I'm running out of time to type this chapter, so please update it later. Thank you.
Naruto, holding Gaara's hand, used his smaller size to run to a safe area away from crowds. The real fighting in Konoha was actually only taking place in the outer areas of the Konoha, and the panic of the Konoha was actually due to fear.
"Hey, what's your name? My name is Naruto Uzumaki, and I'm the strongest genius at the Ninja Academy!"
Without batting an eye, Naruto solemnly transferred Sasuke's honor to himself.
Gaara glanced at Naruto indifferently. Although it was their first meeting, he felt that Naruto was definitely not telling the truth.
"My name is... Gaara."
" Gaara 've never heard of that name before... Never mind, whatever, are you going home now?"
Gaara shook his head. Go home? To Sunagakure...?
Naruto seemed to understand something, patted Gaara's head, then thumped his chest and loudly promised:
"Don't worry, since you have nowhere else to go, you can just hang out with Naruto from now on!"
Just an inch behind Naruto, a clump of sand fell to the ground. If Naruto hadn't removed his hand in time, Naruto would now be a mangled corpse.
Just then, Naruto's stomach rumbled at the most inopportune moment, growling loudly with hunger. Only then did Naruto realize that he had been in such a rush that he hadn't even eaten breakfast.
"I wonder if Ichiraku Ramen Shop is still open..."
Naruto rubbed his empty stomach, then looked at Gaara standing there, his eyes vacant. Naruto's heart skipped a beat. Gaara now looked exactly like his former self...
" Gaara, right? I'm going to take you to eat the best Ichiraku Ramen in all of Konoha later, the kind you could eat Tenten and never get tired Ichiraku Ramen!"
Gaara remained unmoved as Naruto continued to rave about Ichiraku Ramen; the food made no difference to him. However, Naruto's cheerful and energetic demeanor made him unable to resist Naruto.
More importantly, Naruto possessed an aura he recognized—the aura of a 'monster'...
Having witnessed the death of the Third Hokage, the Anbu Ninja wanted to avenge Hokage, but the lineup of Orochimaru and the Impure World Reincarnation First Hokage and Second Hokage was a bit too outrageous.
Furthermore, with Naoki Senju using Wood Release to tear apart the barrier, they were willing but unable to do anything about it, so they decided to observe the battlefield from the sidelines first.
However, the area-of-effect damage from the phantom of Shinigami gave them no chance. With a piercing shriek, ninjas within a radius of hundreds of meters were wiped out.
Only a few ninjas from the Yamanaka Clan managed to escape this area, and Naoki Senju was the only ninja still conscious, naturally becoming the primary target of the Shinigami Reaper's phantom.
Naoki Senju, or rather, the Lord Hokage, is trying to check and balance the ninja clans... Kakashi's keen political sense allowed him to perceive the deeper meaning behind this, but as merely the head of the Anbu, what more could he say?
Kakashi coughed dryly, somewhat abruptly changing the subject:
"Then... Lord Naoki, what should we do with Danzo's body?"
At this point, Danzo's soul had completely dissipated. The soul injury caused by Futsu no Mitama was too severe. If it weren't for Izanagi, Danzo would have died long ago. However, even with the effects of Izanagi, the life that Danzo could extend was only a very limited one.
"Take the remaining Sharingan and seal them in the Anbu archives. As for Danzo's body... hang it on the Konoha Gate and expose it to the sun for three days. His crime is treason, attempting to pass important Konoha information to Kirigakure."
To leave a corpse exposed for three days... Although I have never seen such a punishment before, just imagining it is enough to tell that this is definitely not a 'gentle' punishment. Even if the Lord Hokage pardons the Shimura Clan, their situation in Konoha will probably be very difficult.
After all, the head of the Shimura Clan was the most heinous missing-nin who betrayed Konoha!
Kakashi showed no pity for Danzo, even believing that Danzo deserved his fate. Kakashi had personally witnessed the darkness of Root, and Tenzo was one of the victims of the Root system. Moreover, Danzo, had even sent his subordinates to assassinate the Third Hokage.
"It's over? If that's the case, why did you come looking for me?" Obito Uchiha suddenly felt like he'd been played.
The capture of the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki and the Fourth Raikage by Konoha is such important news that it needs no publicity; it will be known throughout the entire Shinobi World within three days. Without firsthand battle intelligence, Black Zetsu's actions are completely unnecessary.
"No, that news isn't important. I just want you to inform the Akatsuki —no, order the Akatsuki! They must kill Naoki Senju! If necessary, they can even attack Konoha. I will send all the White Zetsu to assist the Akatsuki."
Black Zetsu spoke resolutely. Although he was not as angry as at the beginning, he still could not hide the surging killing intent in his heart. In the hundreds of years of planning, he had always adhered to the basic principle of not interfering with the Shinobi World's structure and trying to minimize the traces he left behind.
But now that the plan is only one step away from complete success, Black Zetsu cannot tolerate his centuries-long scheme being ruined by a complete stranger. So this time, he will use all his power to eliminate him!
"Attack Konoha? Do you think the Akatsuki is enough to defeat the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki?"
Although Obito Uchiha did mention attacking Konoha, it was merely to provoke Nagato. Otherwise, if the Akatsuki were to attack Konoha, how many people would survive? And would they have to capture all the remaining Tailed Beast themselves?
Obito Uchiha could accept the loss of killing Naoki Senju, but he could not accept the loss of attacking Konoha. Without the Akatsuki's help, many of Obito's own plans would become impossible to implement.
"No, besides those missing-nin, we also have a pair of Rinnegan and a pair of Sharingan." Black Zetsu stared intently at Obito. Although there had been some minor friction, his interests were aligned with Obito's in this matter.
Although their ultimate goals differ, they all hope that Eye of the Moon Plan can be successfully implemented!
"My identity cannot be revealed yet, so I will not take action. As for Nagato, you can only hope that he will. After all, he is no longer the naive boy we used to manipulate."
Obito Uchiha back on, concealing his true identity beneath it. Just as Black Zetsu had suspected, their interests were completely aligned in this matter.
The Tailed Beast must be gathered, the Eye of the Moon Plan must proceed smoothly, and the troublemaker Naoki Senju must die!
A naive boy being manipulated... Obito Uchiha disappeared into the black vortex in Black Zetsu, a rare hint of contempt appeared on his face.
Nagato was an innocent boy who was manipulated at will, and so was you, Obito Uchiha...
Obito Uchiha