"That secret place in Kumogakure is called Turtle Island. It's said to be where Jinchuriki, but we haven't been able to extract any specific information from Yugito Nii."
"This invasion is likely because the enemy wants to seize the power of the Nine-Tails."
When the Nine-Tails was mentioned, Tsunade's expression turned serious. She looked at Shu Furukawa and reiterated, "The enemy might have already gotten what they want, Osamu. Don't push yourself too hard during missions. Even with the power of Senjutsu Mode, you won't have much of a chance against endless Chakra."
"Teacher, don't worry, I'll take good care of myself."
Shu Furukawa responded with a serious expression, Tsunade a sigh of relief. After drinking heartily, it was already late at night.
Perhaps thinking that her disciple was about to embark on another dangerous mission, Tsunade. When Shu Furukawa got up to say goodbye and return to his room, he was suddenly stopped by his teacher.
The dim lighting in the entryway seemed to give Tsunade courage. She squeezed in front of him, closed her eyes, and the soft touch on her lips made her body go limp.
When Tsunade was leaning against the wall, opened her eyes, there was no one in front of her. It was as if the experience had been a hallucination. Thinking about her impulsiveness, her cheeks burned, and she kept reassuring herself, "I can't drink so much next time!"
"Alcohol can actually cause hallucinations..."