The ANBU almost drew their blades, but at the very last moment, Tsunade's sharp command made them stop.
All around, dozens of ANBU had already surrounded them. Some had even finished forming hand seals.
If they had been a second slower, a storm of jutsu would have been unleashed right at them.
Jiraiya wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. He never imagined that the moment he showed up, the ANBU would nearly chop him down like an intruder invading Konoha.
"Jiraiya, are you out of your mind?"
Tsunade's first reaction was, of course, to blame him for the mess.
"I swear I didn't do anything!" Jiraiya wanted to cry but had no tears. No matter how unreliable he was, he wouldn't cause this kind of chaos, right?
"I'll deal with you later!"
Tsunade shot him a fierce glare, then turned toward the blond boy. "You… you're the Nine-Tails' jinchūriki, Uzumaki Naruto, aren't you?"
She had never met him in person, but she had seen his photo.
Though two years had passed and Naruto's entire demeanor had changed drastically, the whisker-like marks on his cheeks were still unmistakable.
"Yes, I'm Uzumaki Naruto."
It seemed that after following Orochimaru for so long, even Naruto's mannerisms had shifted without him noticing.
"On behalf of Konoha, I welcome you back."
Tsunade extended her hand with the dignity of a Hokage, openly showing goodwill.
"You must already know. The war started by Iwagakure and the Aurora Order is mainly aimed at the nine tailed beasts. That's why we'll do everything we can to protect you."
"No need."
Naruto's face was expressionless. He looked at her extended hand and replied coldly.
"I can protect myself. The only reason I came back wasn't to seek your protection. Orochimaru simply asked me and Kabuto to help you. Don't flatter yourself."
"Hey, brat! Is that how you talk to the Hokage?!"
An ANBU beside them couldn't hold back. Naruto was already a rogue ninja who had left the village, and now he dared to speak with such arrogance?
The ANBU's eyes grew sharp, their killing intent rising. Tsunade's brows furrowed as she prepared to stop them.
Naruto released a suffocating aura around him, instantly crushing the presence of the ANBU. A faint halo seemed to flicker in his eyes as he spoke coldly.
"I represent the Sound Village. As for you, you'd better know your place. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless."
"Demon Fox!"
Someone shouted the word without thinking.
Naruto's gaze turned icy. He raised his hand and clenched his fingers in the air.
Boom!
The ANBU who had spoken suddenly found himself lifted into the air, an invisible hand gripping his throat.
Five distinct finger marks appeared around his neck as his airway was sealed. He struggled desperately, suffocated by terror, his limbs thrashing as he dangled helplessly in midair.
"Let him go!"
"What are you doing?!"
The surrounding ANBU were stunned. None of them had expected Naruto to strike in front of them so directly.
Naruto clenched tighter with his unseen hand, then flung the ANBU mercilessly against the wall. His voice was sharp and cold.
"That was a warning. If I hear that word again, I won't guarantee where you'll end up next time."
Too arrogant!
He actually dared to humiliate ANBU in front of the Hokage and Jiraiya!
The ANBU captain, enraged beyond measure, was about to retaliate when Tsunade's voice thundered across the room. "Enough! All of you, stand down!"
The ANBU glared daggers at Naruto but swallowed their fury. At their leader's signal, they reluctantly retreated.
"You should be grateful to her."
Naruto let out a derisive laugh, his eyes colder than before. "If not for her, you would already be drifting in the unknown stars by now."
Tsunade rubbed her temples, her head aching. She had expected Naruto's return to stir trouble, but she hadn't thought he'd nearly fight with the ANBU the moment he set foot back in Konoha.
"For what just happened, I apologize."
Her voice was sincere. "I know how much resentment you hold toward this village. On behalf of my teacher and those who wronged you, I apologize. I ask that you forgive us—forgive Konoha."
With that, Tsunade bowed deeply, her back bending at a full ninety degrees.
For a Kage to lower her head before a former rogue ninja—such an act already spoke volumes.
The frost in Naruto's eyes faded slightly. He turned his head away. "You don't need to apologize to me. And I have no interest in forgiving you."
Although an apology couldn't change the past, at the very least it eased some of Tsunade's guilt. She steadied herself again.
"I don't expect you to forgive us right now. But at least… this is a beginning, isn't it?"
"Uh… that's… pretty much it."
Jiraiya rubbed his nose and hunched his shoulders as he answered.
"What do you mean, 'pretty much it'?"
Tsunade blinked, unable to process it at first. Her wide eyes locked onto Jiraiya. "Explain yourself. What do you mean by 'that's all'?"
Anyone who knew Tsunade's temper understood what this meant—someone was about to be in trouble.
Sakura quietly shut her eyes, unable to watch what was about to happen. At least, it wasn't going to be her.
"I mean… literally."
Gritting his teeth, Jiraiya spoke quickly. "Orochimaru agreed to cooperate. But… he won't come himself. Instead, he sent Naruto and Kabuto to help us."
He squeezed his eyes shut, bracing for the storm.
But the punch never came. After a long silence, he cautiously opened one eye, only to find Tsunade's face pale with anger.
"Forget it. I should have known better than to expect anything from him."
With a bitter sigh, Tsunade sat down. Her sharp gaze fell on Kabuto, the calm-looking young man standing nearby. Suspicion filled her eyes.
"Orochimaru sent you to help us? Just you?"
"Yes, Lady Hokage."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses and gave a polite, almost shy smile.
"That's not enough."
Tsunade shook her head, her voice heavy with doubt.
Two people—what could they possibly do?
After all, the enemies they were about to face weren't ordinary. They were going against Iwagakure and the Aurora Order.
Even with the combined forces of the Five Great Shinobi Villages—an army of thirty to forty thousand ninja—the chances of victory still felt slim.
And against such overwhelming foes… what difference could two people make?
"Lord Hokage, I believe you should at least hear out my plan."
Kabuto Yakushi didn't show the slightest hint of disappointment at being underestimated. With his usual smile, he added, "Who knows? It might just surprise you."
"Surprise? What kind of surprise?"
Tsunade frowned in puzzlement. At this point in the war, could he really still have a trump card?
"It's a power strong enough to help you turn the tide of battle."
Kabuto's lips curled into a mysterious smile.
"Fine. I'll believe you."
Tsunade thought it over. There was nothing to lose, after all, so why not see what he had in store?
If this was the power Orochimaru once spoke of—something capable of shifting the entire war—then it was worth witnessing.
"In that case, please prepare a quiet chamber for me," Kabuto said, pushing up his glasses.
"And make sure a strong sealing squad is ready. Ideally, Lord Jiraiya, Lady Hokage, Miss Sasuke, and Mister Naruto should all be present as well."
"With a lineup that heavy, what exactly are you planning?"
Jiraiya gave him a doubtful look.
"You intend to summon souls of the dead, don't you?" Tsunade, as Hokage, had already guessed. "Impure World Reincarnation?"
"Something like that."
Kabuto chuckled softly. "But not just Edo Tensei. To be precise, it's a new Reanimation Jutsu Lord Orochimaru created. He built upon the foundation of Edo Tensei, adding a few… personal ideas. The only drawback is that it's rather difficult to control."
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