At Allied Forces headquarters, the atmosphere was as taut as a fully drawn bowstring. After receiving Ling's confirmation, the entire headquarters sprang into action with maximum efficiency. The strongest Sealing Squad was dispatched to the Forbidden Chamber in the deepest part of the Castle. Layer upon layer of barriers activated, giving off heart-pounding pulses of energy. All nonessential personnel were cleared out, and the routes into the area were placed under heavy guard. The air hung heavy with the oppressive tension of an approaching storm.
Tsunade, Kakashi, Shikaku Nara, and Ling, who insisted on being present despite his lingering poor condition, gathered in the command center. They watched the surveillance feeds and energy readings supplied by the Sensory Squad, waiting for those special "guests" to arrive.
Ling's feelings were particularly complicated. Standing by the window, he gazed at the distant, gray horizon, his fingers unconsciously rubbing his chest-the place where his soul's connection to the other world's Tobirama had once been strongest. Now, only an emptiness remained. He felt deep reverence for the legendary Tobirama Senju who would soon arrive, but even more than that, he felt the distance and caution that came with facing the unknown. How would this Second Hokage, renowned for his coldness, wisdom, and forbidden techniques, regard someone who bore the soul imprint of another world and carried the power of "Purifying Karma"?
Time passed in anxious anticipation.
Roughly half a day later, the captain of the Sensory Squad hurried in, a trace of tension in his voice. "Report! We've detected powerful energy sources approaching at high speed, mixed with the chakra fluctuation unique to Impure World Reincarnation! Estimated arrival above the Castle's eastern side in three minutes! Their energy signatures... match the intelligence!"
Everyone snapped to attention.
"They're here!" Tsunade drew a deep breath. "Proceed