After obtaining and inspecting the Rinnegan, the main White Zetsu didn't hesitate. He immediately opened the glass tube, took out the Rinnegan inside, and transferred it to another container he had prepared.
Just kidding, he wasn't foolish!
Anything touched by Tobirama could potentially have a Hiraishin seal. He had to be cautious about this!
Otherwise, he wouldn't even know when his head might be severed by the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Time was tight.
He didn't have time to check if there were any tricks or marks left on the glass tube. He replaced it immediately to ensure safety.
As White Zetsu discarded the original glass tube into the distance and prepared to retreat—
*WHOOSH!*
The terrifying sound of the Flying Thunder God Technique suddenly rang out. It made White Zetsu, who usually didn't sweat, break out in a cold sweat.
"Stop him!"
White Zetsu didn't even look back. As he shouted, he dove underground, using all his strength and speed to escape desperately.
He feared that if he was a second too slow, his head would end up elsewhere.
The others only then realized what was happening and noticed the figure that suddenly appeared in the distance.
Clearly, the tube containing the Rinnegan did have a hidden trick.
Somewhere on its surface, a Hiraishin seal was inscribed.
"That's Senju Tobi—"
The Three-Tails Jinchūriki shouted, immediately trying to fight back.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
*SWOOSH!*
A flash of black sword light streaked by.
The Three-Tails Jinchūriki, closest to Tobirama, only felt the world around him suddenly freeze. Then his vision spun. Until he saw his headless body still standing in place.
Too fast!
In the face of extreme speed, even a Jinchūriki couldn't react!
Let alone an ordinary Jinchūriki who hadn't even had time to respond.
The transparent red Bijū chakra cloak on the Three-Tails Jinchūriki's body couldn't withstand that extreme slash.
Because Tobirama had coated his samurai sword with Truth-Seeking Balls from the Tenseigan, giving it the ability to penetrate nearly all chakra and Ninjutsu.
Not to mention this basic Bijū chakra, even a perfect Susano'o defense could be sliced through.
That's why he could kill the Three-Tails Jinchūriki in a single strike!
"…"
This scene also shocked the other Jinchūriki.
A chill ran up their spines, straight to their brains, nearly piercing through their skulls.
Recently, with their enhanced seals, they could harness the immense power of the Bijū. This brutal strength had inflated their egos, even making them feel invincible.
The brute power that allowed one to take on an entire village was hard not to become addicted to.
Aside from Dōjutsu and Wood Release, nothing else could restrain their power.
But now, after witnessing the Three-Tails Jinchūriki killed in an instant by Tobirama, the four remaining Jinchūriki realized how wrong they were!
In front of ordinary ninja, they were indeed monster-like Jinchūriki.
But in front of Tobirama with the Tenseigan, they were still weak, helpless lambs ready for slaughter!
Moreover, Tobirama was different from Hashirama.
Hashirama might spare other ninja and not kill them all.
But Tobirama, this killer and madman, didn't care about your status or race. If you were an enemy, he would kill you!
"Attack together!"
The Four-Tails Jinchūriki shouted, immediately entering a half-Bijū state, sprouting three dark red tails at once.
With full power, he was the first to charge at Tobirama.
He knew very well that unless someone sacrificed themselves to distract him, no one could escape the pursuit of a ninja wielding the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Especially since Tobirama was a super sensor-type ninja, capable of tracking targets from hundreds of kilometers away.
There was no hope of escape. They would only be killed one by one. Only by working together did the four remaining Jinchūriki have a chance to survive!
"Golden Wheel Reincarnation Explosion!"
Tobirama didn't hesitate to use his ultimate technique, holding nothing back.
He had once suffered a defeat at the hands of a fake Jinchūriki and was mocked for it his entire life.
How could he make the same mistake twice?
*SHUA!*
A golden sword light tore through the darkness of the night, slashing diagonally.
The light extended for hundreds of meters, cleaving everything in its path in two. Even the ground split, forming a long, narrow crevice.
Of course, this was Tobirama deliberately suppressing its power and range.
Otherwise, this sword could have sliced through a forest spanning tens of thousands of meters around.
As for the Four-Tails Jinchūriki who attacked, he was cleanly bisected. It was a hundred times smoother than cutting butter with a knife.
The super-defensive Bijū outer layer that could withstand the Kusanagi Sword was utterly meaningless against the absolute power of the Six Paths level.
Tobirama, now wielding the Tenseigan, not only had powerful mechanics but also overwhelmingly strong stats.
*BAM!*
A mangled corpse and blood rained down. This also extinguished the courage of the three remaining Jinchūriki to fight.
Everyone knew that fighting desperately was their only chance to survive. But witnessing their comrades killed one by one and still fighting fearlessly was something that went against human nature!
Clearly, the three remaining Jinchūriki lacked such courage and resolve. Or rather, the Bijū within their bodies didn't want to die!
Though Bijū could revive, their memories might not remain intact after death. Would the revived self still be the same?
Even the Bijū couldn't be certain.
Thus, they too feared death. They didn't want to die with these Jinchūriki!
Run!
The three remaining Jinchūriki made the same decision.
The Five-Tails Jinchūriki suddenly exploded, using his power to quickly create a chakra mist that covered the area, increasing their chances of escape.
*SWISH!* *SWISH!* *SWISH!*
Three dark red lights shot out, scattering in three different directions within the white mist.
They didn't aim to be the fastest, only to run faster than the others. Perhaps that would give them a chance to survive.
After all, the three remaining Jinchūriki were the original Five-Tails from Iwagakure, the original Two-Tails from Kumogakure, and the original Six-Tails from Kirigakure.
They didn't know each other. They had only come together for one purpose: revenge against Konoha.
Now, faced with the threat of death, they naturally parted ways.
They united out of hatred and separated out of fear.
Unfortunately, escaping from the current Tobirama was no easy feat.
Tobirama raised his hand. Three Truth-Seeking Balls formed, spinning rapidly, creating a violent storm.
In an instant, all the white mist around was cleared.
"Run?"
"Run where!"
Tobirama looked at the three fleeing Jinchūriki, the corner of his mouth slightly curling. Then he vanished from the spot.
At the scene,
Only Chiyo, unconscious, and the sole remaining Sunagakure ninja, Tsuchigi, lying helplessly with a dislocated jaw, remained.
Tsuchigi, unable to speak, lay powerlessly on the ground. Seeing his comrades' corpses and the unconscious Kazekage, he couldn't hold back his tears.
It's over, everything's over!
(Sunagakure's future is gone. I'm truly useless!)
As the Kazekage's guard, he could only watch her fight desperately to protect them. He was utterly useless!
The only good news was that the Second Hokage arrived in time and saved Chiyo.
If Chiyo had died too, he wouldn't have the face to go on living!
Quickly, just over ten seconds later, an Anbu team led by Homura and Koharu swiftly arrived at the scene.
They began cleaning up the battlefield and rescuing the wounded.
"Damn—!"
"The traces of battle here are terrifying. Was this a Bijū-level fight?"
"What are Bijū? They're still easily handled by Tobirama-sensei."
"Look, that's the Third Kazekage!"
"Goodness! She's beaten to a pulp. That's so pitiful! Someone would feel sorry for her, right?"
"Shh! Koharu, hurry and help treat her. Tobirama-sensei said to try saving this Kazekage's life…"
"Save her life? If she dies, wouldn't that make it easier to unify Sunagakure?"
"You idiot! A whole village surrendering, led by its Kazekage, isn't that far more advantageous than destroying it?"
"Look at the three destroyed villages (Kumogakure, Kirigakure, Iwagakure)—don't terrorists pop up occasionally? Though not dangerous, it's still troublesome."
"Makes sense. Tobirama-sensei really thinks of everything!"
The poor Sunagakure ninja, Tsuchigi, lay helplessly on the ground, listening to the ear-piercing conversation from Konoha's side.
Their attitude, already treating Sunagakure as their own, made his heart ache like it was being sliced by a knife.
But he couldn't deny it.
What they said was the truth. Without Konoha, they would have been wiped out.
Sunagakure might have been destroyed by those Jinchūriki and Bijū.
In this cruel ninja world, not having enough strength to protect the village was a sin in itself!
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Less than two minutes later,
Tobirama returned, carrying three Jinchūriki pierced with black rods.
No doubt, none of the three Jinchūriki could escape Tobirama's grasp.
In a short time, they were all captured alive.
Considering he had already killed two Jinchūriki, the remaining three could be used as power sources or perpetual motion machines. Tobirama didn't kill them, only capturing them alive.
"Hokage-sama!"
"How's the Kazekage's condition?"
"Her injuries are severe, but her life isn't in danger." Koharu answered promptly.
"Good. Clean up the battlefield, and bring the prisoners and the wounded back to the village. I still have other matters to attend to."
"Yes, sir!"
After giving instructions, Tobirama vanished again swiftly.
He left only awe and respect in his wake.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
On the other side,
Dozens of kilometers from the battlefield, in a secret underground cave nearly a thousand meters below the surface,
The only truly filial child, Black Zetsu, was hiding here, feeling extremely anxious and restless.
Ever since he learned Tobirama would hold a Ninja Championship and announce the Rinnegan as the prize, Black Zetsu had been thrilled, almost reaching a climax.
It was the ultimate Dōjutsu he had sought his entire life. And the only key to freeing his mother, Kaguya!
But Black Zetsu wasn't foolish. He naturally suspected this was likely a trap targeting him.
But how could he seize a tiger cub without entering its lair?
He had waited too long. He had made his mother wait too long.
As long as there was a chance for success, a chance to seize the Rinnegan, Black Zetsu was willing to take the risk.
So he began planning early.
From contacting the remnants of the three villages, inciting the traitor hawk faction of the Uchiha, to funding and luring the Jinchūriki… and more.
All of it was planned and manipulated by Black Zetsu.
But he was also extremely cautious. He controlled the entire plan from a distance. None of the participants knew the location of his true body.
All messages were relayed through the lantern-like White Zetsu beside him, then passed to the main White Zetsu, who controlled everyone else.
Thus, even if something went wrong in one part and a pawn was captured alive, it wouldn't reveal his true body's location.
This way, the risk could be minimized.
Even if he ultimately failed, as long as he wasn't exposed, it wouldn't be a big deal.
If he could succeed, Black Zetsu naturally hoped for success. After all, he had worked so hard and dreamed of reviving his mother.
Unfortunately, though he had planned everything, would he succeed in the end? Black Zetsu wasn't entirely confident.
He only lived longer. He only knew more information, and his heart was a bit dirtier.
He wasn't omniscient, nor omnipotent.
Of course, he couldn't always get what he wanted. If he were that powerful, he would have saved his mother long ago.
Thus, this final waiting period was excruciating for Black Zetsu.
After waiting for who knows how long, the lantern-like White Zetsu beside him suddenly sensed something.
"He's back!"
"Good! Go meet him. Don't reveal this location. Remember, check thoroughly again. Don't leave any traces!"
Black Zetsu gave the order with extreme caution.
Sometimes he couldn't help but marvel. He didn't understand how that bastard Tobirama's brain worked.
How could he single-handedly push Ninjutsu and Kinjutsu to such heights!
With just the Flying Thunder God Technique, even the Sage of the Six Paths would nod in admiration.
So, when dealing with Tobirama, no amount of caution was enough.
The lantern-like White Zetsu immediately moved, leaving the cave to meet the main White Zetsu.
Less than a minute later,
The lantern-like White Zetsu returned. Not only was his face beaming, but he also held a glass tube in his hand.
"Success?!"
Black Zetsu's gaze toward the lantern-like White Zetsu was intense. He was so excited that his voice trembled slightly.
"Success!!!"
The White Zetsu gleefully approached, handing the Rinnegan to Black Zetsu.
"What about those Jinchūriki?"
Black Zetsu didn't care about other casualties. No matter how many died, they were just pawns.
But the Bijū within the Jinchūriki's bodies were crucial for the future revival of the Ten-Tails. So he asked again.
"Not clear yet. I heard Tobirama showed up. The main guy only escaped by luck. It's unclear how many Jinchūriki got away."
"Tch! He came that fast? But then again, it's Tobirama."
Black Zetsu sighed.
He had tried so hard to mislead the enemy. He didn't expect Tobirama to catch up.
"But it's fine. Bijū don't die. We can capture them again later."
"As long as we have the Rinnegan, the Bijū and others don't matter!"
Black Zetsu spoke while laughing, carefully stroking the glass tube in his hand as if caressing a precious treasure.
But slowly, Black Zetsu realized something was off.
"Wait… this Rinnegan…?"
"You noticed something strange?"
Another voice sounded beside Black Zetsu.
"It seems fake? But…" Black Zetsu was still immersed in confusion and anxiety, not noticing anything odd beside him.
"Correct, it's fake."
"No way! It can't be fake! Wait… that voice, you… Tobirama!"
Black Zetsu suddenly realized.
He only now noticed that Tobirama had somehow appeared beside him!