The explosion range of the Rasenshuriken was immense. It not only obliterated Setsuna but also shattered trees within a hundred-meter radius into pieces.
The ferocious storm it unleashed even swept up many Konoha ninja.
Fortunately, the Uzumaki clan's Adamantine Sealing Chains were everywhere, flexibly pulling back other Konoha ninja, preventing further unintended damage.
Thus, the Rasengan storm raged for half a minute before gradually subsiding.
When the storm cleared, the target area had become a massive crater, with everything inside reduced to rubble.
Setsuna at the center had also vanished.
Only a few broken, hollow bone fragments remained.
Clearly, both White Zetsu and Uchiha Setsuna had been completely annihilated by this deadly S-rank wind-style technique.
"Is he dead?"
"He should be dead, right?"
"No way he's still alive after taking such a powerful technique, right?"
"Everyone, stay focused! Clear out the remaining enemies!"
Ryuji shouted, ordering the other Konoha ninja to continue eliminating the remaining White Zetsu.
Without the strongest White Zetsu controlling Setsuna to wreak havoc, the remaining White Zetsu forces were no longer a threat.
They were adept at surprise attacks, but in direct confrontation, they were no match for Konoha's elites.
In less than a minute, over a hundred White Zetsu were wiped out. The rest either fled or were still struggling.
They were no longer a threat.
Seeing the battle was over, Ryuji rushed to Danzō and the Uchiha clan head, checking on their conditions.
"Uchiha Clan Head, and Tanaka, are you both okay?"
"Where are the medical ninja? Hurry and provide treatment!"
The Uchiha clan head was in good condition. Though one of his Sharingan eyes was blinded, he himself was uninjured. His state was still fine.
There was no choice.
He had realized how powerful the White Zetsu and Uchiha combination was. If he let the enemy rampage, causing more casualties, he, as the clan head, would not escape punishment!
It was better to act decisively, sacrifice one eye, and end it all.
After all, for the Uchiha clan of this era, eyes were not a big deal.
They had plenty in stock at home.
He could transplant another eye after returning. Though a used one wasn't as perfect as the original, it was sufficient for daily use.
As long as he could preserve his beautiful retirement life, the Uchiha clan head would do anything!
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Meanwhile, Danzō looked somewhat helpless.
The Rasenshuriken had nearly drained all his remaining chakra. Having only recovered half, he was now completely empty, not a drop left.
As a result, Danzō's face was deathly pale, and his legs trembled.
He nearly collapsed to the ground.
Fortunately, aside from chakra depletion, he suffered no injuries.
"I'm fine."
"I-I'm fine too. Just a bit tired."
Danzō leaned against a large tree, panting heavily.
"Thanks for your help, Tanaka. The Uchiha clan won't forget this kindness."
"The Uzumaki clan as well."
"No problem. Just remember to support me later!"
Danzō was very straightforward. After all, he desperately wanted to become Hokage and to advance.
'Support for what…?'
This confusing response left the other two unsure how to reply.
However, Ryuji and the Uchiha clan head exchanged glances and didn't press further.
They could vaguely guess Danzō's identity. Tobirama, ten times shrewder, surely wouldn't miss it.
And since Tobirama allowed Danzō to continue his disguise, how could they dare expose it carelessly?
Don't think power struggles among ninja are mild. In the ordinary world, picking the wrong side might get you fired. But in a ninja village, it could cost your life!
Besides, few fools could become clan heads.
"So Uchiha Setsuna is really dead."
"It's a pity about the information in his head. Finding the remaining traitors won't be easy now."
"Was it like killing to silence? As long as the Uchiha clan head didn't do it intentionally, it's fine."
"What do you mean? My loyalty to the Second Hokage and the village is unquestionable!"
The Uchiha clan head played along, starting to argue with Ryuji.
They both knew well that as two major clans in Konoha, they couldn't get too close, let alone ally.
If they truly allied, wouldn't that mean they wanted to test Tobirama's blade?
"Wait, what about the Rinnegan!"
In the middle of the debate, Ryuji suddenly realized.
This question startled the Uchiha clan head, making him break out in a cold sweat.
"Was it destroyed too?!"
Damn!
It didn't matter if the enemy died. But if the precious Rinnegan was lost, the Second Hokage would surely skin them alive!
Seeing this, Danzō gave a slight smile, signaling not to worry.
"Don't worry, the Rinnegan—"
Before Danzō could finish, a white figure suddenly emerged from the tree trunk behind him, rapidly expanding. It was like a giant spiral mouth, attempting to swallow Danzō!
White Zetsu!
This bastard wasn't dead at all!
Since controlling Setsuna and slipping underground, he had swapped places with another White Zetsu.
Thus, the Setsuna hit by the Rasenshuriken wasn't the real White Zetsu but another ordinary one!
The real White Zetsu had long since infiltrated underground.
He was waiting for the battle to end, when everyone was off guard. Then he would strike suddenly and kidnap Danzō!
Exactly.
White Zetsu's target was always Danzō himself, not the fabricated Rinnegan.
After all, Danzō was Tobirama's disciple and close to Chiyo.
As long as he was captured alive, he could be an additional bargaining chip, whether against Konoha or Sunagakure.
Of course, White Zetsu might not fully control a peak-condition Danzō, even after possessing him.
But a severely weakened Danzō? White Zetsu was absolutely confident he could control him!
At this moment, the weakened Danzō had no time to dodge or resist!
(Success!)
White Zetsu quickly shrank his body, thinking he had captured Danzō.
*SWOOSH!*
A familiar sound of slicing through the air rang in everyone's ears.
White Zetsu only felt his vision blur. Danzō, whom he thought he had captured and possessed, vanished from his spot.
Even a cooked duck could fly away?!!
Before White Zetsu could react, four black rods formed from Truth-Seeking Balls, powered by Tenseigan eyes, shot out and pierced through White Zetsu's four limbs, pinning him to the ground.
Then, everyone realized Tobirama had appeared behind Ryuji and the Uchiha clan head, carrying the weakened Danzō.
"Second Hokage!"
"Second Hokage!"
Everyone was shocked, then overjoyed, and then slightly anxious.
Especially the Uchiha group, including the clan head, felt a bit awkward.
After all, this pursuit mission could hardly be called a complete failure, but it was far from a success.
In short, it didn't go according to plan.
Though they defeated the traitor and destroyed the White Zetsu forces, they failed to obtain information or the Rinnegan. And in the end, they nearly got outmaneuvered.
It was indeed a bit embarrassing.
The Uchiha group quietly worried. Would the Second Hokage use this chance to punish them?
There was no choice.
In the eyes of most Uchiha ninja, Tobirama's villainous image was hard to change anytime soon.
"Are you okay?"
For now, Tobirama ignored the others and asked Danzō.
"I'm fine, Second Hokage, I—"
"Call me Sensei."
"Huh?"
"Hm?"
"Sensei!!!"
Danzō was overjoyed. His pale face flushed slightly from excitement.
Clearly, Tobirama's meaning was unmistakable.
The mission was complete!
He no longer needed to disguise himself. He could proudly reveal his identity!
Danzō, long suppressed, felt so excited he might explode!
Tobirama's timely appearance and rescue further proved his place in his teacher's heart!
(Sensei cares about me!)
He wasn't a discarded pawn. He could truly become Hokage in the future and lead the village to glory!
"You all did well, but you underestimated these people."
"Alright, rest for now."
"You two, look after him."
Tobirama ordered Ryuji and the others to care for the weakened Danzō, then headed straight for White Zetsu.
Clearly, Tobirama had arrived long ago, observing from the shadows.
On one hand, he wanted to see how effective his new Vortex Seal grand sealing technique was against the Uchiha, while also training the troops.
On the other, he wanted to lure out White Zetsu's trump card, see if they had other plans, and dig up more information.
However, when White Zetsu thought his plan succeeded and tried to kidnap Danzō, Tobirama certainly wouldn't just stand by.
In an instant, he used Flying Thunder God Jutsu to whisk Danzō away and successfully captured White Zetsu.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
"What exactly are you? Who sent you?"
Tobirama asked, feigning ignorance to make White Zetsu lower his guard.
White Zetsu was pinned, his chakra locked by the black rods. He couldn't escape. But he wasn't afraid or sad. Instead, he spoke with great pride:
"Hahaha! Senju Tobirama, you really came after me!"
"So your goal was to lure me out?"
"Exactly! The Rinnegan was fake. But you happily showed up. Senju Tobirama, you've lost!"
White Zetsu was extremely smug, feeling everything was under control.
"Really? I don't think so!"
Tobirama raised the corner of his mouth. He wasn't angry. He only grew more disdainful of White Zetsu's foolishness and arrogance.
At the same time, Tobirama knew ordinary interrogation was useless on this creature.
"Uchiha Clan Head?"
"Yes!"
The Uchiha clan head immediately appeared behind Tobirama, bowing slightly, awaiting orders.
"Use Genjutsu. I want to know all the information and plans in his head!"
"Understood!"
The Uchiha clan head acted swiftly. He grabbed White Zetsu's head and activated Sharingan Genjutsu on him.
Moments later, he emerged from the enemy's consciousness, his face looking grim, and answered:
"Second Hokage, his mental memories are protected by a seal. It's not easy to read."
"Can you break it?"
"I can. But it'll take some time."
"Then do it as fast as possible. Once you succeed, send the information to me."
"Understood!"
The Uchiha clan head felt relieved but didn't dare relax.
He immediately summoned more Uchiha ninja to surround the area. They began using Genjutsu together, working to speed up breaking White Zetsu's memory seal and obtain the information Tobirama needed.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Tobirama returned to Danzō and Ryuji.
"Ryuji, you did well!"
"I've disappointed the Second Hokage."
Ryuji responded respectfully and humbly. Though the Uzumaki clan hadn't joined Konoha, and their old clan head opposed joining, most sensible Uzumaki ninja knew joining Konoha was only a matter of time.
That's why so many Uzumaki ninja eagerly participated in this mission.
"No need for modesty. Your sacrifices and achievements—I've seen them all. Also, the grand sealing formation earlier was very successful. But there's still much room for improvement. Your teamwork had flaws too. Next time, I'll personally come to refine it."
"Thank you for the Second Hokage's guidance!"
Then, Tobirama turned to Danzō.
"Danzō, you've suffered a lot this time…" Tobirama sighed, genuinely from the heart.
The hardships of being a spy were far tougher than people imagined.
Though Danzō seemed to have achieved much, this was merely the glory after success.
How many spies died unknown in foreign lands? That was a risk and suffering not to be overlooked.
"Sensei…!"
Danzō teared up. Even the strongest man couldn't withstand such a touching blow from the teacher he admired.
Just one sentence from Tobirama—"you've suffered a lot"—
Made Danzō feel his loyalty to Konoha, already bursting, soar even higher.
Now, even if he had to die for his teacher or the village, Danzō would have no regrets.
"Sensei, I haven't suffered! It's all for the village. I can do it."
"Wait… Sensei, there are still Uchiha Setsuna's accomplices in the village! There are other spies helping him! We need to…"
Danzō cried but remembered something crucial.
He quickly suppressed his emotions and reported to Tobirama.
"Don't worry."
"I've made arrangements in the village too. Everything is according to plan."
Tobirama waved his hand. Clearly, everything was under his control.
"Good…"
Danzō was truly relieved. His tense nerves finally relaxed a bit.
"I have other matters. Ryuji and the others will escort you back to the village."
"Once everything is settled, everyone will know of your sacrifices and contributions."
"Danzō, you truly are my cherished disciple!"
Tobirama patted Danzō's shoulder again. With just a few encouraging words, Danzō was reinvigorated.
If he didn't have special eyes unable to gather ocular power, Danzō's overflowing mental energy could still squeeze out extra ocular strength!
After the encouragement, Tobirama returned to his main task.
He burst into a puff of white mist, transmitting all information back to his main body, leaving Danzō and the others standing there, bewildered.
(So, Tobirama-sensei was just a Shadow Clone!)
(Hmm… that's very like him.)
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
On the other side.
In Konoha, most of the attacks and chaos had been quickly suppressed.
Except for the lodging where the Sunagakure delegation stayed, which was hit by the enemy's main force, the other attacks were mere diversions.
The attackers were limited in number, just a few, and their strength wasn't great.
They mainly used flashy, wide-ranging fire and earth-style techniques to attack buildings.
Their goal wasn't to harm people but to cause greater chaos and draw more attention.
After all, compared to all of Konoha, their numbers were too few.
Thus, they were quickly subdued by the many Konoha ninja who arrived later.
However, for the students at the Ninja Academy that was attacked, they were still too young. They couldn't comprehend the complex situation.
They only knew their school was suddenly attacked, terrifying many students.
Fortunately, the attack happened at dusk, nearing night. The Ninja Academy had already ended, and most students had been picked up by their parents.
But a small number of students, not yet picked up, were still at the school.
They happened to become victims of the attack.
"…"
In an empty classroom,
Little Tsunade, little Jiraiya, and little Orochimaru huddled together in a corner of the class.